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    Alienware 17 R4 Inquiry

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by Riktar, Sep 5, 2017.

  1. Riktar

    Riktar Notebook Evangelist

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    Hi all,
    I've been contemplating upgrading my current sager np8672s (980m) to an AW 17r4. I'm primarily looking into getting a 1080 with gsync (not 4k). I'm no stranger to big/heavy builds as my laptop prior to this was a sager np93xx and with the massive 300+W brick(~13 lbs).

    I'm gravitating towards the AW primarily because of the top notch build quality, I'm sick of dealing with plastic and flex as well as the upgraded internals and 120hz display. Additionally, I'm a fan of RGB and all things "gaming" as long as i can subdue it when need be and it's why I'm staying away from all the red/black laptops. I need this to be discreet enough to blend in and light it up when i want to geek out. With all that being said, I have 2 questions:

    1- I'm seeing a lot of concerning issues with heat sink primarily due to v bios errors and/or ****ty paste but I also did see @iunlock 's video showing the updated paste job (DEC+) which potentially addresses those issues. Are these issues still prevalent? Will i still need to repaste?

    (Worse case I'm stateside and I know how good Dell customer service with our dell precision laptop.)

    2- I've been quoted 2320 Out the door for a 1080 and i7 7820k + 120hz g-sync panel. Is that a fair price or are there any additional savings to be had? :)

    thanks!
     
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2017
    Riktar, Sep 5, 2017
    #1
  2. wacko104

    wacko104 Notebook Enthusiast

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    So from my experience with an aw17r4, If you want to overclock you need to re-paste. If you don't want to overclock and want to just use it out of the box then re-pasting is pointless. As far as savings go if you order form their website, you can save around $700 from market price if you hunt a bit, tbh you just need to look around their website a bit or google a few "promo codes" especially if purchase order is over 2 grand. You can use 1 alienware code and 1 dell code to stack. I saved about $600 with a code or 2.
     
    wacko104, Sep 6, 2017
    #2
    Vasudev likes this.
  3. woodzstack

    woodzstack Alezka Computers , Official Clevo reseller.

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    You will want to put a ram copper heatsink piece on the PCH too, because it throttles the system when it gets too hot, but others okay.
     
    woodzstack, Oct 31, 2017
    #3
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  4. Vaeron

    Vaeron Notebook Evangelist

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    If you don't mind repasting and repadding the CPU/GPU, lapping the heatsinks, and maybe bending the top CPU arm, then by all means go for it. My main complaint is the core temp differential. You'll have to be really lucky or really work on your laptop to get a differential of 1~4°C.

    If anything, go for another Clevo/MSI chassis-based unit. I'm currently in the process of returning my AW 15 R3.
     
    Vaeron, Nov 1, 2017
    #4
    Vasudev likes this.
  5. Pete Light

    Pete Light Notebook Deity

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    Pete Light, Nov 13, 2017
    #5