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

u do know at times chips settle in after a few days, u may still get 5ghz once the components burn in properly, not the other burn .... lol

 

You gotta reinstall hopefully from a working backup or clean install. AWCC and OC TOOLS needs to be fixed so backup before ever trying to update them.

 

Reinstalled win10 1903. Now Performance is back to normal. ....weird

 

Let's hope that will be the case. I'll keep fine tuning it see where it settles.

Sent from a Galaxy S9+

 

Hello Guys,

I am new at this forum, I read whole topic what what take me a 3 days lol
I would like to ask, what is the situation ATM with the Alienware Area 51M please, is still burn out ?
Is only with the RTX 2080 issue or no matter what GPU / CPU because the Motherboard just cant hold the power ?
i am really interest to know more or get some advice if I should / shouldn't buy this model.
I really thinking about this or about a Asus G703 GXR with Liquid Metal on CPU ( I9 9980hk )
https://www.asus.com/us/Laptops/ROG-G703/Tech-Specs/
So if you can give me you advise please, I will be so happy.

Regards
Scorpik

 

That's good. I expect Ultra Male above will get it back as well. What did you do different vs. last OS install? Clean install instead for upgrade over the old Windows version?

And what did you gain back in Firestrike physics with stock clocks? Everything you lost? Or you talk about overall score?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...-owners-lounge.826831/page-1149#post-10913941

 

Hey Scorpik, welcome. As someone who recently decided to take the plunge with a 51m, let me recount my history and do my best to summarize the current situation and the commentary on this thread.

First me: I bought the 51m and it lasted about a week before burning out (while playing Anthem for about 25 mins on max settings, just to see what this 9900/2080 could do). I hadn’t done any modifications other than upgrading the Wi-Fi card (Dell had upgraded the default card in their configurator one day after I placed my order, but they wouldn’t change it in my order, so I had to buy the card on Amazon and do it myself—no biggie). So, Dell offered to replace the 51m for me (it’s expected to arrive in a month)—still, being within my 30-day refund window, I’ve continued to consider whether I should just cut my losses.

The situation: In layman’s terms, Dell has not communicated what is causing the burnouts; they just state that the failures are within an acceptable margin. The sleuthing on this thread has led most people to understand that it has something to do with some low-quality chips on the motherboard and perhaps on the graphics card as well. When I inquired to Dell tech support about my concerns about going through this all over again with the replacement machine, the rep. told me that the issue that caused my problem has been solved (extrapolate from that what you will). Another concern is that the machine runs very hot, particularly the 9900K and 2080.

This thread: Most of the experts here advocate being an active owner of this machine. If you expect the machine to just work as advertised when you get it and you’re not looking to: purchase better heat sinks and thermal paste, open up your machine, swap out the heat sinks and repaste the processing units (which is a daunting task if you’re doing this for the first time, with a $4000 machine), underclock/undervolt the processing units and tweak other settings, then you might be better off looking elsewhere.

If you do want to go down this path, then you’ll probably want to seriously consider extending your warranty at some point. That’s the path I’ve ultimately chosen, and as I’m thinking about tweaking my settings and regularly backing up my machine (once I get the replacement), I plan to continue revisiting this thread for all the great advice herein.

Here’s what it boiled down to for me: I don’t want a hassle, and I don’t have the time to endlessly mess with my machine these days, and I would generally prefer to buy a single machine and have it last for 4-5 years (this was the case with my previous Alienware and all of the desktop and gaming PCs I’ve built over the past 30 years). BUT, I do want the most powerful small-form-factor gaming PC I can get my hands on right now, and if the worst happens and the machine keeps burning out (because, e.g., it runs very hot even if they fix the electrical problems), I’ll at least keep getting a new machine out of it during the warranty period, which in my mind is not a bad return value for the potential hassle of having to keep backing up my life on each machine and transferring it to each subsequent one.

I hope that helps you make your decision—good luck!

 

Just want to add on to the previous post:

This system has a better keyboard right off the bat. Was able to achieve an avg. wpm of 90 in comparison to Clevo (870DM3; 72wpm) and MSI (GT75; 88wpm). It isn’t “heavy” as most of its weight is around the rear exhaust making it quite easy to carry when holding it from there.

If you dont want to do the delid and repasting yourself, you can try ordering it through HIDevolution (where I got mine from) and see if they do a good job when you run your burn-ins.

