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

Just updated all seems fine. I can still undervolt, my performance seems the same with a score of 5610 on cinebench r20. It does say when you flash you can't downgrade past 1.8.0 so you would have to blind flash to revert back to 1.7.0

 

R20 should score in the 6200-6300 range at stock clocks.

Did you test underclocked?

 

Nope just thermal throttled. I was only on a -65mv undervolt as i value stability over performance. With -100mv i hit 5980.

 

Mhm...
So either my mainboard is defective or I have a strange bug.

Situation: I use my A51mR2 without power adapter and close the display lid.

When I now connect the power adapters, the notebook does not recognize a power adapter on the left port. When I open it, it immediately recognizes both power adapters.

When I close it again, both power supplies remain recognized. The behavior is reproducible.
With the display lid closed, it only recognizes when I plug a power supply into the right port. Power supplies already plugged in when the lid is closed remain recognized.

Has anyone had this or can test it?

I think its a bug

 

Thanks for the info friend. So I think we can go to 1.8.0 without fearing performance or functionality loss.
I have never done a blind flash. In case there is a need, is there a step by step here on the forum?

 

do not update for the moment dell have blocked the downgrade!

 

Thanks for the info. As i tought dell is introducing a new bios with no possiblility of downgrad without takink a big risk of breaking the MB or CPU (i know since this happenened to me in the past with two differenct system: the 15 R3 and area 51MR1, from anything above bios 1.5.0 to 1.3.2) People should know that if they attempt the downgrade via usb they might brick their laptop for good.
Another new low from Dell/Alienware.

«you asked, we delivered»
Chriss from Dell

 

I have a bug too with power adapter.
Lately i have been using only the 240w power adater. One out of two times it doesn't recharche the laptop. I usually use the left port.
I never had this problem when using both power supply. Hope this help.

 

it is impossible to brick your pc since even using the usb key it is impossible to downgrade! I tried all the existing method to date and it is impossible! with all the method that I use the bios recognizes that it is an old firmware and it prohibits downgrading!
the good news is that the performance has not changed I confirm what ratchetnclank said!

 

Did you tried this? :
and this also is the same: http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ny-alienware-to-locked-lower-versions.829542/

This technique bypassed the locked bios in the past.

 

yes I tried this technique it does not work

 

That is a big disapointement but thanks for sharing the info.
I wonder what they are hiding in this locked bios. Your CB R20 score is good but to lock the bios must be something negative that we will soon found out.

 

I do not know that they may want to start on a new security basis or may also be for better compatibility with the future windows11

 

Has anyone updated their Alienware 51m R2 to the 1.8.1 BIOS yet? If so, any difference besides not being able to revert back to 1.7.0?

 

CPU performance is good. I recommend you avoid this bios update. I am confident dell left us a little surprise (negative way) and we will find out only latter. They did similar with the R1 except now you can't rool back using the usb method.

Envoyé de mon SM-G965W en utilisant Tapatalk

 

If you read the detailed information about this BIOS 1.8.1, it has several items related to the security part of Intel and security vulnerabilities.
It might be a compatibility preparation for the new windows 11. But when it comes from Dell, you can't rule out that something negative might be hidden.
I keep avoiding this update, but Dell's update app reminds me every day that it's available.

 

I have Dell update and support assist completely uninstall on my system. I receive no notification about new bios.
I also have my current bios set to off for any automatic bios update.

Envoyé de mon SM-G965W en utilisant Tapatalk

 

Hi
sorry for the long post
anybody here from the UK ?

Ordered myself a bargain ( Ithink) of an Area 51m R2 from dell uk on 18th July . for a ship date of 4th August with a delivery date of 15th August . ship date came and gone and on 7th August (3 days late) had email stating delay with a new ship date of 11th August (yesterday) for delivery by 20th.
I have since had a 2nd delay and its now delayed for another week for delivery by 27th August .. im starting to thino due to the heavy discount im back of the que and may not get the laptop .
Am i being paranoid ? and just wait it out .

