*OFFICIAL* Alienware m15 Owner's Lounge

ShenZhen means Simplo. Replacement battery cells are made in Japan(Sanyo/Panasonic) or Korea(LG/Samsung). Same thing is used by most laptop manufacturers to make/force people to buy new battery at higher cost.
@propeldragon You need to disassemble the laptop.

 

I'm uneducated on the subject: what safe settings would you guys recommend to improve performance & thermals ? (general settings & undervolting)

Thanks !

 

Does anyone knows how to page up/page down with this keyboard?

 

number 9 key and number 3 key on the number pad. Num lock off.

Has anyone programmed the macro keys? How?

 

after was running some stress tests and adjusting undervolt numbers, the m15 developed some audible clicking noises near the left fan. I don’t like it. I’m likely being a little too cautious but I’ve decided to send it back. I just don’t trust it to last me a long time.

 

Hi, new m15 owner here (received mine yesterday). Here are my initial impressions (also compared to the Gigabyte Aero 15x which I had a couple of weeks ago and ultimately returned due to severe coil whine).

I must say initially I wasn't too impressed but after using it and fixing some issues I'm really starting to like it.

Pros:
- superb build quality (Aero 15x was ok but still the typical windows creaky cheap materials). At this price point I'm expecting Apple-like build quality and AW nails it!
- noise and thermals. It is quiet compared to the Aero! Running at -.125v. Everyone here seems to complain about the temps but keep in mind that this thing is usable even without headphones. Of course it gets hot (no throttling though so far but need to test more thoroughly), but the Aero also reached temps in the mid 90s while sounding like a jet turbine. Gaming on the Aero without headphones caused me headaches because of the noise within an hour or so. Not so on the m15. Also fan curves are much more smooth compared to Aero where it had like 3 or 4 different speeds and spooled up and down all the time. The m15 also manages to keep the fans completely off during browsing relatively consistently whereas on the aero I basically had to restrict clocks to 1GHZ to achieve this. Surface temperatures are also way better than the Aero and it cools down faster.
- overall software. Only minor issues and most things worked out of the box. On the Aero 15x the experience was terrible with major driver and Gigabyte software issues.
- only very minor coil whine. This seems to be a major issue with today's powerful and compact laptops (almost every powerful laptop I had at home or at work had this) so I'm happy to report that it's only very faint on my m15 and not a problem during regular use.
- repairability. Very easy to take apart and seems very repair friendly. See below on why I already have experience with taking it apart after one day.

Cons:
- quality control. I have to say this is terrible for a 1800€ machine. Mine arrived with a loose track pad (was not sitting flush so on the first press you felt the whole track pad assembly to give after which you had to press harder for the proper track pad click to register). Very annoying. But easy to fix: take apart the the bottom cover and remove the battery, below that is the track pad, secured by four screws. I removed and re-installed it while making sure it sits flush in it's position and now it's fine (cut myself in the process, beware those glass touchpads!). Second issue: One or the fans rattles. You can feel and hear that it does not rotate as freely as the other fan. Probably has bad bearings. Wiggled it a bit and now it's better, but we'll see how it fares. Maybe will contact support to get a replacement.
- bezels. Yeah, can't say I like those too much. It's not terrible, but the tiny bezels on the Aero really caused a "wow" every time I opened the lid. But I feel that AW really used the additional space well to improve thermals so it's a trade off I'm willing to make.

Alright, these are my first impressions. Hope this is useful for someone. Will update if I find out anything else. Bottom line is that I think that it is a fairly well designed machine (you can easily get the impression that it is not when reading all the comments here).

 

How much of a battery life difference does it make from upgrading from the 60 Wh to the 90 Wh battery? Trying to decide if its worth doing so.

 

While playing GTA V I need to go down with the clockspeed, 3.5 Ghz runs well. Had 97 degrees after a few minutes with 3.9 GHz and 900 mhz gpu memory OC. I really don‘t get why it struggles so hard. Are the GS65 and Aero 15x facing the same problem?

 

Yeah, I noticed that too I wonder what's up with that...

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

 

How did you fix the fan? Did you take it out or something? Any instructions you can provide? Was it the left fan? I thought I was imagining things lol

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Reminds me of a failing spinning drive.

 

Is it worth undervolting gpu ? any advice ?

 

That is just something that happens to AWCC and it just starts to derp out, when I change my thermal profile it seems to go away.

 

Yeah that doesn’t inspire confidence in an $1800 machine.

 

Normally I would be "yeah I agree with you" but I honestly can't.

Razerblade notebooks with their new synaps software only supports some peripherals correctly, some of the supported ones still have issues. Keyboard feels too shallow and the surface temps are worse than m15. Much louder fans too in my opinion.

Gigabyte/Aorus have some real **** software that looks like it was made in 2002. Bios update bricked my device THROUGH their software!

I know everyone here is very critical of getting flaws and defects but (and I know some of you will disagree with me here which I respect) I didn't buy an Alienware expecting a perfect machine. I still remembered when they first released their Alienware 15 r3, terrible thermals BUT a Dell tech came to my lab and personally swapped out the heatsink. Temps were prefect after and there were no more issues.

