*OFFICIAL* Alienware 17 R4 Owner's Lounge

Gotcha man thanks! I received mine on the 7th of this month so I might be able to slide in there.


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You should i received mine on the 6th and they told me tomorrow was my last day. So if you want an exchange i would definitely call them today or tomorrow. Tech support is going to want to diagnose a bunch of crap and try to make you jump though hopes. After 10 minutes of that, i just told them "the laptops less than two weeks old, im not happy with this one and want a new one". Thats when she finally shutup and just transferred me.

This is the number tech support gave me to just go straight to customer affairs (18008732244) So id try calling this number first so you dont waste to much time with tech support. If they try to send you to tech just tell them what i said above.

 

Wow man thank you a bunch for your help!


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Np, they way i look at it is theirs no reason to have dell come down and fix a 2 week old laptop when you can just get a working one from the start. Its there screw up, so they can take it back and fix it on there own time. They told me it would be atleast a week till a tech came out to replace the heat sink anyways, and i was quoted 7-10 days for a exchange. So in the end its the same time frame no matter which way you go and atleast with an exchange you get a fresh start. Maybe in the two weeks after i receive my 2nd one they will fix the screens too, lol. They say 3rd times the charm. haha

 

Hi, so there is a heatsink fix existing? Is it a real fix or only better paste? The three screw design is not changed right? Is it useful out of the box now?
Thank you for the information!


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Heatsink have already been fixed with new machines.

 

Nice find, most people get upset and give up.

It's more common that you think, even after you've been doing it a while, scroll the wrong direction and quickly see the number and not the "sign", and you get a quick crash / heat increase

 

In what way have the fix the heatsink


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I figured i would leave this here since i havent heard one thing about it mentioned anywhere. If you make a tobii eye tracker account, and claim your free game (watchdogs 2) make sure you check your email. They send a second offer asking you to sign up for a online class. If you sign up they send email every day with links youtube videos. It takes 2 days to get the first email and for 3 days after they just ask you to watch these 2 minute videos. On the 5th day they send you another game which is assassins creed syndicate. Says it takes up to 7 days to receive the code, but its free so its worth doing. If i never actually checked my email i would have never seen it. They dont tell you what game you get when your start so i was expecting it to be some no named indie game, so i was a little shocked it was a AAA title. So once its all said and done you actually get watch dogs 2 and assassins creed syndicate with the tobii eye tracker.

 

Looks like the QHD screens might be fixed in feb/march

https://mobile.twitter.com/AzorFrank/status/810994781945995264

 

I am trying to find this "online class thing" but I cant. I already created an account in their web site but there is no such thing. Do you have a link?

 

I updated the main post with another screenshot of how i got to the link with better instructions. I just never really payed attention to it when i signed up because i thought it was going to just be a crap game. I looked back at all the emails they sent me tho and it looks like i found the link though the watch dogs email they sent.

 

change in arrangement of thermal pad

 

I see.


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I got a AW 17 (6820hk, gtx1080) and so far I got nothing but trouble and I can't recommend this laptop or Dell's customer service to anybody.
In about 4 days they will update me regarding my case and then we will see how everything ends and I hope I have some good news for everybody.

I don't bother you with too many details but here is a brief summary (and believe me I leave out a lot!):
12/05 - received my AW 17 delayed (called and chatted between and always got reassurance that it will be delivered on time...)
12/08 - called support to complain about:
a) glue coming out at the display and light bleed
b) CPU running extremely hot up to 99 C and up to 20 C difference in cores - that was the day they hoped BIOS 1.0.8 would "limit" this issue = BS
c) speakers "crackle" no clear sound
d) touch pad issues (cursor is jumping to different locations)

12/15 - technician comes to my house, switches displays = light bleed is even worse now (hey, but at least the glue is gone)
12/16 - I complain again about the heat (I think that's the 4th time by now), they create another service tag and want me to send it in for repair.
12/19 - After thinking about how many hours (>12 hours) I spent on chat, phone support and email and how much money ($3,000) I spent for a new and working machine, not a "turd" I have to repair 2x I decided to call them another time to tell them I want an exchange, no more repair (and believe me, I told them that before, in the first week already).
And all they do is forwarding my case to another department (tech support >> customer complaint >> case specialist something...) which can make this decision because they can't...

So to summarize, I pay $3,000 for a new machine, they send me something not working properly because they don't have their QC department under control and I have to suffer for that.
This thing hits 99 C everyday playing BF1 with stock settings, no OC!!
How do these guys make money???

I am very frustrated and angry.

If you are interested how this ends let me know and I will keep you posted.
Hope dies last...

