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

Which drivers are you using to get the 20,700 score in Firestrike?

 

I'm really curious about the driver issue myself (still). Only the 368.25 will recognize the 1080 and install for me. I'm reading online that a defective card will show artifacts and not just be slow. Of course they're all sold out for me to do an exchange like you would normally want to do.

Edit: For those that have a 1080 and can get it to work, what BIOS version are you using?

Edit Edit: Downgrading to BIOS 12.1.8 fixed my speed issues, but games are crashing giving dxgi/driver errors.

 

what are the graphic card dimensions for the AGA ?

 

So, I looked through the contents of the driver 368.22, and while some older GPUs were given support, the GTX 950 is still not listed, meaning it still won't work well in the GA. I wonder why?
Also, given there is a Dell ID for the GTX 1080 (as seen in the 368.25 driver's .inf files), it should be given general support soon. That said, I'm not sure how it works given that the 368.25 driver only supports the GTX 1080 (meaning if you disconnect the GA, wouldn't you have to reinstall the drivers?).

 

Hi, i am buying a gtx 1080 for my AGA, i read it will be supported..But why the hell no DSR support? arent we supposed to get desktop quality with aga as they say and still not be able to use DSR with these gpu beasts? it is just sad, maybe someone found a way for dsr to work?

 

368.25 is the only driver you can install now. The driver came in the Zotac CD did not install on my rig.

And for all those AGA+1080 users, I would like to ask:
Do Civilization 5 and Civ Beyond Earth run properly?

When you disconnect the AGA, you will rollback to whatever version of geforce driver you had installed prior to the installation of 368.25.

Nvidia Reference Design cards fit perfectly. As well as most 2-slot cards.
You may want to check TechPowerup's reviews for the card of your pick, before you purchase, to ensure how many slots does it require.

 

Don't think it's just your card, I had no luck getting it working today. Most of the time the system wouldn't even boot up, going into what looked like a loop of startup/reboot cycles, other times I get the "unrecognized device in Alientware Graphics Amplifier" error, and a few times it did manage to get windows fully loaded, where it worked for a few minutes before locking up.

Alienware Support believes it's an incompatibility between the 1080 and the built-in Intel HD Graphics 530 drivers. Issue has been escalated, with followup expected by Tuesday. Hopefully It can be fixed soon.

Specs:
Alienware 17 R3
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 980M with 8GB GDDR5
Intel® Core™ i7-6820HK (Quad-Core, 8MB Cache, Dynamically Overclocked up to 4.1GHz)
32GB Dual Channel DDR4 2133Mhz
1TB PCIe SSD (Boot) + 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s (Storage)
Alienware Graphics Amplifier

 

Is that with an external display or to the internal LCD?

Also what was your main Firestrike score?

 

You could:
Try Intel's latest driver.
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/do...ows-10-and-Windows-7-8-1-15-40-?product=88345
But UNINSTALL whatever intel graphics driver you have now before you install the new one.

Both displays work.
I have an external monitor connected direct to the graphics card.

 

What BIOS are you on? The latest 2 don't work, 1.2.8 does. I haven't tried 1.2.7 yet though, not sure if I should. I get a lockup in every game after a minute except i can run GTA V, but only if I don't overclock at all. I'm getting between 30-60fps, just jumps around a lot randomly, and when I look at the GPU usage, the graph just bounces all over the place and really never goes higher than 90% usage. So if it works correctly and just stays at 100% usage consistently I should be getting 60fps at 4k on very high settings. Makes me excited.

 

Just got my 1080 this morning. Over 2 times the performance compared to my 980m in 3Dmark.

However, every-time I run a game, I get lockups, freezes or black screens constantly which makes it unusable. Using 368.25 Drivers. Anyone else havign similar issues?

 

I asked because it's know that the scores are different. Could you please bench using the internal display?
I'm just interested in regular Firestrike.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

 

1070 benchmarks are out

Sent from my MT2L03 using Tapatalk

 

Asus strix gtx1080 or founders edition for the AGA?

 

It's been asked a few times but haven't read any answer.

What's the max video card length and height that can fit in the AGA (without needing mods)?

Can we put it on the first post?

Bonus: What's the size of the power supply in case someone wants to replace it.

 

remove cover and it's unlimited length!

 

The benchmarks are the same regardless of which display I use.

 

The closest we have (for height) to answering that question is with this post (credits to Hatch3t).

 

The Corsair CX600 PSU is a perfect fit in the AGA, so whatever those dimensions are (important to take into account the orientation and location of the power plug).

 

What are the numbers? Did you test both displays or just saying that based on assumption?

