*OFFICIAL* Alienware 17 R2/R3 Owner's Lounge

I mean three replacements of HSF and recurring problems would qualify for system replacement. I doubt what Dell might do?
@sagarbhathwar: How much temp does ePSA report after running quick test, if it is >60-65C then you have a chance of replacement. Or as a real world test, monitor the cpu temp after firing up huge word file.

When Dell techs who are pro cannot fix this then you could fix it yourself. As long as you've right tools and take it slow, document everything you remove etc. Even I'm a noob in opening AW.

 

I've attached Dell ePSA reporting 94C. L3 says 94C is normal

They have given me an option of sending it to a service center where they will monitor for "a week" and see what is wrong

Edit - No need to open anything. Just cold starting HWInfo gives temps of 80C+. Just opening that alone. (CPU usage is about 10% in task manager, so nothing else running). Gaming => immediate shoot to 90C+. Many times, Core 1 reaches 99C. How it is normal, I am clueless.

 

I doubt they will return the lappie as it is saying, it has no issues. I'd advise you to watch some videos and try a repaste yourself and also ask for battery replacement because the charge capacity is 77%.
Or else if your cousin is going to the US, you could send it to @Team_LHz to repaste your laptop with Kryonaut on both CPU and GPU.

 

Unlikely, only PC I have. Can't give it away even for a week now.

And also, my laptop is over a year old, so I guess they might experiment with 255 motherboard replacements rather than give a new Laptop

And it is imminent that one day, I won't be able to run ePSA to get failed because CPU would have burst into flames and destroyed the universe

 

@sagarbhathwar: Can one of your classmates help in repaste, considering he/she might have some experience in disassembling laptops or even desktops?

 

So here is the deal. I will set my CPU usage to 99% so that turbo boost is off. Dell has offered me "a week of observation". Let them have it, maybe after my laptop's use temporarily gets over in April. If, after that, temps are 80C+ under any circumstances, I can confront them with a notice from consume court(maybe?) or show a history of failures and ask for a laptop replacement

 

I want to buy this monitor "ASUS VG248QE 24" Full HD 1920x1080 144Hz 1ms HDMI Gaming Monitor" and was wondering if i could run 144hz on my laptop "Alienware - 17.3 4K Ultra HD Laptop - Intel Core i7 - 8GB Memory - 1TB Hard Drive + 128 GB SSD - GPU 970m 3GB Dedicated". I've been researching this topic all over and have been getting mixed answers. Can you actually do this or not? Could you use the USB Type-C/Thunderbolt 3 to DisplayPort cable to be able to achieve 144hz at 1080p? https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01E...SY340_QL65&keywords=usb+type+c+to+displayport
Or maybe thru a hdmi to DisplayPort cable would do it? I'm stuck if anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated.

Edit: This is a Alienware 17 R3 Bought it early 2016

 

As far as I know, it is locked to 60Hz. Maybe you can try alienware graphics amplifier. You can buy a GPU and connect monitor to AGA and that might work.

 

I would run all tests @VICKYGAMEBOY used + those you already have done before you throw in your machine to Dell support. Put it up on videos and pict so you can have as great evidence. Remember no use of under voltage in your testing!! Same if you send in your AWbook. And all tests in the worst allowed ambient conditions. Not let them screw y00.

 

Anyone else have a different input?

 

You can use ThrottleStop and try disabling Turbo boost for checking if the system overheats w/o boost. Have you put something on the base so that air vents gets fresh air instead of getting exhaust air. I placed a wooden plank or you could buy a laptop stand and check how it goes?
If nothing works, its better you contact @VICKYGAMEBOY as @Papusan suggested.

 

Finally, after so much effort, I received a call from "Advanced resolution team" who said they would escalate it to R&D and see if they can release a BIOS patch to reduce the temp.(Really wonder how software update can fix hardware fault?)

And that guy says its a prevalent issue with "17 R3" and there have been lots of similar complaints . Is it?

Anyways hoping for a fix soon!

 

@sagarbhathwar: Only At the expense of extreme throttling at SW level. I think 1.3.10 is the last BIOS. Maybe you ought to go Conductonaut to get lower temps because trad. pate was somewhat not helpful in your condition.

