*OFFICIAL* Alienware Area-51M R2 Owner's Lounge

Those Dell monkeys now nothing about the broken products they're selling. Luckily for the people that bought the R1, you're not missing out on anything

 

Underrated post.

 

They just added the option to the US site for a few minutes but removed the option to select Windows 10 Pro, locked at the Home edition but I managed to save it to my cart. Now it's gone! I wonder what they're smoking.

Edit: It's back now: https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/del...op/spd/alienware-area51m-r2-laptop/wn51mr220s

 

You ordered a R2?? What did I miss? What's happening to the R1?

 

yeah just now. It'll take at least a month till it will reach me then I will sell my R1 locally unless I find a buyer here

@Dr. AMK

 

Any plans to test RTX 2080 Super from R2 in R1?

Why'd you decide on R2? Idk if you'll like the keyboard lol

 

Congratulations Brother for your new laptop, PM me with all details about the R1, specs and price,
Regards,

 

oh heck no

Why R2?

1) I want that 300hz screen badly
2) I want faster RAM
3) I want that improved cooling
4) wouldn't mind a faster system
5) The SD Card reader is a good bonus for me to start using my 512GB SanDisk SD Card

 

Alienware Area-51m R2 Drivers 07-Jul-2020


Guide: How to unlock the GPU Thermal Limit Slider in Alienware Command Center


After you download the ZIP file and before you unzip it, make sure it is not blocked by right clicking on it, go to Properties, then see at the bottom if it says "this file came from another computer and might be blocked..." click the UNBLOCK button then hit APPLY followed by OK! To prevent Windows from blocking downloaded files automatically, make sure you read this guide:


"Are you sure you want to run this file?" [Yes or No]


The drivers are organized in numbered folders with the correct installation order.


When Install the LAN Driver, Choose CUSTOM, then uncheck the box which says Killer Software. You can also expand the Drivers and uncheck Ethernet Drivers, E3100. You only need the E3000 Drivers. Keep the DELL Checkbox.


Same for the WLAN Driver, choose Custom, and only select the driver for the WLAN Card that you have


Please restart after every driver install even if you were not prompted because some drivers will fail to install if there are any other pending operations (ie. had the Intel HID Event Filter Driver fail to install once because I did not reboot, the driver package was installed but the actual device in Device Manager was not updated)

 

What kind of discounts did you manage? I’ve decided I’m going to move my R1 because of lack of direct warranty with dell and the price I paid (3750 cad taxes in). Exact same reasons as above but without the 3rd party warranty bullshi*t dell pulls in Canada selling refurbed.

 

Just bought via Dell UK on Saturday the R2 with XMP RAM, Win 10 Pro, UHD monitor and 10900K with 2080 Super. Got a discount code of 15% and also saved the VAT through buying through my business. Looking forward to the improvement compared to my old 17 R5 (spec in sig block). Though now without a high end system lol as sold my R5 for £1800 on eBay.

Has it been categorically confirmed that like the R1 there realistically will be no further upgrade options available?

Regardless like some of the other comments I bought this for the spec, not the upgradeable feature (as I'm a cynic with Dell). Also is there a known significant delay with shipping atm? Seems 4 weeks across the board atm...

Knowing my luck the system will arrive with issues and it will take another 4 weeks for a replacement part.

 

Btw I've noticed people complaining of the smaller Power brick running hot? I've messaged Alienware Tech Support about this and whether 2 x 330 Watt adapters could be used. I have a spare so this would be an option. I'll.update if I get anything back, but anyone had any experience ref this?

Main question really is with max spec can the system draw anywhere near the upper limit of a 330+240 power supply pair that comes as standard with higher spec options. If so presumably there would be a draw on the battery as the 17 R5 is designed which would reduce battery life and performance?

Therefore ideally when using 2 x 330Watt supplies (or worst case scenario for those without a second 330Watt supply) not only would I have a cooler less drawn upon power supply when compared to the 240 but also a possible performance increase?

If that was the case then Dell surely are just skimping on the cost of sending out a second 330W supply? Thoughts?

 

My shipping said a month the system actually shipped within a week of me ordering. It should be with me on the 15th the original date i got was the 30th which is pretty good.

Also yes you can use two 330w psu's.

 

Great! Glad you have it coming relatively shortly. Fingers crossed same for me!