That doesn't make any sense....
It has become common knowledge that gaming using an AGA on the internal display causes the performance to drop compared to gaming with a display directly connected to the graphics card.
The reason this happens is because there is a small amount of bandwidth is needed to send the video back to the internal display.
This is also true to for other eGPU(s) like the Thunderbolt 3 Razer Core.
So if you did not do the tests. Could you please be so kind as to do a Firestrike test using the AGA with the internal display?
For the community.

 

Find size below. You guys running the older CX500/600, have a look at CX-M (modular):

• CX550m (ex.$70 / $60 after reb8)
• CX650m (ex. $70 / $50 after reb8 +$4 more off to 6/1)
• these are the 2015 editions 550m / 650m (click)
• CX450m has 1 vid-cable >< 550m / 650m = 2 cables

below, see Goldilox Rear Plug

a name brand psu with above plug layout should be suitable​

CX & CXm Series: 150 x 86 x 140mm 80Plus Bronze 120mm fan
CXm: semi-modular in black >< 5year warranty
Plug in just the pci-e | vid-cables, tie off Cpu 8pin if needed
550m: 550w 12v max >< 650m: 648w 12v max
*note your stock psu, rated at '460w' total is 385w 12v max
*note psu models are strictly chosen here is for rear plug layout, compared to & as an alternative to CX500/600

Below I've retrieved a swap photo, using CX 500M (modular)
- note 550m / 650m are 2015 revisions -

Rock n' Roll​

(I may add edits later)

 

I learn by asking...
Is the PSU including the AGA not enough to power some cards?
If so which cards?

 

non-AGA 460w

find the 80Plus Logo on AC460EM / Delta D460EM models only
why aren't these in AGA?
_________________
@DeeX​

There are 80Plus rated 460w Dell psu's (E-suffix, Eco-friendly) out there in the wild, just not in the AGA, which use A-suffix (AC460AM / D460AM) non-80Plus. In a nutshell, it isn't a power issue, it's a qwality issue. The Dell branded Delta / ACBel found in AGA appears to be a modified desktop power supply (CPU8pin / Sata / Molex cables removed); we'd expect to see this psu in a low-end basic Dell desktop. Non-80Plus & grossly undersized fan. To not earn even a base 80Plus (standard) rating is the sign of inferior internal components - hence less than 80% efficient, thus 20%+ of power becomes pure heat as the by-product. The hotter it gets the less efficient it gets, so fan size matters here to us (but not to Dell: fan size here is a cost-cut for them); in a nutshell, as a matter of principle, people in the know swap them out. This isn't a bank-busting hardware upgrade, where you can sell the old one or keep it as a good spare.

We'd like a bronze rated psu minimum, & find one in Corsair CX(m) Series, which fit the rear plug. But what of 80Plus silver or gold rated units? Even better. If someone can find a name brand silver/gold with a rear plug like those above, then by all means look into it. *see below. In this instance, based on rear plug, I've suggested CX500m / 600m, but a CX450m exists which would be preferred for your needs, but however only has one vid-cable to it, so I'd say pass on that model.

The attributes of electricity & psu internal components may include voltage regulation, line filtering, transient noise suppression, ripple suppression, efficiency, heat & more; & thus the 'qwality' of the electricity going to your high-dollar card. Clean efficient filtered electricity based on higher qwality micro-electronics, better capacitors we'd hope, better 'stuff' man. What we know is this: the Dell psu does not have to compete on the open market ('it isn't for sale'), whereas brand name psu's do compete & are more likely to be 80plus rated & have better 'stuff' inside.

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edit for new posts1479/1480​

@DeeX The stock psu (DP/N | part# C3CMT FT8V7 & W2M26) by the side label is rated as 385watts 12v max & is advertised as 375watt card capable (like Titan Z). Cards that won't work are those that do not fit & those rated over 375watts (like AMD 295 x 2). Basic beast cards like Nvidia 980 / Ti / TitanX / 1080 & future 1080Ti / Titan surely will work, as well as most AMD R9 series. It isn't a power issue.

'Recommended' psu so far is Corsair CX500 / 600, based on the rear plug which will Goldilox in the chassis, an ez swap. Based on a hunch, I looked into the CXm Series & found the rear plug should Goldilox too (I mention CX550m, but the 650m is cheaper right now on Newegg. When 550m's cheaper, look into that model). Below, find a gold-rated Silverstone SFX-LG 500w, using x4 'stand-offs' & a short right-angle plug adapter. Such a method might allow silver / gold / platinum models, perhaps fully-modular models also (plug in just those cables you need: 24pin & x2 video). This mod was done, due to the rear plug being in the wrong location, this is a clever work-around.

above is an Antec 600, but may be a foreign (non-US) model

 

What about a 980ti or a 1080?
Also have you guys found a recommended psu?

 

This seems to be the same orientation.
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CX500-Supply-Bronze-Certified/dp/B0092ML0MY

 

Can you please link your 3Dmark firestrike results?