I have to say the machine i have ordered is near enough maxed out and getting this machine was far cheaper than getting the new X17.

i9 10900k
RTX 2080 super
Single 2TB M.2
32GB, 2x16GB, DDR4, 2933MHz
Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650
240W Power Adapter and 330W Power Adapter
17.3" UHD (3840 x 2160) 60Hz 25ms 500-nits 100% Adobe RGB color gamut + Tobii Eyetracking technology

Screen was a Free upgrade as 1080p 360hz Gsync was out of stock while it was sitting in my basket as i will be uisng an external screen Eventually) i was not to bothered about the 4k 60hz ,but would of prefered the 1080 360hz but dare say adds value to the over all package and another bonus considering the 4k screen is £150 more.

4 years premium warranty with accidental damage .

i did get the machine with 31% off plus another 14% off through the dell page .
machine should of cost £4504 , down to £2672 vat included. i feel like i have got a bargain .. £550 of this is the extended 4 year warranty which was a no brainer and wpild appear useful .
.
has anybody else order in the last few week while this offer was on ?
i can build the exact system except the 4k screen with 1080p 144hz screen and it states 9 working days to shipping . so i can only assume the 4k screen is the hold up .

when i ordered there was about 8 machines to choose and build from , now there is only one . i also think that the R3 is on its way as they really did shove this out the door at the price i have it for .as without the extended warranty this would be touching just shy over £2.1k .

I dont mind waiting for the laptop just bothers me that the single machine they have left to build can be built with the same spec and be out of china in 9 days to the uk
.
also uk delivery is by Road and takes 11 days to get to me .

Can some one share there experience with this machine with similar specs .. as been doing my home work and first thing i should do is do a clean instal of windows then just choose the dell apps i want on with the control center . and do an undervolt on the CPU to stop it thermal throttling .

I'm also worried about the dead pixels i have seen in other peoples machine .. perhaps they will see i have 4 years warranty with AD insurance on it and make sure its a good one . not like some who only buy with 12 months warranty and get a lemon .

is there anything i should be looking out for ? i kmow there is a bit of undervolting to be done due to thermal throttling . Never had an Alienware laptop before and only got this due to the price in the UK . as looked at the X17 and thats over £4k with warranty and discounts that i could find .

Thanks


P.s does anybody know if the 4K screen is Gsync ?

 

I ordered a maxed out r2 with substantial discount too. I managed to get the 360hz screen (I’m also in UK)

I received my pc earlier than the expected date but only by a few days. (this was in July)

Here’s where my issues began. The pc was great except for some horrendous coil whine. I mean the thing sounded like an electric shaver.
I called IT support and they sent a technician out to fix it. - let’s just say they were atrocious. The technician left my pc in a non function state.

Back to Support and they said that they can escalate or I can refund. By this time I had enough as this was now a butchered pc and I did not want refurbished parts.

Anyway my refund was authorised and I sent away my pc via the courier.
After a few days apparently the recipient rejected the collection. WTF.
So I called Dell and ask what’s happening. Eventually they sort it.

By now I’ve been told that my refund will take approx 7 business days from receipt of pc.
Ok that’s fine - except I still don’t have my refund!!
Dell sent my credit note to me and said all ok their end.
Back to Dell and I raise a complaint. I escalate only to be told there is an IT error on their end.
They are still investigating and I don’t have a pc or my £2.5k…..this is approx 3 weeks since I sent the pc away.

If this isn’t sorted soon I may have to issue a demand from a solicitor requesting my refund.

soo anyway I really hope your pc is great and that you don’t end up in similar situation

 

Can i ask if you only had the general 12 months warranty or did you add warranty ? as i have added the 4 years warranty with Added Accidental damage with a max once a year claim.


Im now thinking i wont get my machine and i could actaully get a pre built machine from scan.uk with a EVGA 3080 and i9 11900k for same money of £2672 . or i could wait until the new gen is out with the new CPUs and RTX4000 series and DDR5 .. my MSI GT73vr has never skipped a beat and it still plays games very very well .

 

i do update my bios..but i dont know whats the difference

 

Please, is there a way to stop running support assist pre boot system performance check? Sometimes when I boot up my A51m R2 it runs automatically. My notebook is running perfectly, there is no problem. I entered the BIOS settings but did not manage how to stop it. I don't have support assist installed and do not intend to. I am on BIOS v1.7.0.

