*OFFICIAL* Alienware 13 R1/R2 Owner's Lounge

We're getting somewhere with the issue. Over at AWA (the last page will suffice for discoveries), we have made some interesting conclusions (mainly driver problems), but the reasons why they, the drivers, fail at working 100% properly.

 

If you are thinking that a 900-series GPU is around the corner with an i7 I can't say that it's not, but I seriously doubt it. Down the road like Spring or Summer I think is more likely for a refresh including the 900-series on-board GPU.

 

Alienware said that the I7 will be shipping after the holidays!

 

So that could be today meanwhile here in the netherlands I still dont even have the option to order a i7 AW13 .

 

Yeah. You have to stay away of forum if you want to enjoy your gadgets...!

 

For those of us hoping for a quad-core I7 option, it's not gonna happen for ANY Alienware product until at least mid-2015:

"...no quad-core processors just yet, and no high-end Iris Pro graphics, either -- those aren't coming to Broadwell PCs until the middle of this year, an Intel spokesperson told us."

Intel unveils 'Broadwell' processors, starting with dual-core chips only

 

Hence why the 15 and 17 R2 use Haswell processors.

 

Well, that certainly delays my plans to get an AW 15.... but of course, I said the same thing about the AW 13

If that is true then a Silverlake refresh of the AW 13 is not going to happen until something like Winter of 2016

 

Well, I wan no refresh until 2017!

 

MSI is bragging that their graphics dock is superior because it has PCI-E 16x, while the Alienware Graphics Amplifier only has PCI-E 4x. Is PCI-E 4x going to be a bottleneck for a GTX 980 in the Graphics Amplifier?

Link to MSI's statements:
CES 2015: MSI's GS30 Shadow Laptop & Gaming Dock Bundle - IGN

 

Information MSI provides is misleading; the x4 bandwidth is due to the 13's CPU. The 15 and 17 R2 will prove the effectiveness of the GA.
Oh, and to bumbo and Docsteel, it could always be worse. Like a refresh in 2019.

 

Yeah I know - truthfully, I am kind of glad in a way if it takes that long, I will feel less guilty about flipping the AW 13 at that point.

Case in point about the G/A really being optimal for the 15/17, if I had no desktop and only a laptop, that would really go a long way towards being a single solution (Latop+G/A+Desktop Card).

 

How does the Alienware 13 compares to the MSI gs30. I'm thinking of buying one of them. Seems that the msi will be 1700 with the dock so its a bit cheaper and has a better processor but its an msi and I dont trust it will run cool.

 

The MSI system might have a higher bandwidth, but at which cost?
- The internal GPU (Iris Pro MSI GS30 vs 860M AW13) is way slower
- The price is much higher (MSI GS30 will start at about 1799 USD, the AW13 at 999)
- MOST Important: The MSI cant use the laptop display, you have to connect the box to another Display.
So the MSI System in my opinion might have a better Bandwidth, but generally the AW System is better.
Alienware found a solution to the most crucial problem: Not being able to use the internal display while using an external GPU.
BTW: Here new info about the M15: Alienware 15: Up Close | Dell UK
Here are information about the price of the M15: http://eu.alienwarearena.com/forums...-17-refresh-anyone-receive-this-brochure/last
The M15 seems to be a really awesome laptop, and it is really exciting!

 

Looks amazing but still more excited for my 13!!! i7 where ru?!?

 

I'm assuming that the bandwidth issue is only relative to the use of the i5 as Game indicated earlier, with a full on quad I think the bandwidth is equal. Someone please correct me if that is wrong.

 

OK now I'm confused. Go to this page and click on "Tech Specs", it says:
"Internal Graphics Slot Specification: (1x) PCI-Express x16 (electrical spec: x16)"
So is the Graphics Amplifier PCI-E 4x or 16x???
Alienware Graphics Amplifier | Dell

And another question: this video says the upcoming Alienware 15 will automatically overclock the i7 processor when it's hooked up to the Graphics Amplifier.
Does this mean the i7 in the Alienware 13 will also overclock automatically?
http://www.dell.com/learn/uk/en/ukbsdt1/videos~en/documents~alienware-15-laptop-channelvideo-en.aspx

 

Damn it. They just removed $100 discount from AW 13, so AW 13 now starts at 1099.
I was waiting more i7-5500u benchmarks before purchasing i7 version. And now I have to pay $100 more lol.

