*OFFICIAL* Alienware 17 R4 Owner's Lounge

How do you properly OC the refresh?

 

I'm not sure if it's necessary or not but to avoid confusion, I first completely disabled the Intel iGPU by hitting FN-f7 on the AW 17 ... this makes the Nvidia 1070 GPU the only discreet GPU utilized by the computer (with Optimus/iGPU enabled, much of the Nvidia control panel is unavailable).

Then you use Nvidia Control Panel, namely the "change resolution" section under the "Display" section in the left hand menu.

Basically, you have to create a custom resolution of 1920x1080 that specifies a higher than 60 refresh rate ... start off by trying 75HZ ... test it and if it works, move up to 85HZ ... test it and if it works, move up to 95HZ and so on ... it's really simple.

Here is a good article/guide ... give it a read.

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/pc-peripheral/how-overclock-your-monitor-3635779/

...

 

Yes. Correct. And the fact that a single pixel (on a 1080p screen) is "stretched" across 4 pixels (on a 4K screen) is precisely why it looks worse on the 4K screen. You described it quite brilliantly with that above comment, whether you intended to or not.

 

why in new Alienware 17 the 6820HK dell says is not compatible with the 2K g-sync screen and the Aorus X7 DT v6 does have 6820HK with the exact same 2k G-sync screen?

 

they just made a retarded decision, thats why

 

Because of the motherboard, not the CPU. G-sync must not be available (or be sold out) on motherboards with the 6820HK.

 

I wouldn't advise buying a BGA system with a CPU launched in September 2015 anyway

 

I am waiting for the GTX1080 version of the laptop , so if it's a dell decision to do this on the motherboard in the current model with the GTX1070 maybe it will be the same with the GTX 1080. . . .

 

I did a photo shoot today while bored at work ... such a sick chassis design man ...

http://www.overclock.net/t/1613144/pascal-alienware-laptop-orders-discuss-here/20#post_25631108

 

I am guessing this only works with the R4. I have an R3 but nothing happens when I press fn+f7. or is there a way to make it work in R3? How do you ensure that the IGPU is completely disabled.

 

Also is this R4 a fingerprint magnet like the R3?

 

I'm not at all sure. This is my first Alienware machine. But on this AW 17 R4, I can hit FN+F7 to make the Nvidia GPU the only GPU utilized in the system. Otherwise, if you can't some how make the Nvidia GPU discreet? I'm not sure how one would use the Nvidia control panel to overclock the monitor since if the Intel iGPU is currently being used on the desktop, then Nvidia Control panel will be mostly blanked out ...

Best of luck ... perhaps others can help ...

 

The "wrist rest" area is sort of a slightly "rubberized" material ... and yeah .. it's pretty bad ... anything greasy on your hands will immediately cling to it. I've found regular window cleaner works pretty good ... LOL ...

 

Awesome man. Reading through the posts I find it funny how people are like the msi etc are 200 cheaper. If you think saving 200 bucks on a expensive system that flexes, feels plastic, smaller battery, worse cooling etc. It's like buying a toy compared to a professional piece of equipment imo. I think 200 bucks is a bargain. It's the first alienware I have considered buying because of that. I just wish they could take care of these quality control issues and put some proper paste In the thing

 

I've used an MSI GS70 Stealth Pro for over two years and I still love that machine. In fact, as I type and drink at a local bar on the AW 17? The MSI GS70 is at home serving FLACS to a valve DAC and headphone amplifier ... the MSI is a great machine ... and the 970m that it houses is still a very formidable GPU.

That said ...

I think MSI really failed with their new releases ... great power ... great value ... but such shoddy industrial design. Seriously, I was physically sickened when demo'ing a GT73VR at my local Micro Center the other day ... same price as my AW 17 but with *far* better, technical specs ... but the GT73VR just seemed like a Tron Toy or something ... all faux "glitzy" and what not ... and so even with a GPU a good deal more powerful than the 1070 in the AW 17? Even with twice the ram, more than twice the USB ports?

I'll stick with this AW 17 ... at least it feels like concrete when I type on it ... and plays Witcher 3 maxed at 100+ FPS ... lol ...

;-)

 

What is fastsync ???

 

Ya that's what I'm talking about I demo'd both msi and ASUS before going with the alienware I was just really disappointed in the build quality and aesthetics. It's like when I see a car with all the fast and furious crap on it. Anyways I should get my alienware this week hopefully, the wait is killing me and I hope I don't regret going with the 120hz.

 

Question since the display can be overclocked to 100hz shouldnt that make it g-sync compatible ? if so why cant we make them g-sync compatible as I heard the laptop displays dont require a certain connecter as they connect directly to the gpu

 

G-Sync is a physical chip modification to the motherboard, regardless of display cable adapter. You will never have G-Sync on a laptop without the motherboard mod

 

So it cant be done ?

