*OFFICIAL* Alienware 17 R2/R3 Benchmark Thread

I'm confused how the scoring works.
How is your physics score so high but your overall score and combined score still average?
How much does physics score play into game processing compared to "score," "graphics score," and "combined score?"

 

The 3Dmark Fire strike benchmark test was tested with an near 2years old Hotwell processor and gtx 780m... An gaming PC is also used for much more than just gaming. Only showing the processor physics score with an older generation Intel laptop processor... Also an older processor can get a good processor physics score into an benchmark test... That's not all Intel does that is so good. They focus more on integrated graphics since Intel does not have competition on delivering real performance processors longer. Similar also applies to Nvidia and Microsof with their product's. Intel focuses more and more on processors that provide the same performance as previous generations of processors, only with less power consumption and better integrated graphics. This is not to go forward ... What should people with slightly faster integrated graphics from the processor, when they really want a PC with dedicated graphics and maximum performance from the processor? Why should a processor not be able to keep maximum turbo boost bins, but throttled during use? Is this the future? With a more powerful processors you might get 3-5 fps more into processor dependent games but perhaps also with processor dependent games coming in the future .. This is decided perhaps by Direkt x12 in the future ...

 

Intel focuses more and more on processors that provide the same performance as previous generations of processors, only with less power consumption and better integrated graphics.
I don't believe intel is focusing on maintaining processors with the same performance. that seems like a silly mission for a company to endeavor. I feel the focus is more so on maximizing performance per watt. The unfortunate tradeoff is that overall performance has stagnated as this new technology is being refined. I suppose time will tell, when skylake is released. If intel is as you believe them to be, the performance will remain the same.

from a business perspective, I feel the current trend to be beneficial for mobile technology. do we not want mobile technology to be energy efficient? do we not want our more basic mobile technology to be able to process high resolution videos? what about the average user?

as for the enthusiast (since that's what this forum is moreso for) I think Intel is still moving in a proper direction. It may not be the perfect direction, but it's still moving in the right direction. Take for example the i7-4980HQ. Physics scores in the 10,000's at a price point of $623.00 USD (highest I've seen is 10,770). Compared to the i7-4930MX with physics scores in the 12,000 at a price point of $1,096.00 USD (with many physic scores landing in the low 95oo's even as low as the 9300's). In addition, for the average enthusiast, the $400~ USD saved on the processor can be used to enhance other components that may bottleneck the overall performance of the unit, ie a better discrete GPU. As mentioned, this isn't a perfect world, and so the overall performance of the CPU has taken a step back, however, even the earliest automobiles were less convenient than a horse and buggy. Time will tell how performance increases.

As for the current enthusiast looking to maximize their laptop's CPU right now, without waiting for technology to catch up - they can always look to alternatives such as Sager's latest notebook which integrates a desktop CPU. Take for example the desktop CPU i7-4790K with physic scores ranging from 1300-1600 at an even lower price point of $339.00 USD.

This does bring in a new question, how does the heat compare from an older CPU compared to the newer ones? (mobile CPU's, not the desktop CPU).

 

overall I think technology develops in cycles.
technology released --> maximize performance --> size, heat, and power wall (overheating, overconsumption) --> new technology released to overcome size, heat, and power wall while maintaining performance --> size, heat, and power wall overcome --> maximize performance --> new size, heat, and power wall reached --> new technology released to overcome size, heat, and power wall barrier --> repeat.

we may just be in between the sweet spots, which will come again as focus shifts.

 

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/6508933

Does my test look normal ? using 240 psu

 

Quick look on my end: everything looks ok for you. (y)



Temps on idle:

 

which bios version? mine i after downgrade to A00 staying from 47-52 on idle, before downgrade was 57-65

 

A01

 

Just a word of caution regarding Liquid Ultra - it contains Gallium, so not only is it conductive, it will eat your aluminium heatsink for breakfast:

 

Interestingly, it looks like the graphics amp may work with linux. I have used a live usb and my desktop graphics card is detected using lspci | grep -E "VGA|3D",

The killer wifi card is not supported yet so I have ordered a usb wifi from amazon, will give it a try once it comes.

