*OFFICIAL* Alienware "Graphics Amplifier" Owner's Lounge and Benchmark Thread (All 13, 15 and 17)

There are reports of the recent BIOS (1.2.12) update reducing the performance of the AGA, it would appear that the BIOS to use for full AGA performance is v1.2.2.

Maxwell cards are not going anywhere for now, yes Nvidia may have stopped production and without doubt, many will upgrade to Pascal but when they do, all those GTX 970/980/980TI's will be sold/handed down and as such, will remain in service for at least a good couple of years.

That said, I am about to sell my GTX 970......

 

I highly doubt this. I used a kepler card for 3 years and it was running fine. The complaints on that nvidia doesnt provide good driver updates for previous generations are based on nothing.

Pascal will run fine in the AGA but stick with bios 1.2.2. Some users report lower pci express performance with the later bioses and i had a system breaking bug with the latest bios which forced me to ask for a motherboard replacement

Dell rectified my problem though with the new motherboard.

 

So with all the recommendations for 1.2.2, I don't see it on the dell driver site anymore. I do have a copy of 1.2.3 saved from previously. I wonder if that one is ok.

 

Hold on a minute, I can sort that for you......

Edit: here you go - http://downloads.dell.com/published/pages/alienware-15-r2.html

 

hmm guys the graphics amplifier needs to be in what size to fit?

 

so strange, why is the 1.2.3 completely gone from the history? Must've been some sort of major bug I wasn't aware of.

 

Do you know if it is safe to downgrade from the newest version to these? Just want to be sure before I do it.

 

I have done so many times

 

Regarding BIOS 1.2.3, I've been using it since it appeared and I've had no issues with it. IIRC I upgraded from 1.2.2 and stability was improved.

 

Ah, improved over 1.2.2? I still have my 1.2.3 so I guess I'll use that then.

 

Sorry but, I'm new to PSUs, is it Modular or non modular? Also, can you link the adapter?

Sent from my MT2L03 using Tapatalk

 

It's not an adapter, you buy a whole new power supply and it'll have a connection from your quote. I believe this is the one used.

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CX500...209&sr=8-1&keywords=corsair+500w+power+supply

 

Are there multiple hardware revisions of the AGA? If I purchase a second hand AGA without PSU can I just add any standard compact ATX PSU and use it with a 17 R3?

 

You want to make sure the ports line up in the back unless you're willing to cut out some parts of the amplifier. So far the antec and corsair have been reported to fit just fine.

 

Yup that is the one I use and it fits perfectly in the amp. I might be selling my modded amp (CX500m psu + Noctua 92mm fan)soon though as I am thinking of going back to a desktop since I do not see myself moving this guy around and to be honest rather save some coin and build a desktop. I am still trying to decide as right now the nice thing about this setup is that I have the option to go mobile if needed.

 

Anyone know if the fury duo pro works with the AGA?

With all the recent egpu support from nvidia/amd for thunderbolt 3, perhaps they made dual gpu cards work via optimus/enduro.

 

If it fits, I don't see why not. The amp functions like your typical single slot pcie in a desktop. It should read dual cards like a desktop would. Would be surprised if the amp only saw one.

 

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If there were those who've installed 980Ti/Tx hybrids in their AGA, then Pro Duo as a hybrid also, if it 'fits' I do see a why not:

• 3 x 8pin power supply reqwirement

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Launch day was April 26 so details are nil on a day like today from the Aliens as we'd suspect; however, those few who did a psu swap & have x3 vid-cables may get it to work.

Since the label on your Delta or ACBel psu in your AGA claims that 12volt Rail B is rated at 16Amps (= 192watts), it is safe to say that 12volt Rail A (rated at 18amps) will shut down when Rail B trips at 16amps, so effectively you've a pair of 16a rails in there rated @ 192w x 2 = 384w (385w 12v max) as the label suggests ... ceteris paribus of course.

Given the fact I do not see an 80Plus sticker anywhere on the stock psu's (< 80% efficient?), Pro Duo is a 350w card; $1500 card run off of a cheap $50 power supply which uses a purposely undersized psu fan, hmmmm ...

To me this is neither here nor there (psu swaps belong to this thread now of course), so!, should someone like to dream up a way to split their pair of rails into 3 x 8pins using adapters/extensions I'm all ears ... a home-made splitting-adapter of course is always possible, where there's a will there is a way. PSU swap is the way to go: you heard it here 1st.

 

I've now seen three model numbers for the AGA: 2KXY4, 9R7XN and D20N6. Are there any differences between them?

