*OFFICIAL* Alienware 17 R5 Owner's Lounge

This is my single core score

@5.1ghz

 

Hello all!! I had a quick question can you now use the amplifier with the laptop display if the system as gsync ? My old system didn’t let me so I wanted to know if they changed that at all .

 

Picked up this laptop over the weekend. Was very pleased that despite not being listed it does support G-sync. Had my MSI GT72VR 6RE (1070) die over the weekend and I just wasn't having that, so I picked up the Alienware. Sent the MSI in for RMA but I have a feeling it won't be quick. Anyway the AW. Design is so nice. I LOVED my MSI but this one is right up there and exceeds it in design. I was able to clock my MSi screen to 100hz and this Alienware to 75hz. Gotta be honest, don't see a difference. Then again at 43 my eyes aren't what they used to be lol. For the gaming I do I still prefer IPS. So no complaints there either. Overall it is just so slick.

One issue I have is after updating my bios I can no longer overclock. Is it because I got it from Best Buy? Did those shmucks disable it in an update?

 

they cant disable anything inside BIOS.. you can reflash to newer version and see if its enabled again or not..

 

I never got anywhere trying to overclock the 4K panel, even though the 1080 barely keeps up at 60Hz, but it would be nice to have the option to go higher.

What does that mean? You can not choose "performance" mode in the BIOS? Did you reset BIOS settings and try again?

 

I got 1453 with 44x (-130mv) and 1420 with 43x (-154mV). CB process set to high priority. If I set it to realtime my system crashes. I do not know why. I did not do much to clean background services. Even AV was running but realtime scanning and firewall were set to off.


https://imgur.com/a/1irkDtl

Anyway. I am waiting for replacement. I hope it is going to have a better CPU VID to start with.

Regarding the reports from other people, I can see that setting priority makes a big difference. Disabling background services, probably is the second step.

 

I'm sorry I was in a rush and wasn't clear. Via Alienware command center, when I first got the laptop I was on an older bios version (and possibly an older version of Alienware Command and Alienware OC). I could have sworn overclocking options and profiles were available. But then I wanted to update and install windows clean after adding another ssd. I updated the bios, updated command center after a clean install and now I cannot make an overclock profile.

This is the model with the 8750H. I can enable performance mode, but when I load up command center it shows overclock off and I'm not able to add a profile.

From what I read now it seems that only machines ordered from Dell can be overclocked with that utility? I've seen some posts where people had been able to add overclocking profiles and now they can/t

 

And you are sure? Nothing will show up before the benchmark is finished.

Won't do the big differences if the computer and OS work as intended.

48x -0.213mv


51x -0.055mv

8750H is a locked down cpu. Of course you cant add overclock profile.

 

Ok so I must have been imagening that I could. I was pretty tired and out of it when I first got the laptop because I was so upset about my MSI crapping out. Why can't I at least overclock the GPU via that utility then? It's a 1070, I can in afterburner.

 

The OEM manufactures bloatware have never been useful... NVIDIA GPU Undervolting, Overclocking and Overvolting-guide

 

Hi guys... Posted in the other thread but everyone seems to be here... on my 5th laptop because the last 4 have overheated or been lost in transit.
For all that hassle... Ive been offered either a upgrade from 1070 to 1080 (but keeping the 8750h) or £180 back....
What would you guys take and does the i7 bottleneck the 1080?

 

Lol True. It was more the fact that it wasn't working that annoyed me. I get the CPU not working, just seems like at least the GPU would. Thanks for the link. I am familiar with Afterburner for OC'ing but haven't looked into voltage/fan profiles enough to understand them yet.

I use throttle stop on the CPU which works well.Would like to undervolt the 1070 a little bit if possible.

 

I'd prob take the cash, but there is no denying the performance of the 1080.


I got the Alienware 1070 model for 1500.00 US. The deal on this model was too good to really consider the OC 1070 model or 1080 version. I'm all for a faster GPU but I take price into consideration when looking at performance. I've been gaming on a 1070 laptop for 2 years and it's been flawless. Unfortunately it died on me and I don't trust MSI RMA so if they get me it back fixed I will sell it. If they give me the run around I have the AW. So I was after the best deal I could get for a similar laptop. It just wasn't worth it for me to go for a higher priced model that I wouldn't have the same deal on.

