*OFFICIAL* Alienware X Series Owners Lounge and Discussion

Multiple people in the small community here reported keyboard glitches, which is significant. The issues one might experience after a 2.5 month wait for delivery are not limited to keyboard of course.

I don't see any memory or other benchmark results for different RAM in the post you linked.
The fact that memory is clocked at 3466 is pretty much meaningless if the effective latency is poor. Multiple people confirmed poor latrncy results from the overpriced 3466 RAM (which is just overclocked 3200 since tbere are no 3466 modules on the market).
Ordering 3466 RAM from Dell comes with no guarantee it will be Kingston - could be Adata or in principle something else. Lots of data around on improved performance with better RAM, including in Cinebench and gaming benchmarks (particularly when using Optimus), although in this laptop the improvements will sadly be limited by Gear 2 mode. The statement that memory performance doesn't matter in a laptop is patently false in general. Lastly, 64GB Fury Impact + minimum Dell RAM will just work out cheaper too.

Repairability is just one reason why laptops with soldered WiFi are less desirable. Upgradeability is another, and as we saw earlier, there is a third one: the lack of ability to physically remove a suspect networking component

 

About had it with the Killer wifi nic. I'm swapping mine out with an AX210. I have an AX200 in my Latitude and never have any issues with those drivers.

 

How can you swap it out if it's soldered?

 

Try completely uninstalling the killer suite and driver using a complete uninstaller like Revo. Then reinstall just the driver and uncheck the Dell part.

I've seen those reports, but what I said was that I have not seen any issues with my own laptops that all have CherryMX's, along with those that I know that own the X17 with CherryMX's. What you find being reported may seem significant, but like with most things a lot of things are hyper focused where people come to forums like these to report their issues. Out of the thousands of laptops being sold, I think most would agree that "significant," would take a lot more to be considered that. There is a certain threshold with all electronics that is to be expected with failure rate %'s. Until we see droves of issues pop up, I don't think it's that significant in ratio to the units sold.

RAM wise I'm well aware of what you're saying and have a pretty good grasp on RAM. I would be the last to claim that memory doesn't matter lol...maybe it came across wrong and was misunderstood. I've tested them for myself. The poor latency isn't a secret as I was probably one of the first to have tested different kits that I actually own. The stock Kingston 3466 64GB kit isn't that bad. Not many people have ordered their X17's with this kit so there is very little info about it. I'm well aware of there not being any 3466 kits on the market. The point was that the stock Kingston 64GB 3466 kits were likely higher binned, guaranteed to run those speeds. Not that most 3200's can't, but I was just making a general point regarding the fact that the kit is labeled 3466 and not 3200 bins being sold as an overclocked 3200 kit. No different than 9900K and 9900KS for example...the KS are sold as higher bins. Anyway...

Also, keep in mind that for those that are planning to upgrade their SSD or RAM anyway, if one can utilize a discount (cash backs, cc cask backs, website cash backs etc...) sometimes the SSD or RAM could come out to be cheaper than buying an aftermarket kit at full retail afterwards. The only kit that I would buy pre-configured (which I did) is the Dual Rank 64GB kit.

If you want full on upgradability then of course one should go with something like the Area 51m or Clevo variants. But like I said, I think the wifi card being not removable is not a deal breaker by any means, at least to me and likely most. If it was the RAM that was baked on then forget it... especially if it was only 16GB, which is the new 8GB in today's world.

I have no issues with my WiFi on the X17 and have been downloading + uploading like crazy. (video editing files). If I had an issue, I'd be one of the first to see if other fellow owners were having the same issue. You also have to factor in the variables that may exist with network connections. Not everyone has the same router, environment and settings (configurations).

 

Bummer... Try what I wrote above and see if that helps. If not, USB WiFi antenna time. I know I know... the idea just hurts.

Update:
Try this and uncheck all the unnecessary things during the install.

 

u/gleefultree's recommendation to delete "Alienware Update", "Dell SupportAssist" and "Dell On Screen Display" have solved the issue for me regarding the intermittent keyboard lockup.

