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

I ended up paying $6.99 CAD + tax for the bracket. Apparently it doesn't come with thermal pads. Got a pack of 10 for $5 from Amazon.

 

For some reason I am unable to adjust core ratios in the BIOS, I set it to custom and the ratios are black for me.

 

@Papusan @Fire Tiger

so if Windows 7 support has ended, and Windows 10 is not supported on my laptop, now what do I do?

 

Linux!

 

The recent bios update did this I believe.


Hello all. Got my Alienware area 51m R2 on 30/06/2020 been quite happy with it over all, It is quite a HOT laptop how even.
Been considering opening it up and repaisting it. It may be because I live in Australia or just **** luck but it feels like the laptop is
always bouncing off 100c.
I am kind of wishing I bought it from HIDevolution's to get the delided binned chip now ><
But hell it never slows down even at 100 and I don't really have any problems aside the fear of it burning to the ground

 

Well I live in Dubai and the temps outside are anywhere between 48C to 50C with an ambient room temp of 25C. Temps are fine with the delidding/silicon lottery CPU + fujipoly extreme thermal pads and PHOBYA NanoGrease Extreme:



Benchmarks

 

Does anyone know when the option for 360hz monitor will be available for Area51-M R2? Thanks!!

 

LOOL



Area-51m R1, UEFI bios, Windows 7 or XP install

 

17.3" FHD (1920 x 1080) 360Hz 5ms 300-nits 100% sRGB color gamut + Tobii Eyetracking + NVIDIA G-SYNC

Apparently, they are going to be after all. I am hoping they offer the 30 GPU's next

 

Hi normand, did you try playing any MMOs on your 4K screen?
They usually are quite ok to play with 30-40 FPS, never got a chance to test or see this screen myself though.
Like Melvin I also mostly play adventure games though some mmos as well, better/deeper colors do appeal alot to me (would prefer OLED optimally but haven't seen any plans for this on the A51M)

 

Unfortunately not. I've been unable to do it since day one.

 

Is everyone here running on BIOS version 1.3.0? Are the previous versions better?

 

I am actually! Been playing PSO2 and ESO. Though mostly playing HZD and Marvels Avengers whenever I get any time from work.

Also the HDR (which btw i only recently realised the screen supported) with the last two is noticeably better than my BenQ 34 Ultrawide. Overall I'm very happy with the screen, though ofc 4K tanks my FPS.

I have however now got integer scaling to work properly and notice a significant improvement when playing at FHD on my 4K monitor.

So overall the drawback of having FHD look overly blurred is significantly reduced. Obviously though the other monitor options have a far better response time and refresh rate. Though again I was after the better contrast ratio and arguably colours for User Research I do with with various GUI's and wire diagrams.

That and my life revolves around excel spreadsheets lol.

Also most games I can get at 4K @50-60 FPS+ with the correct settings with my 2080S.

 

Latest Alienware Area-51m R2 Drivers (22-Sep)



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.


The WLAN can now be installed using the default option as Dell has removed drivers for other WLAN Cards so it will only install the driver for the Killer 1650/Intel AX200


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)

 

How common (or uncommon) are dead pixels out of the box or off the assembly line, whether it’s specifically for the 51M R2 or for laptops in general?

I ordered one customized by HID a while back and it was stuck on the “waiting for parts” order status for quite a while. If it matters any, I also paid extra for dead pixel warranty, without which up to 2 dead pixels would be considered OK. I inquired and was told that their current stock of 51M R2 laptops all had bad pixels, and that they were expecting a new shipment to arrive soon.

I'm curious as to whether I'm just unlucky this time around and I've had a really good streak of good quality displays up to this point...or whether dead pixels fresh off the assembly line are more common than I thought.

Edit: since my original post has been quoted, I'll just write the edit here.

I'm curious as to whether I'm just unlucky this time around and I've had a really good streak of good quality displays up to this point...or whether dead pixels fresh off the assembly line are not very common.

 

I have actually seen on various websites and Youtube review that both 51m R2 and m17 R3 will be getting the 360hz option later this year but with no exact date. That's why I was wondering if anyone here would have some insider information.

 

Mine had a stuck red pixel but it seems to have cleared itself now. As to how common dead pixels are i guess i depends on the panel choice? Although i've never had dead pixels on any of my laptops before.

 

I had a spate of having to have my screen replaced twice on my AW17 R5 through dead pixels, though the Dell support on this was good and luckily no issue on my R2.

