*OFFICIAL* Alienware 17 R4 Owner's Lounge

HWinfo monitors the fans just fine.

 

Yes! Just bit the bullet with mine arriving early December!. Got me 17% off discount with the right rep. Do you guys have any idea is the one with the 1080 GPU will released on the 19th? Should I have waited? i am in the US btw

 

I've looked several times for in in my HWInfo running on my 15 R3 but cant find it. Can you share a screen shot?

 

So, a couple of points - While the 6th generation is newer, its not THAT much better than the 4th, and you would at most see a small percentage difference (especially if you overclock the k processor). The DDR4 in the 6th gen is faster, but again, likely not enough so to make a perceivable difference.

But more importantly, you are asking about the 17 R4, no? If so, i am not sure why you would use the external amplifier with it, when you can get the laptop with a 1070; keep in mind that the laptop and desktop chips are now the same (with very slight differences, but they are far more similar than the older mobile vs desktop chips). I dont think you would get any benefit at all using a 1070 externally vs one in the laptop...

 

You should have waited if you want and can afford a 1080 model. Yes it will be available for order in a couple of days.

 

we dont know the price tho lol.
im waiting and im not sure i can afford it. 4 more days!
looks like it will only be the Qhd panel tho if we go by the UK

 

Im guessing $300-$400 over the 1070. Just a guess though.
Oh and all that config stuff will be sorted out eventually.
Im guessing its related to inventory and availability etc.

 

yes they dont have non g sync motherboards right now im guessing since the only problem with adding the 1080 is incompatibility with the cpu/6820HK

 

If it's just $300 increase, the wait would be worth it!

 

agreed im just worried off of what price.
right now all their prices are way lower than normal and idk if theyre going to remove the discounts by monday. looks like their sales run monday through sunday.

 

Just put in my order for the 17R4 with the following specs:

• 6820HK
• GTX 1070
• Win10 Pro
• FHD+Tobii
• 16gb 2400
• 128gb M.2 SATA SSD + 1tb HDD
• Killer 1535
• 99whr battery
• 4yr Premium Warranty + Accidental Damage

The ram and SSD are likely throwaways, as I'll be upgrading those myself, but they were part of a more sizable Black Friday discount so I figured what the heck. Fingers crossed regarding the overheating issue and light bleed problem -- I'll be inspecting it with a very critical eye, especially in terms of even core heat. If there's any funny business at all, Dell is getting a phone call!

 

Hi guys, im my country (Italy) Dell sells the Aw 17 with Amd R9 470 ( http://www.dell.com/it/p/alienware-17-laptop/pd)

But is the mobile or desktop version?

 

Well seeing that the "mxm" RX480 is a cut down version of the actual RX480, I think it's going to be a cut down version of the RX 470.

I don't believe you should take the RX 470 over the GTX1060 though.


Alternatively you can also ask @woodzstack if he can sell you the MXM GTX1070 for the Alienware 17R1 (Ranger)

 

The gtx 1080 doesn't seem to be an option anymore on the alienware 17 in europe. Checked both uk and belgium sites and the gtx 1080 is gone.

Fingers crossed for monday, hoping h I can get a gtx 1080 with the 4k display

Edit: Even though the default GTX 1080 model with the g-sync screen is gone, it seems like you can still select the gtx 1080 on a different model which by default has the gtx 1060, and you can still order it apparently IF you choose the g-sync panel.

But you end up getting it, significantly more expensive.

 

Is ANYONE able to confirm if the new 17R4 is able to read PCIe RAID 0 x4 on each disk, or since it takes 3 PCIe drives, does it read at least the first two on full x4 or is it just like the R3 reading only one on x4 and the 2nd/3rd (on the R4) are crippled? I'd really like to know the answer to this question, just pre-ordered a 2TB Samsung 960 Pro, contemplating ordering a second one if someone can confirm for a fact there is no loss in speed... Before anyone says "you don't need that much" yes, I do. I do a lot of professional photography and videography; so the faster & larger I can set up my drives the better.

 

Do it, man! 4TB 960 Pro array ... (drool) ...

I had x2 950 Pro's in my AW 17 and it was ridiculous. They were only 512gb, though and so sent them back ... really just wanted to test them. And I really can't answer your question.

But man was that a fast array. Replaced them with a couple 850 EVO's for now and until the 960's become readily available (going to exchange when that happens); the two EVO's are 1TB each. I ran the EVO's single at first and then just recently converted them to RAID0. Say what you will about RAID ... for my work flow (also lots of video rendering, up to 60 minute HD edits) RAID0 performs miles better than a single drive, especially when copying files from one directory to another on the same disk.

