*OFFICIAL* Alienware 17 R5 Owner's Lounge

Yeah, I have the i7-8750H and the 1070 OC. I was interested in overclocking the GPU (hence the OC), and I thought I could do so in the new Command Center. It seems I can't though; I guess I can try downloading MSI Afterburner again, but I'm not sure if it'll do anything..

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...rvolting-overclocking-and-overvolting.817033/

 

If you want to force an app to use the iGPU, you should be able to do that with the windows 10 graphics switching (win 10 1803), but this is NOT optimus and you won't see a considerable improvement in battery life, because the dGPU is still used.

 

That is very good to know! Thank you!

I've configured everything, and it's great. The only slight difference I'm noticing is the CPU - it seems to be getting considerably hotter than the 7700HQ was, and I'm only browsing. My keyboard is pretty warm as well!

 

Last question lmao. Is it not possible to configure the power button lighting in the new Command Centre? I can't seem to change the colours at all. Everything else is fine.

 

Hello all,

My M18x r2 finally crapped out after 7 years so I purchased the 17 R5 with the I9, GTX 1080, 32 gb ram, QHD Display, 256gb PCIE SSD with 1TB HDD. I am curious about the storage space since I am not familiar with the M2 drives. I am wanting to upgrade things since reading the specs on the system and some posts on this site. My questions are:

1. Is the 256gb drive the M2.2242 sata drive? If so, I was thinking about getting two 970 pro/evo drives and setting them to raid0.
2. The specs say that the HDD drive is limited to 1TB. Is that the case because it doesn't make sense? I would rather have a 4TB drive in its place. Is that possible?
3. I will be running Funtoo Linux so I was thinking about using the 256gb drive to boot, the two nvme raided drives for storage and the HDD for backups, etc...Is this a feasible option. I know the nvme drives are faster but I really don't need raid0 for a boot drive and if the 256gb drive is a sata drive I might as well utilize it.

Thanks,
Tony

 

I had the same problem on my i7-8750H/1070OC. Went away with a reinstall of windows from the image on the SSD. Still seems buggy at time though.

 

You can TrayPwrDw to put nvidia GPUs to low power state to get more battery. https://github.com/jobeid/TrayPwrD3/tree/master/executable

 

New AWCC version (Alienware-Command-Center_HWF9Y_WIN_5.2.1.0_A00) released two days ago. I just updated. No changelog though.

 

It's been a day since I finished optimizing, and the 8750H is not doing so hot. Or, well, it kind of is; it's getting really, really hot.

What are you guys' avg idle temps and under load temps? I know Dell marketed the R5 as having a new vapor chamber and all-new CryoTech 2.0 technology or whatever but honestly it's feeling hotter than the 7700HQ ever was in my R4, and even back then it was reaching some spicy temperatures. I know the extra cores are probably what's upping the temperature so much, but seriously, throttling?
It typically idles in the 50s but when loading up a big game (specifically Subnautica) or performing a stress test, it's gone as high as 97. It reached 99 at one point and throttled so hard the game came to a full stop; I shut down the process before **** started going downhill fast. Usually though, it's in the high 80's, low 90’s sometimes. My fans are screaming.

I've never repasted myself, but if I need to I'll learn how. Is this necessary? Should I be calling Dell, or is this fairly typical for this model? What should my temperatures normally be, both under and off load?

EDIT: I am furious. I just ran a stress test comparison between my R4 and my replacement R5, and the R4 NOT ONCE went above 79 degrees. Meanwhile this brand new R5 is frequently running as hot as 98; that’s two degrees away from max temp and processor failure. This was supposed to be a replacement computer for the problems I was having with the first one. Last time I buy anything from Dell, that’s for sure.

 

You think you're upset.
My one reaches 101 whilst playing games.
Thermal throttles on 4 cores.
To make matters worse it's a replacement... After the heat sink was changed.
To make matters even worse.
Dell decided to send me a replacement....
That was lost in transit.
They decided to send me another....
It was due to arrive 3 days ago... It didn't turn up... And it's apparently lost too.