 

I would like to know what happens in trying to see if I should get gt73vr or get my 17r4 fixed that was DoA


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...and don't forget all the other issues still remain (see above a - d!)

 

I will keep you updated.

 

I mean... on the one hand you have the gt73vr which by most accounts is a flawless machine whichever one you get.... then on the other hand alienware... this forum is a testament to how much dell has tried to screw people over with these new laptops, whereby with customer service after the fact, or through engineering cutting corners e.g. the heatsink-gate

 

It's a real shame for so many people on here, and for the crew at Alienware HQ i feel a bit for as well. (only a little bit )

on the one hand it looks like you have a great design and spec'd machine in most cases and really solid construction if you can put up with the damn weight....

But massively let down by really poor manufacturing and quality control, lets not forget Dell is a monster in the PC building game, supplying big business's and governments / security firms across the globe, not forgetting their server arm....

Alienware is probably just a wart on their *ss in the big picture of things, I doubt the real Alienware people who design and really probabaly put a lot of effort into their machines get a lot of say when it gets handed over to the monster that is dell to do the order/build/ship part of the process.

I had 2 alienwares before the pascal refresh with no issues at all, an m14x and a AW13r1 could just be luck but it does seem somethings happened with regards contracting out the building of these things ?

I had 3 goes at a pascal AW this time all of them were really really bad, pretty gutted about it but moved on now, but hope in the future they sort out the issues for everyone.

 

Just got my Alienware 17r4 but bezzel is loose at the bottem I just called dell and will send me a tec, but anyone has a fast fix?


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After reading this thread and the posted pictures about the heat sink, i would like to ask if we are supposed to use 1.5mm thermal pads or 1.0 on the 1080 model?

 

Hi, i've got the same problem and dell change the my computer but the first one was good exept the bezel and the replacement unit have a lot of lightbleed

 

Take a look at @iunlock's repasting thread here in this forum. He has updated the pad recommendations for the 1080 equipped laptops, with a clear picture of what to put where. There a combination of 1mm, 0.5mm and some new 0.1mm pads. The newer shipping laptops already have the 0.1mm pads installed, and can be left alone during the repaste.

 

You can retape it using a better 3M Double sided tape or do what I did was to pull the whole bezel(takes 5 secs)apart and put a thin line of high temp RTV108 clear silicone which is safe, better adhesive, and easy to clean if you ever have to pull apart again. I've notice the factory adhesive is prone to come apart due to heat.

For the 17R4 with the 1080 you'll need:
3x - 1.0mm (100x15)
2x - 0.5mm (100x15)

Read this credit to iunlock.. http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...5r3-disassembly-repaste-guide-results.797373/

Light bleed will happen especially on the 4k display that is more susceptible from the fact that the bezel tape is pinching the screen awkwardly. For minimal lighbleed takes reinstalling the LCD bezel. Start by pressing down the center of bezel tape first then apply pressure outwards so it doesn't get bind up just like laying down a screen protector.

 

I'm quite impressed with the New Alienware 17 but... Do you think guys we could switch our self the normal screen panel 1080P and change it for the one MSI is using in theirs GT73VR TITAN PRO?

I'm talking of the:
Chi Mei N173HHE-G32 (CMN1747) = 1080p 120Hz/5ms TN Panel

And if some ALIENWARE rep. is reading.. bring us that screen panel option PLEASE!!!

 

Anyone has info on warranty repairs (like the cases in this thread) if I've bought my 17 R4 in the US and bought it back to Europe?

Thanks

 

I applaud everyone who is talking to AW and trying to sort out their issues. If the numbers are sufficient, it will hit someone's desk that is important enough to change support protocols. Unfortunately, Dell/AW CS is really bad. You WILL spend HOURS on the phone with their CS/Tech support if you cannot work your machine yourself. Period. It's a headache and if time is an important commodity to you and you aren't tech savvy with a computer, then this AW 17 is not a good fit. You may or may not get the computer working right and I am surprised people continue to order these and then see that they are as bad as people said numerous times on the forums.

The only good news I found was that the flaws internally weren't bad enough that a simple repaste/repad wouldn't fix. So it made my decision to keep this system much better.

To summarize, your experience will be a nightmare if you can't wrench a machine. CS/Tech go by scripts only. I have noticed they spend less and less quality time troubleshooting today than they did in years past. Everything is just a script and that makes for a frustrating and long call. Realistically, the screen "glue" issue is simple to fix yourself. My screen wasn't even fully attached and I just clicked it all into place. I didn't like the light bleed so I took the screen out and redid it. I don't have any of the banding issues people complain of thankfully as I hear it's very common. Your computer WILL come with a HOT CPU and you will need to get a repaste. If you can't do it yourself, there are a few competitors out there that will deliver you a system with better temps if you don't want anyone under your hood. This system really feels more like a beta system. It's OK if you can work on it yourself but if you just want to game out of the box with no issues I can't recommend this particular AW.