 

Quick question for you guys, I put in an order for an Alienware 17 yesterday with the 1070 OC. I was just curious, in the future if I were to decide to upgrade to the 1080 OC, how difficult would that be?

 

no way. it's soldered on. unless u use graphics amp external gpu

 

Not trying to be disrespectful or anything but are you knowledgeable about the newer Alienware laptops? Most of them don't have soldered GPU's, I know my M17x doesn't, but I'm just unsure about the 17 R5.



There's this video too but I don't know if it's reliable or not.

 

Everything from R3 is soldered on I believe. Also CPU & GPU must match the TDP of that laptop it's pretty important.

 

Yup. That's what I thought.
The gpus are soldered to the motherboard so it's better to get the best you can at the start without relying on a external gpu.
I think that 1080 might be overkill but then the new gen of graphics cards are out... It's just cooling that's a issue...

 

All Alienware laptops since the AW17R2 AW15R1 from 2014 have soldered hardware.

I have owned the AW15R1, R2 and R3 myself.

 

Cooling issue? I've got 6 core cpu inside my Alienware :v I get max 84c with all cores on 4.6ghz my GPU (GTX 1080) under full load will max out at 62c it's perfectly cooled, just need to repaste that's all.

Sent from my Phone using Tapatalk

 

based on the temps on your photos you can get it to run even better. You have about 6 to 8 degrees core temp differentials. If you get the balance of the heatsink right through repadding and use a thicker paste you should be able to get the highest cores down to the lower ones for the best results.

 

Is that stock from the factory ? i've been upgraded from the 17 r4 to the 17 r5 MLK but i've already bought conductonaught (and K-5 pro) for a repaste. been preparing myself mentually and physically to repaste and repad as soon as i have my laptop. been sitting without one for a month already. and the TDP lock is not a welcome change cause i'm going to be bumping in that lock regurly...

@Papusan would probably throw this system in a blackhole that spits things out at the other side of the universe and start a crusade to kill off all BGA laptops.. and i would probably one of the people within the crusade pinning AW on a guillotine. i miss my r4 already even though it was a mess

 

That's not stock paste all I did was repaste with the picture you see below. I did try another paste worked for 2 days then it went back up in temp. This new paste has got solid temps for me as I can get 4.4ghz on all cores. I don't really need much more then that. I also don't want to repad as their is so many different sizes. I don't trust myself with it seems really frustrating trying to find the correct sizes.

Sent from my Phone using Tapatalk

 

Or you f*ck it up completely and then it runs like a dog. Repadding with all those different sizes and pressures is no joke.

 

When the system turns off and restart. Yes I am sure

 

Aaahh I thought it was stock paste, but it was to good to be true lol. But nice job man your spread is good, for normal thermal paste. I'm very curious about how my system will perform, but I don't think I will test the system with stock paste, but repaste it immediately before setting even the system up.

 

That's a bummer about the soldered motherboards. Thanks for all the replies guys.

 

I am getting ridiculously low temps on my CPU and 1070. A solid 20c or more less than my old 6700K and 1070. Same speeds. I haven't even broke 60c on my GPU yet. I was concerned due to how much more sleek it is than my MSI. Really impressed with the R5.

 

Well 1070 will draw less power then a 1080 R5 does have good cooling if it's all correctly placed with good TIM installed.

Sent from my Phone using Tapatalk

 

I know all about it, have done it myself. But in the end it was all worth it!

 

No doubt, but my MSI was a 1070 and was getting up to 71-72 under load. While not bad, the AW is just coming in much lower. The MSI had great cooling and I had the fans cranking. Granted it was 2 years older than the AW I got Sunday but still the difference is significant between the 2 1070 laptops

 

The 1080 GPU temps have never been a problem on R5(even you can get it lower with repaste). This maybe because of the four screws around the GPU. The problem is the CPU temps

 

Here's my testimony:

I just finished repasting my Alienware 17 R5 (i7 8750H and GTX1060) and adding copper shim(s) to the CPU. My temps are pretty stable now! First, I thought high temps were just a matter of thermal paste. With stock I was getting CPU throttling with every single game, so I used Conductonaut and got lower temps, but still was hitting as high as 90 °C in 2 cores. So I realized the real issue with the Alienware R4 and R5 are the uneven heatsinks. After many unsatisfying trials to make it balanced, I found a video and decided to try the copper shim technique.

