New 17 R3....Now what?!?!

Hello everyone...

I have been browsing the forums for a few days now trying to get ready for my new Alienware 17 R3. I should have it in hand next week. What I am looking for is some initial tips and tricks to make sure it is running in top form.

I know from a good amount of posts that i need to get all of the drivers updated. But what else? I have seen things relating to performance mode, and a few other thing. I have NEVER had this high end of a laptop even though i have built desktop gaming machines in the past. But nothing to this level. I want to get the most out of this machine.

Any help would be appreciated. Oh and for reference the exact system I am getting is below

Alienware 17 R3 I7-6700hq, 16GB, 980M 4GB, 256SSD+1TB, FHD Screen.

 

I've seen some threads about this before haha. Check out some of the tips here.

From my end, you should update the drivers, keep it cooled, always use it on a flat surface, and install only the necessary stuff.

 

Thanks Porras. Any information on performance mode in the bios? I know there is one for the fans which keeps them running high. But another setting for the CPU. Is that recommended to enable? I know the system is supposed to automatically ramp up when under load.


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As far as i'm aware, it doesn't ramp up? I may be wrong. I was under the impression it just runs at the speeds its set up for, for each core. I have heard that the presets are not very good. The max one doesn't work for me. I get a BSOD

 

I have the Alienware 15 R2 with the 6700HQ cpu and if you don't enable cpu performance mode your CPU will throttle and not reach full turbo boost. Definitely recommend enable this option.

 

If you experience any BSOD right out of the box, save yourself the hassle and clean install Windows 10 via USB media creation tool. The factory Windows 10 image (with all the Dell installed software) is what they call "straight garbage".


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Hi M1z0n00,

There's a video on YouTube telling people to disable fast charging in the BIOS as it makes your battery degrade a lot faster.

Fan performance mode is very loud so it's your choice on that one.

CPU you can set to fixed ghz in the overclocking GUI if you have the 6820 processor, you need to set performance mode in the BIOS for this to work.

Check your OS is installed on the SSD if you've ordered it with one, in some cases it has been installed on the HDD instead and that means you'll be running slower unless you fresh build on the SSD, or clone the HDD to the SSD.

I'm also expecting my AW 17 R3 this week, I paid the local tax yesterday online so it will be freed from Customs to the delivery men.

 

I should have mine next week. Supposed to ship Saturday. I have heard the high performance mode for the fans is loud. I'll probably leave that. But the CPU performance is happening lol.

I hadn't heard about the SSD issue though. Mine will have the 256GB. So I'll check that than you!!

I'll also look at the fast charging to shut that off.


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Hi M1z0n00,

There's some more tips here for optimizing Win10 for SSD use.

http://www.back2gaming.com/focus-story/ssd-optimization-for-windows-10-windows-8-and-8-1/

 

Thank you Sir!!!


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Flat surface? I've got my R3 on a cooler stand which tilts it a little bit. Didn't think having it at an angle would affect it.

 

radji,

Flat as in not uneven. Uneven surfaces can block the air vents underneath.