*OFFICIAL* Alienware Area-51M R1 Owner's Lounge

Seems like this laptop suffers from a lot of issues. I'll probably look at a different brand. I did look at the gt76 but to get the i9900k it only comes with a 4k panel and I dont want to game at 4k. I think a year or two down the line a rtx2080 will struggle at 4k

I was really hoping the a51m would have ticked all the boxes

 

Weren't the overheating and burning issues already known by March?

You never got order confirmation email with a full list of all the options chosen? How was the warranty (or lack of) not clear in printed form?

Dell are very good, if not the best, in after sales support and straight up refunds. Many users on these forums are on their 3rd and 4th replacement. If you go online can you not see the status of your laptop/order? Can you not call them up and ask to speak to a manager? That's what I would do.

 

I wish you could understand the amount of calling I have actually done to Dell, as well as messaging their social media. In the UK, there doesn't seem to be any accountability, its outsourced and when I asked to speak to a manager I got told they don't have one. Whether that's a flat out lie or not.

Either I was naive or he did me dirty when I bought it over the phone.

I did get a refund initiated on the 8th Oct but like I said, I still don't have it yet.

 

Write to them: [email protected]

 

Do you think it is completely another man rather than those on dell's forum and email ? Anyway I am from Russia(why do you think my English is so fluent ) and phone call is very expensive and difficult for me due to very different time zones

yeah sorry. my ass was burning when I point them on their issues, ask for service of high end laptop and get this responce:

Oh yea. The fans suck 99% of air from the bottom. This would not help to vrm of videocard as you can see in this thread and others

I had same problem from the begining.
I dont want to disassemble my unit now for photos so I will take them from web
Look. This is 1151v2 socket with clamping mechanism.


The point is that Dell has poor quality control even for high end products, because brand not always mean good quality but always mean high prices. So my unit has two upper screws that holding the pressing mechanism not tighten -> this causes upper side of pressing mechanism lifting a bit higher above motherboard and socket -> this causes pressing mechanism to become a bit higher than cpu heatspreader on two screws side -> this causes very poor contact of cpu heatspreader and cooling plate with heatpipes -> finaly you always get 100C with throttling and burning smell coming soon.
Do you really thinking you can buy laptop for 3800$ and simply admire its working? Nah. Not from Dell.
Take your screwdriver, find some disassembling on youtube and you are ready to go! Dell hopes you are happy as much as they happy to yours 3800usd)

ventilation.. heatsink.. on RTX2080
HOW DO YOU LIKE THIS ?

A? A? A? A?
separate heattransfer for gpu die with two radiators
two separate heatpipes with their own dedicated radiator and fan for gpu memory and videocard vrm
separate heattransfer for cpu not linked with gpu so whatever you do with your cpu lapping delidding applying custom a bit higher ihs - nothing will cause issues with pressue on gpu die or gpu memory or vrm
This is how true high end product should look like

Oh yea
When you buy laptop for 3800$ the only thing you wishing for is not have just working machine. Of course you wish to disassemble it and ask Dell for some radiators which their support does not know.
How many potential users of area-51m will disassemble it? 10%? 15%?
Another 85% SHOULD SUFFER FOR ALIENWARE HONOR
For their own money of course its not free

So make it more clear please. How did you get this heatsink? Called them by phone and didn't let them go untill they understood what you was speaking about?

 

Latest LAN + Wireless Drivers 05-Nov-19

Drivers List:
Aquantia LAN Driver v2.1.18.0
Killer 1435-1535 WLAN Driver v12.0.0.918
Killer E2K Ethernet Driver v10.036.0701.2019
Killer E2X Ethernet Driver v9.0.0.49
Killer E3000 Ethernet Driver v10.036.0701.2019
Intel Wireless Driver v21.50.1 (Also works for Killer 1550-1650)
Intel Wireless Bluetooth Driver v21.50.0
Killer 1550-1650 Bluetooth Driver v21.50.1.1
Killer 1435-1525-1535 Bluetooth Driver v10.0.0.916
Killer Uninstaller v1.0.2019.0927

Don't forget to unblock the ZIP file before unzipping it. For how to do this, see:
"Are you sure you want to run this file?" [Yes or No]

 

You can get the vrm heatsink from dell/Alienware for free as it's what you already paid for. I had a huge headache getting this vrm heatsink myself but in the end I ended up with one they mailed to me for no cost.
My update is on pg 1581

 

Confirmed. As usual... Panels rarely run into Hardware Heaven the first years.