 

If they cripple the performance(I am recording gameplay videos to show FPS and some compilation benchmarks, will know if they cripple the performance), I'll be moved to request a laptop replacement. Without turbo boost, it's crippled enough for someone who is used to high performance

I'll update once I hear from the "advanced" resolution team tomorrow

 

@sagarbhathwar: May I know, if SQL writer service and other auto startup services of Visual studio and other IDEs are set to manual?

 

If by manual, you mean they are disabled in the Task Manager's "Startup" tab, yes, most of them are disabled and very few required ones are enabled. If you mean disabled in the IDE settings OR Windows services, I'm not sure. I've never bothered to change them. When things are completely idle with only task manager and Hwinfo running, about 5-8% CPU usage in task manager is shown. Still, surface gets warm and CPU temp goes upto 75C(with turbo boost enabled)

Note - postgresql server is running all the time on my machine though it uses 0% CPU. I guess that shouldn't be a problem

At the end of the day, no matter if I'm at 10% load or 100%, CPU temps shouldn't cross 85C(or as others like, 75C) That's it.

And I use Arch Linux too. It uses like 1-2% CPU and 400-600MB RAM when idle! And "watch -n 1 sensors" still occasionally shoots upto 65-75C with no CPU usage spike. Not too many cron jobs, not too many services in the background either. Yet, surface temps overshoot.

Let the advanced team give an advanced solution for this advanced problem

 

@sagarbhathwar: I meant services in services.msc. Especially SQL writer service simply shoots up cpu temps. In linux every services runs on demand based or trigger based, so temp will be less. Even in my system linux rarely shoots up temps above 60C.
One more thing, can you provide us with current,max and avg. PCH temps in HWINFO?

 

I don't even have SQL writer in services.msc. So, no question about that.

Well, I have attached screenshots of new record breaking temperatures! 82C of Nvidia, 93C+ on all Cores. 100C on overall package. 82.5C PCH. I think it's a matter of time before something blows up and I'll have to call 102

 

@sagarbhathwar: Something is wrong with the unit otherwise the fans should reduce the temps. I suspect faulty heatsink. You could complain that laptop is too hot to touch and type on, let alone do my coursework for long period of time.
Your old motherboard was better than this.

 

Definitely. I'll push for a laptop replacement tomorrow. Just sick of this already. I'm on power saver and 99% max CPU usage(to prevent turbo boosting). I'm able to atleast touch the keyboard without feeling it's heat.

Heatsink has been replaced thrice already. I don't know if it's the method of fixing it, thermal paste or what. Even ePSA hit a record of 97C and PCH 85C. It's getting so frustrating that I once though of just throwing away this and buy a low end MacBook Air or something for 50K using which I can live peacefully.

I really want to open it myself on weekend, but if I break a wire, I'll void the warranty and I don't want that.

 

Everything can be *fixed* with firmware. Just gimping the power settings and manipulate thermals.

There have been all sorts of problems from the beginning. Started with the AW "Echo" line early 2015. Just search up the sub-threads. Awful reading!!

You could enable EC support in Hwinfo settings for reading fan speed. See if they work as intended. You can as well if I remember correctly... Forcing max fans with Hwinfo fan control for the AW Echo models. See if it helps.

Uninstall also Intel ® Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework (Intel® DPTF). See if it helps. This driver isn't useful at all. Bloat from Intel.

Also you shouldn't have much more than 0-2% cpu loads if you running idle speed without software up. Use Autoruns.Exe for tweaking what you want running on your system.

And please read the Windoze X tweak and fix guide in the forum. M$ Morons love to put in more and more unwanted trash in their pastel colored trash.

 

@sagarbhathwar : If you have accidental damage protection, you can claim if you break something. Have you checked if CPU fans are spinning like a jet under full load?

 

Fans go crazy on load. Fans are fine. I have even tried with Setting fan to max always(Fan performance mode in BIOS) to no avail

No ADP, unfortunately not available for imported laptops, another stupid Dell Policy. Since The "advanced" resolution expert claims that this is a problem with 17 R3 family, a laptop replacement might be a possibility. I'll update once I receive a callback from him

 

Be prepared to go throughout 5-6 or 7 MB replacement first. Same as @VICKYGAMEBOY
Good luck with receiving a laptop replacement with first try. Will never happen!!

