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

Some games seem to turn of the keyboard lightning. Whats up with that?

 

Okay, a small thermals review of my aliewnare are 51M after a couple days of gaming on it.

I played Anthem, I played Metro Exodus, and I played Overwatch so far.
On overwatch I always had good thermals because it's not a heavy game, I can run it always on 144Hz, And to make g-sync always work even with frames > 144 I use v-sync through nvidia drivers, so the gpu doesn't calculate more then 144 frames a second, so for overwatch gpu usage isn't maxed out, hence the good thermals.

When fan profile is set to balanced, I had a peak of 94 degrees. Though I didn't see if that was initial peak when the fans were kicking in, or if it was later on. Nonetheless, Now when I game I switch to fan profile Performance. The fans get loud, you can here them, but not as bad as when using fan profile full speed, and with my headphones on, it's fine, despite the fact that I have open back headphones.

On performance mode, my cpu never went higher than 80 degrees to my surprise. which is amazing. GPU never went above 70. on anthem ultra settings 1080p I run around 120 ish frames per second. On Metro exodus with extreme settings and ray tracing set to ultra I got around 90 frames per seconds on the beginning part of the game.

 

When I try to order Metro Exodus in the UK it demands payment but does not even ask me what platform I want (eg PC, XBOX, PS4) and I have heard it was not on the PC yet in the UK. How did you order yours?

 

Hello,
My knowledge being relatively limited, I've tried reading as much as possible these past few days and have found answers to most of my questions but I still need a little help :
- Is there any downside to ordering the unit with 8GB RAM and 1TB HDD and buying additional RAM myself as well as a 512GB SSD (or 2x 256?) How complicated (or simple) is installing those myself ?
- If I chose to go this route, how do I know a) how to chose the right RAM/SSD and b) if it's compatible with the unit ?

Thanks to everyone on this thread, you've been a huge help already

 

That really pisses me off..

So the biggest downside is if you order that config from Dell they only warranty what was in the original purchase unless upgrades where done with them. I personally know if you order max setup from xotic pc you will save 1000$ I but I purchased the pc through Dell maxed out to get the buy 3 year warranty 4th year free I haven't received mine yet to do another review. But if I'm not satisfied I'll be returning it asap. If you bought all the same maxed upgrades from Newegg you can save even more money. But like I said the warranty.
Xotic and hidevolution both offer simular warranty as well.

So if I do love the laptop and I'm not satisfied with the hardware they use ssd and ram. I'll return it buy from hidevolution with the bined cpu and still be saving money vs dell. Lol.

 

I have not recived mine yet so you know. THis is what I know this far:

RAM DDR4

DDR4 2400Mhz are the memoery running at currently. Many say they might upgrade in bios too 2666Mhz, and if Im not misstaken then there are 2666Mhz in the 51m but only runs on 2400mhz.

-So buy 2666Mhz with low timmings in dual chanell(2 of a kind like 8gbx2 16gbx2 etc) Max in system is 64GB.


HDD SSD

To install M.2 SSD is super easy! Many say you need to order dells heatsink, since they not included. I gues same for the small screw.

To move windows from HDD to SSD and how to make USB boot windows I got no clue. They say easy but I have never done it and would need help with also.

 

The bios is locked to 2400mhz for ram right now. It comes stock with 2666mhz ram and it downclocks. As far as brands go you should be find with any major or midrange brand. I have two different sets of ram in my machine. My original order had 8gb ram and 1tb sshd. It now has a 2tb 970 m.2 a 2tb toshiba m.2 and a 2tb samsung 840 evq drive. I guess the down side would be individual warranties but seems like not much of a downside. You don't need to buy fancy components. It seems the laptop plays nice with most brands

 

1 - Go to you lights or "FX" in AW command center
2 - Press on "Lightning "and select your keyboard
3 - Select "All-Keys"
4 - @Effect you select: Rainbow Waive
5 - Enjoy the psychedelic rainbow effect on our outdated zoned keyboard (instead of the standard Per-Key-RGB that most competitors sell.)

 

Pre-order from steam before it got removed.