 

The main point here though, the ulv i5 or ulv i7 that the alienware 13 uses will probably bottleneck a 980 or 970, or more likely a 1k series if you keep it that long. The supposedly msi has iris pro graphics, meaning the cpu is quite upmarket in terms of laptop i7's. If you were to dock these laptops and use it as such the msi will definately be better no question about it. Where it differs is if you consider the laptops by themselves. The msi does have a slower graphics about in like with a 660m or 840m but the cpu will still be much more powerful.

 

The GA has a PCI-E x16 slot, but the bandwidth can depend on the CPU. The ULV CPU the 13 has only allows x4 bandwidth to be passed through PCI-E slots.
All we know about the i7 in the 13 is that the bandwidth is the same x4 and that, according to someone on the forum, the votlages are unlimited, or tamper-able.

Considering the 13's cooling, the i7-5500U (which can't be overclocked since it's a ULV CPU) will be full-throttling in the 13, as Alienware designed the laptop to be. Well, that should be the likely case. If not, then XTU or Thorttlestop can help this problem with undervoltaging.
It's also why using the i7-5557U isn't going to be all that beneficial when it comes to the GA and GTX 860m/960m. It's a more powerful CPU, but the x4 bandwidth still exists, hence why a 37w CPU like the i7-4712HQ or i7-4610m would be necessary to alleviate the issue with full x16 bandwidth. The only way for this to happen is if Alienware decides to put better TIM in their laptops because stock cooling, in the long term (2 to 3 years), will be unable to handle full-volt processors. The internals may be fine, but I'm not so sure about the chassis.
Note that I'm talking about Broadwell and Haswell CPUs. I'm sure Skylake or Cannonlake will ensure a full volt CPU. The CPU's heat dissipation needs to be better, that's all.

 

If I am understanding you correctly, the achilles heel of the Alienware 13 is that it will have an ultra-low voltage CPU regardless of i5 or i7, and this ultra-low voltage CPU will bottleneck a GTX 980 in the Graphics Amplifier.

If I understood that correctly, does that mean that the upcoming Alienware 15 with an i7 processor will be able to maximize the potential of a GTX 980 in the Graphics Amplifier?

And if so, what kind of performance difference might we expect to see between a GTX 980 hooked up to an i7 Alienware 13 and an i7 Alienware 15?

This is important to me because I do not have a desktop PC. I want to make sure that I have maximum graphics power when I dock the laptop to the Graphics Amplifier.

 

You've got it right. And yes, the 15 will take better advantage of the GA. We don't know all of the i7 options that'll be in it (so far, the i7-4710HQ or maybe the 4720HQ). The performance gap between the 15 and a true desktop will be very much lesser than the 13 to a desktop. There will be some hits to the GPU partly because the i7-4710HQ isn't desktop processor power.

 

Ok thank you for clarifying that. Do we have an ETA for the Alienware 15?

 

None. We'll have to wait this week for some announcement of it. Or in a couple of weeks.
Latest I think 15's will be shipped out is late Feb. Earliest? Early Feb.

 

Even though I'm not a big fan of MSI, will the GS30 give me the same "almost-desktop-power" as the Alienware 15?
I am asking because I prefer 13 inch laptops to 15 inch laptops, but I still want the most powerful dock/CPU combination.

MSI GS30 has a Core i7-4870HQ CPU. I don't really know how to differentiate the power of various CPUs. Perhaps someone could shed some light on this.

 

The MSI has a more powerful CPU, so it will close the gap between it and desktop compared to the 15. Not sure by how much (maybe not a lot).

 

You are killing me. This is a really tough call:

Alienware 13: good size and gorgeous glossy 1440p screen, but I hate that it won't dock great with a GTX 980.

Alienware 15: docks great with a GTX 980 and will have a gorgeous glossy 4k display, but a 15 inch alienware seems too big/chunky.

MSI GS30: best docking with a GTX 980 and a good 13 inch size and it looks very professional, BUT it has a matte display and I bet it is a TN panel.