I have always been exclusively a laptop gamer for more than 7 years and I've bought a lot of different brands over those years. I recently sold my $2800 aorus X7 DT to get the m15 and I DO NOT REGRET it.

The issues I've had with this machine are close to none existent after an undervolt and capping the cores at 3.5 GHz. This is with stock paste. I still plan to repaste next week and see if I can get better temps still.

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I agree with almost everything your saying. I just don't like knowing I have a i7 8750 which can boost to 4.1ghz but I can't because I can't cool it so I have to run it at 3.7 ghz. I have been and the performance is great my temps are great but I don't agree I should have to do this as I paid for an i7 that would boost to 4.1 GHz. Something just seems off with the way this CPU runs even at idle. Mid 50s c. It's boosting at idle to 3.7-3.9ghz. It should be around 2.1 shouldn't it.

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You can fix the idling with some throttle stop speed shift setting and I did disable some services that were running while idle. You technically can put 2 cores at 4.1 and leave the rest at 3.2 GHz and I have been able to get away with it.

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Completely agree with you, I personally believe that there's nothing wrong with the hardware, but instead the software is poor. Although I don't like Alienware CC I have to admit it's really clean in terms of software for the laptops. It's buggy sure, but it's not like it's only on the m15.
Actually after disabling/unlinking my pc (One Drive) my idle temperatured dropped from 50c to around 45c on stock settings.

 

Quick Story: So when I had gotten my m15, instead of doing a clean windows install, I had just reset my windows from settings. Turns out I was stuck in a loop because the wifi drivers had issues. I then went to the BIOS and did a Alienware Factory Image. I have to say, the experience was mad smooth and it worked like a charm.

 

The 4.1Ghz figure from Intel is a single or two core turbo (and if you look in XTU you'll see that the multiplier that's set will give you 4.Ghz for 1 or 2 active cores, and then 3.9 for 3-6). Dell/Alienware is giving you every bit of performance the 8750 has to offer, albiet with higher temps that a lot of us would like to see. Most of the other laptops with better temps run more in the 3.4-3.6Ghz all core turbo range, and so really it's a matter of what you personally would prefer, hotter temps/some work required to get them down some, or better thermals and slightly lower performance.

 

does any know if the new 1080p screen, would work in a alienware 15r2 model

 

This is spot on!

I have also owned: blade 15, omen 2018, AW15r4, AW17r5 and plenty of previous generations of AW, Sager, razer and gigabyte and there is no perfect laptop. This m15 hits a great combination of build quality, performance and size.
I have repasted, undervalued by -.140 and lift the rear and it is now quiet and still boosts to 3.5-3.8 whilst gaming. The only laptop that performs better is the omen 2018 (Sits at 3.8ghz with undervolt and is also very quiet with stock paste and no need to raise) but that has its own problems (much thicker, creaky, poor keyboard layout and poor battery).

The only thing I wish is they had put a better keyboard and speakers in the laptop, the keyboard is average and speakers are meh. I would love to replace my surface book for work but it is much better experience (keyboard is sublime, speakers are pretty good and insane battery)

 

Yeah, it's the left fan. I just wiggled it along its axis a couple of times (slightly pulled the fan of its axis with my fingers). I'm not sure if this fixed it properly, but it has gotten a lot better I think. Its still rubbing when I turn it manually but the grinding noise when it spins up is significantly less now. Still thinking of contacting Dell to get a replacement (maybe they are willing to just send the fan, should be easy to switch it myself).

 

I’m going to give the system one more good shot. If I delete all the factory partitions and instal windows clean via ISO am I going to prevent

but it’s not software. I reset the machine and I’m reinstalling windows. The clicking is still there. It’s a small hardware failure 5 days into ownership on a machine that could have easily cost me much more had I not gotten such discounts (because dell kept canceling my order). Hey to each his own. I’ve wanted an Alienware for a long time and this has just been a sub par first experience for me. I’m disappointed is all. To each their own.

 

I got my m15 yesterday. Config:

1070 Max-q

256 GB SSD

144 Hz screen

90w battery



Sadly my first impression wasn‘t too good. I was expecting a lot in terms of build quality, perhaps too much. I think the silver display cover feels more like plastic than metal and the bottom of the base seems not very firm. Furthermore the keyboard could be better (I come from a lenovo thinkpad); the travel of the keys is too short, the spacing between the keys could be a bit bigger and the layout of the enter and arrow keys is not optimal.

I ran some stress tests to check the temperatures and that leaves me very worried. There is a very big differences between the cores; one is sitting at 85 degree Celsius another at 100. Seems like a very bad pasting job. Running furmark I noticed something very strange: The whole notebook freezes from time to time for a second or two. The cpu clock drops to around 140 MHz in this moment. Is this the first sign of a defect gpu or just a thermal problem?

Furthermore I can hear some strange noises coming from the notebook. Sounds a lot like a hdd spinning up or down.

Right now I am not sure, if I keep the notebook, considering the premium price point.