 

cann remember the hotheaded days of the 4930mx in my AW 17 R (2013) was a nice overclocker with some heat output that indeed rivals CPU's of tday with only 4 cores (and a large DIE)

 

Okay thanks for the answers.
I'm still a bit confused since I've always used laptops but never replaced anything. All the terminologies are a bit...alien to me but I think I'm getting there.

 

Thanks mate !!

 

Yeah, same here. The only reason I bought it was I had exhausted the overclocked benching capabilities of my 1080 Ti. But, I'm starting to get tired of spending money on crippled trash and might take a break for a while. The NVIDIOTS are spoiling the fun too much with their cancerous firmware with lackluster overvolting and stupid room temperature throttling algorithms.

Here's a message for all of the clowns that build crippled crap with castrated firmware...

NVIDIA... Alienware... at the top of the list of overpriced crippled crap. The masters of disguise, LOL.

 

Has anyone been able to confirm if the 32GB sodimm modules from Samsung will work in this system. Would like someone else to figure this out before I go out and order. Memory

 

Is it tuesday yet? Mine should be on schedule for next week.

Gimme!

 

Yeah same for me, Asked this question a few days ago but unanswered so far.

 

Hidevolution.com offers 128gb (4x 32gb Samsung ddr4) ram options on the laptop if it works I'm sure they would know or it wouldn't be listed for sale with thy option without tested.

 

Did you pay £50 for the standard version?

 

I saw this earlier on from a post that someone ordered this from HID. I'm curious if anyone had this in their hands yet. I run a lot of VM's and this RAM would go well with the extra cores in the 9900k.

 

60€ for standard

 

Mine says arrival date by Tuesday the 5th also... But hasn't shipped yet. Is yours still "confirmed" also? I'm in the US

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

As I've said before, I would take that video (particularly) with a grain of salt. Warranty tolerances differ among regions, I get that, but there are laws in place preventing companies to deny warranty due to the user accessing the component (in this case a laptop). I know a lot of people who had to warranty one thing or another and out of all of them, I can't think of one that was refused that had their systems LM'ed.

A company has to prove that the LM was the culprit of a failure. Period. In extreme cases you can even take this to court... So while I don't know how it is in your region, at least here in the US we have rights and laws are enforceable either way ... The whole thing with them wanting to use their thermal paste.... that ain't going to happen among the enthusiasts who prefer to use what they want. Trust me.

 

Yes you can take it to court if they deny your warranty because they think liquid metal caused a failure, but that process is not cheap. If someone damages a laptop because of the mods they perform, that's on them. I would error on the side of caution when issuing a blanket statement like that.

 

It wasn't meant to be a blanket statement. Let me rephrase since it made you think of it that way.

1. If a user messes up their system then yes it is on them. Period. There is no denying that and I'm all for the companies side to deny customers the warranty if it is irrefutable. In most cases, it'll be at the companies discretion, however..

2. In very rare cases, when someone is paying 5K (sometimes more) for a laptop and a company denies them of their warranty where the user is not at fault, the yes.... you can take it to court. Period.

Are you implying that everyone is incompetent to take things to small claims if they need to? You do realize that one does not need a lawyer to handle legal matters right?

I'm sorry that you were confused and hope that I have made myself clear. There was nothing blanket about my statement, I just needed to add to it that's all. I also did not realize that it would be assumed that everyone is incompetent to handle legal matters.

My point was simply that there are options, laws and we can do something about if need be.

I think the bigger point here is that there has been a lot of known inconsistencies of what has been said by company officials, so to say to take things with a grain of salt if it is not in writing is not a blanket statement, nor is the legal stuff mentioned.

 

Yes sir. I have a service rep I can contact. He told me it is being transferred for final inspection and packaging. So it should be shipping soon.

 

I think until there's been official word from Alienware, posts pointing out people should err on the side of caution when it comes to re-pasting, especially with something like gallium/liquid metal which may end up causing damage, is very practical and may save some folks some from spending unnecessary time/money if something should go awry or there is something to the 'you must use our paste or void the warranty' statement.

Now, if one's attitude is "Damn the torpedos! Full speed ahead", then they are taking the responsibility onto themselves if something does go awry. If it works out, then great.

