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

Bought this laptop since I travel a lot for work. Took it with me for my first trip today and so far so good! Had a nice long delay in Chicago (to be expected), so gamed for a few hours in the lounge, the time flew by!

 

Have you decided on whether you are going to take the plunge? I'm pretty pleased with my a51m but this 2 brick solution is a pain.

 

Hello, how is everyone doing today? Where is the Love? my brother's and sister's. I had my 51m for a little over a month now > and i can proudly say, overall this is the best laptop i've gotten from Alienware. Have a nice day

 

I'm quite picky when it comes to my computers. I can honestly say I'm VERY happy with my 51m. had a couple issues in the beginning, but I was able to resolve on my own.
I've had the 17 R5 and 17 R4, and over 20 different high end Asus and MSI laptops over the years, and I can say after a month of owning 51m it's met my expectations and probably my favorite.

If you are thinking of buying... do it.

 

very salty in here today… is it because of monday?

 

Does anyone has coil whine issue?
When I open Chrome I can hear buzz sound so clearly and very very annoying
I have update my BIOS to 1.3.2
When I move mouse i can hear buzz sound and specially using Chrome much worse, buzz sound just keep going going

Please help or just return it back to Dell

 

Some degree of coil whine is quite common. I don't know if yours are worse than anything else, it's for you to decide. If you return it, you may get one that's better, or worse, or even the same. Coil whine lottery is equally fun as screen lottery and CPU lottery.

 

Mine doesn't have any coil whine, but I also have tinnitus, so But seriously, I would call support and ask for options. If mine had coil while, I know my gf would have asked about it by now. Just yesterday she picked up on some whine from the TV (which I also heard) which was very faint, but definitely distracting and annoying. Fixed it with a power cycle (it is becoming an old TV).

 

I don't understand all the hatred and negative comments? This is not good. The Area 51m is another consumer product, and just like all products you are going to have some defective ones, reason being for the warranty. Nothing is prefect in this world. Don't stress about materialistic things, life is too short. What i can say from my personal experience and what i have gathered from my fellow members here is: Yes the Alienware Area 51m has it's faults but for the majority of user's, it's been a good overall experience so far and they are happy. Also, the R2 version and so on will only make this beast even better. For those thinking about getting one, don' t be afraid because of the negativity. Try it yourself first hand and if you don't like it, just return it. Simple.

 

same here

 

I have coil whine, real bad one. I hear it easy from 1-2 meters.

If you game ofc np. But when I surf, write, read etc I hear the coil whine. Mine comes from backside, more to the left. I'm talking to dell and trying to sort this out. Either exchange motherboard or GPU, depending which one makes the sound. I would not mind coil whine if it only was when I played games or if it was 70% less sound.

Can you record it with your phone? Start in front and go closer and towards were the sound comes from?

 

*Original problem explanation on page 647

So has no one here heard of anyone else getting a screen cutoff/no signal after installing the 200w vbios? I keep looking online and cant find any other examples. I've yet to be able to bring myself to using nvflash to try to rollback to original 190w vbios (provided from someone here), mostly due to a lack of real knowledge using nvflash, and because I'm afraid of further possible damage. Its killing me having this beast but using only the Intel uhd 630 heh

 

I might only write here to moan and complain, like everyone, but make no mistake, it's the best laptop I've ever owned. My issues now are purely that I hate being taken for a ride by Dell support, but then again who does, and who's surprised by Dell support?

 

Hey all,

I ordered a 51m with the 9900/2080 on 3/27 and my expected delivery date is by 4/30. I ordered the
Alienware Area-51m Elite - Laptop carrying backpack too and received it today. The backpack is nicer than I expected. I say this as someone who typically orders backpacks from sfbags. But, given the size of the 51m, I figured I’d order something that I know will fit this beast of a laptop.

I’ve enjoyed the the last 663 pages and look forward to the next 663 while I await my delivery.

I’m undeterred by the few issues people have had with their units. Every piece of new hardware has some issues that get discovered in the public’s hands. If I get a lemon, I’ll send it back, not a big deal to me.