 

I’m in the same boat as you, friend :’)

My first R4 had a lot of light bleeding issues; I had the display replaced four times before they let me send it in to the repair depot to be looked at.. only to find my drives completely wiped after promising they wouldn’t touch anything but the screen. And to top that all off, the box came back all banged up and the computer was COVERED in fingerprints and scratch marks.

They finally agreed to replace the computer, but it took a LOT of pushing. The technicians I spoke to were aloof and eager to pass me along to another technician “better specialized” in that area. I think I’ve spent at least 24 hours just listening to that goddamn on-hold elevator music.

And now THIS. A freshly manufactured piece of boiling hot garbage. 60 degrees browsing on Chrome, 100 degree full throttle under load. They’re probably thinking I’m pulling this all out of my ass at this point, but I just can’t catch a break with them. My warranty expires in October and if I don’t get this sorted out before then I’m royally ****ed.

Dell has a TERRIBLE customer service rating and now I know why. I don’t know what to do next but I’m close to demanding a new, fully stress tested computer and a warranty extension, to make sure that NOTHING goes wrong again.

 

The copper cold plate for Cpu is replaced with a thin Vapor Chamber heatspreader (not a fully Vapor chamber). And the new fans is re-designed/created with 50% thinner fan blades for reducing the fan noise. This is what the Alienware Cryo-Tech V2.0 thermal technology is about.

Be happy you don't opt for the unlocked i9-8950Hk who is cooled by exactly same heatsink.

 

I am glad as hell for that.
I was on the phone with a Dell technician when the avg temp went to 96 (93 is the number required for them to initiate a case for replacement). Some cores actually reached 100, and 5 of them throttled.
Apparently they’re replacing my entire CPU as well.
We shall see.

 

Cpu is soldered on MB Ball grid array - Wikipedia. Same for the Gpu.

 

Haha yeah I know, that is what was said though. Confused me as well. He might’ve meant the heat sink, or they’re sending me a third replacement. Or repasting. Or replacing the entire mobo. I’ll take anything. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

Dont expect them to test the machine fully before it is being shipped. They mass produce them and automatically ship them out.

The only thing you can do at this point is repaste.

Getting a lightbleed free machine is hard. Current panels are very susceptible to lightbleed and all laptop models are dealing with that.

 

If you do not UV, you have no chance with temps even with repaste and LM. So, try UV first. You can even set an UV (up to -100mV) with AWCC without need to use other apps. However, there is a good thing with this machine. You can easily get it replaced or exchanged with new model( when it comes out). How? SImply send them a hwinfo log with FC5 temps without UV (no need for overclock). And lets see if they are going to do the same crap again. All those returns, replacements etc and the cost of that but they did not get their lesson yet. I am sure there are still people who did not know how to check their machines. I cannot explain it otherwise.

93C? I do not know how they got to this limit. Cores can reach much much higher than that.

 

Bruh. I didn’t hear the guy wrong. A technician is literally coming to my house to “take out the bad CPU and replace it with the good one,” while keeping the mobo intact. Idk how that’s gonna work out lmfao. We’ll see.

 

Then follow up this...

Dell's refresh of the Alienwares is already here. No change in internal hardware as f.eks much needed better working heatsink. The TRIPOD heatsink will follow the package. And Intel's 8 core unlocked BGA coming spring 2019.

Gamescom 2018 | Alienware 15 R4 and 17 R5 refreshed with per-key RGB lighting and new Command Center software

Better late than never. Dell has updated its mainline 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch Alienware laptops from four-zone RGB lighting to per-key RGB lighting. The design and internal specifications are otherwise identical. Both systems will begin shipping this week.

 

Strange Dell's engineers is agree with a 110w power cap and mean this limit is enough for their adverticed 50x overclock profile. On top with an overvolt. Same great idea they had when they put in a max -100mV undervolt limit with AWCC's overclock app.