I would like to think as panel technology has evolved this is becoming less of an issue, though I'm certainly no expert. Spartan@HIDevolution no doubt would have an informed opinion whilst Alienware support possibly may provide some insight if asked?

 

I am a little unlucky this time. I ordered an Alienware Area 51m R1 and an Alienware Area 51m R2. I received the R1 yesterday (the R2 only shipped today). the 1080p 144 Hz panel is DOA dead on arrival. POST code 2,7. Laptops (new) for 24 years and this was the first one with display issues. First. One. So I think I have had a good run . Waiting to see if the R2 fares better. It has the 4K 60 Hz display with 8 million pixels to go wrong .

 

Latest LAN/WLAN/Bluetooth Drivers 23-Sep-20

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]

Spoiler: Driver Versions

Killer E3000 Ethernet Driver v10.039.212.2020

Killer 1550/1650/Intel WLAN Drivers v21.120.2

Killer 1550/1650/Intel Wireless Bluetooth Driver v21.120.0

 

Does anyone know if it's possible to make the laptop display use the iGPU rather than the dGPU? I'm trying to run VFIO using Manjaro but when I isolate the dGPU it means the laptop display doesn't work at all.

 

So I need a bag for this behemoth, but I'd rather get something that's not branded Alienware. The Everki Titan definitely looks like it can take the laptop, but I'm more interested in the slightly smaller Everki Beacon. That said, the stated laptop compartment is half an inch smaller on one side (Beacon's laptop slot: 17.4 x 11.7 x 1.8 in, 51m R2 dimensions: 15.85 x 12.56 x 1.73 in).

Should I just get the Titan?

 

No i'm pretty sure there is no path from the igpu to the internal display. It should however work over thunderbolt 3.

 

Hello,
I'm trying to get the best of the 300Hz display and a perfect calibration.
Has anyone any good ICC profile or is the one provided good enough?

 

First time posting. Thanks for this awesome forum!

You helped me out to make a decision. I placed my order today! Estimated arrival 10/14/2020.... The wait is going to be brutal!

 

I will have a profile soon made with a Spider X Elite I can share. Keep in mind all panels vary so it won’t be the same outcome for everyone. For perfect color match you really need to profile your panel with a calibration tool.

 

I have the Titan and I would suggest getting it because the laptop pocket is 13 inches wide compared to 11.7 inches on the Beacon. As you can tell the laptop is definitely 12.5 inches wide due to the exhaust venting on the back.

 

Everki Titan FTW



It is very durable, the handles are sturdy despite the heavy weight of the laptop with the charger, it doesn't feel like the handles are going to break if you hold it from only one of them. I have walked in light rain as well while having the backpack on and the laptop wasn't wet so that's another plus point.

Speaking of storage, you can store your entire room in there (not literally) but you have so many pockets / sections it's super roomy and convenient.

 

Nice

 

Have either of you brought the backpack in a plane as carryon? I imagine that the staff may object if the pack is full to the brim, but would you say that if it has only the laptop and maybe the adapters, the staff won’t bat an eye?

 

No, I never traveled since the past 7 years so...

 

Yes, I have traveled with the Titan as a carryon (at the time it was with a MSI WT75 which was on par with the 51m R2). If you cannot fit the bag under the seat then it has to go overhead. I would definitely go through the bag before every trip to ensure I do not bring anything unnecessary or accidentally leave a pocketknife in it or something.

 

Thanks for the experience. I'm looking for a bag because I need something to carry this laptop in when it's time for me to move. Using it as a travel bag is a nice secondary bonus.

 

Just a quick question here. My 51M R2 is being delivered today with no additional software loaded because I already have the programs needed on my Omen X and will uninstall the not needed bloatware. Have the PC Mover Professional loaded on this machine and thought others have used it to transfer programs, files and settings to the Alienware 51 M2. There are always trick and issues doing this and already know about the Office 2019 activation issue.

Reading through this long thread on the heat concerns hope the Max Smart laptop pad top and USB fan works on the 51m as well as it worked on the HP.

 

I was wondering if anyone here knows the exact "Item Number" from Dell for the 3200MHz 32GB (2x16GB RAM). My invoice shows:
370-AFIB 32GB, 2x16GB, DDR4, 3200/2933MHz

Not sure if it actually goes to 3200 MHz. I do not have the laptop yet for testing.

 

For what it is worth, my laptop (arriving today or Monday) shows the same Item Number: 370-AFIB32GB, 2x16GB, DDR4, 2933MHz

I ordered mine with 2933 MHz RAM.*chin scratching emoji

 

Mine just got here like 10 minutes back. I am gonna check it out. I have HyperX 3200MHz which Dell will down-clock to 2933MHz. But it will be better than their 2933MHz.