Update: Support replied and confirmed as you did ref being able to use 2 x 330W PSU's so thanks Ratchet. They did say they were unaware of any performance gains however as expected. Ill likely use my second one just due to OCD more than anything and the potential heating issue with the 240W. Regardless i'll test and benchmark and report back once my system arrives.

 

Dell made changes on screw placement in R2 refresh You just can’t slap in Super Worlds “most upgradeable” gaming laptop as you know.

 

LOL. As always, trusty old Gordon was there to deliver the BS as per his paying customer's order... "upgradeable RTX 2080"

https://www.pcworld.com/article/337...ew-fast-big-upgradable-gaming-laptop.amp.html

https://www.extremetech.com/computi...eable-area-51m-cant-actually-be-upgraded-dell

They now dropped the word "upgradeable" from their R2 page, although the BS is still there in spades as they are going on about "massive memory for content creators" despite slashing max memory capacity by half

Hilarious brand.

 

Do you have pic of the new DGFF card? I would like to see the screw placement.

Perhaps the boys in China will make a modified heatsink to make it work

 

Does that look bad ...... ?
Look at the cpu package temps

 

And moreee

 

That looks very toasty for the 10700K. Does not look good for the higher specced machines.

One thing we can say for sure and applies to all machines that come from D(#)ell: with Dell you know for sure it is a machine that does not run within it's designed limits. Lol.

They are very consistent with pushing out broken machines, which reassures me that I won't have to shop @ D(#)ell anymore cause they proved they can consistently break machines before they're even in the hands of the masses..

 

I've been saying for weeks it will impossible to cool down the 10900k

Fingers crossed I'm wrong but when I see the thermals of my 10900k on my desktop....

 

The 100C question is whether 10th gen CPUs in these machines will undervolt.

 

I can undervolt it on my desktop through intel xtu so why it wouldn't work on the area ?

 

Well, between the plundervolt fiasco, vendors disabling UV via BIOS updates, and multiple online reports of inability or low potential for UV in 10th gen, one may wonder. That said, common sense would dictate Dell should do all they can to ensure UV works in a product such as Area 51M: after all, it's not a desktop with a gigantic heatsink that can deal with extra heat.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...isabled-undervolting-on-10th-gen-cpus.832651/

https://www.reddit.com/r/GamingLaptops/comments/g66h2r/u_cant_undervolt_an_intel_10th_gen_chip/

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/foru...th-cpus-unable-to-undervolt-underclock.68048/

 

That's the thing that concerns me most if undervolting is locked out on the bios.

 

Have they not just recently released a new bios that addresses this issue? Also is the Vapour Chamber only available as standard with higher specs.

I've seen it advertised somewhere (the product video?) that the cooling option was just that, an option. I assumed originally it was standard throughout? This no doubt may have changed and it is already (not that I've noticed any various options for cooling via the Dell UK website when I bought mine, though it was a 10900K and may have come automatically).

If it is indeed an option thats going to likely significantly disadvantage anyone not aware or at least cause some confusion (as it has for me already ).

 

The phawx has found a way to undervolt 10th mobile cpu via a third party app even though intel does not allow the gpd win max to be undervolted :
Should we keep our hopes up that it will work too on the i9 or i7

 

I think Dellienware made a sly deal with RAM and LCD screen,
LCD: Hey DRAM, why not reduce mem. freq by 300MHz
DRAM: Sure, you can take my 300MHz extra and add it up as 300Hz display. I hope you won't get burnt.

Jokes aside, I think they are limiting their SKU to high end options, so that people will be forced to get 300Hz whilst ignoring the speed improvements and energy efficiency of higher 3200MHz DRAM.
XMP upto 3466MHz 64GB should be standard on 10 th gen LGA.

 

2070 super

 

100C have been Dell’s temp target the latest years. And won’t change as you can see. Why so surprised?

It looks like -0.200mv offset. But difficult to see on my phone.

 

I fear r2 owners are going to be disappointed. There is no way dell made enough improvement to cool an even hotter cpu and goi evennifnitsnpwrtial vapor chamber. It will have to be gimped down worse than the r1.