Spoiler: 50x all cores (-0.120mv)

Why put a -0.100mv limit? Dell mean none of the Coffee lake chips is able to undervolt further? And on top Dell warns/warning about using other app's for overclocking and or undervolt/overvolt... Read ThrottleStop's author @unclewebb's post about this.

 

To be honest, it does not matter if they give you further UV options or not. The system should work flawlessly out of the box without touching that (many people do not even know about UV etc). So, as I said you can just run hwinfo log with FC5 (which they suprisingly provide for free) which 1000% will exceed their 93C limit and get a replacement (which will have the same issues and so on) or refund. It's like they provide the tool you can use for free. Lool

I am also not sure if you can edit a file manually to allow further UV option in AWCC but most (if not all) Dell CPUs s are not stable or immediately crash after -150mV

 

Which country are you in ?

 

You really need to follow the changes from Dell HQ. They will just make it more and more difficult for their customers to get Replacement or Tech support due overheating. What average temperature limit for replacement they will put/add in for coming Coffee Lake-Refresh only God knows. But this doesn't look good!! Dell as most companies know very well that RMA, Replacement and Tech support cost a lot money. They will do everything they can to lower their cost.

I can hear you say "The system should work flawlessly out of the box without touching that (many people do not even know about UV etc)"

FYI. Regarding Undervolt and without touching that... Max Undervolt is still damn important on processors due Gimped Power limits put in in firmware(110w limit as eg Dell) or locked down Mobile processors with 45w TDP cap. You won't or can't reduce power consumption enough with lower temp to be able to increase or even hold clocks with somewhat lower maximum temperatures (if they fixed the overheating flaws).

Yeah, I know power consumption rises with temperature (because of I2R losses), but let the hardware run colder doesn't mean so much in this scenario... It's tooo little to stop clock drop due you reach the power limits added for locked and unlocked chips. You will hit the power limits and the end results is and will still be THROTTLING!

 

I want to know why we keep subsidizing companies such as this? Dell/Alienware’s behavior is comparable to being on welfare. As long as they can stay mounted on our teat, they have no incentive to get better. Just because the cost goes up, doesn’t mean the product got any better.

 

You do not have this system and obviously you do not know much about FC5 temps on it. Ok, wont refer further on the temps again even though FC5 can easily cause temps over 100 (which exceed even the peak limit you posted as official-is it really? from Dell). I will refer on the thermal throttle and drops in frequencies. Thermal throttle during FC5 is there for all cores (without UV) and thermal throttle is something Dell cannot avoid as a heatsink and finally (because heatsink replacement wont change anything) whole system replacement. So, I insist they provide the replacement/refund tool for free.

Regarding UV, again most people do not know about it and the CPU can reach 4.9GHz (depends on the CPU VID too). I know I would not bother if temps were fine. Thats only for benchmarking and hall of fame reasons.

 

UPDATE:
For everyone who’s having thermal issues with their R5 and has not disabled SpeedStep, get in the BIOS and disable it now.
I **** you not, my temperature has gone from 98 degrees under max load to 60.
I don’t know if it’ll work for everyone, but at least give it a try. I can’t get over how cool everything has been running since I turned it off.
Leave SpeedShift on, and turn on CPU Performance mode if you’d like, but for the love of god disable SpeedStep. It could make one hell of a difference.

 

Directly from Dell | Alienware Technical Support
https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Laptops/Alienware-15-R4-Overheating/td-p/6089563

You will refer to thermal throttling and drops in frequencies... If you read the link I posted above... They stated CPU peak temperature will be no greater than 100 degree C. This means Cpu will start throttle whatever you want it or not. Aka no reason for Dell to offer the customers Replacement units.

And drops in frequencies down eg to base clocks (i7-8750H@ 2.2GHz or i9-8950Hk@ 2.9GHz) is not categorized as throttling vs. Intels specs for the processors. They work exactly as within specs.

You forgot all the models with i7-8750H who can't keep up clock speed (drop in clock frequency) due max power consumption (lower watt the more you can undervolt - aka less clock drop). Same also for the unlocked i9 Mobile processors who is awful binned.

