*OFFICIAL* Alienware Area-51M R1 Owner's Lounge

I feel you man! I'm the same as you, don't want be bother if I already received tons of help.

You don't have a bad computer in a any way! Truth is your computer is making very very much less heat, if that is important for you then you still have the best computer. Both the 9700k and rtx 2070 make less heat and less sound since fans no need run as much.

 

My cpu already runs pretty hot... but it undervolted perfectly and never goes much above 80c on performance fan profile even with games like Anthem that really push the CPU. So that's good... : ).

Also, thanks for the post... lol, it's funny how psychological expensive purchases tend to get! (Moreso for us enthusiasts who pay attention to the details so much).

Also on the plus side, the whole point of this chassis is that we get to update it eventually right?! It would be awesome if Dell would sell an empty chassis. When the time comes it would be great to swap my old hardware into a 2nd chassis to have a second laptop. : )

 

Also, to share (since I've alluded to it, but not explicitly conveyed the info)... prior to my 51M purchase, I initially started with two other new RTX laptops.

While both were solid builds & great specs, they each had some big issues.

ASUS Strix Scar II -> Lots of thermal issues. No gsync.

MSI GE75 Raider -> Some thermal issues (not as many as asus), really bad CPU performance for some reason compared to similar 2070 laptops, no gsync, not a true IPS panel (but nice). A total beeeeotch to get inside the chassis. Come on MSI, the plastic clips on this thing were ridonculous!

Returned each and got the 2070, which has been rock solid. Easier to get into (I added a drive and of course had to inspect all the pretty modular parts of the chassis!). Gsync IPS panel is great. Faster processor and much better thermals than the other 2070 class laptops.

Also, regarding the memory frequency limit... everywhere mine lists 2666, is it limited in the BIOS to 2444? Where do you verify that? Just curious. Microcenter's configuration was a little different than the ones even offered on Dell, which was odd... I guess it was just a setup they chose for retail. (500GB single NvME SSD vs 2 250GB raid 0 for example... tempts me to get a second NvME eventually). Also, no secondary hybrid drive (but I had my own).

The bottom line is that the 2 week return policy at Microcenter served me really well in my laptop search. I was able to end up with a better machine, not knowing the problems the first two would have (so I don't feel bad about that at all).

Cheers, and happy alienware-ing! ; )

 

Upgrading to the 2080 now makes sense if you are going to be using it for gaming and want it to last as long as possible. While most of the other parts (CPU, RAM, SSD) can be easily obtained, the GPU is a Dell only part and upgrade kits are likely to be over $1000. Due to the fact that Dell only needs to charge state sales tax, the price of the 9700k/RTX2080 config is the same as the 9700k/RTX2070 at my local Micro Center.

 

Not intended to bring up any post relation to order delayed or whatsoever again. But I do have a genuine question in relation to Dell's online order issue as from what i noticed, £3k+ has been debited back to my account 2 days after my order was delayed (it was deducted previously when i made the online purchase). As such, i wonder if my order has been cancelled by Dell without notifying me?

Anyone experienced this before?

 

Very tempted as well. They're sending me a replacement and I'm trying to see if they'll let me upgrade. If not I might just return it and purchase the 9700k/2080, if i can get as good of a discount on it as I got on my 9700k/2070.

Makes more since to pay a little more now, then pay another 1k+ later on for a $450 upgrade.

 

Don't worry too much about asking questions like this, it seems everyone brings up info about their order at some point, even some of those who said they don't like to see it. It's ok to be excited or worried about a purchase like this.

That being said, They typically check your payment when you place the order, then wait until it's ready to ship to actually take money from your account. But what it sounds like is that you're saying you got money refunded after the delay notice. Weird they took money before that to begin with, but I would open a chat with order support and ask for a detailed status explaining your situation.

 

ALWAYS boot your laptop first when you get it.

