New Alienware 17 A10 Bios

Hi Guys,

Just noticed (it's been uploaded today too) that there's a new A10 Bios out for the Alienware 17.

Driver Details | Dell UK

Fixes & Enhancements

1. Modify power down mode for 4dimm and 2channel memory.
2. Modify related overclocking items for setup menu.
3. Implement MXM1 and MXM2 Fan control and thermal status for diagnostic.
4. Modify battery OCP protect function.

Applies to

Dell Alienware 17 System BIOS
Release Date:
05/05/2014
Importance

Recommended. Dell recommends applying this update during your next scheduled update cycle. The update contains feature enhancements or changes that will help keep your system software current and compatible with other system modules (firmware, BIOS, drivers and software).

 

I'm hoping this fixes the fan control problems. My Alienware 17 usually starts with the CPU fan inactive, while the GPU fan passively operates at higher GPU temps. Thus, CPU is often overheating and needs forced control via HWinfo64 (which works, but completely disables the GPU fan.) Will run the update and keep everyone posted.

 

Sach_theStampede - what bios ver are you on right now?

 

Guys! Be careful and think twice before you apply this to your Alienware 17. You may regret it. Have a look at this thread before doing anything: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-18-m18x/751794-alienware-18-bios-a07.html

It does allow HWiNFO64 manual fan controls, at least on systems booting in legacy mode, but it may ruin some other things for you. Just a heads up... be careful.

 

I was on A09. Now flashed to A10. This is what I've learned. After flashing, the fans work correctly. No third party fan control software needed. However, after closing the computer lid (sleep) or shutting down and restarting, the problem is back. Cpu fan stops working. Manual control of the cpu fan sends gpu temps way up as a side effect (gpu fan gets disabled). I'm beginning to think this could be a motherboard issue.

As a side note, A09 and A10, i am still able to apply over clocking to the cpu (4800mq). Sigh

 

I flashed, notice the overclocking in bios leads to freeze on reboot. Using intel extreme tuning allows for overclocking though, i'm on a 4700mq so not much room for OC (36,35,34,34) Haven't used HWinfo64, my cpu idles around 41-47C and during gaming it might reach 67C , my gtx780m is annoying at idle though. It runs about 49-54C but kicks the fan On then OFF then ON then OFF to keep the temps at 50c I rather it just keep a quiet steady flow then turning itself on and off. Will hwinf064 fix this?

 

It sounds like you are not having the same cpu fan issues as me. Your cpu fan is fine. Gpu fan also sounds fine. If you want to monitor activity though, I recommend installing HWinfo64. You can actually check what the temps and fan speeds are for both your cpu and gpu. I've installed it hoping to control both fans, but I am unable to control my GPU fan with any app. (Also tried speedfan and MSIafterburner)

 

@Sach_theStampede, is your system using UEFI boot or Legacy Boot? I ask because it seems that HWiNFO64's manual fan controls work on the Alienware 18 with the new A07 BIOS if the BIOS is set to use Legacy Boot and fails to work with UEFI, Legacy Option ROM or Secure Boot. The downside is, A07 screws up CPU performance and the multipliers are grayed out in the BIOS, even with an Extreme CPU.

 

better to steer clear of A10?

 

If it shares any traits with A07 for the Alienware 18 (released at the same time) you don't even want to go there. Check the link above and you'll see what I mean... not a good thing.

 

Is it fine for non OC machines ?

 

I installed A10 the other day. I don't OC my machine and I've had no issues at all with it.

 

Thanks Mr. Fox for the reference and advice. I am going to upgrade the CPU soon, but am going to stay away from the new bios. My system is running fine for the time being. I currently have the 4700mq, so I cant OC anyway.

 

Does the problem only affect CPU overclock and not GPU overclocks?

Sent from my One using Tapatalk

 

Bah I will test it because I have nothing better to do and come back if it affects us.

 

I'll stay with the A09 bios till this all blows over or someone mods the bios.

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Updated mine, so far no issues and my laptop is overclocked. I never had any settings in the bios past level 1 OC. I bet this bios version hurt the owners of Extreme Edition processors more than anyone else.

 

Yep all OC's except oc lvl 1 are greyed out for us Alienware 17 owners as well tdp is also locked.

 

so anyone with a 4xxxMX CPU is royally screwed on the overclock front?

but for those with a 4xxxMQ CPU and don't overclock is it ok?

 

Correct, and correct. But as with me I overclock with my 4900MQ. So I am also royally screwed.

 

So does the A10 allow for manual fan control?

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I have been using UEFI, then switched to Legacy. Still the same situation. I am able to Manually control only the CPU fan on both boot settings, which sends the GPU temps up and stops GPU fan from spinning. Using the automatic system settings sees the CPU temp rise (since the machine effectively disables the fan on startup). GPU temps on system settings is fine.

 

The short answer is yes, but... It's a catch 22 situation. You can only control the cpu fan, which will cause gpu to overheat... and vice versa if you choose not to control it. At least with my experience anyways. I could have a defective system.

 

Anyone else seeing throttling using A10? GPU downclocking specifically. The temps are at 66-68C and it's running between 601, 666, 680, 758, sometimes 771mhz(stock). Mainly between 601-680mhz. On A09, it would stay at 849mhz(boost) and if it got too hot (up to 90C) it would only go down to 771mhz.

 

Is there any difference between bios a08 and a09? I had bios a09 and thinks go back to a07, but I can not do that. Now I use a08. IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE?