Alienware X17 R1 Keyboard Stops working suddenly, possible software bug : Alienware (reddit.com)

I opened up a thread a while ago on Reddit to document this issue. After doing what u/gleefultree recommended I have not experienced a single case of the keyboard locking up. It seems the issue is software related not hardware as most people seem to suggest.

 

Enjoy it, its a very good laptop.

 

Bingo. I don't run any of the stock software. Perhaps why I haven't experienced any issues. The amount of system resources bloat in general takes up is just incredible.

 

Since the beginning, random keyboard problems sounded like a software issue, happy to see we have a confirmation now.

 

@iunlock I'm still very interested how you enabled "advanced optimus" on your 4K x17. If you just used the known hack to enable "dGPU only" mode a confirmation would be nice Thank you

 

Just for your information, in Germany huge discount on x17 with the code ALIEN17 (17%)

 

How long ago did you remove Support Assist?
Did you get rid of "Alienware Support Assist Remediation" and "Alienware Update - Support Assist Update Plugin"?

There is an issue with my laptop which was supposed to be software-related. Dell even released BIOS updates to fix it - nothing helped. Then I decided to remove Support Assist, which seemed to cure it.. for a couple of months, after which it started reoccurring. I noticed I still have those two components above though, wonder if they could be responsible.

 

While it sounds plausible that 64GB kits are 2R, a lot of people order 32GB kits, and there seems to be a lot of variability there. This can be eliminated by buying a superior 3rd party RAM kit.

I'd think it's still possible to use coupons and get the minimum Dell RAM config. There is no 40% off coupon, is there? That would be needed to counter Dell's margin over retail prices on Fury Impact.

Let's not muddy the waters by throwing DTRs in - just talking about WiFi specifically. I believe every single laptop I have owned has modular WiFi and I never owned a DTR.
Killer was fine for me, but it was good to be able to swap it out for AX210.

Lastly, we don't know (OK, I wasn't keeping track lol) what kind of keyboard all the affected users have, and this could either be a factor or not. The fact that it all is good for you is a positive (congrats BTW, these things are quite annoying) but irrelevant from the perspective of the users involved. My advice to anyone affected would be to return if you can, or prepare to live with this for the duration of laptop ownership on an intermittent basis (bar a successful swap that may be offered, that would undo any repaste/repad work).

 

It's clear why, despite all the delivery delays: they don't want people to follow @HaloGod2012

If they were to focus on customer experience, they would actually hike the prices to cut the queue and ensure people get their laptops promptly.

 

Whether it is a software or a hardware issue is a bit of a distraction. Could be something in the BIOS or firmware I which case the question is: will it ever be fully resolved, and in what timeframe. My 15 R2 keyboard glitch never got fixed ( @Vasudev ), and neither did the fan sensor related issue affecting the m15.

 

I think that/s wise. I go back and fourth on stock software. What about Alienware OC controls application And Alienware command Center? I know a lot of people don't install Nvidia GeForce Now and only the Nvidia Drivers claiming GeForce Now zaps windows recourses. I went ahead and uninstalled all the stock Dell and Alienware software minus Alienware OC control application and Alienware command center. I also uninstalled to Killer software minus the drivers to see if that helps.

 

Maybe their is something to it. Best AIDA score so far with Kingston 3466 memory.

 

Strange, I could only see ALIEN14 (14%) this morning, when I ordered my X17. When I tried ALIEN17 a couple minutes ago, the Dell website said the Code was valid but there were no eligible items in my cart (had a X15 and X17 in the cart in order to try out the code). Is there something that I'm missing?

 

Take a look here:
Alienware x17 Gaming-Laptop | Dell Deutschland

Above the x17 versions is listed if 14 or 17% are possible.



I would choose this version and add the 4K screen. Exchange memory on my own.
Alienware x17 Gaming-Laptop | Dell Deutschland

 

Thanks. I didn't notice the last config had a different code. I have now cancelled my order and ordered a nearly identical configuration (11980HK, 3080, 4K, 1TB instead of 512MB) and it's about 100€ cheaper.

 

Those are uninstalled as well. The only thing I have installed from Alienware and Dell is the Alienware Command Center Suite and Alienware OC Controls.