Update to “My Area 51m is reading the matrix


So, here’s the quick rundown:

"He told me the gpu failed because I spent 3 hours straight gaming"

Yeah, Not much airflow will be flushed over the passive cooled heatspreader. But better than nothing. The 2070 DGFF cards have nothing. The Matrix above is for the records... You guessed? 2070

 

Meanwhile I’ve done 16 hour gaming on hp omen regularly with Alienwares 190w vbios. Actively cooling vrms through heat pipes make a hell of a difference. Luckily the vrms have a temp sensor, the last time I saw that was on an msi laptop from way back, vrms reach a max of 75c which is normal meanwhile Alienware vrms are probably pushing 100c. Sure I don’t get desktop grade cpu performance (I can get damn close to a stock 9900k) but my laptop isn’t going to burn up that’s for sure
Might try the 200w vbios soon lol.

 

I had a 12 hour Modern Warfare session Saturday,14 Sunday and 7 hours of BF5 today..Love my 51m..

 

Dude, get a clue, not angry. You go through all this when I call bs, and then you ask for help...

I called them on the phone. When I get a chance I'll dig through my posts here and see if I can find the part number. Do not hold your breath.

 

I can't find the part number p92k8
Do you have a photo?

 

So RTX 2080s do arrive without heatsinks or just 2060s and 2070?

 

I believe only the 2080 'should' now come with the underside heatsink, if thats what you are referring to?

 

Yeah, I have the 2080 and wonder if I have to open it up again to see if they forgot to ad a vrmsink.

 

Flash a light thought the grille down the monitor. If you see SILVER in the center right, then you don't have the heatsink. If it's black, then you have the heatsink. Blue is the motherboard.

Enviado desde mi GM1913 mediante Tapatalk

 

What are you speaking about? My 2080 inside area-51m does not have vrm heatsink

Thanks dude!

 

Dont worry dude. Even if they forgot to add it here is the answer:

 

But the vrmsink is underneath? Not on top?

Skickat från min ONEPLUS A6013 via Tapatalk

 

The VRM heatsink is between the GPU PCB and the grille that can be seen at the bottom of the screen.

Enviado desde mi GM1913 mediante Tapatalk

 

If you don't know what I am speaking about then you haven't been reading the responses people have been kindly providing you with. We're here trying to help, there is no need for the aggressive attitude.

I don't even know if mine has the new/additional heatsink under the RTX 2080, but looking at some of the newer (June onwards) supplied devices they do have this heatsink. If yours doesn't have it, you need to contact Dell in your local country and explain this, or if you are extremely unhappy with the laptop which you seem to be, then initiate a return/refund.

If mine doesn't have it thats simply what I will do, contact and pester Dell via phone/chat/social media until they sort the issue.

 

Mine looks exactly like this, does this mean I don't have the heatsink as well? Do you or anyone else for that matter have the part number?

 

Thats the motherboard. If you look to the right, you should see mostly black. If you see SILVER, then there's no VRM heatsink.

That picture was posted as a proof that this grille is not cosmetic.

Enviado desde mi GM1913 mediante Tapatalk

 

So by looking down the grill from screen ventilation it should be black just about where the display connectors are positioned?

 

It's not the clearest of pictures, but can you check out mine below and let me know your thoughts?

https://drive.google.com/open?id=15MFLkoI7XEc0Ck5uh05qqAxmo4Nxv_vv

EDIT: I think I really need to crack this thing open and stopped being so scared.

 

Its your deal if you dont worry about burning videocard
I am from Russia
Dell does not sell area-51m to Russia. Here we can get such things only through post resenders and similar services. Dells warranty for area51m applies only to north america. I dont have easy options like you.

not green but a little green and mostly GREY actually

seems like you have it if it is black not just gray inside

 

Ok, I was wrong and forgot about the silver heat shield on the back of the GPU. If you see this shield instead of black, then you don't have the VRM heatsink.

I made a video to show how it looks like if you have the heatsink. At about the Alienware logo/power button the motherboard ends (blue) and the GPU starts. In the video the ridges of the black VRM heatsink can be appreciated.

 

Of course, I worry? But that's why I have a warranty. Hopefully, your re-seller can sort you out.