 

As much as i liked my Area-51M, if you don't really need a "Laptop" get a desktop instead and you could get a better performing RTX 3070/5900HX for less cash and better portability right now ...
Hard to reccomand the 51M as of right now tbh ...

 

I doubt that.

 

I have the exact same issue for the past 4 months. I have not yet found a fix. I also have the issue that battery is not charging when laptop is in sleep mode.
I could call dell support and ask for a Dell support fix (Dell support fix definition: Dell sends a tech in home to repair (detroy laptop) the laptop with replacementt MB (with a refurbished/defective one) and eventually make my 51MR2 good for trash.) but don't wan't to end up with an X series/overheating/thermalThrottling replacement system.

I am too on 1.7.0 bios but had this issue also with the prevous bios system. Maybe i should attemps downgrading fo first version ot this bios and see if it fixes the problem.

 

I had a similar issue, with ePSA kicking off at boot claiming fan issues. The problem all but disappeared after uninstalling Support Assist.

 

Thanks. I tried that and it didn't work.

Envoyé de mon SM-G965W en utilisant Tapatalk

 

This is your Area-51M R2 firestrike best score (10900K - 2080S - 32GB ram) : https://www.3dmark.com/fs/25995223

This is my Asus G17 5900HX/3070 firestrike best score (5900HX - 3070 - 16GB ram) : https://www.3dmark.com/fs/25891522

 

And now lets talk about real gaming
In synthetic benches the X17 is faster too .

Ingame its a different picture.

 

Let me tell you something, it's a beast!
I really liked my Area-51M but this G17 is just better performing.
Quality of build is indeed cheaper, 51m felt like a tank, but tbh right now 51M is not a good buy. I wish they would make a R3 and Ryzen variant.
16GB 3080 with Ryzen 9 5900X would be very nice to see.

I'd look for Legion 5 pro, Legion 5i, Legion 7 and Legion 7i
Asus G17, MSI GE76 just to name a few of the very nice performing 3070/3080 Laptop available right now. As well as clevo and Eluktronics desktop CPU laptop.

 

I dont want to blame your g17. Your Firestrike Score is realy good.

I (my opinion) would order the A51m R2 as long as possible. Even today.

Could you Run the Shadow of the Tombraider Bench If possible?

 

I don't own that game but i'll buy it and run the Benchmarks later today.
What's ur scores on there?

 

You can bench using a free demo.

 

Nah, Don't buy a game just because I suggested it as benchmark If you dont own it, thats OK.

 

Looks like the free demo is alright for the benchmark portion.
Whats ur scores?

 

With Gamestable 24/7 OC


Thanks for testing.

 

What graphic settings is this and what's ur GPU OC like?
The game seems to be extremely CPU dependant so you'll get much better performance im guessing.

 

Highest Preset 1080p. The Benchmark is CPU and GPU demanding.

 

Using Highest Preset 1080p settings, this is my result.
As you can see i am 67% CPU bound so i don't think that's a really good benchmark for me
GPU performance is surprisingly almost identical (+/- 5%)

 

That's what I meant. Many modern games benefit from fast CPUs. For example, Battlefield or Warzone. You quickly reach the CPU limit and the GPU gets bored.

I had the same with my X17. Top benchmark scores but slower in games and way slower with CPU limit than my A51mR2

Warzone and Battlefield had CPU Limit even with QHD resolution ob my X17.

 

When you factor in the size, the price (1800$) i think the performance VS price is amazing.
One could get a better CPU (11800H or 11980HK) + 3080 16GB for probably 2500$ and enjoy a better portability, battery life and amazing performance with more up to date hardware.

Area-51M is not bad, i never said that i just think atm there are better option.
But that's just my opinion of course.


Still, why no R3?
R3 with 11th gen or ryzen + 3000 series GPU would be amazing.
Dell is sleeping on this one.

 

Only if you care about size. I dont care

-better build quality, better support, better performance, better fans is worth the price

But yeah the price / Performance of the g17 is great.

The new slim and light books cant even cool the 11800H and throttle with 11980HK.

What good is up to date hardware if it is slower ?

Yes, the 51m is bigger, heavier, the hardware is a year old and the battery life is bad.