Thanks for the information and entertainment!

 

@ Indiana5olo Welcome to the lounge. I got the 51m elite backpack too. I agree with you, it is nice, fits good and plenty of space. Enjoy your system.

 

Yeah it’s crazy big, yet doesn’t look that big from the outside. I could probably put my MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, Lenovo P50 and 51m in this backpack at once...not that I’d want to, but I could lol.

The pockets on the sides can easily hold a 1.5 liter water bottle and my 20oz coffee tumbler. I’m impressed so far. I don’t really plan on taking this laptop out much, but that may change. If I do, I wanted something that was big enough to carry it.

 

I bought an i7-8700 with a 2080 and had the GPU fail within 10 days. Dell replaced the motherboard and the GPU but now my CPU hits 100 degrees C and thermal limits whenever I try to run the Division 2 while the GPU sits cool at 75 C. During normal office work the CPU sits at 50 degrees so I thought i would try undervolting but the AWCC does not give me access to undervolting the CPU. Does anyone else with an i7-8700 have the same problem?

My current plan is to pull the laptop apart to check the service rep actually applied thermal paste to the CPU and then install throttle stop.

No coil whine here.

 

I wondered if somebody could help me regarding a ram question with the 51m?

Would I experience any performance issues if I installed 40GB of RAM? (2-16 & 2-4)

On my first unit I removed the factory 8GB and installed Corsair 32GB. I don’t really have any use for the factory 8GB modules but it seems like a waste to just put them in a drawer.

Sorry if this is a stupid question.

 

There is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid answers.
The only thing to be careful of is RAM speed and RAM type. Your total RAM will only work at the speed of the slowest RAM installed. If your 16 GB ram is the same speed as your 4 GB ram I think you are good to go so long as they are both DDR4

 

I had the exact same model and mine died after 1 day. Dell offered to repace the LCD panel, GPU and motherboard but I refused for the very reason you are describing, that things may not work properly once re-assembled. I recieved confirmation from Dell about a refund for the system today and have purchased another A51M with the same specs due to arrive on the 16th. You wont be able to OC/Under Clock the CPU as the i7-8700 is the non K variant. Sounds like the technician didnt apply thermal paste properly. I would raise a refund request asap even if you dont go through with it as you only have a certain timeframe to request this.

 

Well that is disappointing that I can't undervolt the i7-8700. (insert expletives here)

 

Not sure if flex mode is still a thing on motherboards for ram channels, but only part of your memory pool may be running in dual channel with this setup. Make sure you aren’t in single channel cause that can tank performance in some apps and games

 

Guys, I need help staying strong here. I ordered my unit 9900k 2080 2TB ssd on March 10th. 1 delay after another leads me to my April 4-9th estimated delivery. My last delays have all come the day of or the day before the delivery date. After my last complaint I was given a US based customer service rep who emailed me today saying there is still a parts constraint. Iv done everything from speaking personally to Frank to emailing dell cares and everything else in between. All I get is some consolation prizes (mouses keyboards etc) but mainly just dragged along to further and further dates. Is there an end in sight? Is it all worth it in the end?

 

Only you can decide if the wait is worth it but it may help to revisit the reasons you chose the A51m in the first place.

 

Wait, you got consolation prizes? I am to now on the April 4-9th delivery with a April 2nd ship date and I have received 0 consolation... Where are you speaking to this Frank person?

 

I made a video recapping the Area 51M burnout issue for those of you that want a recap. Feedback is welcome as always of course!

 

Thanks for the replies guys. Both sets of ram are 2666 mHZ DDR4. If I have trouble getting dual channel then I’ll dump the 8GB.

 

Great video! So has there been anyone out there yet with a 2060 or 2070 config that has this issue? Also, you say you use performance mode, but doesn’t that keep fans at a pretty high rpm even when idle? I’ve notice this when I gave it a shot the other night

 

You most certainly can Undervolt any non-K CPU. You just cant adjust static voltage or alter clocks.

