*OFFICIAL* Alienware Area-51M R2 Owner's Lounge

I don't even look at Sequential Read/Write Speed. That is just fluff for marketing to tell people yayyy I have a 35000MB SSD. For OS Snappiness, program loading, etc, it's all about the 4K Random/Read Write!

 

Couldn't agree more, sorry I was referring solely to myself, not necessarily worthwhile as I have already the stock XMP, however definitely as you say a very worthwhile route to go with HyperX and purchase the minimum Dell RAM.

 

Sequential read is good for game load times but for general OS use agree random is more important.

Sorry i was remembering wrong anyway the 3500 was from my raid 0 drive config.

Here's the stats for a single 512GB drive.

 

Is it me or the laptop gets quite warm around the Alienware power button for this who owns it?
Besides that the thermals are great when you look at the figures though I must admit I don't feel 100 percent comfortable with the cover getting that warm

 

That is normal....

 

I would guess not. My R1 did this til I fine-tuned the undervolt on gpu and cpu. Mainly the gpu because that’s over to the right under the power button. Mine only gets warm now as opposed to hot (the plastic).

 

Right, it is normal. Of course if you undervolt and tweak the power it will be cooler. But normally the temp there is very high and is normal.

 

Yeah it has vents there and it's obvious very close to the heat sinks at the rear.

Mine will get hot to touch if running the performance profile though not uncomfortably so, but it remains cool when running the fans a full.

 

Alienware Area-51m R2 Benchmarks

 

@Melvin Rousseau Did you manage to get your factory image back finally?

 

Nope
Called a technician from dell and she gave a link to Microsoft website to create a bootable USB key and to download the drivers from dell.com as if it was helping lol
Apparently I should have made a copy before upgrading to Windows 2004 since the computer's version is 1909

I have tweaked a bit my cpu with a third party software and I'm getting max 80-81 on cpu package with cinebenchr20 undervolt -130 mv stable
Cinebench score went a bit down like from 6280 to 6240 but I care more about the thermals than 40 points
Will post tomorrow the benchmark and the voltage/clocks I used

 

Don't worry, I'll upload the Area-51m R2 Factory Image for you tomorrow.

PS: Please add your system specs to your signature, that helps sometimes when you post an issue like this one so I could see if the image would fit on your laptop by simply looking at your configuration. Feel free to copy/paste my signature as a template then edit it to match your system specs

 

Thanks bro you're the best aha

I just did thanks for the tip

I take it you're getting yours tomorrow? Or you're gonna ask hid ?

 

Anytime man. I know how it feels to not have that factory image (easy restore) especially that is is up to date with all the drivers/utilities since the laptop is new unlike the R1 images which require you literally uninstall everything and start from scratch. This image could also benefit the R1 users as the drivers are 99% identical

About my laptop, I got it 24 hour ago dude. Did you miss this? http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...1m-r2-review-by-spartan.833709/#post-11036256

 

No way I'm such a dumb :')

I thought you were still teasing us with some more pics /benchmark that HID sent you !

Congrats man!

It feels so much better than the R1 right ?
Even the quality of the build,really looks like the coat they have used for the lunar white will make a diff

What are your first impressions?

Do you use the two power bricks or you also have the one from eurocom ?

 

It's basically the R1 with all the quirks fixed, premium feel thanks to the new coating they're using, one of the best laptop keyboards I've used, the tactile feedback and the quality of the keys is superb. The 300hz screen is smooth as heck in terms of animations like minimizing/maximizing Windows. Haven't had a change to see how games look yet with the new screen.

Boot time is the same as the R1, slow. When you turn it on, it sits there on the Alienwre Logo for a good 5-10 seconds before Windows starts to actually load and if you have a drive connected to the Thunderbolt port like me (Samsung Portable SSD T5) then it makes it even slower. Sound quality is the same as the R1, literally. But the cooling has improved big time to be able to handle an i9-10900K and yet I get better temps than I did with my 9700K! Video review coming soon.

 

Cannot wait to see that video

I've been very impressed with the keyboard as well, wasn't so thrilled at first that they changed it but God when you have your hands on it you're like yes they finally made a premium laptop, not that I dislike the R1 but it was just too much tweak for the money spent .

I didn't believe at first this vapor chamber would be enough but hell yes .
I also checked the passive heatsink for the GPU they also improved it , it is now covering all the components and it is thicker .

Honestly I couldn't ask more of this laptop besides the fact that you have to buy dell's ram but once again they provided what the laptop was lacking .

Now let's hope intel is going to use the same socket for at least two more generation ( wich has been confirmed if I am correct ) and that dell will try to propose the series 3000 for the laptop, worst scenario I have my good AGA at home lol

 

Alienware Area-51m R2 Factory Image (OS Build is Windows 10 1909 with the latest drivers till this date)

Macrium Reflect v7.2.5107 Bootable ISO (use Rufus to create a bootable ISO)

Make sure to right click on the files you just downloaded, go to Properties, then hit Unblock from the bottom right as it may be blocked since it was downloaded from the internet, if you don't do this before you run the file, then it may not install correctly. Ensure both the image file and Rufus do not have a BLOCKED status.