If you look at the Reddit post I had all these things uninstalled since 8/8.

 

OK, thanks, fingers crossed. Will clean up accordingly to see if it helps. Unbelievable that it has to be done though. What does SA have to do with keyboard? At least in my case the rationale is that it somehow messes up ePSA pre-boot checks.

 

Well, I have had the X17 11980hk 3080, 4k, 32g 3466, 512Mb, membrane for 3 weeks now and a Legion 7 11980hk, 3080, 2k, 32g 3200, 2T HD with advance optiumus for 2 weeks. I have thrown a ton of comparisons at them. After tax and shipping, X17 $3,679 and 7i $3,543. Basically a moot difference in price.

Long and the short when testing the X17 on performance and 7i on turbo (my use case as I would never have the fans howling), when cool the 7i was 3-4% faster on cpu and 5-6% faster when heat soaked than the x17. On gaming cool, the 7i was 0-3% faster but the X17 with any amount of heat in it was even with the 7i for up to 5% faster. Assuming a mux switch add, it would get really strong. After 2 weeks of all this comparison, i recorded a 38 min talking head review comparing them last night to post on youtube (which I didnt end up posting as I accidently panned over the lady's bank statement on the table that I need to edit out).

Concluded the video picking the X17 purely because its gaming performance and it was the best for real life gaming and I love the look and feel of the laptop and that 4k monitor at 16:9 ratio with its color was amazing.

Then randomly check Lenovo's site today because someone posted something on reddit about it being discontinued (they were wrong, just lenovo updating their site). Yea, they have the 7i with the 11800h, 3080, 2k, 32g 3200, 1T model up for $2,692.50 all in. This is a no brainer to get that and return the 2 11980hk models, right?

Side note, the 7i's vapor chamber keeps the 11980 from thermal throttling which is crazy.

They also have the amd 5900 for like $50 more than that.

 

Here is another flaw or is it another attempt to further costs cutting? I think most all of the pure branded Dell models have the security cable slot. Maybe they have seen that no gamers see the need for it?

x15 R1, lack of security cable slot dell.com/community/Alienware

"The x15, and probably x17, doesn't have a slot for a security lock ANYWHERE. Customer support chat was very kind to confirm my findings and said they would escalate it up to the designers and other associated Dell people"

Killer Networking is bought up by Intel. This is sad because Intel now have the awful Killer bloat package.

 

A security cable slot could lead to lost business opportunity. A laptop theft is unfortunate, but it does mean that another order for a replacement is likely forthcoming. Just another little trick.

 

@JayH1001 Sorry I hadn't seen the @ toward me. I've been off the forums and just enjoying the laptop hahaha. I ended up returning the 4TB SSD before my x17 got here. The 30day return window ran out before my x17 arrived sadly. (I had the Asus ROG AMD Advantage laptop prior I was using it with before it went up in literal smoke and got returned).

With regards to your other question about if all 4TB and 8TB drives were doubled sided...........with all the research I have done (multiple hours) yes, they are all double sided. Some may have a different number of chips on the back side however which may play into it.

If you check out this guys reddit post it shows the WD 4TB SN750 as being the most likely of the 4TB drives to actually fit that I have found in my research based on the rear chip placements. https://www.reddit.com/r/ZephyrusG14/comments/mh7ak1/update_advice_on_upgrading_ssd/

Though I am not really wanting to spend 900$ just to find out, and have to return it if it fails. =/

 

I was setting up my X17 (Full Monty, 360Hz) tonight and the latest nVidia 3080 mobile driver said it could find no compatible device whereas the official (older) Dell package installed fine. Anyone else have this issue. I saw a few posts about this subject and some claimed that they had never had a problem on any machine installing official GPU drivers (nor have I until now). I use DDU in Safe Mode to uninstall everything and tried again, same outcome.

 

Then try same fix. Nvcleanstall can mod the drivers http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...2-owners-lounge.832848/page-363#post-11115257

 

Did you try the standard or DCH drivers? I tried installing the Standard drivers, but they didnt work even after a clean windows install. Only the DCH drivers worked, both on my (refunded) m15r5 with 3060 and my x17 3080.