 

I read somewhere around here that it is a good software alternative to g-sync available only to pascal gpus

edit: found a video about it

 

I still feel that g-sync is the best option to go with even if the display is TN instead of IPS

 

No not with the laptop's panel

But You can use g-sync if your connected to an external g-sync monitor with a display port 1.4 cable

 

As far as your eye is concerned, though, it wouldn't be stretched if you're talking about both screens being the same physical dimensions, which they would be if you're talking about screen options on the same laptop, i.e. the Alienware 17. The 4 pixels on the 4k screen occupy the exact same physical space that 1 pixel would on a 1080p screen.

 

So I got my new m.2 ssd and ready to either use Alienware Respawn when I replace my mech drive, or I could do a clean Win10 install. I do find the boot up time with the mech drive and the factory settings to be rather lengthy. Do you guys find there is a lot of unnecessary software on the factory image? Would a clean Win10 be better?

Also, just curious - how can i check to see if my display is 120Hz or has GSync?

 

To me G-Sync is good but the best characteristic of a panel when gaming should be the response time, then the refresh, then the sync technology.
Man, this horizontal lines thing has really screwed things up.
Now I pray they offer a FHD 120hz Gsync option eventually.

 

Woot, don't use ammonia based window cleaner!
Also there are some "electronic" cleaners and wipes that are best to use.
The good thing about this material is it doesn't seem to permanently keep the grease on there like other plastics etc.
Some plastics eventually will have a permanent shiny spot.

 

Its going to be available with that screen this month.

 

You cannot do this on the R3 because there is no way to turn off Optimus on the R3.

 

Thats what I hate about it I have seen too many tearings and delays in my alienware 17 2014 model so now im thinking of upgrading but I dont want to up to something I know its not gonna be extremely amazing I have seen too many bad things about it already and I heard they r doing a revamp to the alienware 17 so I think r2 is going to be released soon and hopefully with a decent display rather than the **** we r getting for that unreasonable high price I might even wait for Vega rather than nvidia I just hate the way they milk our money like its nothing I bought my laptop for 3k and suddenly 6 months later a way better gpu with g-sync and many new technology evolution ?? what about me ? I paid way high price I expected some kind of support but no sir nothing 880m gpu btw and nvidia mentioned it does support dx12 but really it doesnt nor there is a god damn increase it actually decreases not to mention the heat and 1k for this crappy gpu

 

Just tried this, now i got a 20c temp difference. Highest core 88c coolest core 68c.

 

You cannot compare to the past. Since the GPUs are now desktop class they are on part with other high end systems and even desktops. They only fall behind slightly in the CPU department which is marginal at best. Their performance as caught up with their value. For the quality you get in an Alienware it is worth the price.
I would say Alienware and Clevos are the only systems out there that are worth the price.

 

Are you able to turn Optimus off on the a17 R4? If so how? Ta.

Also does anyone with the 120hrtz qhd 17 panel have some colour configs settings for Nvidia control panel, my friend bought the 120hrtz panel and it looks really bad colour production wise compared to the 4K panel I have (I realise the 4K panel has the full colour gumat), however I don't recall last years FHD panel on the a3 looking as bad as his a4 qhd panel - It looks washed out, if this is due to it being a TN panel then id recommend people avoid the qhd panel - unless colour is not important to you.

 

You bought a $3k computer 6 months ago with an 880m? Why? I bought my current computer in March of last year, over a year and a half ago, and it has a 970m. Regardless, that's just how technology works. No amount of money will ensure that your computer will be the top of the line forever without upgrading anything. Switching from Nvidia to AMD won't change that. In my experience, AMD has far worse driver support than Nvidia, so you're likely just going to be more upset on that front.

 

I'm looking for a 4K monitor to do editing on and play 4k movies on.

Is the uhd screen better enough on the 17 to put up with carrying the extra weight over the 15?

Also if I have a 1080 at home, is it worth getting the enclosure for the Alienware laptop? (I'm fine with medium settings 4K, right now my desktop monitor is only a 1440p 60htz CAD monitor)

 

Best Buy has the AW17 QHD G-SYNC available for purchase. Also $100 off as well. some stores in my area actually have it in stock, but BBY offers free 2 day shipping to your home if your local stores don't have them in stock.

 

can someone confirm the hwinfo for 4K\UHD panel model please?

 

Yup. I decided to try this one instead of the FHD. I already returned 3 FHD models because of light bleed. But the part that gets me is the two display models I saw at 2 different Best Buy's did NOT have the light bleed issue. Either that or its just too difficult to see in the stores.

Anyway, I picked up one of the QHD models. This panel is very much a TN panel. It has no light bleed but it has the typical TN light 'glow' because of the not-as-good-as-IPS black levels.

Oh and yes, I do see the lines everyone is talking about but so far they aren't really bugging me. I'll give it a few days and see how I feel about it. I literally just got home with this machine 20 minutes ago.

Interestingly, you can't buy the 2560x1440 model online from Dell without the Tobii tracking, but this model from Best Buy does not come with the Tobii tracking.

Edit: I was incorrect, it DOES include Tobii tracking!

 

Try the "beta", here under the 2 colorful buttons, click on the text: Download latest Beta v5.39-3020

https://www.hwinfo.com/download.php

The update with the id may not be in this version, but new devices usually show up in the Beta first.