I replaced most thermal pads, applied Kryonaut to them and I used 2 copper shims side-by-side 15x15x0.3mm in the CPU (so I could cover the whole CPU die ***) and none in the GPU. Applied Conductonaut at both sides of the shims, the die and the heatsink, as well as in the GPU (no shims here). Used 33+ scotch tape to protect the area and now I have a lot more even temperatures.

Results for 1 hour OCCT with 100% fans activated, about 3 cm elevated back from the table, room temp 22 °C:

• No undervoltage: Max temp was 86, with average 77. Max core temp difference: 6 °C. CPU running at 3891 MHz all the time.
• With -0.110 V undervoltage: Max temp was 71, with average 67. Max core temp difference: 3 °C. CPU running at 3891 MHz all the time.

There was no throttling, in any of both cases. OCCT plots and HWInfo. I wish I had taken pictures of the process, since I don't want to open it again at all.

P.S: Only after applying Conductonaut I realized that LM is definitely not a water-like-fluid like many people think, and won't spill even with some bumps! I'd say it's pretty safe to apply as long as you cover the borders with +33 scotch tape and apply just enough to make contact between the surfaces.

P.P.S: I did a terrible job with the heatsink and thermal pads. I just tried my best to use what I had at hand, wasted some fujipoly thermal pads, and even let loose the #1 heatsink bracer trying to bend it... be mindful before doing that! And if you are an ocd-like-perfectionist, you would rather die than seeing my fix . I'm mentioning this so people realize that, while this is fragile system, it can take some mistakes. It's working fine!


***15x15 mm copper shims are too small to cover all the CPU die, so I used 2 side-by side. You should consider buying a bigger one (I think a 20x20 mm will do) if you are willing to do it. I used those 15x15x0.3mm because bigger ones are really hard to find in Brazil for a reasonable price.

 

In my experience there are three areas of trouble:

1) CPU
2) GPU
3) VRMs

I repasted and repadded a dozen times and could never get all three perfect, only managed two out of three at any single attempt.

Try running Subnautica for a while and see if you get any throttles. I presume you have the i9-8950 and the 1080.

 

Indeed! I guess I got pretty lucky after many times to get the 3 areas of trouble in good contact with the heatsink. I felt like GPU is the easiest to deal with. But the CPU was a major issue, and when I got it right once, I had the stuttering probably caused by overheated VRMs.

It was a pain to go through all the trial and error... but using the copper shims was a first try that went right!

Too bad, I don't have that game. I'll look forward acquiring it. =)

Nope, I wish I did! I assume one of the reasons I could achieve these stable temperatures is because my Alienware is pretty low end. I have a Core i7 8750H with the 1060, so it doesn't heat up that much.

 

I am waiting for a replacement in September. As long as I am waiting, I removed LM, reinstalled original pads and used MX-4 thermal paste for both GPU and CPU. FC5 temps do not exceed 87C for the CPU at 4K (yes I reduced the resolution from 3820x2160) without spikes and ultra settings with -100mV. GPU temps are really low. Idle temps for CPU are at high 40s and around 37C for the GPU. I think it is really good for a thermal paste

 

Strange, 4K *is* 3820x2160. What did you reduce the resolution to?

Somehow I was stupid to throw them out. Have received the replacement and will send the old one back, but not sure what they will say when they open it up.

 

sorry I was meant to say QHD 2560x1440 selected in game settings. At 4K you can play without lags only on low settings. Higher settings at 4K cause fps. Even though resolution at 4K is amazing you cannot play smoothly at more than low graphic settings (unlike other games that run smoothly at 4K). That's why I changed it.

I kept them all safe. Even used the third party thermal pads covers to cover the original pads. I am sure they won't even check but even if they do, you have your replacement already.
Please let me know if they say anything. How's your replacement? Any better than your previous system?

 

I have no idea, I am away for another month, the replacement is sitting in its box unopened and unused.

 

Lucky you got yours mate. I'm still waiting for my replacement from July.
2 laptops lost in the post! Third one due next week... Fingers crossed

 

My (second) replacement came back from the depot yesterday.
To anyone that's following my Alienware horror story, it has finally been resolved.