 

Yeap it is, i used debit card during the online purchase so it was deducted from my bank account immediately after the transaction. ordered on 7th Mar ETA 22nd Mar. got the email of ordered delay on the 15th Mar (a day after the original shipping date 14th Mar). I approached the online cust service and they told me it could be due to part shortages and etc. Subsequently noticed that my order page was updated again (with red wording apologised for the delayed order and etc). This morning noticed that the £3k+ back in to my bank account.

Waiting for reply from the cust service at the moment.

EDIT: "GREAT NEWS", now the live chat customer service agent unable to find my order. LOL. speechless

 

I agree, always. That was a joke that got stuck in my reply window, never meant to send it for good reason.

 

Now just need the machine itself.

 

Hi everyone,
my name is Natale, I'm Italian and I'm new to this forum.
I am a neophyte and I am at zero level for computer knowledge (bios, etc.).
A few days ago I purchased an area of 51 m with i9 9900K, Geforce 2070, 16 GB of memory, FHD display with NVIDIA G-SYNC and Tobii eye tracking by DELL. I bought it at a discount for the students, I bought it for family use, none of us (me and my children) have ever played with computers, we have PS4 for that; I chose this type of computer (look amazing) and not a fixed location because it is more practical for the available space. I have read many of these pages and am concerned about the one concerning the substantial difference between 2080 and 2070 (price difference: 400 euros for me); I intend to make it last for many years and make a 360 ° use, perhaps even with video games if my children ask me. Looking for tips to understand if I was wrong to choose this computer with this configuration or given the generic use I should have chosen something else? Is the use of this 2070 card with games very ugly? Would I have noticed a substantial difference in my eyes or do we just talk about "reference data"? Another thing that is not clear to me, in a few years if I want to change the video card I have to buy it from DELL with its prices or can I search on the internet?
Any advice or response is appreciated, sorry for my language, I also use google translate, many thanks
Regards
Natale

 

Uaglió, tutto aposto! Non c'è nessuna lingua che non capiamo!

La differenza non è cosi grande. Il 2070 è molto potente. Cambiarla è abbastanza facile. Si puo comprare la 2080 direttamente di DELL. Forse puoi anche cambiarla direttamente da DELL.

Non preoccuparti: hai comprato un notebook molto potente!

Gesendet von meinem CLT-L29 mit Tapatalk

 

The 2070 is fine for gaming. The 2080 is just the pinnacle of gaming performance at the moment for laptops. The 2070 at 1080p should perform just fine in normal gaming usage for some years. I payed the 400 euro's for the 2080 cause i have a 1440p external display and like everything at ultra with high framerates but the 2070 is not a terrible card, it is a fine beast for 1080p

 

This laptop is not for people with zero level computer knowledge. It is an advanced system that needs work to control temperatures.

However, if you are willing to put in the time to learn and are comfortable opening it up; the experience can be rewarding.

 

Agree, your laptop is perfect Natale. Your kids and you will enjoy it for many years to come!

 

In regards to temps, probably better that she disables turbo clocks and that way it probably won't get hot ever

 

Why is that? My 9700k + 2080 is full stock and the temps have not even surpassed 90degrees when gaming. It works fine out of the box.

 

That is not typical though. Probably 70% chance the cpu will be running at throttle temps out of the box. It really is a roll of the die.

 

True, but that’s the case for every laptop today it seems out of the box. Even the mobile 8750’s are hot. From what i’ve seen of the 51m owners the temps are far better than the slim gaming laptops. I think a small undervolt is enough for 90% of the owners.

 

And if so? It will throttle down to 4.2-4.4ghz @80-90 degree and do its job well. The average user wouldnt even notice without monitoring. Gpu cooling is fine out of Box.

 

Constantly running around throttle temps is not good for longevity. The user wants this to last years. The CPU can handle the heat, but other components in the area will degrade.

I posted this a while back in another thread, but is relevant here:

"There are really two different types of temperature stress, cycling and sustained heat.