 

Did anyone try to overclock the display cresting the custom resolution in Nvidia Control Panel? If it's the same IPS screen used in 17" MSI/Asus/Sager it might get to much higher than 60hz refresh rate)

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replacement unit bench mark test

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/6632903

best thing temp never go more than 71 during the test
i love it

 

dropped my bag a little too hard I think and now I have 2 green stuck pixels on black backgrounds. Seems I am doomed to imperfection with these damn things... so fragile though. I really abused my g73jh much much worse and it never had any issues. these are made of glass.

 

Maybe G73JH was slightly heavier constructed.

 

Shame the full aluminium case of the old M18x's has been done away with.....those machines were built like tanks.

 

Yeah I hit my M17XR2 quite a few times by setting my backpack down too hard and it never did anything.

I just took the plunge and ordered one myself so here's hoping everything goes right.

 

Did you guys try new A03 bios for AW 17?

 

Yes please I been waiting for this to come out im on A02 and really hope 3 is better!

 

A few benchmarks on AW 17 4980HQ/980M

Stock GPU
http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/9747603
http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/6787332?

OC GPU +135/100
http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/9747932
http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/6787992?

Throttles like crazy, both CPU and GPU! Games runs better with stock clocks long terms. Bios A01, 240W PSU, CPU -50mv, cache -50mv

Games never exceed 175W from the wall, most of the time around 150-165W. That thing has some potential, but somebody just doesn't want to let the beast out((

 

I have the same config with the 240W PSU,
It was impossible for me to play with o/c at far cry 4 for instance, even at stock clock I had brutal fps drops...
Someone on this forum advised me to install bios A00 since it is suppose to be free of that hybrid power thing.
I did it and never had any problem so far in-game, even at +130/+180. I did not undervolted my cpu and the temperature of the CPU a cooler because of a fan profile apparently more efficient (but more noisy) with this bios.
I am not expert, so maybe I did not mention potential small throttles but I have 60 fps constant for hours of game now.

 

ufomammut

Did you flash A00 withing windows or through DOS? What was your system bios when you got your system?

 

I didn't check what was the original bios because I immediately flashed it to A02 withing windows day one (mid February).
I flashed from A02 to A00 from windows too.

 

Could you please run Unigine Valley Extreme HD with that overclock? I get 2210pts.

And if possible Intel XTU build in benchmark - i get 950pts

 

I ll check when i ll be at home

 

Unigine valley extreme hd 2250 oc +130+180

Xtu 922 max temp 75

 

That's about right) thanks

Could you also run any game with no vsync with such an oc on gpu and check gpu-z sensors tab to see if gpu load is always 99%. For my +135/100 OC as soon as i start a game the fps goes up like 8-10%. But after 10 min it throttles, and i have to revert back to stock clocks.

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I'll just leave it here - http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/6800839?

 

Ok after reading enough I really want to go back to A00.. could you please give me instructions how to go back to A00 from windows. Would really appreciate it. Thanks!

 

I have a 17 R2 GTX980M and i7 4980 and had a few issues running benchmark because of throttling!
I have changed my PSU from 180 to 240 and tryed the A03 bios and it was even worst (throttling + alim went off during hard test!)
Since I return to A00 it works perfectly but none of A02 or A03 unleashed my beast but the A00...
Just go on the Dell website at the support and drivers pages and click on older Bios version to find the A00.
I'll post some result of 3S Mark with that config later

 

Psu switching off during hard test
i also got that with a02 but also once with aoo typically underskydiver with oc
Anyway now it is ok under gaming using the A00
I guess dell will have to create a bios that take into consideration both senarii of gave the 240w without hybrid power or the 180w
What a mess.