 

I was talking out of my head and didn't remember the silver / gray heat shield. I have corrected this on my posts.

If you bought this through a reseller, Dell can't do anything for you, you must work this out through your reseller.

 

Thanks for the video. Yeah at the right side of my Alienware logo I can't see anything other than black/darkness.

 

its not a reseller
its like when some logistic company gives you a place at its storage in another country and you can order something from that country to your "address" in the storage. then logistic company collects packages together(yours and others) and transport lots of packages to your country where you can recieve it. Because for area-51m another ways are impossible. Dells representative in Russia does not import this model like some other high end gaming stuff.

 

Surely you must have warranty or a return window with someone? They can't just leave you with an incomplete laptop?

 

The part number for the ASSY, PLT, SCTY, MET, DGFF, AW51M (heat sink under gpu) is 2WYX4. Mine came with screws.

 

Hi all, I'm considering buying this laptop, mostly to use it with VR and as desktop replacement when I travel for long time for work. I have been reading a lot in the past days, I think I have passed the threshold of the "reading too much" and I would like to ask a few questions to those who already have it.
1) If I buy the configuration with only SSD, is the connection for the SATA drive already included or do I need then to buy extra parts to be able to mount a second drive? (it happened on my VAIO...)
2) I have been reading about components breaking down due to high temperature/low rating. Is this a real problem? I mean, does it happen really or was it just someone's bad luck?
3) How is the mechanical quality? I'm fine with a big, heavy laptop as long it is big and heavy because it has been built to last.
4) Is it noisy or not? I have been reading reviews who state both...
5) What is the distance between the HDMI port and one of the USB3 ports? The cable for the Oculus Rift splits at the end and there cannot be much distance between the two ports.

Thanks!

 

1. The hardware to mount a 2.5" drive is always included

2. Firstly manufactured RTX 2080s had issues, now is fine provided the heatsink for the VRMs is included. However, there have been various ongoing issues with quality control, but I'd say quality (or lack thereof) is on par with other brands.

3. The chasis build quality is avove average. Very solid feeling.

4. The A51m is quieter than most laptops, and even on max fan, noise is grave and therefore not annoying.

5. There are no USB ports on the back, you will need to connect the VR headset via the Thunderbolt port or get a cable extension.

Enviado desde mi GM1913 mediante Tapatalk

 

My machine appears to have quite noticible backlight bleed, especially in the bottom left corner.
The G-Sync function also doesnt work despite having updated the BIOS, cleaned and reinstalled the graphics drivers. I have had the machine for less that a week.
With this being a Certified Refurb, do you think there is much hope that Dell would be willing to replace the machine or would I be better off seeking a refund?
I am satisfied with the performance of the machine, however the LCD issues are not something that I could put up with it, nor would I be happy to ship the product off for repair if that were the proposed solution as I cannot afford to without a machine.

 

My overall review for anyone interested and/or thinking of buying one:

As a disclaimer, these laptops are super expensive so if that's not your cup of tea then simply don't buy one and look elsewhere. If your willing to pay the price then I would also argue at least a 2 year hardware warranty should be purchased at a minimum. I personally purchased a 4 year hardware and accidental because I travel a lot. When spec'ing out your unit, choosing between the i7 and i9 is really a toss up for most buyers - gaming performance is minimal to exactly the same. For actual gaming on new AAA titles and/or if you value FPS, you'll want to buy the RTX 2080 because there are several benefits to buying the better card, as noted below. Ram and SSD/HDD can be purchases later for cheaper so no need to buy that from Dell. It has the best physical connection/method of connecting and external GPU of any laptop to date so that's a plus.

Benefits for buying the better GPU:
1) Future-proofing.
2) Better ray tracing (if your into that).
3) Better VR (again if your into that).
4) Overclockable / high performance (top tier among other computers/laptops) when on max fans.
5) Quiet and moderate gaming performance when on balanced fans with a downclock on GPU (maybe a 1500-1600Mhz clock), or when simply using one power plug (this still blows away most gaming laptops and probably most desktops).