 

I didn't realize the Dell PSU was crap, I returned my CX600 when I got rid of an AMD card because the Nvidia replacement wasn't as power hungry.

Are the newer 550 and 650W and better than the 500 or 600W? I'm going to buy one tomorrow and see if that has anything to do with the GPU spikes I'm getting with the 1080, or if it's because the drivers are still screwed.

 

The 550m/650m are newer, semi-modular making for a better fit, it's a revision. I haven't checked anything accept the rear plug is the same.

How should I say this. Dell contracts for power supplies which have to do one thing: be reliable, so they don't get beat up on warranty claims. You won't get me to say the stock Delta / ACBel isn't going to be reliable in there, it has to be reliable for the duration of your warranty, whether that is a year, 3, 5. Reliable is not the same as qwality however. They've installed a chassis for you with two goals in mind: it has to power up (& do the bare minimum of sending juice to your card, dirty / clean, no matter, just send juice to the customer's card), and, then it has to 'last' however long. Unfortunately, Dell/Alienware have taken a budget-minded approach to the AGA psu, in order to maximize profit (maximize skimp). I'm one of the 1st to call them out on this & it's pretty underhanded on their part. Here, paired with TitanX, we can't even see the fan ... it's there, but too small to see ... but never mind that for now because it's what else we don't see --> no 80Plus logo <-- which makes this photo cringe-worthy to a hardware enthusiast. And as an Alienware enthusiast most of all.

​

the Antec's 120mm fan gives perspective, but this isn't about fans so much as internals, what's inside there. People have been swapping out long before I chimed into this thread, so they're high-dollar card has a better power source. You have a 1% or less chance a new psu will cure your card. However, u stand a good chance your card will like a new psu ... sound good?

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edit per post 1484​

@intotheblue the 650 was cheaper on Newegg right now (after rebate), that is why I listed & linked to it. A person would get 550m when those are cheaper ... (450m has one cable; if it had two, then the 450m was the winner). If 550m is a tad more than say CX500? Then you weigh the fact it is newer materials & semi-modular.

 

I can get same day delivery from Amazon of either a CX550 or CX650, price aside, which would you recommend? Both are their most efficient (~85%) at 50% power, given that, even with one of the custom 1080s coming out next week, isn't the CX650 a bit overkill?

Edit: Just bought the CX650, will have it in about 15 hours.

 

Hi, I ran my very first fire strike ultra score using the internal display, with stock frequency, the result was:

TOTAL:4915
GRAPHICS SCORE: 5016

http://www.3dmark.com/fs/8593319

 

there are custom cards coming...

 

I've installed the GTX1080 on my AGA (running with an Alienware17R2) here are the scores I get on 3D Mark:

http://www.3dmark.com/fs/8628721
http://www.3dmark.com/fs/8628520
http://www.3dmark.com/fs/8628298

It's slightly better than with the GTX980 that was previously installed, but it's nowhere near a GTX980 SLI, so performances are not as good as I'd expect.

See here for previous marks:

http://www.3dmark.com/fs/7355970
http://www.3dmark.com/fs/7355922

I would like to add that I did mod the fan and change the PSU from my AGA (not that it should matter in this instance), currently using a 600W PSU. My drivers are 368.25 (the GTX1080 isn't recognized by anything else)

P.S. I am not using a third party vendor's card, I am using the founder's edition straight from Nvidia's store (so it is actually Nvidia branded) and it fits just fine inside the AGA (the lid closes without issues)

 

Do you get a good general performance in games? compared to examples on YouTube of people that have 1080 in their desktops.

 

For the titles I've played.

Doom(2016) Maxed Out, smooth 60+ fps @ 1080p.

GTA V Maxed Out 40-90 fps @1080p choppy when in moutain scenes with LOTs of grass, might wanna lower it (GFE sets it to ULTRA, ridiculous)

WoW:WoD Maxed Out 40-120 fps @1080p depending on scene

Witcher 3 Maxed Out 50-120 fps @1080p

Hi for R2 machines, what version is the bios you're using? Regards.

 

please delete that post.

 

The latest. (I don't remember the exact version, I did check yesterday if I was on it)

 

For a 15 R2, the 1.2.12 and 1.2.13 bios stunt the performance on the 1080 horrendously for those that are trying. I'm talking 8-24fps and that's it. 12.1.8 works well, haven't tried downgrading further though to see how that works.

 

I'm planning on getting a new monitor, I'm leaning towards a 144hz 1440p with g sync, but I have read that DSR doesn't work with the AGA, what about g sync?

Sent from my MT2L03 using Tapatalk

 

Me too..........exactly the same. I think I need more power. Buying an 8-pin supply today to see if that makes a difference (620watts).