To prevent this automatic blocking of files in the future so you don't have to go unblocking every file you download to ensure it runs properly, follow the guide in this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/are-you-sure-you-want-to-run-this-file-yes-or-no.825668/

Backup all your data before you do this!

I use a Patriot 256GB Supersonic Rage Elite USB Flash Drive which is SUPER fast, I create 2 partitions on it, the first one is 1 GB to contain the Macrium Reflect Bootable Image, then I create a 2nd partition where I store all the Backup Images on it.



Simply boot from the Macrium Reflect ISO USB stick that you created by pressing F12 continuously as your computer is restarting to get the boot menu option then select the USB stick.

Go to the restore tab, browse to where the factory image is located then select it, now hit restore, followed by "copy selected partitions" which appears in the middle.

You may need to manually adjust or shrink your SSDs if the partitions on the image file or bigger or smaller due to different sized disks.

You will need to uninstall Dell SupportAssist and reinstall it to make it reflect your own laptop's Service Tag

Make sure you're not connected to the internet during the initial setup wizard otherwise you will be forced to login to Windows with a Microsoft Account which I highly do not recommend. Just hit Don't have internet when you get to the part where it says Connect to a network.

@MogRules @Melvin Rousseau @etern4l @ssj92 @normand668 @Terreos @DaMafiaGamer @Biker Gremling @Nicolas Paiva @Normimb @Fire Tiger

 

Many thanks dude!

 

I'm in the recovery tab and in the browser but I cannot seem to find the factory image,
Am I doing something wrong ?

My bad found it
It's working !!!
You the best

 

After you've restored the image, you will have SupportAssist back in your boot menu options for easy recovery in the future.

PS: Make sure you're not connected to the internet during the initial setup wizard otherwise you will be forced to login to Windows with a Microsoft Account which I highly do not recommend. Just hit Don't have internet when you get to the part where it says Connect to a network.

 

We'll do so thank you

So you never ever log in with a Microsoft account ?

 

Why should he? Would you give away the house key with your address tag to random strangers you meet on the street outside your house?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...stallation-guide.781178/page-84#post-10982202

 

NEVER! I only login to the Microsoft Store with my Microsoft Account but be careful, after entering the password, don't blindly hit NEXT otherwise Windows will convert your account to a Microsoft account, instead, look closely, there will be text on the left after you hit next which says " Microsoft Apps Only' that way you login to the store ONLY not convert your whole account to a Microsoft Account

 

We'll do so thank you for the tip!
Learning more every day

 

It asks me the following ?
Where do I find it ?

 

I've never seen that screen, when I hit browse for image file, it displays all my drives so then I select the drive which has the image. I usually have a USB Flash Disk called REFLECT which contains the Macrium Reflect bootable image on its first partition which I set as a 1 GB Partition and the rest of the USB Flash Drive partition I store images on. This is the Flash Drive I use: Patriot SuperSonic

If you placed the image on some external HDD, then you need to select that drive to see the image

 

Finally working
I redo the usb key like you said with two partitions and it works perfectly

 

For those of you who have a Western Digital SSD in their laptop, you can install the Western Digital SSD Dashboard to check drive status, health, and update firmware. It can see your SSDs even if they are in RAID mode unlike the stupid Samsung Magician which still cannot see an SSD if the BIOS is set to RAID .

 

Did you upgrade to Windows 2004?

 

yes, it was not offered automatically from windows update so I used the Windows 10 May 2020 Update to force the update, works perfectly.

 

Do the speakers pop on your R2?

Enviado desde mi GM1913 mediante Tapatalk

 

No and neither did they on the R1

Spoiler: Area-51m R2 BIOS Screenshots

@Mr. Fox @Prema @Papusan

The BIOS has something called Absolute an no more option to enable/disable Secure Boot. Any idea what this is? Check the images

Edit: Found this:
Computrace: Replaced by Absolute module in newest BIOS revisions

Computrace Software Allows Lost/Stolen Computers to be Quickly Retrieved and Sensitive Information to be Remotely Deleted

 

Pulled the trigger on an i9-10900K/2080S/32GB/300Hz model. Managed to get an eBay deal for 25% off which was pretty sweet. Unfortunately eBay only had the 16 GB variant available in DSotM otherwise I could have saved another AUD 300 but I really like the Lunar Light aesthetic. Also ordered a 34" 3440x1440 144 Hz monitor to go with it. I agonised over whether to just go with cheaper laptop + desktop combination, but I think a mobile workstation + tablet combo will work well. And I really like having the Starship Enterprise on my desk. I've got some Kryonaut ready for repasting and I'm thinking about shelling out for some HyperX Impact RAM. Will also need an SSD upgrade of some kind (the AU model comes with 512 GB SSD + 1 TB 7200 rpm HDD .. ugh).

 

Congrats, Kryonaut is the worst thermal paste. You put, temps are good then check within 3 days and you will be shocked how fast it deteriorates in performance. Good luck but just thought I'd warn you.

 

How did you get to separate you usb key into two partitions with one side the iso and the other one macriuo reflect ?
Everytime I do it Rufus formats the usb key again ?

