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    Alienware Graphics Amplifier with no GPU inside?

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by jace888au, Mar 28, 2017.

  1. jace888au

    jace888au Notebook Geek

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    Has anyone here used the AGA without a GPU inside? I have a 1060 in my 15 R3 so don't feel too compelled to upgrade yet, but given I need to buy a decent quality powered hub for my peripherals, I was thinking the AGA might actually make a good USB hub until I do buy a GPU in the future.

    Thoughts?

    (I guess big risk is if they make a new version of the AGA...)
     
    jace888au, Mar 28, 2017
    #1
  2. don_svetlio

    don_svetlio In the Pipe, Five by Five.

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    Not worth the 300$ - just pick up a 20-50$ adapter and enjoy your 250$ in other ways. Maybe buy something nice for the wife :p.... Or the cat if you have no wife :p
     
    don_svetlio, Mar 28, 2017
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  3. jace888au

    jace888au Notebook Geek

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    Thanks for the input. The thing is the AGA retails for <$200aud from Dell themselves, whilst a USB-C hub (not even powered) goes for about $50-$80aud. None of my other devices have USB-C (SP4 and Lenovo Y260) so no benefit there either hence why I thought AGA would be great for my needs.

    (it's also for my 30th b'day gift from my wife - she's getting another Chanel bag so may as well get something nice too)
     
    jace888au, Mar 28, 2017
    #3
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  4. jace888au

    jace888au Notebook Geek

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    Anyone else tried an AGA without a GPU inside as a hub/port replicator?
     
    jace888au, Mar 31, 2017
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  5. jace888au

    jace888au Notebook Geek

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    Bump very curious if I can buy this instead of a USB hub.
     
    jace888au, Apr 6, 2017
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  6. GodlikeRU

    GodlikeRU Notebook Deity

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    just buy 10$ usb hub lol
     
    GodlikeRU, Apr 6, 2017
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  7. AnimalOZ

    AnimalOZ Notebook Enthusiast

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    Also curious to know if it would work as a hub without a GPU.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
     
    AnimalOZ, Apr 7, 2017
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  8. AnimalOZ

    AnimalOZ Notebook Enthusiast

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    AnimalOZ, Apr 7, 2017
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    FrozenLord and jace888au like this.
  9. Alienware-K_Castro

    Alienware-K_Castro Company Representative

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    Hi. The Graphics Amplifier should be able to work as hub if you don't put a GPU inside.
     
    Alienware-K_Castro, Apr 7, 2017
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  10. jace888au

    jace888au Notebook Geek

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    thanks guys. Looking into where I can put it since it would make a great hub!
     
    jace888au, Apr 7, 2017
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  11. jace888au

    jace888au Notebook Geek

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    If I was to buy another hub it'd have to be usb C so I don't use up one of my other ports which are all in use and need to be directly connected. USB C hubs start at around $60-70 AUD around here for a decent one, and I may as well spend a bit more (<$200) and get an AGA.
     
    jace888au, Apr 8, 2017
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  12. ThatOldGuy

    ThatOldGuy Notebook Virtuoso

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    You can get a used AGA for <$150. I got mine for $115 on ebay.
     
    ThatOldGuy, Apr 11, 2017
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  13. MSGaldenzi

    MSGaldenzi Notebook Deity

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    I know this is an older post but I have used mine without a GPU and it works great. I did disconnect the front fan for silent operation and even better. Its expensive but better than spending 40 on a good usb hub then eventually buying the amp later to put a 1080 or better in it.
     
    MSGaldenzi, May 7, 2017
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  14. AnimalOZ

    AnimalOZ Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm also using mine as a usb hub. Works fine hower it's not showing up in AW command center so I can't change the colour of the Alien head. Anyone else having the same issue? I'm using an Alienware 17 R4 if that makes any difference.

    I have downloaded the GA driver and reinstalled AW Command Center, no luck.

    Sent from my GT-I9507 using Tapatalk
     
    AnimalOZ, Jul 23, 2017
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  15. morbidking

    morbidking Notebook Enthusiast

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    Just going to throw this out there I am selling a amp with a pny gtx 1080
     
    morbidking, Nov 7, 2017
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  16. fire3element

    fire3element Notebook Consultant

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    These AGAs are getting cheap enough that this is not that crazy of an idea. I was thinking about this same scenario several months back.
    I read that same reddit thread, but one question still remains.
    Does the AGA power the laptop w/out a card installed? Because that would be another point that would make this a more sensible option.
     
    fire3element, Feb 5, 2018
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  17. rinneh

    rinneh Notebook Prophet

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    It does. Gets detected as an usb hub instead.
     
    rinneh, Feb 6, 2018
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  18. fire3element

    fire3element Notebook Consultant

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    I am not sure if we are following the same idea here.

    My question was pertaining to the ability of the AGA to power the laptop. Meaning that you would not need the laptop's power brick plugged in to the laptop itself for power.

    This would essentially make the AGA a power supply for your alienware, then allowing you to take your power brick with you or use it elsewhere.
    The 230w power brick is already $80+, so getting an AGA for only a little more would actually make a lot of sense. And it comes with additional functionality too!
     
    fire3element, Feb 6, 2018
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  19. rinneh

    rinneh Notebook Prophet

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    Oh, no it wont. you need the laptop power supply at all times. if you disconnect it, the AGA software will even warn you that for the best performance you need to hook up the power brick. Would be a cool idea though!
     
    rinneh, Feb 6, 2018
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  20. VoodooBane

    VoodooBane Notebook Consultant

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    I bought this anker usb hub for $18 and it works flawless. Only issue I had was the color..lol it looks like an apple. I used this on My Alienware 17 R3.
    This hub also eliminates the BS issue with using usb 2.0 devices it work flawlessly with 2.0 and 3.0. I has my Logitech g900 Chaos mouse, My G933 headset wireless receiver, G910 keyboard, and a modded logitech 920c used as a smd rework microscope. No issues with power and everything was very responsive! I did also try to use the xbox kinect 2 for 3d scanning, I had no lag issues using I on the hub instead of the direct usb 3.0 port on the laptops which is did have issues with compatibility and lag issues. hope this helps
     
    VoodooBane, Feb 24, 2018
    #20