 

I totally agree with you! I was ready to send my laptop to iunlock, but there were more issues (speakers, touchpad...) Dell needed to fix first. And I will still send my laptop to have it repasted, but not before I got an exchange or I will just ask for my money back --> too many issues.
I am certain most of the laptops shipped are in better condition than mine, but that still doesn't make it ok that Dell gives me such a hard time. They definitely screwed up...

 

So.. dell announced the new xps 15 with kaby-lake
http://videocardz.com/64834/dell-xps-15-9560-features-geforce-gtx-1050-with-4gb-memory

you think alienware will be fast updating their systems?

 

I think they'll be quick with the CPU, at least on paper (i.e. I'll bet good money you'll be able to order in Jan. Not sure when you'll get it though, they've been having problems with that). They've historically been faster with CPU refreshes than GPU.

I'm curious whether they will stick the 1050 in an Alienware though, maybe the 13 or Alpha? I think it makes little sense in the 13...

 

Didn't check, but isn't this a DualCore CPU?

 

Just say that you tried everything they suggested, insist for a tech and speak to a manager if possible.

 

It's a singlecore uberthreaded cpu that dynamically overclocks to 420 GHz

 

Nope, the XPS15 comes with quads (except for the absolute bottom config). XPS13 is dual core.

 

Personal unit, sponsored by team LHz
Alienware 17R4
6820HK + GTX1080
32GB 2400
QHD 120Hz 5ms (AUO)
512NVME SKHynix 300 + 1TB spinner
330w brick
4yr+accidental

With liquid metal and fixed heatsink.

Had a hellish night but finally got this baby up and running, no thanks to the monkeys working at the Dell assembly line.

Disclaimer:
1. Tests were done with fluctuating ambient of about 19-21c.
2. Auto fans
3. Bios 1.0.2
4. Keep in mind that the GPU also puts out around 10w in average adding to the overall temp of the system
5. HWinfo+Throttlestop has been reset about 25-30 mins after the OCCT stress test has been started, this is to measure the average temperature only when the heat has stabilized across the heatsink

4.0GHz with +20mv




4.0GHz with +25mv

You're wrong, it's a singlecore uberthreaded cpu that dynamically overclocks to 420 GHz! /s

 

M

 

Where do I apply the silicon after removal? On the edge of the whole screen?


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top middle below camera

bottom of lcd screen basically the whole horizontal direction

 

So with Kabylake Quads coming out of the woodword, would it be worth it to wait? I still have not gotten my order and am thinking that maybe I should send it back in order to get KabyLake. Sure, if I get the golden ticket of a cool HK/1080/Good QHD then I will clearly hang on to it, but wouldn't the new architecture lead to cooler temps overall? I know the performance gains are not quite there (2-6%) but less power and better temps are quite the draw.

 

Probably better overclocker too, but it's all about lottery.

 

In mine and many others' opinions, kabylake is completely negligible in the grand scheme of upgrades, if you have a haswell or broadwell or sky lake CPU the gains from Kabylake are marginal at best. However, if your delivery is unable to get to you before ces 2017, I'd recommend getting a kabylake for the sake of getting it because it's there unless the skylake is a lot cheaper

 

Got my Alienware 17r4 gtx 1080 and my msi gt73vr with today I loaded up BF1 and am only getting FPS under 110 with the Alienware and 150-180 with the msi . Am I missing something ? Performance can't be that much different


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Hey, that's awesome; you have both for how long?

Are you trying to decide which to keep and which to send back?

That's a good way to start, testing out of the box performance for both - as it comes configured and tuned from AW and MSI.

Maybe you can start a thread for this comparison testing?

I see you are active in the GT73VR thread as well; I look forward to your testing and results

 

Yes I'm trying to figure which to keep and right now msi gt73vr it's so quite!!


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the stock gt73 will perform better compared to stock aw

 

My Alienware had a repaste I'm gonna send it to iunlock


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Yes because in stock out of box gt73 is on turbo mode @3,4ghz...
I was ordered one GT73VR 6RF 1 month ago to test. Good laptop but awfull design compare to AW.

 

I have both at same


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I figure you would have posted this but is the gt73vr fhd vs the aw17 at QHD? That would account for the difference in the FPS.