For temperatures, that ASUS will feel pretty warm around the keyboard in comparison to the A51m which tends to stay cool in same area under almost all conditions.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Hey guys, anyone else having issues with internal/external mic not picking up your voice correctly?

People on games have always complained about my mic being very low and I never really thought about it until yesterday.

I've messed with all of the settings and nothing has helped so far.

I have to have the mic in my mouth and yell for it to pick up my voice. This is happening on my Cloud Flight headset and my built in mic, so I believe it might be a driver/windows issue..

I'd appreciate some help trying to figure out the issue and solve it.. As I really do not want to do another clean install..

My mic volume is set to 100, Db was set to +30 (this helped with the internal mic, but it picked up the fans on balanced, so I can't use it this way..)

I've also tried reinstalling the Hyper X Ngenuity software to no avail..

Unfortunately I don't know if this has been going on since I received the laptop, or if something else triggered it, as I only started looking into it yesterday.

 

What software are you using for VoIP? What is your headset’s mic input setting? Is noise suppression and echo cancellation on?

If it picks up fan noise, are you sure you are using headset mic? Cause that normally leads me to think your laptop mic is set as default.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

This happens in Discord and any online game, I usually play Apex Legends.

Mic input settings are set to 100. No noise cancellation setting.

Again, this is happening on the built in 51m microphone, and my headset microphone. So I feel like it could be a driver issue, but not sure what drivers to uninstall and where to redownload them.

 

Have you tried to Reset Voice Settings in Discord?

Should also try using other VoIP software for good measure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

@S.K - Did you do this with your laptop?

Also, Voodoo is reaching 4.8GHz clocks (with an undervolt) on all cores due to temps... Were you not seeing 5.0GHz on a single core or all cores? Am I mis-remembering??

 

I have, but it has nothing to do with Discord, since it's happening in in-game chat (while not using discord.)

When I use the built in windows mic tester, my voice sits on the first bar (out of like 6+) and the only way for it to go higher is by literally putting it in my mouth and yelling.

Edit: I've also tried downloading Equalizer APO and changing the dB to +/-
100-200, which had no effect.

 

hi guys

just pulled trigger on 9700k 2080. my question is my 17 R5 8950hk 1080
could not drive my omen x35 more than 60fps on mini-display port.

same port on this, will it drive higher than the 17 R5?

should i use type c to displayport instead?

ty in advance.

 

I would probably disable the laptop mic completely through Windows and try to reinstall the headset.

 

Yeah, I really find it very annoying, I download them for nothing. I wonder why they keep doing this. I ended up expanding the information about every driver and checking the "release date", which seem to be accurate, instead of the "last update" field.

 

I tweeted this to Alienware Support and their reply was: "No the files DID change". At that point, I just gave up it's just a waste of time talking to a robot. The files cannot have possibly been changed when their digital signatures/file hashes are exactly the same. Who are they trying to fool? We are enthusiasts here not muppets!

Alienware Area-51m Drivers updated 29-May, single ZIP file containing all the drivers organized into numbered folders as per the correct installation order.

Few updates and I've reorganized the installation order a bit after getting tips from the Dell SupportAssist Tool which showed me which drivers it's installing first and their order.
Download = https://drive.google.com/open?id=1eKkwfWoKFbIyIQgCe7jcGdczGeZhTC8s

Don't forget to unblock the ZIP file before extracting it by right clicking on it, choosing properties, then hit UNBLOCK from the bottom right hand corner then hit Apply then Ok. Then you can safely extract the files

 

Just being curious, is there any way of checking the current power intake of the connected bricks apart from the BIOS? I have been checking AWCC and I can't find that information, but I'm pretty sure someone on this thread talked about a way of viewing that hundreds of pages back but I can't find it.
Thanks

 

HWInfo?
(cant search due to bad signal in Fab)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Anyone know if the WD Blue 1TB M.2 Sata SSD will work in the 51m?

Edit: Nvm, just installed it!

 

Running everything stock on Ultra settings in Overwatch, my CPU temps hit 93+C. My GPU and hits 82. If I up the graphics to epic, they both hit their respective limits (100 and 87).

Fans are on performance. No overclocking. 9700k, 2080.

Is this normal?

I'm on the last few days of my return period. I'm far more interested in having a durable gaming rig than overclocking or pushing it to it's limits. Are regular temps in the 90's sustainable? I really appreciate your thoughts.