 

They know they failed on many level with their past product? Not what Unboxed said. Aw 15 with RTX 2080 is from todays model lineup.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...50h-coffee-lake.810891/page-127#post-10889879

You said you're afraid of mealtdown due temp around 100C. Not from the Dells engineering teams aspect. 100C is fine for the Coffee-lake models. I can't see Dells engineers will have another meaning about the coffee lake refresh desktop models.

https://www.dell.com/support/articl...ing-a-high-temperature-overheat-issue?lang=en

 

It was probably higher than 100C, but I don't think the temp readouts go higher than 100C. Either way, the fan profiles need work because throttling does happen at 100C xD

 

I'm sure Dells engineers know very well 9th gen processors is able to do up to 115C. Maybe we will see raised throttling point in coming bios updates? Not a good fix but better than throttling at 100C xD. At least you get the performance you paid for https://www.gigabyte.com/FileUpload/Global/multimedia/2/file/525/946.pdf

Remember Azor said fan noise should be lower once they updated firmware. Due complaints.

 

You pretty much need to be on performance fan mode for intensive games... My undervolted 9700k cpu really runs hot otherwise. Full fan is even better if you have headphones and nobody around to notice the helicopter taking off.

Some games like fallout 4 don't seem to run as hot, I can play that one in balanced. Anthem runs very hot though as an example.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

Also, speaking of fallout 4... It pisses me off that we can't use 144hz. I know you can enable global vsync, but the havoc engine goes nuts. Super mega speed lock picking and ultra fast combat lol.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

Funny how many people that never owned one used to hate on the Clevo P870 and make silly comments to the effect that they had crappy cooling, LOL. Not any worse (in fact better it seems) than the Area 51m cooling. And, with fewer firmware cancer performance-capping limitations than Alienware's latest and greatest.

 

I haven't had one so I can't speak to the clevo. I'm pretty happy with the cooling on my 9700k/2070 51m. It's a TON better than the other rtx laptops I've tried and returned (asus strix 2070, msi raider 2070). The fan profile switching is a little annoying but you can see that up per game at least.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

I also got a free 2tb external hdd on my first order due to the delay. I just asked in online chat for compensation for the delay and they offered that. After my system blew up and only lasted a day they gave me a further discount on the second system, added in 1yr free accidental damage protection and Foxit PDF software free too.

 

• Waiting on 4K/120 (praying it's OLED)
• That may push things towards Fall and the chipset/cpu refreshes from Intel - have to see on that (9900K isn't a bad chip)
  • Wonder if any of you have considered the Intel GPU free CPU's as a way to reduce temps if you are really only using the Nv GPU
• Pci-e 4.0 would happen first to desktop chipsets, something to consider
  • And this "should" improve the performance of 4 channels going to the AW Amplifier if the wiring stays the same
• Intel AX200 Wi-Fi on the wish list also but wouldn't hold back an order for a $35 card I can update myself
  • And frankly to be positive I got that "killer" stuff out of the system I'd probably update the Wifi to Intel and reset Win 10 (fresh install option) just to keep it clean
• Has anyone actually tested that 2.5G connection? Not that there are many switches out there which can manage that connection
• HDMI 2.1 would have been nice but Dell can only make what the GPU maker delivers. That will take another generation I think.

 

You'll be waiting and praying a long time then- might want to consider being a monk

 

hey guys,

well i been tweaking got a stable 5ghz oc , gpu around 2k ,

max temps around 80c,



im really happy with my a51m only disappointed about the command center and custom fan curves not working as you cannot use nothing else to control fan speed.

c'mon dell/alienware one shoe dont fit all, make a custom a51m app that we can use.

 

Hopefully you uploaded in something greater than 360p. Maybe Youtube is still chugging the video and generating different qualities, but currently I can only watch at 360p and can't read any of the afterburner numbers.

 

yea give it 5mins , 1080p should be availible soon, it just finished inital processing.

 

The debate should be settled by now. Area-51m is by far the best alienware laptop made by dell in a very long time and the reviews and results speak for themselves. Those who are not aware, area-51m is the clevo killer quoted from notebookcheck review.

