AW13 R2 & AW 15 R2 / AW 17 R3 BIOS 1.3.10

@ZeneticX @rinneh I have tried using support assist as my last resort and I have noticed when doing the stress test it will test each gpu individually. When intel gpu was tested there was no cpu throttling but when nvidia gpu was tested cpu throttled down. I was able to see the intel xtu graph as the test was on windowed mode. So it seems that when nvidia is on full load the cpu throttles. Does this got to do with the bios update or its just me that didn't noticed the change right after I updated my gpu to driver 376.60?

Edited:
Oh I forgot to mention that I have also tried using prime 95 cpu stress test and the CPU still throttled down and I had power limit throttling on xtu.. T_T

 

@0lok I guess at this point all you can do is roll back to the previous bios. From what you describe it seems the GPU is pulling too much power causing the CPU to throttle due to insufficient power? I'm not an expert so I'm not even sure whether this is possible

if you're using the 240w power adapter this shouldn't even be possible, the 970M is not that power hungry

 

Thanks for the reply.. Seems thats the only solution..

 

Unscrew (but not remove fully) the screws on the backpanel. Pop it open and check your DC in cable.

 

DC cable? meaning the battery cable? not sure where the DC cable is if its not the battery cable..

 

One more thing, I read somewhere that you should avoid using prime95 to stress test the CPU, as it often pulls more power than the limit and could damage your CPU in long runs

 

Thanks for that info.. I rarely use this program.. Im using the older version as well.. don't know what triggered me to use the program as I tend to use Occt for cpu stress..

 

The cable next to it is the dc in cable. Check it for burn marks.

 

I've check the cable and it looks normal. No burns or anything and its in place correctly, not loose. By the way the lowest throttle down is 1.90ghz to 2.20ghz when playing overwatch. Most of the time its on its stock clock speed which is 2.60ghz. Also the power limit throttling is not always there. It's like once in a while. Is 1.90ghz worth complaining to dell? because its usually on 2.60ghz and they might say it's the way it's design. Also this is already a replacement mobo brand new and not refurbished. The thing is it only happened when I updated bios. I will roll back to 1.3.6 tomorrow and will update here. Thank alot for your help guyz.. ^_^

 

Update: Slightly fixed the throttling problem when I downgraded back to bios 1.3.6. I'll make another thread of my throttling problems. Thanks guyz..^_^

 

Today DELL realised BIOS v1.3.12, not yet tested
I was running v 1.3.6 and later 1.3.10, but few days made downgrade to 1.2.8 and I was impressed that in Overclocking menu appeared Memory overclock, right under the CPU Performance mode and FAN Performance mode,now running memory 1.2V @DDR4-2666 CL15

 

It's the changelog that worries me which says "Updated GOP". When I tried updating GOP, Uefi updater tools warned me about incompatibilities in GOP, so I didn't touch, maybe I'll check.

 

Updating GOP is not gonna do any harm. new one is for 6/7th mix chipset.. and seeing all those changelist.. im happy.. but sad. i cant update.. cause my batttery is faulty,if i connect my motherboard will get short circuitd, im using system without battery for almost 1month.. for BIOS update it needs the battery..

 

You can update BIOS with Intel FPT(Flash Programming Tool). From *.exe /writeromfile
OR, using BIOS recovery mode. From *.exe /writehdrfile
*.hdr file rename to "BIOS_IMG.rcv" and put to USB stick in FAT32 filesystem. Shut down system, unplug everything just leave PSU and prepared USB stick. press uand hold ESC and CTRL keys, unplug PSU, plug in PSU, press power button, release ESC and CTRL. After 5-10 seconds recovery screen will appear, first select "Reset BIOS settings to default" after that select "Recover BIOS"

 

i get this.. but doesnt flashing bios requires battery cable to be connected ?? do you have link for this Intel FPT ??

 

Here, which I use, looks like latest
https://ufile.io/u8dk9

 

i dont have main laptop battery, is it possible to flash without that ?? on dell recovery one.. it doesnt work

 

I usually just run "name.exe /forceit" in cmd prompt, works for me.

 

In my Alienware 15 R2 with 1.3.10 BIOS worked both methods, REVOVERY and Intel FPT with battery cable disconnected

 

Anyone tried the new bios? can you let us know how it performs.

 

BIOS 1.3.12 tested, looks like no difference, just system starts faster, time between I press Start button and Allienware logo appears. Up to me, 1.2.8 is the best for overclocking, because allows to overclock system memory from 2133 to 2666
Power Throttling still takes place when consumption hits 230-240Watts

 

@VICKYGAMEBOY: Just open cmd in elevated mode type the name of the BIOS (for example, AW_BIOS.EXE followed by /writehdrfile OR /writeromfile) the command line args are same as @Rexcor300388 said.
This is the breakdown of latest BIOS 1.3.12 using UBU from WinRaid. System is lot snappier and audio is a little powerful and audio quality/volume is same on AC and battery. Previously, on 1.3.10 audio volume is somewhat little low on battery than on AC. No more weird stutters. I think RAID/IRST ROM 15.2 fixed the stuttering, I might test latest IRST made for 15 r3/17 r4 and report the performance.
After the latest BIOS update, the screen quality is enhanced. The image looks more crisp. @Papusan Dell finally decided to update BIOS for older AWs, any reasons? They said 1.3.10 was the last BIOS and they'll never release a new version again.

