*OFFICIAL* Alienware m15 Owner's Lounge

So replacing thermal pads and re-pasting are not a proper fix? What would be considered a proper fix?

And the reason why I don’t want to run the cpu at it’s max is due to high temps. Personally I would rather sacrifice 400mhz and know that my cpu isn’t running close to its operating temp threshold (which it was under full load without limits)

This was the road I went down to attempt to drop my temps and I’m happy with the results. It’s just another option to try for those still looking for a fix.

 

Maybe it's fixed in a firmware revision on the drive or the BIOS of the machine. There were a few of us that had the same issue with this same drive and the 17r4/17r5 as well (I was one of them), so maybe it's something shared across alienware laptops.

 

What's the highest anyone has been able to overclock the 1070 max q? I have +400 MHz on the memory and +200 on the core clock and the temps don't go above 72C

 

So I'm thinking about asking for a refund or replacement.

I'm still getting horrible FPS with the 1070 and abysmal battery life. Solely running Excel and Chrome I get about 1.5 hours of battery life which is pathetic.

I also continually get no response from Alienware on the issues. When I call them directly I get someone from India who doesn't seem to know much about PCs. It's awfully disheartening considering that I paid for 3 years of the top level support.

Lastly, I fully decked out my Alienware m15 order, and for them to announce the OLED, i9 and 2070 / 2080 just after the close of my return period, I'm pretty miffed and feel gypped.

 

What kind of GPU temps are you guys seeing while gaming? I hit a max of 81 while playing Call of Duty Black Ops 4 blackout mode on very high settings scaling down to 1080 (I have the 4K screen).

 

I returned mine for a refund.

 

Mine has also gone back for a refund. The alien head power button light stopped working and they currently have no fix for it!

Think I will wait to see how the 20 series pans out and pick up a new laptop then

 

Were you within the 30 days or after?

 

Sorry if this was already asked.
Does Alienware m15 support windows hello?
I didn't see anything about this on the alienware m15 product page, don't seem to see any IR camera on this machine either. Although in chat the sales rep told me it does support it. Wanted to ask here to make sure.

 

No it does not

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It does, it just cannot be activated due not having an IR camera built in. If he buys an Tobii eye tracker, he could effectively use Windows Hello. He could also use an Intel IR camera.

 

Yes but I don't think he is going to go out and buy a third party accessory to get windows hello. He wants it to work out of the box like it does on the Alienware 15 r3/r4. Frank did mention on Twitter somewhere that there might be a model in the future that supports hello out of the box as soon as tobii eye tracking module for laptops gets smaller.

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Anyone able to get Riva statistic tuner scanline sync to work with destiny 2?

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I think I was on day 28. Dell gave me no issues.

 

Has anybody been able to install the new Nvidia driver with FreeSync support (417.71)? The driver package from Nvidia won't install on my m15 (says "no compatible graphics card found").

 

You might need to run DDU (display driver Uninstaller) and uninstall the current Nvidia driver, it's an issue with Optimus laptops where sometimes it only sees the integrated Intel card.

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No luck... seems the stock NVidia driver does not support the m15. So I guess we have to wait for Dell to update the official m15 driver package...

 

Maybe in the next update nVIDIA will add your card to the list.

Did you try the latest Hotfix Driver?

nVIDIA GeForce Driver 417.75

 

Thanks, but the Hotfix driver also isn't working.

 

Hello everybody!!!
I see that lots of people asking what is the problems with Nvidia Drivers. FYI there is no possible to install simple Nvidia notebook whql driver, like it was before on old laptops. Now most of laptops with Windows 10 only accepted DCH Nvidia notebook whql driver (maybe due to some cooperation of Nvidia and Microsoft......its only my opinion). So there is a few methods to make it work:

1.Downloading drivers by this links:
https://us.download.nvidia.com/Wind...ook-win10-64bit-international-dch-whql-rp.exe
or
https://us.download.nvidia.com/Windows/417.71/417.71-notebook-win10-64bit-international-dch-whql.exe

You can just change the version (number) of driver and download it.

2. Or you can go to Dell support site of your item and download there. But actual driver for m15 there is only 417.49 -- as you can mention there is no such version of driver on Nvidia site, because of this is Dell's development. But it's old.........

3. Download and install GeForce Experience from here https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/geforce-experience/ install it, login by your account or make account and it will propose to install you the fresh driver, the same which you can download by links above.

With GeForce Experience you will be all time up to date.
But if you have installed driver from Dell and trying to update trough the GeForce Experience, it will tell you --- "sorry man but you are already up to date", because Dell's it is not from nvidia.
GeForce Experience using nvidia site drivers.

Better download DDU, make full clean and make your choice 1, 2 or 3.

P.S.: Most of people will say ---- AHHHH......dont't do it. Use only from Dell's site (OEM) -- "on site of nvidia its written the same to use your OEM's driver, it will be safe and blah...blah...blah...."......... but when Dell will update this one nobody knows.
Don't worry use from nvidia, it will be ok without any issues.