@iunlock please share any mods, tweaks, etc. and follow up with the success or failure once the Area 51m is in your possession. Posting hat information would be doing this thread a great service.

 

Sure you can take it to small claims court and you can represent yourself. Doesn't mean you will win.

They can drag out the case for a couple of years. Doesn't help you with your laptop.

I don't want people to think "hey do what you want and you can go to court if you want, easy as pie" when there is nothing further from the truth. I am just recommending people use their heads on this.

 

For now, only 16GB single SODIMM might work on most AW. 16x4 =64GB. So if any laptop or DTR says it supports 128GB then its 32x4=128GB. BTW, there's only one manufacturer Samsung with 1y DRAM of 32GB single DIMM in the market. You can look at Mushkin and some Team Patriot that sells 32GB Single DIMM which in turn uses Samsung ICs.

 

Absolutely and will do.

The risks of LM has not changed and I'm not condoning the use of LM in anyway on the Area 51M. Please let that be clear.

I was simply replying to @Vasudev in pointing some things out that are factual. I do agree that there needs to be measures put in place and I think the recommendation of using their paste is one of them, which is good. We are free to do what we want with a system that we purchased, however, any carelessness is at the fault of the user and that is on them...

From what we know so far from the data shared by some users here, I would just use Kyronaut on the Area 51M personally ...

 

Well of course and I agree. I've made myself clear on the fact that people need to be responsible and not careless ...

Just because there is a new system out does not all of a sudden change everything that held to be true before...

It also does not change the fact that there will still remain careless people vs those who are responsible. Nothing is different here.

I was simply making a point about warranty and how it has to be proved that user error was the cause of it if they try to deny you warranty, especially for those that get the extra added warranty.

 

Alienware is on record (although not recently) in this community as stating that users opening their laptop and working inside of it has no effect on the warranty. They were deliberate (and rightfully so) in clarifying that user-induced damage is NOT covered under warranty. It does not void the warranty, but the damage caused is not covered.

This is pretty universal and common sense. A company taking a position that a person working on a product they own voids the warranty won't hold up in any venue that I am aware of. Taking that position is an unethical business practice, and attempting to make people believe it is the case is an unethical approach to customer service. Companies that do this are worthy of boycott and deserve to go bankrupt. I say, good riddance. They are a blemish on the buttocks of the industry they operate in.

 

Precisely my point. It is very true that AW is on record and many of us here should know that, but it seems like some people missed the memo, which was just last year when this whole topic was hot and heavy.

What's sad is that the damage done to the system by these 'know nothing' third party techs do more harm to the customers system than a beginner user.

 

Re. 'NEW' 41 Wm/k coolaboratory liquid extreme there are still no reviews, or results, tried Google Chrome just now.

But, @Mr. Fox is the paste comparable to any other compound so I can have some info (is it runny, or spreadable). I remember you could not really test it good for temperatures, because one syringe is not enough for both dies (desktop CPU lid + large 'Turing' GPU die)... etc., but could it run off dies compared to e.g. Grizzly Conductonaut?

 

Even though Alienware states this, the technical departments of Dell in Europe claim this is not the case and that opening up the laptop for a repaste voids the warranty. Extremely annoying and I think ALienware should take a clear stance on this and also mention it in their documentation.

 

Ban anyone to send you any more reputations. LOL

 

Yes. And, when you combine "not knowing" with "not caring" it is on an order of magnitude that is stupifying.

And, in spite of my disenchantment with things overall, it would be wrong for me to not point out that Dell/Alienware NA has been one of the most liberal and forgiving companies when it comes to trying to prove user-induced damage resulted in a product failure. It is has to be readily obvious and unmistakable before they deny it as such. I am aware of several examples of what seems to be (I have no proof, only user reports) the Clevo repair depot shirking their responsibility for factory defects or damage that could have only resulted during reseller assembly that were not user-induced damage.

This is assuming the users who allegedly got screwed are reporting information accurately. Dishonesty is a two-way street and that is probably why some companies try to trick people into thinking that disassembling their laptop and doing things like replacing the thermal paste will void their warranty. It's always amazing to see how dishonesty is viewed as being OK when it saves somebody some money on correcting their mistakes.