 

Haha that’s ok no worries. At least you’re enjoying the laptop!

Yeah I’ve seen that ssd being mentioned a few times when I was researching as well. The only thing that lets that drive down is that it is gen 3 and not gen 4. I feel like if someone is dropping that sum of money on an ssd today it should really be gen 4. Currently WD only do ssd gen 4 up to 2TB capacity (SN850). Wonder why they haven’t released a Gen 4 4TB capacity yet.

I’m so tempted to just buy a 4TB ssd to see if it fits. The only thing that is kinda putting me off is that even if it does manage to fit, there’s no guarantee it will fit in the next laptop I get when I eventually upgrade it.

 

Why do we keep comparing a 17" laptop (400mm x 300mm, 3.2Kg) with a 15" laptop (360mm x 260mm, 2.5Kg)? We could also compare them with a desktop replacement monster with a 10900K or even an actual desktop. I was looking for a 15" so Alienware's option was the x15 not the x17.

 

Update from Dell cares on Twitter:

The parts that are in current shortage are the cherry mx keyboard and the processor (i7)

I will be reaching out to Dell support through Twitter from now on as they have answered more questions for me than the email/phone/chat support combined over the last 30 or so interactions.

 

This sounds like it is the reason. I have always done the advanced search for nVidia GPU drivers and picked Standard. I will give this a go.

 

I just ran ru.uefi from an usb stick and I get into the editor but after navigating to "UEFI variable" and pressing ENTER the screen freezes. Tried out different versions... no luck. Maybe because I am using Windows 11??

With this app one should be able to get 3200 mem to run in GEAR 1 mode with latency around 60ns, but I am obviously too dumb to use it. Anybody else tried it out besides @pitha1337 enabling MUX on the 4k screen? Bro @iunlock maybe? Obviously also the TDP of the GPU can be set to permanently use 165W, whatever CPU usage.

 

Unexpected Issues

X17 - 11980HK, 64GB Dell kit, 3080, 2TB Dell Samsung, stock everything (including Dell-provided drivers but Intel power sharing NOT installed), Performance/High Performance for thermals/power. Cherry keyboard.

NOTE: I know enough to run most tools and make observations and not much more (currently). I am not at all well-versed on the tools mentioned below.


1) When using the Shift key, the first letter doesn't type seemingly 1 out of maybe 20 times

2) Keyboard is frequently very flaky (i.e. system does not respond to keyboard inputs without multiple presses) while in BIOS mode

3) I seem to recall people having 22/22/22/58 for their memory timings. Mine, started at those values. But when I shifted to XMP1 memory profile they dropped to 24/24/24/58. Are those correct? Is it better to stay at 3200 with 22s? I have the 64GB kit from Dell.

4) I am getting HUGE disparities in CPU temps when running CinebenchR23. I need to read some documentation on how to post images to this forum, but here are some typed numbers during a run:

CPU CurrTemp AvgTemp ThermThrottleMax
0 89 89 N
1 90 91 Y
2 94 94 N
3 97 98 Y
4 92 95 N
5 100 100 Y
6 83 84 N
7 92 94 N

Is this normal?

On a side note, HWInfo64 only shows CPU Cores 0-7. Is that normal too?

My 10 minute benchmark score is 12346. How does that stack up to others with 11980HK?

The CPU mostly holds at 4090MHz all-core until about 3 minutes into the run. Then it starts dropping to 3990 and back up, with more time spent at 3990 as the test runs to the 10 minute completion mark.

5) Prime95 exhibits much the same disparities, although core 1 and 2 temps basically swap and core 7 is down around 88. CPU frequency drops quickly to 3790/3890 range.

6) The Valley GPU benchmark produced LOTS of stuttering, with FPS regularly dropping down into the 40-60 range from the 140ish-200+ it was running normally. VERY noticeable and jarring. Stock Dell nVidia driver. 3080 temps run 74-75. Is there a way I can decipher what is causing the huge frame drops? I have MSI Afterburner, so perhaps watching temps/throttling there would indicate the source of the problem?