AN ASIDE: I'm currently doing some experiments on how to cool the m.2 SSD's (be it SATA or NVME m.2's) ... and so far I've found that on extended, constant disc operations ... the load temp on my current EVO based m.2 array sees my drives top out at about 68C. After rerunning the test with the AW17 on a decent laptop cooler (Notepal U3)? Load temps on the m.2 drives dropped to 60C. That's a pretty decent drop with just adding a cooling pad. And I think it's due to the very well perforated rear portion of the AW17's bottom cover. You of course would need a laptop cooler that specifically capitalizes on that design. Next I'm going to try adding some thermal pads and small copper shims (about the same size as the IC's) to the sticks and see how much further I can drop the temps.

This isn't really that big of a deal with the EVO's as they run fairly cool to begin with and I've yet to see any signs of throttling ... but with the 960 Pros, I'm going to do anything I can to keep them cool; I think the AW17 chassis design is going to work well with hot running m.2 PCIe drives ... very well ventilated ...

Best of luck ...

 

Also, figured I should update you guys.

I got the replacement 1440P model in the mail Friday, and it's essentially exactly the same. I don't have time to keep exchanging it, so I called dell and told them I'm not happy with it, and I will wait to exchange it until they find a new source for the 1440P panels. They emailed me later and said they have a new source and they should be available in December.

We'll see, but I deploy Sunday, won't be back for a few months at least. Hopefully when I get back they have their **** together o.0/.

 

Could you please post or PM me the email that said this? (Screenshot) Please use paint or something to block out sensitive information.

 

HI Guys
Well I'm thinking to buy alienware 17" model throw this black friday,but my major concern is the temperature,to be honest with you guys, it is a big problem for me,why would I go for high end gaming laptop, when it throttling,and can't give you 100% of its performance!!!!!!
Msi laptops will be my second choice ,but Come on guys,Nothing like alienware right ?
Anyway, has Dell Fixed the Issue or not,and Do you think guys it is wise choice to order alienware laptop after what has been said ?

 

Alienware is the one to go yes. The Gpu temps are fantastic and the laptop is damn beautiful.

Your chances are better if you choose the 6700HQ and the TN screen imo.

 

Omg I havent yet received my laptop and u guys r making me think of selling it and wait .... I dont know what I really should do now ((

 

Weird, I just don't have that or anything related to the Compal even though I answer yes to the question to use it. I'm running the latest stable version though, 5.38, not sure if that is the reason.

 

OK, so any claims about this having be solved in production already weresimply not true then. Must say that so far Dell is living down to my expectations...

 

I just received my laptop (FHDmodel with 6700HQ) and I'm having issues with the sub woofer... The sound is clear, but no bass at all. I come from a Xps17 and it's day and night. So I assume the sub woofer isn't working.
I did a quick test with this website : http://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_frequencychecklow.php I can hear the bass above 100Hz. But nothing below . On the Xps 17 I can hear the bass from 20 Hz and above.

Could someone make the same test on his AW17 and tell me if it's the same ?
Thanks guys !

PS : I tried to install the latest dell audio drivers but nothing changed.

 

I haven't had issues ...

You might have to open the back and locate the subwoofer power connector and make sure it's properly seated. When I bought an MSI GS70 a couple years ago, it had the very same problem ... no sound from the subwoofer. I opened the back to check the connection and sure enough it was unplugged.

 

Mine was delivered today but I won't be home for a few more hours!

 

What issues were you having? I want to check mine tonight to see if it has the same problems. It was delivered today.

 

I had a dell xps 3D 17, unfortunately the sound in alienwares isn't as good. The subwoofer in the xps was a 12 watt jbl Waves MaxxAudio 3 sound system.

The subwoofer in the alienwares is only 2.5 watt and made by a generic brand now.
It will be working but you will need to go in the audio settings and adjust the bass - however it won't be as good as the xps 17, which notebookcheck described as outstanding, and as you say, the difference is day and night.

That jbl sound system was the best I have ever heard in a laptop, an I wish dell would work with jbl again.

What would be nice is dell re-introduce the xps 17 range again!

Out of interest how do you find the 17.3 FHD screen on the Alienware?

 

I don't think any laptop is going to have "good" sound ... but that's coming from a guy with a massive 5.1 surround sound system attached to his desktop computer and about $5000 worth of high end tube amps and DACS and headphones in his room..

But I will say this ...