Overall the laptop is great: it feels nice to the touch, has a sweet keyboard, gaming performance and just regular computer performance is more than I could have asked for in a laptop. The Chei Mei Gsync screen is butter smooth and the colours are vibrant (to me at least but it's also my first IPS). A few people claimed to have backlight bleed but some of it can POSSIBLY be remedied by making sure the plastic frame isnt too tight against the screen. To those who may complain about the weight/portability: yes it's "heavy" and has 2 plugs, but why is that such a big deal? If you cant carry 10lbs in your bag then I feel no pity for you, go hit the gym or something lol. You wanted a desktop that is portable and small form factor - this is it. I also think the thermal performance is more than fair. These are some of the best performing and hottest components out there so it's not going to run at 50 C under load - you have to know what your getting into. The fans are loud on max but quiet enough to not notice them with headphones. The balanced mode is silent to very quiet, even when gaming on a lower performance setting (maybe 80-90 fps on a lower clock vs 120-130 fps when OC'd).

 

Ah that's it. Im buying one. I'll order end of the month. Im hoping they will have some discount. There was one about a month ago with 14% off. Otherwise it's like £4300 which is a pretty wack. Maybe I'll get lucky with a black Friday deal or something

 

Sounds like you're going all in on spec? As mentioned above, in terms of the harddrive/SSD and RAM, buy the lowest configuration. When I bought mine I think it was the 256GB SSD and 8GB. I upgraded that stuff on my own much cheaper via Amazon.

I'd imagine BF deals will be around 15-17% but that's just my opinion.

 

Speak to the sales people via the chat option and say that you missed the 15% discount and want to know if they can do a deal

 

Yeah I9900k rtx2080 32gb ram 2tb ssd and 1tbsp hdd. I will ask the chat if I can get some sort of discount. I will be ordering end end of the month when I'm paid again. Nice early xmas present ha!

 

Nice one, have a look at how much 32GB and SSD options are online separately, you'll save a fair amount.

 

I think Dell prevent some working (Samsung Pro SSD?) So need to bear that in mind unless I have totally got that wrong

I know they ship with 2666 memory, then run at 2400 but one day they may unlock that functuonality

 

There are a few members here running the Samsung drives without issue. I think the only SSD I can recall causing problems was an ADATA drive.

I have 2 x Sabrent Rocket SSD's which I think are quite unheard of as well as a more commonly known MX500 from Crucial and I've had no issues.

Yeah, I'd go with 2666mhz memory, being optimistic one day we'll actually get the promised BIOS. However, it's highly unlikely to ever happen, so you could save by getting 2400mhz RAM, I'd imagine the prices are negligible considering the price point of £4300 which was quoted.

 

well, thanks for the replies, very good suggestions.
I have checked the prices of ram and ssd and definitely it makes no sense to buy them with the laptop, as long as all parts and cables are already in there.
I'm just struggling a bit at the idea of spending £350 more to get the 2080... I was planning to get the 2070, I understand the point that this is probably the less upgradable part of the laptop, but... £350... do you think they are justified for VR?
Is it worth to wait for the end of november? I never found decent deals on what I need

 

If I could have waited until Black Friday I would have. I went with the 2080, but felt exactly the same as you. My reasoning for going with the 2080 were: I want to move more onto laptop gaming and get rid of my consoles, with a view to keeping this for 5+ years if possible. On top of that, I'm planning on getting an ultrawide next year at some point and thought the 2080 would handle that better.

Suppose you can look at it in a few ways, if you keep your laptops for years go for the 2080 as it'll hold up better in the long run. If you only keep laptops for 1-2 years and solely use the built in screen, I'd say stick with the 2070.

 

Well my VAIO lasted 8-9 years and I gave up on it after a few repairs only when the screen lamps and second inverter gave up. So I would say I tend to keep the computer for a long time
Ok I will wait for end of the month then. Next 20 days will be a torture... I just hope they will keep the option for the 12 month payment with 0% interests.

 

I had my previous laptop for 6 years so I'm the same. I'd recommend the longest warranty you can afford going with the 2080. However, I believe you can buy this later down the line, so you can save towards that if you can't add it on just now. This will make sure you are covered for a replacement/repair should anything go bang.

 

It looks like on UK website there is only the option for "1Y Collect and Return Service", the other "4Y Premium Support Plus and Onsite Service" (+ £634.02 ) doesn't seem to be clearly related to HW...

 

It gives you a description of each at the left-hand side, both state 24x7 hardware and software support. It is expensive but its that or replace a laptop worth £2k+ in 13 months time if it goes bang?