 

Multiple repasting trials,Multiple heatsink replacement, one MB, replacement
Advanced Resolution expert says "Problem with 17 R3 and can't be fixed by heatsink or MB replacement" => Performance of MacBook Air with severe throttling to 1.3Ghz from bios patch and 15FPS in Assassin's Creed unity. Will you accept it?

 

Throttling down to 1.3GHz? I would say this clock speed you see is a improvement vs. the massive throttling down to 0.799MHz with first AW Echo models

Regarding if I would accept this? See bottom in earlier reply to you in post # 3740

I jumped the AW ship once they started with the BGA machines. AW isn't Alienware anymore... Everything is Dell now!! And Alienware's ceo Mr. Azor is as yooo should know by now. Vice President also for Dell's other brand name... The XPS line. Everything is DELL!! All of you should know this now.

 

@sagarbhathwar: Did you give throttlestop a try? One more thing did the new (*cough* refurb) board come with BIOS 1.3.10 from the factory?

 

software update ?? lol EC update.. to change the max PCH throttle value, with different driver setups, PCH throttle starts for me at 85c to be exact.. and in my location with 35c ambient.. it easily crosses those temps within 30mins of gaming.. best way to get rid of that is to keep a laptop cooler and remove the backplate for now.. u can undervolt a bit.. im on 1.3.10, lets see if they push any BIOS update.. where it increases the pch throttle temps to 90c or more.. since intel max limit 106c. 95C should be fine.. but i doubt dell would do that..

 

Mr papusan what i was telling was about a hypothetical situation where Dell might cripple the performance with a BIOS update in the future

And the replacement motherboard came with 1.3.9. doesnt matter. I tried from 1.2.2/8/15, 1.3.6/9/10. No different at all.

Their claim was to decrease temperature. If they throttle the Performance, there will be a lawsuit in their face. Or if they increase the throttle temp(to 100C+), they are going against their word and more lawsuits for blowing up laptops and too many 102 calls.

I wonder what the fix is

 

Try to monitor ur PCH temps.. try to keep it below 80c.. use a notepad cooler.. open the back access panel.. try this method.. apart from this i have no other solution.. yes if ur filing a case against dell.. ill also vote for this.. but these things are way old.. lets seee..

 

When an "advanced" resolution expert has agreed that this is a problem with R3s and promised to bring the CPU temps below 80C, it only makes logical sense to wait and see what he will do. I'll post once I hear back from him(Had to get a call today, wonder where he went )

 

well the R3's are the same as the 15R2's. Its not a widespread issue though. Most 15's and 17's run fine. But if the laptop is repaired too much without doing it properly, nothing will fit real snug together again causing it to become unreliable. Its a problem though ambient temps are around 35c. For pretty much any gaming laptop out there. Its a 10c increase on what they consider the average.

 

@sagarbhathwar: Lets hope for the best.

 

DELL and PCH THROTTLING + crippled firmware isn't new. Try out TS and disable PROCHOT.
Same type throttling have been seen in all 3 revisions of AW ECHO models. Some worse, some better. There is several ways to crippling performance.

 

Ok, I didnt get a call from "Advanced" Resolution expert yet, and it's weekend where my laptop is exploding with heat even on battery!! I am not able to do anything on it. It's getting hot even when turbo boosting is disabled and I'm on Power saver mode!

Here is my dilemma:

1. Should I wait for the callback and what they have decided to do OR

2. Should I open up the laptop myself and see what in the universe is going on?

If I choose the second one, how hard is it to disassemble and assemble the whole setup? What would happen if I clip a wire? Should the whole motherboard be changed?

Thanks

 

Be careful in pulling out WLAN antennas, you need to use small prying tool and use the edge to dislodge the antenna (Use minimum force) Use this video. You can use prying tool to remove all cables such as Keyboard, CMOS, CPU and GPU fans, Backlight cable etc etc. You can use guide for repasting and a video. Here's another guide as well http://blog.parts-people.com/category/dell-alienware-repair-manuals/alienware-15-r2/

 

I have an 17R3 with the standard DDR4 2133Mhz 16GB X 2 inside but I am looking to upgrade my RAM speed as far as it will go. Any suggestions guys?

 

Aha! One week with advanced resolution group and for what?

"It's working according to design"!!!!

Seriously, I feel like throwing it away. They did some re-pasting with some "certified" paste and HWiNFO shows that they aren't meant to be certified! The surface firing up like before.