Looking at this, the MSI GS30 would be perfect if it had a glossy IPS screen.

 

Strangely the AW15 looks like will be priced really close to the AW13. So I guess I'll wait for the AW15 before making any decision.

 

I'm sorry but thats not true... The GA PCIe Slot is maybe 16x but the cable which connects the GA with the Laptop got only 60 (i think it was) PCIe Pins. 60 Pins = 4x. So no matter which CPU you are using, the bandwith will always be 4x.
I think i saw that explanation in a video from Alienware or in an article about the aw13/ga

 

I have an i7 13" on order and am considering canceling the order and waiting for the 15". I need one for school but I will not be getting another one for a long time so I want to make sure the one I get lasts me.

ugh.. decisions...

 

You'll have to find that video because from what I heard from thexravenx, what I said is true... not.
EDIT:

So crap, it is just plain x4.

 

Yeah thats what i saw. It was in reddit i think..
But 4x isnt that bad. It will decrease the Performance by a Little as 5-10%. So nothing to worry about �� NVIDIA got a compressing Solution with its optimus technology... The DIY eGPU Users figured that out, so 4x isnt really something u Need to worry about

 

Yes, I just found that too:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/2o314j/alienware_13_graphics_amp_unboxing/

However, thexravenx also says "Tom's hardware has done comparisons of X4 vs. X8 vs. X16. Between X4 and X16 is normally less than 5% difference. They actually stopped doing comparisons last year because the impact was just not significant in their tests. I can't really comment on the ULV as I was not part of that decision."

So even if thexravenx is correct about x4 vs x16 being negligible for docking performance, it still sucks that the i5 and i7 will be ultra-low voltage in the Alienware 13.

I wonder how MSI was able to bridge all the pins necessary for 16x PCI-e? Did Dell just figure that 16x was too costly for the benefit so they cheaped out with 4x PCI-e? And why is Dell going ahead with ultra-low voltage CPUs when MSI had the foresight to include the most powerful CPU in their laptop to maximize the docking performance?

Edit: I'm getting a little annoyed. It seems like Dell went with the cheapest solutions they could (4x PCI-e, ultra-low voltage CPU), yet they are charging just as much as the other guys. In this case, I think MSI thought things out a little better. They are doing full 16x and include a great CPU. Also, the MSI is much cheaper than a similarly configured Alienware 13 and dock. I just wish MSI went with a different screen. I had an MSI GS70 for a while and I returned it because MSI uses the ugliest matte TN screens you have ever seen.

 

Most likely.

 

The design makes sense in Dell's eyes, not necessarily the public at large.

If you had experience with the M11x, the AW 13 is the successor to that system, not the AW 14, the system more resembling the quad MSI system. In Dell's eyes that system was well received (units routinely sell still for 500+ USD on Ebay, rivaling the M17x that it was concurrent with (an sli system to boot). Seeing this, and realizing that while quads sound much better on paper, for most games even today the difference is not that great. Now, the problem is that equation is changing, when the M11x with its dual-core design was prominent people often opted for the dual core to save cost (I still recall the threads about people comparing and it was mostly true - dual cores did as well or even exceeded the first round or two of quads). This is still quite true, but not as true as it was 3,5 years ago, and is going to be significantly less true in about two years or three. What the AW 13 offers is a mobile system (emphasis on mobile) with very good thermals, good video card and a compromise for power on the CPU, that is well, good enough for casual gaming, and decent gaming for most games with the Graphic Accelerator. If you consider the alignment of the systems, the lineup with the AW 15 and 17, maybe or maybe not an 18, now resembles what it did 3,5 years ago.

From a technical perspective, the system makes sense today for the most part still, but is not as future proof as a quad would make it, pure and simple. It is however much more efficient for mobile use; the nice thing is you have two ways of going at this size rather than one. The AW 15 is the replacement for the 14, and will be quad equipped (interestingly, like todays AW 17 which has a dual core, the AW 15 bottom option is dual core, so that makes even less sense than the 13 to me, and no one es nearly as much about).

The greater problem is that perception is the better part of reality; people have come to expect a quad even if in many cases it makes no discernible difference. Dell clearly does not appreciate this, but I think they are getting the message. I strongly suspect that we may see a later Broadwell or Silverlake revision offering a quad, the uproar over the dual-core has been that great I don't think Dell can ignore it.