Just about any part is susceptible to failure from large number of temperature cycles. The Greater the differential in temperature cycle; the greater the stress. Each different type of material in a part expands and contracts at different rates. Of course packages are designed to accommodate this, and materials are chosen or specifically created for common thermal expansion responses, but stresses occur nonetheless. Eventually those stresses being applied back and forth enough times will break something.

Sustained heat is different. Eventually something melts and the part is irreversibly damaged. This is much more uncommon, as modern computers are forced to shut down when high temperatures are reached. However, ribbon cables have been known to melt from time to time.

Electrolytic capacitors are different from most other electronic components in that they inherently go bad over time. Heat accelerates this. Running a electrolytic cap at 100°C, even without cycling, will degrade it much more rapidly than at 50°C."

 

Sneak Peak for tomorrow's review , doesn't SOTTR support DLSS & Ray-tracing?

 

HOLY. My Aliewnare Area 51M JUST DIED!!!

I was playing Metro exodus, Suddenly the power completely went down. Not even the led's on both of the PSU's.
Pulled them out from the socket and put them back in, still nothing.
Disconnected them from the PC, and replugged the PSU's then the LED's of the PSU's turned on again.

But PC's is not reacting at all whatsoever. And there is a burning smell coming from the left side vent, the one that is right next to the PSU connectors.
My thermals for the GPU and CPU were good, I don't think the issue's were there.

Unfortunately It's not too late for customer support, in Belgium they only are online from 8 to 20 from monday till saturday. So Will have to contact them back on monday. Am Happy that I have next business day warranty, but on the other hand, very saddened that this pc died so fast. There had to have something faulty in there.

DAMN, WTF. I'm still shaking. Can't believe this. Luckily I have my Alienware 13 I use for my work that has me covered. But damn. This is madness.

 

This is not good.
Did any magic smoke come out?

This is now the 3rd one reported that died, I believe.

What were the specs of your machine? Were you doing a lot of overclocking?

 

Seems like you are the 3rd report of this? I assume both bricks were plugged in, and you weren't doing something unnecessary like 2x 330W?

Are you willing to disassemble and take pictures of the problem area?

Make sure to tweet @ Frank Azor. It seems to be the only way to escalate problems.
@ssj92 Have you been able to find your power draw meter?

 

Nope, no smoke. Just burning. smell from the left vents, next to where the PSU cables go in. No burning smell from the bottom vents or right vent.

 

Wasn't doing anything unnecessary. I never even overclocked this pc. Just to be safer.
Simply the 330 watt and 180 watt PSU's were connected that I got from the Laptop.

You are telling me that there are 2 more people that had this same issue?

The only thing I did is, I changed the SSD to Samsung 970 Pro and added a 4TB samsung Evo ssd.
(also is it fine to leave them in there when they come to fix my pc?)

 

Isn't that the same location another member mentioned saw smoke coming out of?

Luckily Dell replaces laptops without questions for a whole lot fewer reasons...

 

This other member you mentioned. Did they say what the reason/cause of the burn was?

I'm still shocked.

 

You are the 3rd with burning smell... No one made any indication it was related to PSU connection yet.

I would not leave the drives in. Give it to Dell how they gave it to you. Also if you have any USB to m.2 or SATA connector, I would test the drives

 

Same behavior as my Alienware 18 when it bit the dust. Electronic burning smell following by shutdown. Upon disassembly, two MOSFETs near the DC jack had burned out. I would investigate the board before sending it to dell

 

Since I have on site support, I thought I'd wait and let them disassemble the pc if necessary, and I guess I was going to tell them to also take out my Drives at that moment.

But now you made worry. I can test my 2.5 inch drive, as I have a reader for that, but not for the m.2 one.

 

It is unlikely they are physically damaged. But they could be corrupted

 

The left is the cpu side.

 

Once again, I don't think the issue is CPU or GPU related. Those have all kinds of protection built in them. And my CPU and GPU temps were great. CPU always below 85 degrees, and below 80 99% of the time.