 

That’s pretty much how I burned out my machine. I was running a 9900/2080, and I didn’t check the temps, but I’m sure they were high—though it was just as likely an electrical problem. The game I was running was Anthem, which is graphically much more intensive. You might want to grab Anthem if you don’t have it already and run nonstop through the opening sequence; my machine went up in smoke right when I got to the first hub and started walking around and talking to the NPCs there.

Sorry for the non-scientific answer, but if you’re within your return window it’ll at least be a positive data point for you if you make it past that point in the game. In general, though, I think the temps you listed are a bit higher than normal, especially with the fans running on performance. If your machine survives some more testing and you decide to keep it, it’s probably a good idea to install new heat sinks and repaste the processors as discussed throughout this thread.

 

Same as mine. So currently im really worried about the gpu. I saw many people never exceed 80 on their gpu

 

Ya, there is no way this this chassis and its thermal design can keep the chips cooled without some sort of an undervolt and a compromise on the promised speeds by Dell. In fact, in my experience, overclocking the chips for sustained periods will surely "burn and smoke" your system. Stay far away from that garbage AWCC OC controls, if you OC through there, get ready for an instant RMA.

The balanced fan profile does nothing while gaming and if you want to experience no throttling in games, make sure you use the performance mode.
Full Speed fan mode is too loud and unbearable and I don't use it at all.
Performance mode has manageable audio levels and it raises the power level of the components I've noticed.
If I use my over clock settings on balanced, I get a a lot of power limit warning on the GPU and CPU temps shoots up, Performance Mode alleviates this issues.

My settings:
Liquid metal and Delidded CPU, Fujipoly thermal pads:

CPU: 4.8Ghz on all cores all the time (through Throttlestop with a -100mv undervolt); temps stay below 80 with 3 hours non-stop gameplay.

GPU: 1920-1950Mhz in game (undervolt of 975mV through Afterburner) and temps stays below 75°

So, far this settings seem stable on CSGO, Quake Champions, Metro Exodus, Far Cry 5 and Modded Skyrim LE with 4K textures and ENB (yes, I still play Skyrim) I've had issues with freezing on Kingdom Come Deliverance with these settings but the game is unstable and optimised like crap.

I use balanced fan profile only when I'm not gaming and it works with no issues.

Hope this helps someone.

Sent from a Galaxy S9+

 

Hi VoodooChild
Could you please also test the gpu temps running stock with different fan profile too. Of course, full load on gpu 200w.
Thank you very much

 

Actually, I have tested it at stock and the GPU hits 85° with 1 hour Far Cry 5 gameplay. Running Heaven benchmark, it touches the same numbers with Performance Fans. CPU shoots up to 90s in both of the above scenarios. On balanced mode, it will happen within 2 minutes while performance mode might take a little bit longer.

If you want to run anything at stock, balanced profile will sadly not cut it.

I can see someone running at balanced profile only if you down clock the CPU to 4.5Ghz and run the GPU at stock. However, expect to hit the 80s even with these settings.

If you use multi-threaded renderings, it will definitely hit the 90s even with the performance modes active. I don't see any other option but to undervolt both the CPU and the GPU if you want to max our the system performance while keeping the temps under 85°.

The other two modes; Cool and Quiet mode is useless and I don't recommend anyone to use it because it seems to me that they limit the power draw of the system and it's a throttling mess.

Please note: All these tests were done with the back of the laptop elevated with prop legs about 1 inches in height.

Sent from a Galaxy S9+

 

thank u bro

 

Do you know, how is the gpu-temperature at 1 hour Far Cry 5, when you limit the 2080 to maximum 0,9v (1850-1950 MHz)?
Also interesting: 0,8v (1700-1800 MHz).
I can`t test it, I have a 2070.

 

I've tested Far Cry 5 at .975mV running at 1920-1950Mhz for 2 hours+ gameplay and it stayed below 75° throughout. My concern is not with the GPU temps, it's the CPU I'm having a hard time taming.

Sent from a Galaxy S9+

 

Did nothing different...

3 Times the same -> USB -> win10 1903 installation -> setup -> nvidia driver -> benchmark

tested Division 2 Bench, FF XIV Bench, Firestrike

Old Windows 1809 (dell stock image)
Division 2 138 FPS Average 5ghz
FF Bench 18600 @5.2ghz
Firestrike not compareable because i only have records of 5.2ghz runs / open window / maximum GPU OC). GS 29800, Physx ~26300

Because of my the bad FF result i decided to reinstall my win10. -> and so it begun...