 

Hi
Did you tested the new BIOS (A10). Are there any problems with overclocking your CPU? Are the fans better with the new BIOS '. Is it better to use the fans, without hwinfo 64 ?. Can I overclock similarly as before with my cpu (i7-4930mx) and gtx780m? There have been a nice if you could put some photos of the new BIOS. Is there anything I should fear the new A10?
Thank you

 

You can control both fans if you switch the sensor over to Dell.

My 880m has stayed at 953.7 MHZ since updating to A10. My temps with ICD since running A10 are below.

Idle

GPU - 27c

CPU - 42c

Under Load

GPU - 67c

CPU - 63c

The above results are from 2 hours worth of testing under load and an hour under idle.

My CPU under load runs at - 3706.9 MHZ

I tested it out, I'm actually running A10 now. No problems overclocking my CPU. The fans are slightly better under system auto, but it's still best to run HWINFO 64 manual fan controls while gaming. I'm not sure if updating to A10 will retain your current over clocking features. Mr. Fox has the same CPU as you, but he runs a AW 18. Some of his overclock settings were greyed out if I remember rightly. I'm not saying this applies to you as your running with an AW 17, I'm just making you aware that you may lose some overclock settings in the bios.

View attachment 112026

View attachment 112024

View attachment 112025

Those were taken yesterday before I slightly overclocked my CPU.

 

thank you

I hope that someone with i7-4900 or I7-4930MX (Alienware 17) can tell me how their cpu and gpu was overclocking with the new bios (A10). It could maybe be issues with overclocking with the most powerful CPU like 4930mx. Equal problems with Alienware 18.
Can I use UEFI boot if I am using manual control of the fans with hwinfo 64?

 

What do you mean with this exactly?

 

I mean the system table that controls the fans has improved since A09. However, it's best to control the fans manually via HWINFO whiles gaming.

 

Hi
Everything is ok with my Overclock. The multipliers and NOT grayed out in the NEW BIOS, even with an Extreme CPU. Everything is unlocked on this New bios for i7-4930 mx

 

Anyone tried with the 4700MQ and 780M combo?

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im running it with a 4800 and 780m, everything OC just fine, does run cooler ,

 

I updated to A10 and have no issues. Not overclocking though. 4700MQ and 780M here.

 

There isn't much point OC the 4700MQ. Take if from someone who just recently attempted it on the exact same CPU. I managed to push it to 3.6ghz, but it only ever hit 3.5ghz most of the time.

 

Welp, good. Was never going to try either. OC'ing is too much pain in the a$$ with too little reward to me.

 

I'm on a stock 4700MQ and an overclocked 780M... Does the A10 BIOS do funky stuff with the overclocked GPU?

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I'm not entirely sure at the minute. I noticed my 880m was running between 630-650 mhz clock speed yesterday. I've since completely restored my computer back to factory state. I'll let you know how my clock is running later todya.

 

Quoting this here since it is relevant to the Alienware 17 (posted in Alienware 18 thread)...

 

What do you mean "if u switch the sensors over to dell"? I've been looking for manual fan control on my Alienware 17 (2013) for a long time now. However, when i use hwinfo64 it only controls the cpu fan. The gpu fan is disabled no matter how hot it gets. I have not edited anything in BIOS. i have not messed with overclocking or anything. Everything is default. I only added a 3rd hard drive. i just need a little tutorial on how to do it. thanks.
Alienware 17 2013
intel core i7 4800mq turbo boost 3.7
gtx 780m
16gb ram
256gb ssd + 750gb hdd + 60 gb hard drive
17 inch 120hz 3d display
blu-ray drive

 

Read this GUIDE that Mr. Fox provided us all with.

 

thank you it works!! I've been looking everywhere!

 

tried the guide for the fan profiles and my gpu's temps went wild so i reverted to the system automatic....i seriously hope i can find some high CFM fans that fit!

 

I did not feel it worked so well with the fan for nvidia. But I liked that i could run all the fans on MAX. Then I can just put them on max if I use the machine for heavier tasks, play games and testing benchmark programs for my overclocked machine. It is also excellent to just cool the machine at full speed :thumbsup:. I miss the possibility to have more options to adjusting the fan speed in more steps on both. (cpu and gpu). It does not look like Dell engineers can manage and create proper fan profiles in bios. It is also true that the fans are slow to get started. If my cpu has come up in let's say 60 degrees celsius, the fan will not start before the temperature has already kept going down 5-10 degrees.

 

Sooo I haven't been around for a while but I got questions...

I just got my Alienware 17 system about 5 months ago.

I have a 4900MQ(factory Turbo Boost OC) & 780M Combo and want to know if I update to the A09 or A10 how that will really affect me since I've never done any OCing myself.
My system has the A07 atm

 

It won't have any adverse affects on your system. To be honest, the only way is up from here on out. The fan tables for a user not intending on using HWINFO is absolutely terrible. My GPU fan doesn't fully kick in until my temps are at around 65c. This should not happen as far as I'm concerned. My advice, update to A10 as the fan tables have been corrected slightly in A10.

 

Select bios A10 then you can both overclock without problems and use Hwinfo 64 to run both fans on full. It is only good for hardware to have good cooling when you play games and other things.:hi2:

 

Everything untouched here with 4700 and Nvidia 780M. New bios A10 works fine, nothing new, nothing worse (as usual with these releases )

 

I agree. Finally they both work together!! Thank you so much Mr. Fox and Nighdex for linking.

 

If anyone is really dead set on rolling back I have rolled back to A09 on mine ( had some issues I couldn't get sorted out that were not related to the Bios but had nowhere else to go) and it went just fine. I couldn't find anyone that had said they had rolled back successfully on an AW but in theory I didn't see what the problem would be. Anyways, if you really want A09 back then it should be possible but AW does warn against it so just be warned, it could have a chance to go badly as with anything.