Those who want the fastest gaming laptop, area-51m is the one to get. Those who want the best build quality laptop, area-51m is the only choice. Most people buy gaming laptops to GAME. Area-51m has the fastest single GPU in a laptop to date. Those who want a slightly higher CB score, go for clevo with better CPU OC options and tweaking. for everything else, it's all area-51m hands down.

sure there have been some GPU burn out issues, but this is a new product, there are bound to be issues from the start. important part is, it's not a widespread panic, the number of cases is quite limited and dell is looking into this. those affected is unfortunate, but at least they are backed by dell's excellent warranty service. I am hopeful this issue can be resolved so it should not deter potential buyers from getting this awesome laptop. there's absolutely nothing to worry about and enjoy every moment with this laptop.

 

nice video. just something to add here, the VRM cooling for the GPU is underneath the DGFF card, meaning it does not get actively cooled regardless of what fan profiles you choose. the only cooling for those VRMs is the passive heatsink and the heat is transfered via thermal pads. also the pictures from HID are showing that the pads are still on stock thermal pads, not fujipoly ones. this means HID either neglected to change those pads or they were not aware of the passive heatsink underneath the DGFF card which majority of people would have overlooked and missed.

 

Could you suggest a simple program that will do that for me? I am not interested in overclocking just a little undervolting to reduce the temps a little if I can. I did see that Papusan found a reference that 100 degrees is okay but ........ If I can get it a little lower then I would be a little happier.

 

CPU performance, operating temps (500w VC etc), ports, reliability, ease of servicing, use the panel you want, Unlocked firmware with all options and upgradeability. As well from what I know you can even run 200w vbios on Clevo as well. Just search after @Johnksss bench tests. What’s left? Build quality is more than some metal in the inner chassis.

Edit. @FrozenSolid just use ThrottleStop.

 

So far I believe this has only affected the RTX 2080 versions so far, correct me if I am wrong.

 

However, everything you've listed does not hold any weight anymore now that we've seen what the Area 51M can pull even with a locked bios and limited RAM.

clevo has the advantage of faster RAM and an unlocked bios, yet the A51M with a handicap is still right at its bumper and in the real world / real world usage neck to neck.

Ports and the choice of panels? Yes, the clevo definitely has that over the A51M for sure.

Ease of servicing? - Actually the Area 51M is extremely easy to take a part and service.

Upgradability? - CPU wise the same. I'm tuning 5.3GHz right now as we speak tonight and benching more.. ... GPU wise the A51M might actually have more security when it comes to the longevity as mxm is pretty much dead.

At least Dell isn't at the mercy of an older form factor and they can make more gpu's and change it even anytime they want.

In the real world, the A51M is way beyond the point of needing to prove itself.

Have you not seen my benches?


https://www.3dmark.com/fs/18907302

This is the highest GPU score so far and the CPU on this run throttled a bit toward the end of the test, hence the overall score, but the point of this is showing the graphics score.

https://www.3dmark.com/fs/18907308

Broke 7K's...

https://www.3dmark.com/3dm/35003241

What's left? -- Maybe even higher bench scores with the Area 51M.

If you'd like I'd happily tag you when I post them since it seems like you might have missed my earlier posts.

The bottom line is..they are both fine laptops and true desktop replacements. The advantages that the clevo have in the areas of RAM and unlocked bios does not bring enough gain to use it as a point of debate anymore. Where the Area 51M makes up for it and more IMO is the area of build quality, warranty and its modern design.

 

The graphic score record is hold by @Johnksss with 31,5k For benching, clevo is the way to go... for gaming is would choose the 51m at any time.

 

That's a fantastic score. Link?

If it isn't recorded it can't be proved. So far this is the highest overall score, but it is not the highest graphics score. Where's the link to the 31,5K score?

As for benching and/or gaming, both are great. At this point with what we know the Area 51M can do the difference is very small and irrelevant in the real world for clevo to have any major advantage over the A51M for real world usage.