 

Does anyone have an asus strix 970 in the aga? Mine doesn't seem to fit, can't close Should I replace or just be happy that it actually works or just doesn't fit?

 

Bit of a noob question
I have the 13 R2
I7 16gb ram and SSD
If I wanted to play say the Witcher 3, Dirt Rally at 1080p and 60fps on a good ish graphics quality (on par with a console?)
What would I need to put in a GA? GTX970 do the trick?

And I am super new to the PC world. How do I know which company to use when buying the graphics card? It appears all GTX970 aren't the same
I saw this on amazon, as the card most often bought with the GA
MSI NVIDIA GTX 970 Gaming Twin Frozr HDMI DVI-I DP Graphics Card (4GB, PCI Express, DDR5, 256 Bit)

 

Your AW13R2 already provides console quality. The 970 far surpasses it and provides high settings on the Witcher 3 with 60fps/

 

So I am going to be listing my AGA for sale soon. Has the CX500m psu and noctua 92mm fan added on it.

 

Guys having issues with my GA. and my 980TI
Problem is if i connect the amp to my 15 r2, the laptop restarts then wont POST most of the time. or the Keyboard lights up and screen stays blank.
I have tried uninstalling GFX drivers and reinstalling and installed and uninstalled the GA driver. any tips would be appreciated before i throw it against a wall

 

May I ask why you've decided to part with it?

 

Ended up moving back to a desktop. That's it. The setup works perfectly otherwise.

 

has anyone noticed an improve on the CPU temps when using the amplifier?

 

I don't have a GA but there will undoubtedly be a reduction in in temps as the internal GPU is disabled, therefore not contributing heat via the joint cooler.

There will be more OC headroom with the internal GPU disabled too.

As for how much of a reduction in temps, I will let those that own the GA answer that one!

 

Is there any cable I can buy to power the Noctua B9? I don't want to bother soldering.

Also, which power supply fits the amp? I read that the Corsair 500m works.

 

Guys tried Mortal kombat x on my 15 r2 4k screen. i have a 980ti and GA, the game showed 37 fps is this low? i would have expected it to be closer to 60 with the 980ti?

 

I recently purchased the AGA for my 17 R3 and put in a Radeon R9 290x.

With this same card in a desktop, I get around 9,500-10,000 score in Firestrike. With the AGA, I get around 6000, very similar to the integrated 970M. (I have verified that it is using the AGA and not the 970M).

So far, without success, I have tried the following

- Downgraded my bios from 1.2.12 to 1.2.8

- Installed the old driver made by AMD specifically for the AGA

- Installed the latest driver from AMD

- All driver changes were preceded by a clean wipe using DDU.

- Tried using an external monitor instead of the laptop screen

- Verified using GPU-Z, MSI Afterburner that the r9 290x is being detected fine.

The performance didn't change at all. I'm still only getting about 60-65% of the performance out of the R9 290x using the AGA.

Any other suggestions?

 

Did u use the internal Screen of the Laptop or an external one plugged into the R9?
The internal Screen with aga is slower than with an external Display plugged into the gpu

 

I was able to get the 9,600 score on the internal 4k dislay.

The only issue I'm having now though is that some games are running on the intel integrated GPU.

 

I would suggest downgrading the BIOS to 1.2.2 as it seems all later versions are hobbled in some way. The latest BIOS is reportedly killing machines some time after upgrading....

The later BIOS cripples the AGA by running it at PCIe x1 as opposed to x4 so that is where you're losing performance..

As for some games running on the iGPU, in the Nvidia control panel go to 3D Settings, you'll find the option to set which applications use which GPU.

 

Posted this over on Alienware Arena
I've performed the Noctua 92mm mod as well as replaced the PSU. Installation was fairly straight forward. PSU fit with no issues. Only needed to run the cables to the logic board, video card, and a molex for the Noctua. The video card I have is the EVGA GeForce GTX 980 4GB SC Gaming ACX 2.0. Here's what I bought:

Noctua NF-A9 92mm x 25mm PWM Fan - 2000RPM (NF-A9 PWM)
http://www.amazon.com/Noctua-NF-A9-92mm-25mm-PWM/dp/B00NEMG

Phobya 4Pin PWM plug to 3Pin (Socket) 30cm Adapter - Sleeved black
http://www.amazon.com/Phobya-4Pin-p...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
5F0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

Mini 3-4 pin fan adapter sleeved
http://www.amazon.com/Mini-3-4-pin-...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