 

hey, i managed to flash bios without battery, by this command .exe /forceit, thanks to @xMAXIMUSx , it was simple and clean, Yes the initital Delay we had on older bios, the time for alienware logo to showup, now its faster, system is snappy like u said, but optimus is sitll a issue, lags when u drag msi afterburner window, battery im not sure, and regarding screen display and audio how did u measure.. just a rough calculation ?

 

Did you type AW_BIOS_Filename.EXE /forceit command?
I am using nvidia inspector and changed few parameters such as Power option was set to adaptive, enable SILK, Battery Boost and some other tweaks to get rid off stuttering. BTW, I'm using Latest Intel driver and was able to remove nvidia control panel. Try updating intel drivers. I'll export nvidia inspector profile if you want it.
As for increase in screen clarity, I just felt overall the screen looked more crisp like 4k and lastly for audio I tested some music on Groove Music which is my default player aside from iTunes.
@judal57 you can update BIOS w/o battery.

 

Be happy Dell had to update Intel's Microcode and security. As well they have to be sure the AGA work as Promised(committed). And isn't ACC talking with the AGA option in one way or another?

 

Yes with the filename.exe /forceit in command prompt elevated.. could you share the latest driver version number.. and overalll pretty good BIOS.. wish they had recuced the vcore voltages and PCH temp max..

 

Intel driver https://downloadcenter.intel.com/do...-Intel-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-15-46-?v=t

 

Yeah i just downloaded this one, but we cannot install through the setup, manually we have to install the driver through device manager. ill install it anyway.. and regarding the nvidia control panel, how to get rid of that, i dont use it anyway, i only use shadowplay.. planning to remove 3d vision driver too..

 

@Vasudev @VICKYGAMEBOY i cant install the BIOS by forceit i tried many times and many ways ....

 

Did you try Dell BIOS Flash Update? You can access it by hitting F12 at power on and select Dell BIOS Flash Update. Copy the EXE file to USB and then pointing to that EXE in Dell Gset BIOS Flash Update.
It just check for AC power and no battery. It will take some 5 mins or so, make sure u are connected to AC power no matter what.

 

I installed Intel GPU drivers w/o any issues. If you use Shadowplay then removing NVCP isn't a wise choice.

 

run as admin.. i mean on command prompt.. then rename the bios file something simple.. put it on desktop try it.. but judal thats not for your system i guess.. its for 15 R2, if im right you have R1 right..

 

He has a pending BIOS update A08.

 

i dont know.. after creators update.. my command center is pretty slow.. ive tried it even after fresh install, its same, the amount of time it takes to load when u double click from tray..

 

AWCC loading time is quite high. I open TS, a web browser with multiple tabs and after that, I see AWCC loading. They did say AWCC startup time is reduced as per new BIOS changelog.

 

nothings changed.. on anniversay update it was much faster.. now that rotating alien head is stuck for more than 8seconds.. before it takes like 4 seconds.. Yeah i saw the changelog.. may be they will update CC and intel chipset drivers.. pretty outdated ones they have on site.. and moreover what all alienware drivers u have installed. i mean like alienware cc, onscreen display, AGA software, Creative Audio ?

 

I mean the program load time, not the initial starting boot up on tray

 

Same as Dell. Only change is DPTF driver is from 15 r3.

 

I am very tempted to update bios. As you have reported it is a good update. I am currently on 1.3.6. and my warranty has run out. What'e the chance of bricking my laptop on a bios update? LOL

 

First update to 1.3.10. I used Dell Gset bios flash update which can be found by hitting f12 upon startup and choosing BIOS flash update with the EXE in USB drive. Make sure there is AC power.

 

Always a chance. But have you other choices?

 

errrr im into the policy if its not broken dont fix it. hahahhaha.. anyways it seems all bios update has a 0.01 chance of bricking I guess.. Might update some day. ^_^

 

If you're not in warranty, don't flash it. Even I was worried even with warranty to flash it or not.

 

Better performance trump everything!!!

 

Temps are good for light usage never went above 50C. Overall system is snappier. They did decrease the bclk from 100MHz to 99.78MHz. BClk in my PC is lower than others.

 

I see they try hard to reduce pch temp
Fix something, then screw up other settings Same for fan profiles. You can't get everything you want It's the bios lottery!! You never know what you will get.

 

mine was never at 100 even before.. it was always 99.7 something.. almost a year its the same for haswell or skylake.. only on desktop rigs with manual dial settings keeps stable 100 BCLK.. not sure about mobile chipsets.. about PCH i doubt that 85c limit is removed.. its still there i guess.

 

I could put equal or a bit over 100MHz with Haswell mobile. Of course on the socket hardware models!!

 

Yes for those models, u can do it in BIOS.. or even in windows.. but these are locked ones with DELL encrypted BIOS.. FYI everything runs fine on this latest BIOS.. except this **** still throttles at 84C IA PROCHOT.. PCH..

 

That limit isn't removed at all. For PCH its 85C and CPU at 95C. Even fan speeds are capped at 65% after 70C.