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    Important question on throttling issue

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by orancanoren, Jul 29, 2015.

  1. orancanoren

    orancanoren Notebook Consultant

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    Hello I had another post in the forum but I have a completely different question this time,

    I have just received my alienware 17 (4720hq/980m) and currently I am using it with the 180W PSU on A05 BIOS and I am facing serious CPU throttling issues. The CPU downclocks itself to 2.6 GHz at first then it continues downclocking itself to 1.6 GHz and finally 800 MHz. I know I should be using 240W PSU since I have 980m GPU but I'd really want to learn if people who are now using 240W PSU did experience throttling while using 180W. To be more clear I am asking this:

    Lets say somebody has an alienware laptop with gtx 980m and an i7. This person is using their system with 240W PSU. Did this person had throttling issues like mine when they used 180W PSU + hybrid BIOS? Also dod you have to use any 3rd party software such as throttlestop to get rid of throttling? I'm trying to figure out if I should get the 240W PSU or try to return the system (or get a replacement). BTW I really don't want a refund or a replacement because this machine took more than a month to get to me and I really don't want to wait anymore. Aside from the throttling issue I love this machine, only if the CPU worked properly.
     
  2. Thurkar

    Thurkar Notebook Guru

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    Hey there,

    I'm new here too but may be in the same situation as you (My Alienware 17 is on it's way, should be here by the 4th of August).

    Anyway i've been researching the laptop a lot and if it helps here is a link to another thread where you will find plenty of tests/benchmarks that talk about the difference between the 180W/240W. Thanks to all the members that made these tests for us.

    Link : http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/official-alienware-17-r2-benchmark-thread.770320/page-26

    (Middle of the page, post of bnosam, he gathered most of the tests. You should go around the thread lots of useful information in there.)

    If I may ask you, did you install any games on it ? (Witcher 3, DA:I etc..) I'd like to know if this throttling affects your gameplay (FPS/Graphic quality).

    Cheers and hope you find your answer !
     
  3. ufomammut

    ufomammut Notebook Consultant

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    4980|980m/ bios A00/240w

    Witcher 3 : I had some throttling in some area typically novigrad. Your fps drop suddently from 60 to 20 for 30 seconds. Removing the demanding graphics option as hbao can help.

    It is not a problem that appear that often but still, what it would be with futur games even more demanding? Of course if you OC the gpu it gets worse.

    Ask for a refund if you still can do it.
    Personally I was naive and expected a fix by dell. I am still waiting since February.
    Some people will tell you that the machine is good but they mostly play WOW or not even play demanding game.
     
  4. ufomammut

    ufomammut Notebook Consultant

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    Edit bios A00
     
  5. Thurkar

    Thurkar Notebook Guru

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    Hey there thanks for your input. I think it's important to keep an open mind so hearing your side of things is really appreciated.

    Since I have 14 Days where I can send it back for refund without giving any reason I may just do that, i'll just wait and see.

    Cheers !
     
  6. Thurkar

    Thurkar Notebook Guru

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    @ufomammut If not the AW17, do you have another Laptop in mind (In the same price range) that you wished you ordered instead ?
     
  7. orancanoren

    orancanoren Notebook Consultant

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    Well, returning is not an option for me anymore. I don't understand how dell can't fix this. Is the problem on hardware level? Anyways, do you experience throttling in other games? And you said it's not often but can you be more specific? How many times do you get that 30 second fps drop if you play it for about 2-3 hours? And thanks for your input :)