Just like @Raidriar mentioned. I think it's a burnt component on the motherboard right next to the power plug. As there was no burning smell coming from the bottom hexagon vent holes.

 

I'm due delivery next week, this is very very worrying to hear. 3 people from reddit and here, that's now a huge amount, possibly we also don't hear from those who don't come here to post about it too.

 

Yeah mine is due next week and I'm seriously considering cancelling and just going back to my Razer.

3 incidents in 1 week reported on venues that 90% of the consumers probably dont even use. Very very concerning.

I'd take high CPU temps over a machine blowing up any day of the week.

 

All I can think of is either mosfets or the dc power jack area. Wonder if they're even being cooled properly



@EepoSaurus @captn.ko @Johnksss Have y'all stressed tested the laptop yet with like a 30 min - 1 hour gaming sesh?

I tweeted this post but recommend you do the same if you have twitter. Need this issue sorted out ASAP.

https://twitter.com/Qorcky/status/1106691208129269761

If they're doing on-site try and take a pic of the area that was damaged when they disassemble it.

If they require depot, we'd all appreciate if you can disassemble and check the motherboard area.

 

does anybody know what thermal pads I need to replace the ones around the cpu? I should have measured last time I had it apart but forgot...

 

Is that regardless of any of the attached supply's power delivery capability? e.g. Eurocom 780W single supply plugged into one of the ports works or does not work?

 

No I don't use twitter, Though, I don't need support through there either, nonetheless, I appreciate that you are spreading the news, as this seems to be a genuine issue of this laptop I think.
And I will see what I can do during on-site session. Though don't know yet how support will handle my case to begin with. Will have to wait till monday.
On the meanwhile, I did post this on Alienware subreddit.

 

I would not even try that tbh, but i don’t think that will work.

I played WoW with the 180w brick and i got 100fps with graphic setting 8 so jeah, its not useless

 

As long as the pinout is == then there shouldn't be any issue in at least trying it. Whether or not it would work is my reason for asking. I have this exact supply operating perfectly w/my MSI GT75 Titan. That unit comes w/dual 330W supplies, but the 'mixer' is external to the notebook whereas the AW is internal. And by perfectly, I mean that when the gpu and cpu are put under full load, the notebook doesn't punt due to artificially limiting power to < 330W of a single brick. I'd like to know if the AW's internal 'mixer' is able to do the same or if it _does_ artificially limit draw if it only detects one supply.

WoW's kind of a noop anymore as it's about as materially taxing as a browser game now-a-days. What does a _real_ game get you w/that 180W brick? Will it even allow the 2080 to turn on w/that thing?

 

Take it apart and have a look, that’s the only way we will know

 

Testing from ssj82 i believe revealed that no matter what brick you use that the cpu works 100% and the gpu downclocks to about 30% performance.

The reason i don’t think it will work is that the performance is the same with the 180w brick and the 330w brick so i think it only unlocks full power when it sees both bricks but jeah that would have to be tested

 

Ah thank you. That is quite a bummer and one of the items on my 'deal-breaker' list for picking up one of these things. Hopefully it's possible to mod the thing to 'spoof' dual supplies either internal or some reverse Y external adapter. The Eurocom supply is a beast and, after having used it, I'd never wish to go back.

 

Just played the division 2 on ultra preset with around 110FPS. (9900K RTX 2080)
The PC Hardware side says that an Desktop RTX 2080 (No Oc) has an average score of 147 on ultra preset :0
Of course there is a difference between those two cards but that seems overwhelming :0
Any idea how that comes? What are your FPS in the Division 2? :0
Its also weird because in all Benchmarks i tested, (Time Spy, Firestrike,...) it seems to be equal to desktop Cards and now in game it falls so far behind?

 

If you look closely on that picture, the AC connections are precisely under the heatsink. Thats some heat thats stressing that part!

 

Can I ask how long have you had the laptop. - did you have an early batch ?

Just wonder if this issue effects certain laptops or certain models with certain cpu/gpu configurations ..?