 

Now that SpeedStep is off, everything is running great. However Dell guy said he recommends going through with a heatsink and fan replacement because "disabling SpeedStep will not allow your CPU to perform at its maximum potential." Is this B.S. or should I actually go through with the replacement? Would it do any harm?

 

BS. Speed Shift should take priority over SpeedStep. Follow clock speed as a hawk with Hwinfo and see if you get max performance in every tasks (games, benchmarks, stress tests and daily workflow). Lower temps usually means lower clocks.

 

With speedstep disabled, I'm not seeing the i9 turbo at all. It runs very cool, but never above 2.9 ghz for me. My R5 is the typical spikes in high 90s but average right around 89 on stock settings.
edit - the only thing I changed to test this was disabling speedstep in BIOS. Left speedshift untouched. I still see it underclock in XTU/HWinfo when no load, but at full load it just pegs to 2.9 and stays there, no turbo.

 

Yeah, and older processors down clocked to 800MHz if you disabled Speedstep in notebooks bios. And yees lower clocks means lower temp as I said in previous post.

 

I don't think there is a good answer for this. The only explanation I can identify is ignorance on the part of the buyers. Brother @Papusan does a great job of trying to educate the masses, but there is only so much an individual contributor can do when they are outnumbered by stupid at about a 150,000:1 ratio.

BTW - I fixed that typo for you. While Dell is really big, the problem is much bigger than Dell. The first step to fixing problems is acknowledging that a problem exists, and we're not even close to getting there. The OEMs are still operating in the "there is no problem" denial mode.

 

Yeah, I was just about to post about this too. Does disabling SpeedStep also disable Turbo Boost or something? No matter what I can't get above 2.19 ghz (base clock speed).

 

Yes it does. You would need to be able to override that issue by manually setting all of the multipliers and disabling power saving features. Even if the BIOS gave you enough control to do that, you would be back to square one with high temps based on clock speeds. Probably even higher temps than with SpeedStep enabled. The only way to fix the problem is to have a product that is properly engineered to handle it.

 

Thermal throttle and generally throttle is drop below basic that causes lag . And when I say throttle I mean drop to 800mhz which even Dellowner cannot doubt

 

Yeah, I know. Below 800MHz is same as ask for repair or replacement. But this is not a short walk in a park everywhere.

Just ask how long it took bro @VICKYGAMEBOY to get Dell to accepting it was a huge Throttling problem with his AW “Echo” model. Aka the well known dreaded 799 MHz throttling mess (first gen thin Alienware’s). 8, 9 or 10 motherboard replacement before Dell finally accept give him a brand new laptop.

Edit. And for the records... He is now on 5, 6th or was it 7th MB on the replacement notebook he got(the newer model released after first gen AW “Echo”). And Dell won’t help him anymore from what I can remember.

 

I did not have problems with replacement the first time. In fact I am waiting for the second replacement. Sending the hwinfo log during fC5 and next day waiting for approval from Dell managers. Maybe the approval can take long. Sometimes you have to push. They will always try to find a different solution but they won't.

If they do not realize or admit the real issues, they will definitely take into consideration the replacement, repair or refund costs. So, what I suggest to everyone is to just use hwinfo log with fc5 (Dell provides a free key for it) without UV. Maybe they can change the thermal throttle threshold to higher temps in bios (So you won't get thermal throttle-that is below basic clocks) but then they gonna end up with fried MBs within the warranty period. But I am sure they know the problem exists, Only trying to avoid the adverse effects (cost) or their bad choices probably till the next model comes.
By the way stating that this machine is engineered to withstand such high temps is a joke. You can heat your hands on the keyboard (if you feel cold) while playing heavy games.

 

get over this thing.. 800mhz problem till date exist.. due to BDproc.. but if u want dell to fix it, they wont, they wont even agree to that, im just using as it is.. Yes almost 16+ motherboard on both 15 R1 and 15 R2.. totally 2 15R1 and 1 15R2.. they will launch 15 R5 sooner with 9th Gen.. with same cosmetics, same HS, and same crippled BIOS.. no thanks.. they need to step up, everyother brand in a way stepped up in some department, only way i see alienware improved is in their Gaming Monitors.. Laptops i liked when they introduced 13 OLED.. handsdown.. Best one..