7) Speaking of MSI Afterburner (4.6.4 b3), why doesn't Framerate Min, Framerate Avg and Framerate 1% Low show in the onscreen display?

SORRY FOR SO MUCH IN ONE POST!! I am coming up on 30-day point and need to decide if I want to return this one for a replacement (or perhaps abandon it altogether).

 

L7i owner with 11980HK as well - how did you get such a huge CPU score? Stock paste?

Do you have a stable UV/OC for everyday use?

 

UPDATE: I just installed and ran Time Spy (with default everything and Performance/High Performance). 12203 total, 12286 GPU, 11755 CPU

 

The high CPU Time Spy score is because of their low latency ram, Ballistix DDR4-3200 CL16, and possibly a mild undervolt. Time Spy CPU score gets a nice bump when you use ram with fast timings.

 

So it's mostly the ram huh? My own Crucial 32gb dual rank 3200mhz CL22 ram gave a nice uplift of several hundred points on Time Spy - the fastest JEDEC spec pair I can find in Canada right now - but the AIDA 64 latency is 97 ns on gear 2. I get about 11.9-12.2k Time Spy cpu on performance mode with an UV of -0.07 core/-0.03 cache and 4.6-4.7 all core. Stock paste, raised chassis. Still some slight thermal throttle if I don't max the fans. Having some issues with power throttling, perhaps related to VRM, cpu package power peaks at 90-100W on heavy load unfortunately.

As you know, Legion has locked XMP in the BIOS. There is an unofficial engineer-shared advanced BIOS floating around the Legion Discord but it's bricked several machines when some people experimented with XMP settings. Lol. Perhaps one day it will be better optimized...or I will find someone to unlock the advanced BIOS for me.

 

Despite the massive core temperature differences, I thought I had some luck when it came to undervolting the CPU. I made it all the way to -80 and CinebenchR23 was quite happy. Then I tried Prime95 . . . and wound up all the way back at -50 before it stopped crashing the computer.

For the GPU I am at .856v and could run at 1830MHz but some benchmarks were actually faster at a lower clock speed for some reason. I put memory at 7850MHz. All benchmarks are improved, to varying degrees.

I find that when I run CinebenchR23 and Valley/Furmark at the same time, the GPU will pull just 115W while the CPU pulls just 93ish. Both clocks are dropped back, but the GPU seemed to take the brunt of the speed reduction (down around 600MHz when Furmark was running!). I guess it is just too much heat, but I do wonder how much better things would be if my CPU cores didn't have a 13degC temperature spread. that just seems egregiously bad. I will note that I did NOT install the Intel Dynamic Tuning components (they are disabled). I saw elsewhere that they were suspected of causing the wattage combo limitation? Perhaps I should install them just to make sure.

Between the core temp issue, the max wattage being seemingly very low, the keyboard issues and some really bad backlight bleed at a couple of points along the bottom of the monitor, I think I will be returning this laptop. I may just get a refund and wait for the X17 R2. It seems highly likely that one will be coming in the not-too-distant future given that they declared this version to be R1 right out of the gate.

 

Anyone know if you can swap the Gsync 360hrtz panel for the 4K 120hrtz panel ?

I know how to do it from looking at the service manual, but I’m just concerned if the display connectors have the same pins and if the motherboard/bios is somehow locked to a specific panel?

 

I am not sure if it would be even physically possible, because the version with the 360Hz panel is in total a couple of millimeters slimmer. So you would need a lot of spare parts from Dell, possibly the whole lid with the panel and the keyboard cover and probably some other parts. I fear it´s not possible.

 

The keyboard issues alone suggest a swift return as the most appropriate course of action.

 

Woo good thing I waited. Looks like the price on the x17 dropped considerably. The config I was going to get was 4500 yesterday, and now its about 3990ish. If any of you are still in the return period, load up your current config, and see if there is a price difference. Sometimes the chat/phone people will refund you the difference.

 

Sup guys, i got a couple questions.

I'm leaning toward buying a X17 RTX 3080 version.
With the 1080p 165hz screen (As i'm planning to use an external screen anyway) and 16GB of 3200Mhz ram (Which i would replace with my HyperX 3200mhz CL20 memory kit.