 

300 hz really not worth, just go for 4K option, who the hell needs SD card nowadays !?

for gaming purposes , gpu is what it matters , and you are not getting something fancy rather a rebranded rtx 2080 not even TI

if the cpu is Ryzen, it would be worth to upgrade

 

It is either 120 or 130 mv offset that I could read .
But guys none of this is realistic , furmark + stress test on FPU ? I don't know any realistic scenario that would stress the cpu so heavy, let's wait until we have a realist benchmark with ciner20

Here is a better explanation

 

I wouldn't buy a 4K laptop even if you paid for it and gifted it to me. The last laptop I had with a 4K screen was the XPS 15 7590. At first glance, the screen looked amazing, sharp, crystal clear, and vibrant colors. Then the scaling issues started, one after the other. Programs like Nero Platinum suite would be blurry or have misaligned text. My HP Printer's app to check settings, initialize a scan, etc, looked super tiny that you couldn't see anything no matter what DPI Scaling compatibility I set it to (ie. enhanced/system), and the list goes on. Admiring the beauty is one thing but actual day to day usage is another.

Also see:
How does anyone in his right mind buy a 4K screen laptop?

Then comes the fact that games run at a less frame rate and if you turn down the resolution to FHD, you'd only get a blurry experience, so why the heck go with a 4K screen to start with? 4K is only good for 34 inch screens where one could run at the native resolution without having to do any kind of DPI scaling and still be able to see stuff.

Who the hell needs an SD Card nowadays? I do and that's what matters.

Oh and 300hz is definitely worth it. That's one of the main reasons for getting it in addition to that vapor chamber cooling + a slightly faster CPU

 

Wich cpu did you get ?

 

All the specs are in my signature. It's an i9-10900K

 

Will you delid it as well ?

 

Thanks. Difficult see it on a small phone.

And you think CBR20 will pump out much less heat if you swap in Alienware’s top dog, the 10 core 10900K instead for the 8 core 10700 in Aida64 FPU bench? It will be hot no matter how you describe it.

 

I have tried it on my area 51 m with my i9 9900k and trust me cinebenchr20 is less stressful then the fpu bench
All we can do is hope right

 

And 25% more cores will offset that You’ll have to look at the Package Power numbers.

 

I guess we'll have to wait and see the thermals like I said before one can only hope

 

Yeah, 4K is just right at 100% scaling on my 43" monitor

As for the 300Hz, why do you say it's def worth it? Have you had a chance to compare 144Hz vs 300Hz side by side on a 17" display?

 

nope, just GELID GC Extreme Thermal compound for both the CPU + GPU

no but I was drooling over the 240hz m15 R2 at the store, it was so smooth so I can't wait to try out the 300hz

 

Fair enough. Well, your R1 is 144 Hz so hopefully you will have a chance to compare side by side. Clearly, you have a strong track record of both putting displays under severe scrutiny and calling BS when warranted, so can't wait for your review of the 300 Hz panel

 

Lol i see what you did there huehuehue

 

I'd love to hear your feedback on using two 330W PSU!
I'm pretty sure it will solve the 240W overheating issue but I'm curious regarding performance/power limit increase.

 

The power limits are set by the vbios and bios i believe. They won't draw any more than set. The 330w brick should run cooler than the 240w though.

 

Dell have finally added in Alienware Area-51m R2 into 100C temp hall of fame

Alienware 13 R3, 15 R3/R4, 17 R4/R5, m15, m15 R2/R3, m17, m17 R2/R3, Area 51m and Area 51m R2: Resolving a high temperature or overheat issue

 

LOL, who wrote this? What do those guys smoke down there??

"There are reports that the CPU temperature on Alienware 13 R3, 15 R3/R4, 17 R4/R5, m15, m15 R2, m15 R3 m17, m17 R2, m17 R3, Area-51m and Area-51m R2 notebooks are getting to a high temperature. Especially when under a heavy loading environment."

"The coffeelake processor supports a higher clock rate than kabylake or older processors. That means these systems noticeably generate more heat compared to any previous generation of systems."

"
This slight drop in frequency can sometimes be mistaken for a performance drop. It is a design feature common to all Gaming Notebooks and it helps to optimize the system performance and prevent systems from exceeding 100 ℃. The TCC point for the following systems is:

• Alienware 13 R3, 15 R3/R4, and 17 R4/R5 - TCC = 97 ℃
• Alienware M15, and M17 - TCC = 100 ℃
• Alienware Area-51m R2 - TCC = 100 ℃"

Comedy gold, thank you so much Bro @Papusan for sharing this absolute gem!

 

They brought it online just yesterday. Makes you wonder if they catched wind of the chinese benchmark already and are trying to cover their *ssholes.