 

That's interesting indeed. that's probably why the BBY pricing is a hundred less then the dell one with the same exact specs. I've been crossing my fingers that BBY will get the new AW13 with the OLED/1060, but seeing as how dells website has shipping 20-24 days out i doubt BBY will get it anytime soon. Thank you BBY though for your awesome return policy if it does come through by Jan 15th.

 

Wow, I completely forgot about that. I get like 2.5 months to make sure I like it. Excellent.

BTW, when on battery the ufo test appears to have issues doing 120hz. Even with the power profile set to high performance. Not sure what that is about, I was a bit worried. But on A/C 120hz seems to be working fine.

Oh and I was wrong, it DOES have Tobii tracking! Excellent. The box didn't mention it. But when I got into windows there was a little "Setup your Tobii Tracking" icon waiting for me in the bottom right. I just did the space shooting game thing and it works pretty darn well!

So far this is a MUCH better value as a 'gaming' notebook than the currently on sale $1699 version with the 1080p IPS screen.

 

eh best buy doesn't offer the deals dell has.

there are 10% coupons, 2% members, 5-10% cash gift rewards, ebates, and the fact you can call them to haggle the price down making it much better deal to order from dell than Best Buy. If you're in US at least.

 

Reading from comments its now clear that the 17 screen has issues (bleeding,lines etc). I do mostly Photoshop and gaming and wonder which is the best panel to choose. If they would only include an IPS with Gsync it would not be a problem but as of now they dont. Is TN panel worth it with the 120Hz Gsync or should i go for the IPS panel? My Work does not require me to adjust anything on PS since im using templates so it would come down to gaming and Gsync would be the best choice. Should i be looking at other options like MSI which has a 6820HQ with 120Hz and Gsync? Appreciate all the inputs on this.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

TN and PS incompatible, except you love pain and shifting colors.

 

If you need color accuracy at all, you shouldn't even think about a TN panel.

That said, so far this 2560x1440 panel is making me love this notebook. I did notice the lines that people were complaining about, but for the life of me now I am not seeing them at all. Which is usually the opposite. Once you notice something off, you can't un-notice it and your eyes usually always focus on the issue. However, I can't for the life of me notice it anymore. I even took pictures with my cell phone and I don't see any lines now. I've only had the notebook for a couple of hours though, so I'll report back more in a few days. But so far I'm in love with this screen and notebook. Like I said though, it is a TN panel and I accept the not-so-great viewing angles of a TN panel and the slightly more washed out colors, and the color shift issues. But even with those things in mind, this screen is really nice.

I think this resolution is really good for the size. 17.3" 2560x1440 panel is 170ppi. My 4k 3840x2160 27" monitor is 163ppi. So it's nearly a perfect match. So what I'm saying is, 17.3" 2560x1440 monitor will actually look just like a 27" 4k monitor based on PPI.

 

Does the BBY FHD model have the 68 or 99 Wh battery? The 30% better battery life would be important to me.

This will be my first Windows 10 laptop in 8 years as I've been wasting my money on macbooks meanwhile. The latest 2016 is such a POC that Apple still wants me to drop >$3000 for their 'dongle book'.
My main question is if Windows 10 scaling on the UHD model is as good as OSX? If not, I may just get the FHD panel as the 100hz overclock is intriguing.

 

They are 99wh. GTX 1070 requires it.

Scaling in Windows is no where near the quality of scaling in OSX.

FHD panel does overclock, but I did notice some horizontal lines when overclocking from 60hz. Very faint but they were there. But if you don't want to deal with scaling at all, FHD is probably the best option. Unfortunately 3 machines I had all had backlight bleeding. In a way I'm now glad they did, as for $200 more I got the 2560x1440 120hz Gsync panel and Tobii tracking.

 

So how does everyone feel about the visible horizontal lines on the QHD 120hz screen.
I have mixed feelings about it.
It sucks cuz I can see the lines in many situations.
In some situations even text doesnt look 1:1 clear. I am comparing to an R3 with an FHD.
So I get Gsync, 120hz, and 5ms.
FHD has 25ms but has solid colors, better angles, and just over all looks nicer.
However, at 25ms the ghosting is very noticeable. Drives me nuts, but so does the lines.

 

who do i call for that? a few days ago i had 15 r3 in my cart with a $300 discount and now that discount is gone

btw anybody able to answer this below

 

All valid points for sure. Reason why I went the BBY route is that I already have their financing card and got 18 months no interest (yes I already know about dell's version, but im not really looking to take another hard hit on my credit report). Also like I mentioned before, being able to utilize their holiday return policy is big for me. I get pretty indecisive when it comes to purchases at this amount, so I like to be able to "test drive" the product and if it doesn't work out, being able to simply walk into any BBY and return the laptop with no strings attached. Lastly BBYs accidental protection makes it much easier for me to replace the laptop in case an "accident" comes into play later down the road.

So for me it really boils down to convenience > money being saved.