1. Installation (win 10 1809)
Division 2 128 FPS
FF Bench ~18400 Points
Firestrike ~24400 Overall, ~28800 Graphic Score (5Ghz) physx ~25XXX (dont remember exactly)

2.Installation (1903)
Division 2 120 FPS
FF Bench ~19300 Points
Firestrike ~23300 Overall, ~27600 Graphic Score (4,9ghz) Physx ~25700

3. Installation (1903)
Division 2 -134 FPS 4,9ghz
FF Bench - ~19600 Points
Firestrike - ~24300 Overall, ~28600 Graphic Score (4,9ghz) physx ~25700

So overall my performance with 1903 is now similar to my old 1809 installation. I had to bench 4.9ghz because i installed my old i9 9900k (selected one need a re - delid) and my old one has heavy throttle @ 5ghz. 4,9 is maximum. The actual installation is stock -> no tweaks.

with 1903 i had weird problems: Xbox one wireless controller was not working, LAN and WLAN was buggy. WIn10 stock drivers where the root cause. Drivers from Dell support page fixed it.

 

That was my problem, shortly after it went OFF and died

 

I have also experienced an FPS drop lately, I blame it to the latest nvidia drivers that were updated two days ago, but it could be due to some windows updates, I'm not sure.
I think I will try to remove all the display drivers with DDU and install the Dell stock ones just to find out if it's related to ngridia drivers or windows updates...

 

Are you guys just downloading 1903 from an image and installing it? As I haven't received the update yet, which I assume is because of bugs.

Gonna hold off on 1903 though until they fix these kinks.

 

atm i dont see 1903 specific bugs... had the same performance problems with 1809. Installed 1903 via media creation tool and USB device.

 

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/known-issues-with-windows-10-v1903-may-2019-update

Oh okay. I think I'll do a clean install of it when they work out the kinks. Hopefully it will solve my mic issues.

Edit: here's an official list of bugs from MS.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-information/status-windows-10-1903

 

nothing critical for my usecase ^^

 

I will try with this one and stay away from windows updates: LTSC Version 1809 - Redstone 5 [Feb 2019] (build 17763.316)

 

Played AC: odyssey for 2 hours and the cpu did not exceed 75degrees and neither did the gpu. Only my 9700k is uv with -100. Gpu is stock and running 1955 most of the time

 

Has anyone tried like an OPOLAR cooler on the AW 51? Worth trying or just gimmicky?

 

If you already have one then yeah I'd try it. If you were going to buy it, I'd probably go for a Notepal U3 by Coolermaster as you can customise the fan position to sit right under the CPU/GPU I believe.

 

Incoming! Just released:

nVIDIA Driver from Alienware v25.21.14.2546

@VoodooChild

 

Thanks, I will try those drivers to check if my FPS rate goes back to normal after the drop I experienced with the latest drivers from nvidia experience.

 

I've just ordered the Deepcool multi-core X8 I'll tell you soon what are my thoughts about this product.

I've ordered this one because it doesn't come with all those LEDs on the fan or around, it's a 4 fan with a switch to choose which one you would like to turn ON and it doesn't come with n Usb ports as I already have a USB HUB

 

Hello Donald. Here below you can see what I talk about... You said <At any time, even after your existing warranty has expired>. This won't always help.

Alienware 17R4 / Motherboard Short Circuit

 

Regrettably, the specified airflow is not best at 53.4cfm, some pads on the market can push in the region of 75cfm, 65cfm is pretty standard even on cheap models like Tree Bee (and the like).

 

Thanks brother. I installed it. Will report back with the performance.

Sent from a Galaxy S9+

 

Never seen this one before, definitely keep us posted on the results.

 

new BIOS 1.5.4

Download: https://www.dell.com/support/home/a...wt64a&productcode=alienware-17-area51m-laptop

Note: don't forget to right click on the file > Properties, then make sure it is not blocked, if it is blocked, you will see a box at the bottom right saying this file came from the internet bla bla bla, just hit unblock then apply then ok before you install it. Also ensure you disable your Antivirus!!

Spoiler: Fixes

- Not Applicable.

Spoiler: Enhancements

- Improves the thermal stability of the system.

 

Run some benching and report back if you can. See if you can determine if fan response time has improved.