 

I haven't had any of those issues, I recommend using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) and reinstalling the device video drivers (I remember there was an issue with micro studdering on Optimus laptops maybe reinstall the drivers might help). Try undervolting and capping all the cores at 3.7 GHz and testing again, remember by default only 1 core is running at 4.1 and that MIGHT be causing the temperature differential. Otherwise it could be the heatsink is uneven but if you do a repaste with a thick paste (like IC diamond) it might resolve the temp differential and solve the heat issues. Otherwise I'd say send it back, you might have gotten a bad unit.

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dell responded to my request for return with an additional discount to keep. I countered the offer asking for an extension to the warranty and to have the heat sink replaced. If they acquiesce I will probably keep it (as long as I am satisfied with the new heat sink). I will keep you all posted.

 

I also ordered the m15 (Nebula red) and it is due to arrive somewhere next week (12th they say..) And I have been following the forums and every video I could find. The majority seem to have thermal issues but some do not experience them. Read somewhere that a guy had his heatsink switched and was happy with the results.. another video showed up on YT where the reviewer seemed to be impressed with the thermals (link: )

While others with even LM applied have issues. I am leaning to believe that the heatsink might be faulty rather than the issue being software related. Will probably be more clear once I have my device. A question though, has anyone tried out graphite pads or concidered to do so? Seems like a better option than LM (Less messy and non-corrosive )

 

Hahaha! 100c on the cpu doesn’t matter... you can’t feel it on the keyboard...

Yeah ok buddy. Check in with me next week when your motherboard is melted.

 

WTF are those reviewers all been paid by Dell??? 100c is ok when u cant feel it on the outside?! Sometimes i think i am in a world populated with idiots.

Thats the same **** this umar and azor from aw are Talking on Twitter.... „100c is within specification“ bla bla bla. I mean of they just stop being defensive and think about it, they would knew that they are wrong

 

So I called Alienware support and showed them that my CPU idles at over 50c and immediately jumps to 100c and starts to thermal throttle with all programs. They did their own testing with AWCC and concluded that this isn't normal. They're going to send a tech out to replace the HSF. I'll report back once that's done.

 

Well if they do this and it works I hope they’re ready. Everywhere I turn seems like people are hitting 100°C with ease.

 

I actually feel bad for those who received these from Dell to review. Imagine getting those results and then have to somehow paint this in the "right light". Then again, not everyone has the same mindset as an enthusiast.

If mine wasn't cancelled, my review would have not been pretty and I'm thankful that it WAS cancelled. I don't want this headache. There's way too much thermal discrepancy between units and getting that point across to the viewer would be nearly impossible. In other words it's not a review that can be made without some pretty strong hate.

 

Wrong medicine. Castrate clock speed to get it to work is a bad advice.

Fastest way fixing throttling. And not much have changed from the first thin Aw models released early 2015.

 

I hope it works.

 

I’m thinking it might be a manufacturing issue. If it’s the heatsink.

 

Hard to argue with the results. But if you’re fighting incorrectly installed or defective thermal solutions it’s kinda what you have to do.

 

I agree. We shouldn't have to, but I don't have the "don't buy one" option (unless I want to give up gaming). The other manufacturers either have too many other issues that are show-stoppers for me (too big, low battery life, keyboard layout I can't stand, too flashy, too expensive, etc.). AW is the right balance for me. If I can't get every ounce of performance, that's okay as long as I can game at good settings and get good frame rates (with reasonable temps).

It also sounds like many other manufacturers are having heating issues with this CPU without down clocking and other tweaks. I think they should have launched it with the i5 and gotten some user experience with the new HS, etc and then adjust as needed and offer the i7 later. But that doesn't market as well probably.

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I really wanted to like the Aero but their software is complete ****. Plus at this point I paid less for the Alienware.

The only chance I have at beating the Alienware value wise for these specs is the OP 15+ from Walmart. I know that sounds funny but for $999 it could be the sleeper of the century.

 

Can you guys do an SSD benchmark test on your NVMe SSD. My results show very slow write speeds.

 

Undervolted -.150 mv on core and cache, no turbo limiting. 3 runs back to back.

 

What size SSD do you have? If it's over 512gb do you have a heatsink? Maybe it's throttling from heat my 970 Evo was cooking before I installed the heatsink.

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Limiting boost to 3500 MHz

 

^^ 9c core difference at load would have me on the bench dismantling this till I tweaked the heatsink just right to force proper contact. I'm not encouraging anyone to do this by the way.

The tri-screw heatsink can be a disaster to balance out, especially if it's thin.

 

My m15 came with a 512gb Toshiba KG5 NVMe SSD. I do see a heatsink on it.

 

It's triscrew on the GPU side though. And those aren't even a bit of a problem. Never see the GPU over 70C

 

How thin is the plating that makes the square shape surrounding the actual heat pipes on both CPU and GPU?

The Mech 15 first gen has a very thick aluminum plate that surrounds the copper pipes to not compromise structural integrity.

 

I took a few pics when I repasted you can see the mounts and the thick pad near the CPU

Alienware m15 heatsink https://imgur.com/gallery/4Fu3iap

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