After the MSI GS70 Stealth Pro that I've enjoyed for the past two years? Which has the loudest, clearest audio I've ever heard from a laptop? This new AW17 is running a close second. It's not as loud as the MSI machine ... but it's a few decibels close to it .. but in a silent room, the AW17 machine has a really nice, 3D/faux surround effect that is really enjoyable. I think it's most likely to do with the fact that the L/R speakers fire from the sides of the laptop rather than from the top or the back or front ... and I'm sure my particular "subwoofer" is working fine because it's a very "rich" sound ... well rounded .. highs and mids and lows, though not exagerratedly high volume ... are still all very discernible ...

 

Ok, 2.5 watt, that's small. Maybe I'll have to lower my expectations in terms of sound quality on this laptop ... I'll check the hardware as s1rrah suggested and keep you posted (thanks for your answers by the way !).

Talking about the FHD screen, I find it good. My panel is an AU Optronics B173HW01 V0.
It has very nice color reproduction and contrast, very good viewing angles. It stands next to a Dell IPS 27" (U2713HM) and it proudly stands the comparison. The antiglare coating looks much better than on the 2011 XPS 17 (less grainy), and almost as good as on the 27".
On the bad side, the light bleed is really huge and mostly visible on the Alienware loading screen (black background) but it's barely noticeable on the desktop.

 

I can't help but ask.... What headphones do you own? I have a bunch of mid-fi stuff (OPPO PM-3, NAD Viso HP50, Fischer Audio FA-011, many Hifiman IEMs, etc etc).

And yeah, MSI's Dynaudio speakers are probably the best in laptops. The ones on the thicker laptops are even better.

 

Headphones: Grado PS1000 / Beyerdynamic T1 / Grado RS1 / Shure SE535 / Koss Portapro
Amp: Mapletree Ear+ HD100 (straight wire/valve amp)
DAC: MHDT Labs Pagoda (R2R/non oversampling w/ valve buffer)

...

The Grado PS1000's are sublime.

(sorry for the off topic brag post)

;-)

joel

 

I thought the FHD was an LG. They must have two going around.

 

why?

 

I got my 17 R4 today. Based on the software install dates in control panel it was built on 11/11.

For being a Friday built machine it is surprisingly well built. It is the 6700HQ / 120hz / 16 GB RAM, 256 SSD, GTX 1070.

The screen is very nice IMO. It is the same AU optronics model that others have gotten but I can only see the lines if I put my face up against the screen. They aren't noticeable in a normal seating position. No light bleed or dead pixels which is a plus.

However, it does have uneven core temps. After 30 minutes of BF1 my average temps were 83/72/80/72 and the highest spike was 92 on core 0.

I do think this cooling system is starved for air because I was able to drop my temps by 10c when using a cooler master notepad u3 plus. After 30 min of BF1 my average with the cooling pad was 73/62/70/62.

This is without undervolting. Given that I have uneven cores at load I'm afraid that just undervolting won't be enough so I'll probably end up repasting anyway. Not sure if I will ask Dell to do it, or try myself.

 

What surface was the laptop on before the cooling pad? Just a table?

 

Yes, just flat on my desk.

 

Nice! (got your pm too btw)

Here's an on topic question: How well does the AW17 power your cans?

Does it even have a dedicated DAC? I know both MSI and Clevo are using ESS Sabre HiFi chips.

Not that it matters, I have a Geek Out 1000, but it'd be nice to be able to run some gear without a power hungry chain attached, especially on battery.

 

I will only use the r4 connected to the wall outlet, is it advisable to disconnect the battery from the motherboard?

 

Nope, leave it alone. Just set the battery to "desktop mode" in Windows.

 

Has anyonr figured out a way to fix the uneven heatsink issue ? when I contacted Frank he said its an assemble issue and the heatsink isny flawed therefore it can be fixed via reassembly has anyone done it ?

 

iUnlock was able to bend one of the posts to the heatsink on the R3 15" version to help fix the uneven pressure on the heat sink. Someone on Reddit's forums added copper shims to it and was able to do it as well without bending the post.

 

Can u put the link for the guy from reddit ?

 

Here's the Reddit link and iunlock's method is somewhere on this forum. I don't remember where I saw it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/...ce_temps_and_methods/?st=IVQHNDEJ&sh=5d1f6bc8

 

I bought the copper shims and kryonaut thermal compound, im going to apply them both when I receive the laptop this week

 

If you want to keep this one... DON"T LET A DELL TECH TOUCH IT! Either do it yourself, or have one of the forum members do it.

 

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Are you Brick from the show "The Middle"? He carried around a Pizza Hut bag as well for his backpack for school lol

 

I was curious about that too ... mine is def the LG panel ...

??