 

@VICKYGAMEBOY I have an OLED Alienware 13 R3.

I was only able to get the processor not to drop under 3400 MHz (it was sometimes dropping to 800 MHz in-game) when I set the following settings in Throttlestop.
Unchecking C1E was the real thing for absolutely no-drops in my case. I have also disabled speed-step in Bios.

I might be sending you something completely irrelevant or things you definitely tried out, however you also made me appreciate my laptop more. Please see my pics.

 

I'm actually considering the Alienware 17R5 again after going through the Blade 15 twice now and every other laptop in my sig. Razer has the worst customer service. Am I just being desperate? Need some answers. I'd be going with the 1070 I7-8750 unit. What are everyone's thoughts on that model. Has it gotten any better since I have had it. I've been going through the last few pages and am reconsidering. I don't even know anymore.

 

Let us not strain their feeble minds with rebuke, but rather, hit them where it hurts; vote with YOUR wallets.

To quote @Papusan , stop buying trash. Maybe then they'll get the point.

But as long as sales add up (implying demand), expect more trash out of the door.

 

I think it is even better to buy and send back or replace and again (keep them busy and make them spend money) with the way I posted. At least for the people who bought it already.

 

As far as can see the only problem with the Dell 17 R5 is that the motherboard has ICs on very different height levels necessitating a very complex 3D heatsink and extremely precise thermal pads.

*****************************************
For example : "COOL-GAPFILL™ is yet another of AIT’s enhanced thermal gap-filling materials that provides extreme thermal conductivity and thus unparalleled thermal interface resistance for board level multiple component thermal management. It is designed to provide conformability and compressibility to bridge the thermal gap of large boards and sensitive components. It is non-phase changing and silicone free and thus will not contaminate components."
*****************************************

Dell already use highly compressible thermal pads around the CPU but it is not enough.

The CPU portion of the heatsink is retained with only 3 mounting screws resulting in less pressure towards the centre of the motherboard and very careful installation. Any of the various thermal pads can lift the heatsink off of the surface of the CPU or not make good contact with the IC it is meant to interface with.

Other things being equal, one can use either Liquid Metal thermal grease or graphite pads, and with perfect fitting the 17R5 works very well. eg https://uk.farnell.com/webapp/wcs/s...estType=Base&partNumber=2723038&storeId=10151

 

LM is good but only if there a good heatsink/CPU contact. In addition VRM temps and thermal paste contact also has a great effect on performance as well. And heatsink is very complicated as you .

I am using LM, Gelid pads (supposed to be soft) and K5pro replacing the default thermal paste, thermal pads and white pads, accordingly. Without UV, all of the above are mostly useless.

 

But you loose money yourself if you intend to use the computer in your workflow. You upgrade to increase your income. And if you buy 4 or 5 of those you will have more and enough with working on returns. Time is money. Even handle returns of one eating of your time.

 

I never said buy 4 or 5. One is enough. And get a refund if you wish. Heating issues quaranteed. You only need to prove it using a log file for fc5. My post was mainly for the people who bought it already.

 

I am very happy with my AW17R5 used mostly for CPU intensive work with some casual gaming, but I would strongly suggest going through someone like HIDEvolution and getting the full LM + Fujipoly pad treatment. My 8950HK has zero thermal issues. I can max the CPU out to the power throttle limit (110Watts) and never break 90c.

 

Lol I'm in the remote location.... London.
Basically my replacement laptop was missing...
It's replacement... Is also missing in transit.
Someone's walking off with alienware laptops in UK mail... Manchester!
I'm now waiting for my (5th) alienware laptop!
Apparently Dell say I'm not entitled to compensation as it's in their terms and conditions!
When I finally get one... I reckon they'll have 2080s in their laptops!

 

Do they set it to run with UV from the startup using TS or something else? Did you try to check the temps playing FC5 without UV?