 

While I am waiting, impatiently I might add, for my Alienware to arrive I was trying to find more information about cooling and undervolting. I got the i9-10900k and 64GB RAM because I will be using the beast primarily for work, running on Linux. What has been the experience of undervolting the i9-10900k on linux?

 

You could try enabling XMP in the bios. Isn't 3200 CL20 on par with 2933 CL17.

I ended getting some cheap "OLOy" ram from Amazon last week which has been working great at 2933 CL21. It was a price mistake (64GB for $50) so I cannot really complain about speed.

 

I could not find the XMP option in BIOS. Is it only available if you specifically order 3200MHz from Dell. I read somewhere that they have two different motherboard models. When 3200MHz RAM is ordered, you get a different motherboard. I could be wrong.

 

Wow. 64GB for $50 is amazing. Here in Canada, 16GB 3200MHz HyperX was $109.99 and 16GB 2933MHz HyperX is $135. At this point, might as well go for the better RAM.

 

correct, the motherboard which the 3200MHz RAM which is ordered from Dell is different

 

Sucks that they have two different motherboard models. Could've been more consumer friendly and allowed any XMP 2.0 Enabled RAM on a single motherboard SKU. Oh well.

Also I am using your guide to install drivers. I cleaned install windows 10 as it was lagging out of the box

Thanks for the helpful driver install list.

 

Interesting. I would probably check anyways in the bios just to try. It is in Advanced -> Performance Options, then enable CPU Overclocking and see if the XMP menu allows you to select a profile.

Regarding the lag spikes I am pretty sure Dell's SupportAssist software has some bugs that cause the system to periodically freeze. If you uninstall everything but AWCC it seems to clear up but a clean install works too. This is even a widespread issue that affects XPS and G series machines as well.

 

Yeah it was pretty bad. Right out of the box, the initial windows setup froze. It was definitely laggy after as well. A clean installed has sped up things. I am very happy with this laptop now.

 

Has anyone faced touchpad issues on this laptop. It sometimes just randomly stops working. The mouse pointer doesn't even move. At first it used to move sluggishly sometimes when Tobii Experience was enabled in the background. But after that it just stops moving after it got disabled but Tobii still running in the background.

I have disabled Tobii software completely during start-up. Still waiting to see results. The touchpad not working is pretty rare. I can't seem to tell if it's a hardware defect. Anyone knows what the symptoms may be for a hardware defect?

 

Spent the last 12 of 24 hours getting everything set up, PC Mover worked great. Lot of bugs in the software make sure to update everything for those getting one of these--had to disable the Tobi (tech support did) to keep the screen from going dark well about halfway to dark after 30 seconds of not touching the keyboard, pad or trackball. Now it works fine with
Tobi neutered--after 30 minutes in my machine TS went through everything I had done plus updated, uninstalled, reinstalled even more drivers including the BIOS than I did. The wireless is slower than all of the other machines at the house even updated the driver. May go back from 5g to see if I can pick up more speed being a few rooms from the router.

So far the fan in the laptop pad is keeping it pretty cool in conjunction with the laptops fans, just a little warm where the battery is. Nice machine but we will see how it holds up. Out of the box it at least mine needed some work. Working configuration is only a few hours old hopefully no more bugs.

 

I have had the same experience as far as the factory software on two different Area-51m r2. I don't understand how you can buy a flagship for a company and not have it work correctly out of the box. My first Area-51m r2 got stuck on initial setup and I had to contact dell support to get it through the setup. After that I had issues with a non responsive track pad at times, the system randomly rebooting while in use, and apps crashing. I started the return process and contacted the return department. They asked if I would be interested in trying another one so I agreed. The second one didn't make it through initial setup either. Once I got it through the initial setup, the system was extremely sluggish. I decided to wipe the drive and do a fresh install from a bootable usb drive I downloaded from microsoft's website. After doing a fresh install, the computer was extremely responsive and how it should have came from the factory.

I was thinking I just had some bad luck with the two computers but now I know I'm not the only one with issues out of the box.

 

Don't know if you guys already know this but if you press fn + f6 it disables the windows key. Handy when gaming.

 

Definitely not the only one. Every Alienware laptop I've owned, I've formatted it to keep bloat from Alienware to minimal. The only two programs from Alienware installed are AWCC and Alienware Update. Their other software is practically useless for me.

Buying an Alienware is like buying a Ferrari loaded with bricks. You eventually clean it out and enjoy the speed.