Corsair CX Series, CX500M, 500 Watt (500W), Semi Modular Power Supply, 80+ Bronze Certified
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CX500...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

 

So lets see if gtx 1080 runs well on AGA, reference models seems to have an ideal length

 

Too bad I read this thread after I bought my GA. I was hoping to use DSR and adaptive Vsync on my new m17 4k screen. At this point I would be happy just getting my new 980 ti card to even work with my laptop screen. I have tried everything including clean reinstalls of nvidia drivers with and without GA connected to external monitor(samsung tv). It recognizes the 980 ti and such, but when I load a game I get 6fps like its using the integrated intel card. I hate optimus, I hate stripped 980m card, and I really hate learning all this **** after I bought this stuff. Also the new 1080 pascal card just got announced for less than I just paid for this 980 ti.

 

Anyone could tell you that the 1080pascal was coming around this time for months......

The 980M is a fine performer, if you fidn this card too poor in this time you got too high standards. Only a much thicker 17inch laptop that was build for SLI can handle a single 980 card.

What the problem is with your GA I simply dont know.

 

I wonder if they will make a version of the GA with USB-C instead of the proprietary connector. Seems like a better option, like the Razer Core does.

And 1080 GTX looks awesome, made me think of the GA again.

 

no other way if you want to experience VR anyway, i am getting AGA+gtx 1080x..will enjoy 4k dsr

 

so is the AGA supports Nvidia new graphic card?

 

No reason it shouldn't

 

There needs to be driver support before the GTX 1080 and GTX 1070 before the two GPUs work properly in the GA. Without the driver support, you have to go back to the annoying "Driver reinstall" process.
When the driver support comes, who knows but Dell/Alienware.

 

Where to start. First off the 980m and all mobile cards that have to use optimus and go through the integrated intel chip are complete trash. It ruins all the functionality that makes one want to buy a new nvidia card. Gsync, adaptive sync, dsr all not supported. I have the WORSE screen tear on my new 4k monitor that I have EVER seen. I assumed (like an idiot) that alienware realized this and made the GA to solve those problems. Instead you still have to bottleneck the card going back through the proprietary cord to use the 4k laptop display, and it STILL has to go through the integrated intel card for some messed up reason. Now I cant do 4k and still cant use any of the geforce functionality. Also, the new pascal cards werent supposed to be out until end of this year and no one mentioned they would be less expensive then the 980 ti i bought 3 days ago. GIANT **** SHOW.

If anyone else is having problems getting there 980ti to work on there laptop display please post here. I cant find anything on this thread about getting only 6 FPS in games when using the GA through the laptop display. I have tried to force it with geforce experience and gpu-z but it must be using the intel card still.

 

Why cant we just use the HDMI out on the GA and run it to the HDMI in on the laptop to use the 4k screen and bypass the intel chip?

 

Because the HDMI port isn't an HDMI In port. Just an HDMI Out port.

 

Time to start sniffing around for a cheap 980Ti and an AGA.

 

The Pascals where rumored for months on this forum that they would arrive these months and all major techsites covered it. I would return the 980TI if it is just 3 days old.

4K is out of the question anyway, also with a single 980TI in a proper desktop. No single card is cut out to run a modern triple A title at 4K unfortunately. Most games still run around 30fps on 4K with a 980TI. That is just how it is.

Adaptive Vsync doesnt have anything to do with optimus. The 960 for example CAN do it with optimus. It is just something that Nvidia didnt include that functionality within the 970M and 980M, why? I simply dont know especially because the 980M is exactly the same chip as the 980 desktop card which does support it only running at lower speeds. But other Nvidia GPU's can do it in laptops. Its not a great function though. It provokes screen tearing when it cant match the refresh rate. So it is nothing more than a framerate limiter that you also can enable in for example Precision X.

Optimus both has good sides and downsides. If you prefer longer battery life on the go it is pretty much your only choice. If you never move your laptop and just want to game on it. It is not the laptop for you. Gsync means no optimus, no battery life. a Clevo model does offer switching it on and off though. I dont know how they pulled it off or if it may have driver issues.

The bandwidth limit of the GA and THunderbolt 3 is something Dell or any other company cannot circumvent there are not enough PCI express lanes available on consumer CPU's to offer 2x 16x pci express lanes for the GPU's next to the PCI express M2 storage bays.

 

wow my m18x had an hdmi in port and not nearly the screen tear with a single 960 on its 1080p screen

 

So you agree with me it seems.