 

1) Use MiniTool Partition Wizard Free to create a 1GB Partition ONLY on the USB
2) Use Rufus to create the Macrium Reflect Image, this way it will only use the 1GB
3) Use MiniTool Partition Wizard again to create the 2nd partition and called IMAGES
4) Copy the image file to the IMAGES partiton
5) Enjoy

 

Funny enough, repasted on Friday and was getting great temperatures (88 max on one core, rest at 86 max). Yesterday? 92 and thermal throttling again. Kryonaut really has been disappointing.

Sent from my SM-G970W using Tapatalk

 

@mrboh

Yet I see it recommended everywhere and mostly on reddit, it's utter garbage.

Also see:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/thermal-grizzly-kryonaut.790919/page-10#post-10261106

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...s-before-i-start.741745/page-65#post-10249996

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...iquid-metal-paste.812596/page-2#post-10660500

 

Macrium Reflect v7.2.5107 Bootable ISO (use Rufus to create a bootable ISO)

Make sure to right click on the files you just downloaded, go to Properties, then hit Unblock from the bottom right as it may be blocked since it was downloaded from the internet, if you don't do this before you run the file, then it may not install correctly. Ensure both the image file and Rufus do not have a BLOCKED status.

 

I have experience that before with Kryonaut. Temps good first day and few days later 5-10c increase. I have also experienced kryonaut being the best thermal paste even after months of used. I can't explain why the difference.in consistency. I have also experienced problems with phobya nonogrease extreme. Spreading is very, very, very difficult with this thick paste and users should heat this paste to help and even spread. Phobya has no consistency problem. What you have after repaste will stay the same in months to come. Problem whith phobya is sometimes uneven core spread (core differential) which kryonaut has not.

So for me, personnal preference, i use kryonaut for CPU (core diferential effective), if it degrades after a few days i then repaste with Phobya nanogrease extreme trying to obtain the same results i got the first week with kryonaut.

 

Just got mine today! Surprised because it still doesn't have a tracking number.

Anything you'd suggest i do to it (besides undervolting and repasting) to get it tip top?

 

@Spartan@HIDevolution do you think gelid is better than phobya ?
I have to repaste and they only have the gelid gc .
Would you recommend a think layer or the cross method ?

 

From my research there isn't much between pastes in terms of temp performance 1-3 degrees at most.

Just get something that is supposed to last and save yourself the constant teardowns to repaste. To be honest even the stock stuff dell puts in isn't terrible these days (A good paste will drop temps a couple of degrees over it) but it's better than the toothpaste they used 10 years ago, but it's designed to be stable for a long time hence the lower thermal conductivity.

 

Recommended M2 SSD and SATA SSD ? What are you all using in yours? Can it fit M2 SSDs with heatsinks?

 

The best one in terms of price/performance ration is the HP EX950

Review: HP EX950 Review

 

Latest LAN/WLAN/Bluetooth Drivers 06-Aug-20

Spoiler: LAN/WLAN/Bluetooth Drivers versions

Killer E2X Ethernet Driver v9.0.0.50

Killer E2K Ethernet Driver v10.038.1118.2019

Killer E3000 Ethernet Driver v10.039.212.2020

Killer E3100 Ethernet Driver v1.0.0.12

Killer 1550/1650/Intel WLAN Drivers v21.110.1

Killer 1202 WLAN Driver v10.0.0.355

Killer 1435-1535 WLAN Driver v12.0.0.927

Killer 1525 WLAN Driver v12.0.0.448

Killer 1550/1650/Intel Wireless Bluetooth Driver v21.110.0.3

Realtek LAN Driver v10.35.510.2019

Don't forget to unblock the ZIP file before unzipping it otherwise all the extracted files will have a BLOCKED status since this is a file you downloaded from the internet and Windows puts a BLOCKED status on any downloaded file which causes incomplete or erroneous installs. For how to do this and to stop this automatic blocking of downloaded files, see:
"Are you sure you want to run this file?" [Yes or No]

 

So today I disabled the overclock through command center, used intel xtu with stock clocks -130mv and the cpu spiked at max 82 degrees for a pull of 190 w
Score of cinebenchr20 6208
While when you set the ratio to 5,3 on command center it's bad, it sets the first 5 cores to 5,3 lol this is ridiculous, wich results in a pull off 200 to 215 w and temps spiking to 90 for the same score with cinebenchr20.
It is very promising as the ambient temp in my room is 29 degrees lol hot .

I'm waiting for the temps to go down to redo this benchmark and hopefully get a 75 to 80 degrees max

@Spartan@HIDevolution have you tried it that way ?

 

That's a pretty solid score Melvin. Is that purely undervolted or have you repasted as well?

Can anyone confirm that the HyperX 2933 MHz CL17 RAM definitely works at the advertised timings in the R2? I've seen a few "almost certainly works" type of posts but I can't see that anyone has actually bought some and put it in.

 

I'm sure I saw someone post with it but can't find the post now. I currently have 64GB (2x32GB) HyperX 2933 sitting on my desk ready for when my A51M R2 arrives next week. I Will post once I have it in.