For me, Device manager and GPU-Z both detect my 1080 (and system config report also reocgnises it) but nvidia GeForce Experience and nVidia Control panel refuse to recognise the drivers even though I installed the latest ones last night.

Any ideas? (I have already completely uninstalled using DDU in safe mode then done a clean install of the lastest NVidia drivers.

Cheers.

 

buy a psu if you'd like to, but it isn't a power issue. Your AGA's Delta / ACbel has enough juice to run TitanZ - a 375watt card - whereas 1080 is only half of that at 180w; if your AGA ran the last card ok, that's a good sign your psu works; if they put a y-split cable in your box, see my post here ( #1427).

- here is a Tuesday qwote -

the optional y-split cable can load balance your dual 12v rails on solo-8pin cards also

epic rant removed :/
_____________

Troubleshooting / Support​

There is talk on Alien Arena of a video due out 'soon' (shouldn't it have been due out last Friday??? how long does it take to make a vid) on how to install 1080, or, post in Arena or AlienClub for help. Face / Alienbook / Alientube may also be a source of advice.

____________

- Updates -
Tuesday AlienBook (8am? Nope. 8:30am (Starbucks)​

May 29 at 8:28pm

Alienware We're actively working to get everything as smooth as possible. You may understand that since the video card was just released we haven't had much time to verify everything at the moment. If you're having issues, send us your service tag and the model of video card you're using and we'll escalate it to the engineers for them to take a look.
-MM
May 29 3:14pm

Alienware At this time, all that we can confirm is that it works with the Alienware Graphics Amplifier, so if your Alienware 15 system is supported with the Alienware amplifier, it should work. -RC
*note ---> 'should'

June 1
Game se7en posted on page 151 here:​

"I made a thread about the GTX 1080 + GA over at AWA with the information here. If anything is wrong or missing, please tell me". Click link here to see support there.

June 1 Alien Club
AGA, Alienware 17-R3, GTX 1080, lower frame rates?​

Q: Upgraded my Alienware 17-R3 with AGA (Alienware Graphics Amplifier) and GTX 1080 but much lower frame rates than with GTX980M- what's happening? Frame rates on Assassin's Creed Syndicate for example have fallen by 20-30% compared with my old GTX 980. The GTX 1080 inside an AGA should be giving me 80 FPS at 1080p on Ultra settings. Also, I cannot upgrade to the latest .13 Alienware bios.
A: --> Posted by DELL-Chris M June 1 2:33 PM
The current 1080 driver (368.25) must be used when the Amplifier is active. This will not be the same driver in notebook mode without the amplifier since the current driver is 1080 only. There will be an updated driver that will also include the notebooks near the end of June. The recommendation is as follows:
* Install the latest Nvidia notebook driver on notebook
* After swapping to Amplifier, install the 1080 368.25 driver
* Keep both drivers as you may have to install either when you swap until the combined driver comes out

 

Thanks so much I will keep my eyes open

 

I agree - i am waiting to buy a 1080 now for my aga - this is the whole point of the AGA is upgradeability

Alienware, where are your reps, what is your answer to why people can't run 1080s in the AGA.

 

I notice adaptive vsync and fast sync options are missing from the nvidia control panel running the gtx1080 with the Alienware Graphics Amplifier (despite only using an external monitor)

Does anyone else have this issue?
Also, shadowplay's desktop recording is missing, even when disabling the intel HD card in the device manager and not using the laptop's screen :/

 

I just got my Corsair CX650M and still get random throttling with my 1080, so must still be a driver issue (GTA V and Arkham Knight are the only games that will run but the fps is still spotty).

With the Founder's Edition and the only 1 8-pin power slot, the stock AGA PSU might be an issue since it's delivering just enough power over one rail, but once you're able to use 2 power connectors/rails from the PSU into one of the custom 1080's then the PSU should be just fine.

 

My 1080 shows up tomo .. Does any one have to working yet ? Wondering I I should sell it till it's running right

 

I just had a thought and was wondering if it would be possible to do crossfire/sli with DX12 and AGA + razer core

 

No.

 

It's not out of line to think you can SLI in Directx 12 with an AGA and the 970m/980m, they would just have to alter it up so that it doesn't disable the onboard graphics, or hell even use the Intel chip to pass some calculations to. But I don't see that being a reality until GPU docks sell more, whether the AGA, Razer Core, or anything else that comes out. I'd be happy if it happened in a year.

And Cerreta28, absolutely sell/return your 1080 and just rebuy one of the custom cards coming out starting this Friday.

 

Hi everyone : )
I have the Gigabyte GTX 980 windforce
http://www.gigabyte.ph/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5208#ov
Will this be compatible with the graphics amplifier?

 

Ref. Official photos of your card from Gigabyte, it is a 2-slot card, thus it will fit the AGA nicely.