Alienware 51M RAM, M2, SSD, Power Adapter And More

I got a very good deal $950 off, 10% off, $40 off with 10% rebate along with credit card rebate

Build:
9700K
2070
2x 256GB

I would like to get info or help on upgrading some hardware.

I know I would need to make sure everything works before getting upgrade done anyone got advice on what to check?

1. By upgrading components would it affect my Premium Plus Support? I would assume just like the auto industry (I am a service advisor by trade) warranty is only affected if the new components affect the laptop itself or physical damage those would not be covered BUT with accidental warranty would it be considered?

2. RAM what specs of ram is need? and the Mhz Also is it plug and play?

3. M2 the system I am getting will have 2 and in RAID. If I upgrade what would process be? Do I just unplug old plug in new and boot windows install from usb? For RAID is there an additional step before I boot and install or is it after to create the array?

4. 2.5 SSD is it SATA3? I think I would plug it in and get the M2 stuff sorted out then create partition in windows, correct me if I am wrong.

The main thing I am worried about the M2 and RAID along with windows setup. Some people are saying I need to

Currently it will come with 180W + 240W = 420W

Is it possible to use the following combinations?

2X 180W = 360W

2X 240W = 480W

1X 330W = 330W

I am very OCD and I don't want to see 2 different size. How does the laptop behaves? Does it read total W or needs to have 2 power supplies? If it needs 2 I would assume 2x 480W would work but will it damage the laptop?

 

So how much did the invoice say (obviously Rakuten would be on top). That sounds like you got an amazing deal for sure.

Sent from my SM-G970W using Tapatalk

 

Thats with 3 year PREMIUM PLUS SUPPORT probably $1000 cheaper without

$1,406.00 Instant Savings

• 
  Total
  $3,743.99
• 
  Delivery
  Free
• 
  HST
  $486.72
• 
  Estimated Total
  $4,230.7

 

@fu19900514 I'll try to help with the questions.

1. Upgrading components should not affect the warranty unless as you stated they directly cause a failure. I replaced my memory and hard drives the minute my laptop arrived and have since had the screen replaced under warranty. No questions were asked by online support nor the attending engineer.

2. Initially Alienware promised RAM would operate at 2666mhz. Unfortunately, this wasn't and still isn't the case to an extent. I believe you can order the laptop now with faster RAM. If your order states 2400mhz or 2666mhz, I'd replace it with 2666mhz. That is because I don't believe those of us stuck with the 2400mhz limit will ever see a BIOS update to allow us to run at faster speeds. Hope that makes sense, feel free to PM if not.

3. The new M.2 drives should again be plug and play. To setup raid you will need to enter the BIOS and create the raid volume. You will then be able to use the USB to install the OS to the newly created raid volume.

4. Yes the SSD is SATA 3, but I don't understand the rest of the question. If you want the OS installed on the M.2 raid then do that before connecting the SSD. If you want the OS on SSD install that on there before connecting the M.2s. Again I don't fully understand the question so I may not have properly answered, sorry.

5. In regards to the power bricks, don't quote me on this but the Alienware is limited to 440w (this is the bit I can't be sure of). So any combination of adapters will work, however, anything under the threshold of 440w (or whatever it is) will cause notifications alerting you to the fact that the adapters are small or to that effect. The laptop will work on a single adapter but will prioritise CPU power, meaning, browsing, MS Office apps and other non-graphically demanding apps will run fine. Gaming will be a struggle on one adapter unless the game is CPU intensive and light on GPU.

Again I hope this helps, there are far more advanced and knowledgeable users on here who will likely help or correct me, but to the best of my knowledge the above is how I understand it.

 

I think you answered it properly. I guess the last question would be the license for Windows 10 that comes with laptop. How to retrieve that or reuse that when I change the M2's

 

The license as I understand it is saved to the BIOS. I've re-installed Windows twice since receiving the laptop in September, first time was the day I got it and put the new M.2 drives in and the second time when I pushed OC too high. I didn't associate it with MS account either.

EDIT: To add I haven't written my license down or saved it anywhere, it had automatically activated without my input each time.