But its faster, has better fans (no high pitch sound), has better thermals and dell on site support. All qualities that are at the top of my list.

But I also understand if someone needs portability and doesn't want to carry a 4kg monster

For me The R2 is the only option today. No slim and light for me anymore.

 

Me too ... don't know about the rest of you but thus far the A51mR2 is the best bit of portable computing I've ever owned. My brother got one and is similarly pleased. Hope it lasts for the full four years (or more) for which I have it warrantied. I'd hate to trade for one of those wafer X17's ... and could care less about the new fangled thermal compound. I've never seen my particular A51mR2 throttle even once and I generally run a static 5.0ghz on all cores.

On another note ... and this may be old news ... but I was running only the larger power brick for a good while and still do when I'm feeling lazy but I noticed that no matter what, when running only the larger power brick without the smaller one in tandem? It's impossible to run a full speed static overclock. No matter the power settings in Windows or anything else ... while gaming, the machine will always start at my 5ghz clock but within a minute will be down clocking in to the 3.5 to 3.7ghz range. In every game. Add the smaller block along with the larger power block? Everything stays pegged at 5ghz constantly. Interesting.

~s1rrah

 

Depends on the usecase and priorities of each user. If you want a smal Notebook than the A51m is a nightmare

I, for example, do not benefit from a thin notebook with little weight since I only move the notebook once a week. But I mainly play CPU demanding games.

 

True. Use case dependent for sure. Me? I carry mine to work. Set it up on that ridiculous A51m cooler. Hook it up to an external monitor, use it for office stuff/gaming and when we close I pack it up and it's not used again until the next morning. Having a dedicated desktop, hopefully, will extend the life of the laptop as it's only used about 6 hours a day. My former AW17 lasted 4+ years completely error free under the same usage scenario and I'm hoping the same goes for this machine. I've repasted the CPU which helped a bit but last step will be to re pad but waiting a bit as all temps are in the green.

 

I heard a rumour they are bringing back the Area 51 desktop as they losing profit margins on the mobile version and this R2 will be the last ..hence the X17 as there flagship baby to compete with the other brands going thin .

 

Me too ..

As i live in the UK the R2 i just bought (still waiting for it to be built and on 3rd delay) the discounts i got on the R2 is near enough half price .

my spec is

i9 10900k
RTX 2080 super
32gb 2993mhz
1x 2TB M.2 Nvme
windows pro
Killer wifi
4k screen (chose 360hz FHD but as it was in my basket for 24 hours and FHD vanished and was upgraded free of charge)

4 years premium care with onsite and Accidental damage insurance

should of cost £4586 with discounts i got it for £2672 (£580 of that is for the 4 year warranty) this is with VAT .+ £160 cashback via cashback site .

i was pretty annoyed with the screen change but figured i will be using a external screen it wont matter to much .

im still using my MSI which to be fair is still holding its own . after 4 1/2 years . No way is the Area 51m r2 going to last as long as my MSI . but they dont make these Titans anymore which is such a shame .


3rd delay says to me its going to be a long wait to get this machine . i contacted support which the email reply was just to tell me its delayed and nothing else they could tell me .. if i could just know what the hold up is .. am i going to get it before xmas ?

 

EDIT : now shipped .. ↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑

also ordered My monitor that ive been up all night trying to decide .

LG 32GP850-B .from what i can see its the best bang for buck without breaking the bank . it will be wall mounted using a arm bracket attached to the wall not the desk. ( ordered paid for just waitng for amazon to get more stock )

 

Congrats on the shipping. And I think you'll really like the LG 32". I've found that LG has some really great out of box calibration. I've used my 10700K/2070 Super quite extensively with an external 1440p monitor and found that it handled the resolution quite well. Yours should handle it even better ...

BTW: here's a 1440p vid cap I did playing Metro Exodus Enhanced, full RTX, Very High settings ... with my 2070 Super A51mR2 ... just add 10 to 15 fps for your setup. ;-) :



Have fun. Hope you get a solid.

~s1rrah

 

Solid frames for Full RTX .

will post some vids on you tube once ive got the new machine and monitor all set up .. the R2 is 9 days away getting to me as its shipped by road . pretty stoked on the monitor.