Note that I say this writing from my AW 13 i5, which has among other games on it now Assassin's Creed: Unity which was about the only game it really struggles with; putting it in 1080p mode (I have a 1440p), with medium settings and FXAA, it actually runs pretty well, better than most people would think.

 

Same here....have to wait again, this will be my 3rd order change.

 

Really curious when the formal announcement on the new systems will be, then how long it will be before going on sale. Even once they go on sale, they will accrue orders for a time to let them justify the parts orders in bulk. I have a bad feeling we won't see anyone with an AW 15 in hand until something like early March.

 

Just saw this press release.So CES announcement for sure.
That plus the fact that all GPU options are gone at the Dell website for the AW17 makes me think that these sysetsm going on sale (AW 17 R2 and AW 15) is VERY imminent


CES 2015: AMD to showcase new APU and GPU products and technologies
Press release; Joseph Tsai, DIGITIMES [Tuesday 6 January 2015]
AMD is planning to showcase products powered by the latest AMD accelerated processing unit (APU), Radeon graphics processing unit (GPU) technologies, and embedded designs.

AMD's first high-performance system-on-a-chip (SoC) and next-generation mobile APU codenamed Carrizo will be showcased. Expected in market by mid-year, Carrizo has been designed with support for next-generation APIs such as DirectX 12, OpenCL 2.0, and the forthcoming Windows 10 operating system.

AMD will also be demonstrating Ultra HD gaming devices using AMD Radeon R9 graphics and AMD Eyefinity technology including the Apple iMac with Retina display and the new Alienware 15 notebooks with Ultra HD display support powered by new AMD Radeon R9 M295X graphics.

AMD and its technology partners will present new consumer and commercial client computing experiences at CES for work and play, including AMD Face Login and AMD Gesture Control.

 

Did endgadget mess up in regards to the last sentence of the article?

Alienware unleashes a pair of slimmed-down gaming laptops

"Both are available today, with the 15-incher starting at $1,119 and the 17 going for $1,499 and up."

 

Just checked dell website. I7 is now shown as a 5500u

 

Both the 15" and 17" are up to order with ship dates in early Feb.

 

Hey guys in a dilemma, I have a AW 14 i7 GTX 765, and AW 13 i5 GTX 860. I do not need both, just need help deciding which to hold onto. If I keep the AW 13 I will grab the Amplifier for it and stick a 512 SSD in it. Just on the fence which to keep I like both. I don't have a desktop and just run all my games onto a 27" screen.

 

Lol

Now I'm deciding whether to keep the 13 or return and get the 15. Ugh.

 

Same here.. I need portability, but I can get twice+ better specs with 15 for same price.
i7 5500u -> i7 4710HQ
860m -> 970m
16gb ram -> 8gb ram
512 gb ssd-> 256 gb ssd + 1 tb hhd
I'm deciding between portability and better specs..

 

Anyone had any luck with 2.5" Crucials SSDs in the 13 yet?

 

Now, I put 7 500ml water bottles + college books + notes into a backpack and i carried it around to see if AW 15 will be good enough to carry around.
And, I guess AW 15 won't be that bad. I'll probably change my AW13 order tomorrow. Haha....... I'm still not sure.

 

Same here, i'm thinking if it's worth 1k more then my current setup.

 

I wonder how many 13's are going to be dropped like a bad habit. For my order I can get the i7/980 for 400 more. It has got to be worth it especially when I have the GA. Right? It supposedly has the same ship date!

 

Well, it really depends on your current situation. Do you already have a powerfull Desktop? are you more interested on power or portability? I have placed an order for the 13" i7 because already have a Desktop i7 4770K, GTX 780 6GB version. So for demanding games i have that option and for other less demanding games on the go i'll use the AW 13"

2" difference are not that much, but it is an increase on weight and dimensions you have to consider though

 

Just to be absolutely clear, the MSI GS30 (i7 4870HQ and 16x PCI-e) will outperform the Alienware 15 (i7-4710HQ and 4x PCI-e) when paired with their respective graphics docks? Correct?