Does it have a mux switch? i heard there was a bios update and the laptop now has Mux enabled?
Will my 3200mhz JDEC memory kit works in the X17?

Anything i should know of before buying this laptop?

 

Yes and yes.

 

TL;DR: it is probably best to save your money when it comes to replacing the RAM with lower CL memory.

You should know that IIRC putting shiny RAM in the laptop does NOT run (much) faster than Dell's 3466MHz. This seems to be due to the system operating in "GEAR 2" mode for memory access. This appears to be the cause of significant latency compared to the more favorable GEAR 1 mode (which can be found in other laptops apparently). There are many posts on this forum about this issue, and the slow latencies (100+ns) people are getting with the BETA version of AIDA64 with a wide range of memories.

There is a discussion point that avers that using a BIOS modding program can flip the BIOS setting that controls this. Someone actually tried to do that here but posted that they were unsuccessful in getting the app to function as expected. I note that the same app HAS successfully modded 4K screen BIOSes to enable MUXing.

 

After a period of troubleshooting with a surprisingly competent Dell engineer, he agreed that I had also done proper troubleshooting and that my temps were way out of whack and my keyboard was not properly functional as well (despite all diagnostics not indicating an actual problem). I was offered the two expected viable options (repair not being considered viable due to the CPU temp issues): receive an identical replacement laptop and return mine or return for a full refund, after which I could obviously place a new order if I wish.

Before I make the decision, I have a request for members here that have the 11980HK: Please run a CPU stress test (I used both CinebenchR23 and Prime95, and Prime95 was significantly more intense but they will both show what I am looking for). Use some form of CPU temperature monitoring app (HWINFO64 is great because you can see detailed values for core and TJMAX distance temps as well as core throttling flag values) and observe those various values. On my laptop, core 5 runs up to 100degC quickly and will sit there, with core 6 being an average of NINETEEN DEG C COLDER!! Cores 0 and 1 run 10-13degC colder, and the others are in the low to mid 90s. I have never, ever, seen a variation anywhere near this bad on any CPU - and I have benchmarked a LOT of them over the years. With that level of disparity I am losing a good deal of potential performance since as soon as core 5 hits 100 the entire CPU throttles back. And up to a point, the longer I run the benchmark the slower the system gets as the other "hot-running" cores push up near or to 100 as well. With Prime95 (only) running, my clock would stabilize down around 3500MHz.

I would love to see if others are seeing the same type of spread. We all know that Dell puts a LOT of TIM on their products, so unless something totally gummed up the process, too little "Element 31" between the CPU lid and the vapor chamber mated to it is unlikely to be the cause of the issue. My thought is that it is a very non-flat surface on either the CPU or vapor chamber - most likely the latter. There is nothing to be done about that. If others have the same types of spread it could be indicative of a quality control issue with the cooling system.

Come to think of it, I am certain that the cooling system is the same for all CPUs, so it would be great if i7 owners could do the same testing and post up. If there is a systeming problem lets uncover it early. I really hope it is just my machine though!

 

Maybe you haven't benched all the Alienware models the last years. You'll need to check the heatsink fits on the Cpu/Gpu die.


TRIPOD FIX

 

It has been a decade since my last Alienware laptop. But I have run though three desktops, including recent ones, and they were tight (liquid cooled though). I have also had 3 Dell laptops since the Alienware, including an XPS 15 6700HQ and an XPS 17 and they were tight as well. I do note that none of those laptop's CPU's are pushed as hard as an Alienware would push them.

You bring up the point that I already mentioned: if this IS a quality control/design issue, we need to start investigating it ASAP so we can do like that thread mentioned - try to get Dell to do something about it. Even if that means just voting wth our wallets. For me personally I don't relish the though of wading through a couple more X17s just to find that they suffer from a systemic cooling problem - despite all of the brew-ha-ha about Cryo-this and Element31-that.

I need to look into how to set up a poll on this site to try to replicate the one you posted.

Also, could those who have already done a repaste job post up about how the existing heat sink mounting hardware seemed, and if the paste seemed to be uniform when you separated the cooler from the dies?