P.S.: Also with DCH drivers there is no Nvidia control panel after install the driver (due to policy of Microsoft it is migrated in Microsoft store). Don't worry make connection to the internet and it will be automatically downloaded and installed.


P.S. : Nvidia site already has a choice of Standart and DCH drivers for download.
So the life becomes more easy. Make a choice for DCH and be happy!!!!!!!!

 

Brilliant, the DCH driver is installing. Thanks a lot!

 

No need to wait. Modern laptops accept only !!!!DCH!!! Nvidia drivers.
This is new policy of Microsoft according --- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/wi...evelop/getting-started-with-universal-drivers

About NCPL:
https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4733

Some more info:
https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/1094548/geforce-drivers/417-71-to-dch-or-not-to-dch-/

Welcome!!!!!

 

My return period is up and I also realized that my Alienware power button lighting doesn't work, what should I do?

 

I had some trouble with the lighting on mine but it seemed to be a software issue. It came back after I shut down and kept the power button down for 10s or so to hard reset it.

 

I heard that reported as a BIOS issue that should be fixed with an upcoming update. Not sure though.

 

Was it also the power button or everything, I'll try to hard reset it like you did. Else I'll wait for a bios update I guess, I don't use the lighting so I don't care but it shouldn't be a issue in the first place...

 

I complained about the button and they told me there is currently no fix. They said I could have a brand new machine or a refund. I chose the refund in the hopes that the new rtx laptops are better. I was also well out of my return period

 

I can't remember, sorry. I think I have had it happen a couple of times after some Alienware Command Centre crash. I've not had any issues for at least 6 weeks though.

 

Do you mind messaging me or just writing the process and method you went through? I'd like to get a replacement on mine, would appreciate it. Delliware support is horrendous.

 

Am currently running a factory image restore to see if the light will work (if it's just software) but if it won't fix after this I don't have any other choice but get a replacement :/

edit: did not work, am contacting support via online chat.

Welp, they said that it's a issue with the command center and how when you update it, it disables the lighting on the alienware lighting. New Command Center update comes out mid February, and it seems like I won't be able to get a replacement.

 

So essentially the 2070 Max Q upgrade for $400 over the 2060 looks like a pretty bad value proposition considering the early benchmarks so far!

 

I mentioned this pages ago. 1070 Max q IS the best value now that prices are gonna drop for it. And for 1080p it's good

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Well the price drop is already here.
There is a coupon available that drops 15% on the GTX laptops which includes the 1060/1070 MaxQ builds for the M15.

 

Yup, way better value proposition and I can play destiny 2 above 90 fps on average which is amazing

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Hello!!!
New versions of AWCC and AWOC Controls released 29.01.2019:

https://www.dell.com/support/home/u...osCode=WT64A&productCode=alienware-m15-laptop

https://www.dell.com/support/home/u...osCode=WT64A&productCode=alienware-m15-laptop

 

Hopefully the 120 or 144 drops in the near future. After gaming on 60hz for quite some time and then moving on to 165hz, the change is real and the offering of 60hz alone will prevent me in buying the area 51m. I just can’t understand the logic. So backwards.

 

Does it add anything new?

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I thought it was 10%? Is there another coupon floating around?

 

Try this coupon which was giving 15% on any GTX laptops - AFF15GTX

 

That worked. Thank you.

 

Glad to help out!

Which build are you going for?

Also, does anyone know if I can enable G-sync from the M15 if I connect to an external display via displayport?

 

Yep - I have mine plugged into an x34p.

 

Awesome! Thanks for confirming this.

 

Long story short. I was gonna get an Area 51m with a 2080. But the price to performance is looking like absolute garbage. And I still have a 1080 Ti that I have not sold and plan to keep now and put into an Alienware Graphics Amp.

I'll grab a 1070 max-q in nebula red.

 

Yeah that looks like a great solution if you plan to get the Amplifier!

 

Sigh, I am not yet in a position to buy anything as of the moment. xD I hope these configurations would still be available in a couple of months or so.

Still debating on which laptop I would actually go for.. the M15 with a GTX1070MQ or a G7 17inch with an RTX2060.. (As long as it could come with a 144HZ screen)... Or... the M17.. hmm...

 

Looks like everything remained the same like was in previous versions.
About custom thermal profiles I can say nothing, because I'm using only Performance and Balanced and see no difference between versions.

 

Did they fix the power button light issue?

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I’m very close to pulling the trigger on the m15 or new G7. Anyone know if either of these will fit in the Alienware graphics amplifier? Is the hit in performance big enough for me not to consider the Razer Core? I’ve heard it’s much quieter and easier to use than the Alienware egpu. If anyone could answer that would be great. Links below for the graphics cards I’m considering. Thanks
https://www.amazon.com/GeForce-Type...s=gtx+2080&dpPl=1&dpID=51NskWE7TVL&ref=plSrch
https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce...s=gtx+2080&dpPl=1&dpID=51dMp64MCTL&ref=plSrch

 

Alienware graphic amp only works with m15, I have also seen several members on this forum change the default fan of the graphic amp to get a quieter set up AND you lose less performance vs something like the razor core

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