 

Dell has delivered the new AW17R2 with 180s power, therefore will all bios update's for this laptop come with hybrid functionality. Hope not Dell launches future bios with broken fan profiles or Trottle functionality. If future BIOSes comes with crippled fan profiles, are all who own a AW17R2 locked to the oldest bios A00. This means those who want a coldest possible laptop can never update to a new bios with added functionality...

 

Aside from heat... does bios A00 do anything to help throttling for the CPU?

 

Lower heat = Less throttling... Simple math. Many laptop manufacturers have a lower Trottle point than Intel's own specifications.
Bios A00 is the best choice along with a 240W power supply. Higher heat over time reduce the quality of the thermal grease. Shorter life ...

 

My CPU seems to generally not go over 85c and it usually closer to 75-80c. Can I go right to dell's site and install the A00 bios over my A02? Same way I updated to A02?

 

I ran the Sky diver test, and my Cpu temperated read between 90c-95c at max. Is it because I'm running 240 watt + A03?

Update: thanks for the replies. held my breath and updated to a00. now temps are 79 and below.

 

YES...

YES...

 

Yea the fans don't kick on until the temps reach around 95-98 degrees Celsius with bios a02 and a03

 

Dell will never manage to create a real fan profile. Dell desire that the laptop shall be silent, even if the result gives much hotter hardware. Same problem as the previous model... This is because people want a quiet laptop and want it to be powerful at the same time

 

is there anyway we can let them know, so that they can fix it. btw thanks for the replies, going back to a00 helped.

 

I and several have tried for over 1.5 years to get help from Dell when it comes to broken (useless) fan profiles in previous AW 17R1 and 18. Nothing helps ... Unfortunately...

 

Well, I'd like to join the effort despite how hopeless it is. I made my post here http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746 , and it's awaiting mod 's approval.

 

Write also that this problem is the same as the previous AW models still have

 

Ok back to A00 and my temps do in fact seem a bit lower. Afterburner was reporting CPU temps around 68-75 while gaming in Farcry 4... not too bad. Guess ill be sticking with this for a while.

 

Thought so yes

 

Hey, guys, can you run Dying Light/Far Cry4/DAI and check your cpu clocks in the background? I'm on 4980HQ + 980M + 240W PSU + A00

What i've noticed is that the cpu speed fluctuates around 2Ghz only in those titles and as soon as you overclock gpu even just a little, the cpu speed goes down to 1.5ghz resulting in gpu usage drop.

I think the system still tries not to exceed 180W limit even when using 240W psu. This only happens when cpu with high utilization and gpu uses at the same time. In gta 5 the cpu utiliz hovers around 20% so it stays 3.8ghz, but in Dying light it's higher than 50% and drops to 2ghz, the same in 3dmark11 combined test((

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If this happens also in a 3Dmark11 combined test, then is something totally wrong. Should not be such in a single simple benchmark test..

 

Try running this test and check your cpu speeds in intex xtu in the background

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Test 1 is heavier than the combined test in 3Dmark11...

 

I think your problem will be solved if you use the latest version of the system BIOS - the first version made the system throttle at about 85% max load of the PSU (from my memory). The later versions of system BIOS enable you to use 100% the capacity of the PSU, so flash the latest BIOS and that should fix it for you.

(Not been keeping 100% up to date with this thread, but think I've seen a few posts saying that later version of system BIOS were causing higher temperatures - that could well be because there is less CPU/GPU throttling - which would be a good thing.)

 

Flashed to A03, still the same. Done some more in depth testing. Cpu works like a charm independently, 4Ghz stable!



but as soon as i launch a game with high CPU usage the speed drops, there have been post where running crysis 3 resulted in 2.5ghz from the cpu tops!

What i did is lowered the GPU clocks while in the game and check what i got



The lower GPU clocks yielded higher CPU clocks and lower CPU usage) I still think that the problem relies in the bios where Dell set limits to 180W power draw max cause it doesn't ship systems with 240W PSU. And if Dell unlocks all the settings people with 180W PSUs will have overheats and system shutdowns. Guess we are doomed here, hehe)