Certainly, I am out of options here now! It's just not the heatsink or thermal paste. Something else is wrong with it and neither me nor "L3"s at Dell nor Advanced Resolution Expert is able to find it out!

And guess what? 99C under no load after giving it to them? Seriously, what is happening? Is there no one who can help me?

Surely, it is a serious option for me to consider a trash bin and never buy an AW again

EDIT: Really Funny thing!

The "R&D" group ran several games in the BACKGROUND and experienced CPU temperatures no more than 78C when sitting in an Air conditioned room.

THIS IS HOW THEY TESTED MY LAPTOP!

Wow, R&D team doesn't know that games don't run in background

 

@sagarbhathwar: Even I noticed high temps on palmrest and my temps are lower than 90C. The R&D team might have run UWP apps. I can't even maintain my cpu temps under 70C running one game and how they did it, might be running in fully Air conditioned room with temps set to 20-25C you might.
You might have an issue of warped HSF or uneven surface that is causing the problem. Also, there is core differentials too. I think your best bet is to get a sand paper and sand the surface of heat sink in one direction several times to get an even finish. Now comes the important part, don't be stingy in applying thermal paste use the optimal amount.

 

First... I'm sorry you have to go through this mess. If this is a comfort for this tragedy... The new Aw Echo models are on the same level. Pretty @iunlock? What's the point paying for Dell's Premium support?

 

Very difficult case..... i saw ambient temps of 40c in india according to google. Pretty much any laptop has trouble under load with that. But a good repaste should help alleviate the problem.

 

Hmm, any untuned machine, including clevo will run like Rubbish with Temps being through the roof. Actually worse on clevo due to the nature of the machine and components.

No issues here... With pch temp. Even after hours of gaming.

Those Monkeys. It's amazing that they don't know what they are doing. Seriously clueless worthless phony techs.

With that said, sad to say but it would be unreasonable to expect any results after a monkey touches your machine.

PM me and I'll get this forwarded.

All systems have to be tuned.

In the US its worth it. That's the point. It's unfortunate that Dell service lacks outside the US, but that is supposedly getting addressed.

That's quite toasty indeed...

::iunlock::

 

This time I mostly talked about the PCH and (SSD overheating). I haven't seen this type overheating problem be mentioned much with other brands models. Only the AW models. And I have looked and analyzed a lot of laptop models from several brands as you probably know.
The PCH temp problems started with the first Echo models early 2015. Never the socket models from Alienware. Thinner the models is, the more you see such types of problems.

 

Even stock I have not reached those high pch Temps. Therefore, this issue isn't across the board.

It could be something faulty with certain units.

Who knows... But nonetheless, high pch Temps is not good.

::iunlock::

 

Maybe ambient temps also come into play. As @Papusan said, I have seen only AW echo or cassini ( 13 r3/15 r3 / 17 r4) reported the problems of overheating and stuffs like that. Surely, a repaste would do 90% of the fix.

 

I have yet to see any pch temp issues after now 2 years of use. But my ambient temp is at most 26c.

Also other thinner laptops tend to throttle on cpu or gpu alone before the pch can ever reach a too high temp.

Its not widespread and there are just some lemons out there. But if the ambient temp is around 35 to 40c its already operating out of spec for some components in a laptop tbh. @Papusan for us europeans we have it easier to cool our laptops. There in India you can instantly add another 20c to your temps and then you notice that even the thickest laptops have not so great cooling.

edit: here the max operation spec is for example 35C. 40C and sometimes even higher is just killing for a laptop. http://cdn.cnetcontent.com/c5/99/c599541e-72b2-4d9e-9d1a-a0f412cf1fe9.pdf

 

Was just playing Planetside 2 on maximum settings. Generally runs at 35-45 FPS( 970M you see). But at times, you can see MASSIVE FPS drop to around 8-10FPS. I'm rendering the video on GPU now, will upload it soon with timestamps of insane FPS drops.

If this isn't proof enough for Dell techs, R&D teams and whoever that EVERYTHING IS NOT RIGHT, I am going to consumer court.

 

.
Massive FPS drop to below 15FPS. Timelapse in the description
Few screenshots from HWiNFO
@VICKYGAMEBOY not sure if you were facing a similar issue

 

But what are your ambient room temps. thats very important. If they surpass 35c, then Dell would be in the right in this case.

 

Maximum ambient temperature at Bangalore is 34C!