Previous Posts:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/9854pb/alienware_horror_story_update_11still_in_the/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/944acx/tenth_update_to_alienware_horror_storyi_had_to/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/925v5z/update_on_my_17_r5_averaging_100c/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/8wfx4r/when_alienware_sends_out_a_senior_tech/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/8unr9n/17_r4_freezing_for_12_seconds_every_510_seconds/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/..._update_to_dell_broke_my_laptop_while_fixing/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/8wpcun/i_guess_those_countless_hours_of_dealing_with/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/...e_again_dell_broke_my_laptop_while_fixing_my/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/8jqpfk/dell_broke_my_laptop_while_fixing_my_display_for/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/8l3izh/follow_up_on_my_horror_story_apparently_only_two/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/8ppeq9/update_dell_broke_my_laptop_while_fixing_my/

h

So, my replacement #2 laptop came back from the depot yesterday. Its borrow cover was scratched, the side was dented, and the hinge was so loose the lid opened by itself if I lifted the laptop up. Moreover, it was averaging 100° C on all cores after 45 minutes of Far Cry 5.

Luis from Alienware called me once I had sent this info to Alienware Support, and offered me to refund the unit or escalate it higher. Considering it's been 9 months since I initially started having issues with the laptop, I was just tired and didn't want to prolong it any longer. Consequently, I asked him about a solution he offered earlier where he could reimburse the cost of repasting and send a cooling pad.

He replied that he could do this, and after some emails, he is sending an Alienware Wireless Gaming Headset: AW988, Alienware Advanced Gaming Mouse: AW558, and HD3 Gaming Chill Mat - Black. He also said he would get the warranty extended on my machine for three months due to how much time it was under repair.

I'm sure all the issues with the laptop (cosmetic damage notwithstanding) will be fixed by the professional repaste. I'd like to thank Luis for working towards a solution to my situation, and I'm glad it's finally resolved.

 

@l4k3rkb

Any chance you could let me in on the secret of how you swung a deal like that? All the Dell employees I’ve spoken to (quite a lot) have been very stiff and unwilling to do anything more than repair, then repair again, then repair once more, then replace. The process has taken so long my warranty’s almost up.

While the extra peripherals you received would be very welcome, especially the cooling pad, all I really want is a warranty extension. Mine expires in less than 60 days, and considering the luck I’ve had with these things I’m going to need longer than that. I needed this PC for work and it’s spent more time in the repair depot than it has with me. I’ll be picking it up today so I’ll see if the motherboard replacement did anything. I doubt it.

Mind you, I’m only on replacement computer #1. #2 will probably be happening shortly. Do you think they’ll need to replace it one more time before they start throwing these kind of deals?

 

I think a large part of it was the three replacements, nine months in total since first repair, and eight technician visits. According to @MogRules warranty extensions are extremely rare, so you might be SOL there. You may consider filing a report with the BBB or your local consumer protection agency as that will automatically get you to their Advanced Resolution Center.

 

Oof. I might just do that if things continue the way they are. I would not be surprised if I end up getting a couple more replacements with the exact same problem and no other assistance. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Thank you for the information, I appreciate it!

 

Good luck. If you look in the comments of any of those threads, you'll see dozens of people complaining about ridiculously long times just to get a working machine. That kind of makes it worse that it's so common, but you're not alone.

 

Hey guys, when you order the Alienware 17 and you configure it, under the display option, why does it ask whether you want black or silver? Is that referring to the colour of the top half of the laptop?

 

I am waiting for my second replacement. Approved for the second time within 2 days. Expected to be delivered in less than two weeks. If you have temp issues, it for sure they are going to offer replacement and not repair because you they know the issues are going to be there after repair. So, no need for them to pay for the Dell tech to come. But, even if they offer repair, we all know that the issues are 99% remain. So, they will finally offer replacement.

 

Yes

Good luck, my second unit had massive overheating issues right now. The third one that I'm on right now I'm just living with now.

 

That's correct. Also the bottom panel has some of that color on it as well so you will see silver and or black on the lid and bottom panel.

 

Thanks for the quick responses guys, I'm going with the silver this time.