Yes, that is reprehensible and I would not purchase any Dell EMEA product if they actually enforce that position. Absolutely deplorable behavior, and they should be called out and publicly ridiculed for it until it changes.

 

It was similar to Conductonaut in terms of viscosity, perhaps slightly thicker. It is not as thick as the original CLU composition, but definitely an improvement over the watery crap they started selling a couple of years ago. It was unmistakably easier to apply and stuck to the surfaces better, but it is not the consistency of paste. The limited amount of product in the syringe is a poor value and I will likely stick with Conductonaut for that reason.

If you are going to use liquid metal on a laptop that is not left on a desk all of the time, regardless of what liquid metal product you are using, it is imperative that you apply it very carefully and take appropriate steps to keep it confined to the area where it has been applied. Using electrical or Kapton tape to protect adjacent components, foam dams, kneaded eraser, etc. is recommended. Even on my desktop I pack the area around the CPU IHS with kneaded eraser. (Partly as an extra safeguard for condensation with the water chiller, but also because I use liquid metal.)

 

@Mr.Fox

It seems Grizzly Conductonaut is still the king. I was really hoping that 'CL Extreme' is more like a paste. Thanx for detailed info and 'kneaded eraser mod'.

 

Through HIDevolution I have the 2 year premium and 2 year accidental warranties through Dell and HID warranties their upgrades and add-ons for the 2 years.

Pretty sure if you would have ordered through Xotic that if anything happened to the RAM or hard drives they installed they would make it right throughout the life of however long of a warranty you do through them.

 

I usually do it online through my account IF I DONT WANT THE SYSTEM AT ALL BUT if I want to negotiate and get extra discount, I do it through the phone IF YOU THINKING OF KEEPING THE LAPTOP WITH EXTRA DISCOUNT
But I’m returning it even if they offered discount

 

Anyone knows? Annoying as F...

 

You know the seals that manufacturers place on consumer devices? "no serviceable parts inside" and "warranty void if removed".

Clearly it is a grey area because you are meant to open the cover and insert or replace a component (eg HDD) but at the same time you could also drop a screw into some contacts, short something and blow the motherboard. As LM leaks and runs it is an accident waiting to happen and it could manifest days or weeks after the operation.

There is no right or wrong on this, it is a very delicate and quite complex electronics device and yet it is allowed for completely unqualified people to mess with.

 

On the AW17 at least you can insert / replace SSDs, HDDs and Wifi card without removing the inner back cover, therefore it could be argued that you'd be voiding the warranty once you removed it.

 

For me this is good and bad news... being completely GREEN to internal PC components, I was a bit concerned about performing maintenance so early on. I wonder if adding in a cooling pad & maybe one or two cooling vents, “the ones that you attach to the side or back and they suck hot air out” would improve those numbers?

 

Here’s a link to the premium warranty info- https://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent...s/en/Documents/dell-premium-support-sd-US.pdf
I haven’t had the time to look over it and find what we’re looking for.. but I did speak with a tech here in the US that said no, it does not void your warranty by changing pastes... take that with a grain of salt though. The truth should be somewhere in the bold print.

 

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Turin...rformance-losses-due-to-Optimus.410848.0.html

This isn't something we have to look out for, right? I know the Area-51m has integrated graphics and also a gsync display, but is Optimus ever even enabled?

 

Its true in Asia. The very first call for dell premier support puts your call in Experienced senior tech rep to solve your issue and they say you can repaste and do everything w/o breaking anything. Call a second time and they say you can't even open the laptop for repaste and can do only SSD/RAM upgrades. Third time or multiple calls will insist never to open the laptop and they say dell techs can handle it and know every PC. I'm confused what to believe!

 

I would assume @Err0xx 's firestike is graphics score?

If you get g-sync internal display, there will be no optimus.

 

You're not nearly as confused as the people that work there. Good help is hard to find.

 

Indeed Mr. Fox. Did your son buy a A51M, there was one guy called sniper-fox well, he sort of spoke like you. Maybe I'm guessing...