*OFFICIAL* Alienware X Series Owners Lounge and Discussion

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/...urce=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

This was posted on Reddit. Interesting to hear their reasoning for why they chose to use “Element 31” and not liquid metal and why it’s only on the cpu and not on the gpu

tl;dw
- Not on gpu due to cost vs benefit
- Main reasons they chose “Element 31” over LM due to:
> Less degradation/oxidation caused by humidity over time compared to LM
> Higher risk of shorting components when applying LM compared to “Element 31”

 

So, comparing the X17 and 7i. Emotionally, I want to keep the X17 but the 7i is giving some really great results if you ignore the subject stuff. Biggest hold back on the x17 is the power and heat it puts out. Looking at this video I made, how concerned should I be about that top deck hitting such crazy numbers? Possible for that to run components over the long haul? If they did add a mux and made those FPS the same, should this heat still be a factor?

 

The CPU and GPU die are right below where the vents are. That's why you're registering such a high temperature because you're basically measuring the temperature of the heatsink right above the dies themselves.

You can see my teardown to see where the CPU and GPU are relative to the vents on the side.

Imgur: The magic of the Internet

 

Totally get whats causing the heat, just wondering how concerning it is for that type of heat coming off the top center of the keyboard.

 

The display has a safe operating temp of up to 50C, so it will be fine.

AUO B173ZAN01.0 Overview - Panelook.com

I tried searching for more info on keyboard operating temps, but I haven't turned up anything so far. The keyboard near the vents will most likely be just fine. My GS66 has keyboard temps of up to 55C and it operates just fine for the past year and a half. Anecdotal evidence shouldn't be the only supporting evidence though, so I will try to find more details on this. I've also owned a Macbook Pro 15in and Razer Blade Advanced 15 and those also get a lot hotter than what you're seeing here. Keyboards never died on me in those cases either. See the temperature section in these links to see how hot these particular units get on their keyboards.

Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X) Laptop Review - NotebookCheck.net Reviews

Apple MacBook Pro 16 2019 Laptop Review: A convincing Core i9-9880H and Radeon Pro 5500M powered multimedia laptop - NotebookCheck.net Reviews

MSI GS75 Stealth 10SF Laptop Review: Great Core i7-10875H Performance - NotebookCheck.net Reviews

MSI GS66 Stealth 10UG Laptop Review: How Fast is a 95 W GeForce RTX 3070? - NotebookCheck.net Reviews

Razer Blade 15 Advanced (Early 2021) Review: Now with a 360-Hz screen - NotebookCheck.net Reviews

 

I also decided to measure the temperatures with a thermal gun. I'm using a Ryobi Infrared Thermometer.

RYOBI 8 in. Infrared Thermometer-IR002 - The Home Depot

Temperatures were taken while running Shadow of the Tomb Raider 5 times back to back and measurements were taking during the 6th run. Tests were done in

Thermal Mode: Performance
Performance Mode: High Performance

Combined CPU+GPU power draw was between 180-200W, mostly settling around the 190+ range.


Ambient temps: 29.94C

Topmost keys between the F7 and F8 key: 51.4C

Bottom black display bezel where the Alienware logo is: 43.6C

Bottom most part of the actual LCD display: 40.8C





Haven't tried to run it in Thermal Mode: Full Speed yet.

 

Ran it again this time with Thermal Mode: Full Speed.

Temperatures were taken while running Shadow of the Tomb Raider 5 times back to back and measurements were taking during the 6th run. Tests were done in

Thermal Mode: Full Speed
Performance Mode: High Performance

Combined CPU+GPU power draw was between 180-200W, mostly settling around the 190+ range.


CPU temps: 74-80C
GPU temps: 78-79C


Ambient temps: 28C

Topmost keys between the F7 and F8 key: 48.7C

Bottom black display bezel where the Alienware logo is: 41.4C

Bottom most part of the actual LCD display: 38.7C

 

Reran it again this time with Thermal Mode: Performance mode.

Temperatures were taken while running Shadow of the Tomb Raider 5 times back to back and measurements were taking during the 6th run. Tests were done in

Thermal Mode: Performance
Performance Mode: High Performance

Combined CPU+GPU power draw was between 180-200W, mostly settling around the 190+ range.


CPU temps: 74-80C
GPU temps: 78-81C


Ambient temps: 27.72C

Topmost keys between the F7 and F8 key: 48.7C

Bottom black display bezel where the Alienware logo is: 41.3C

Bottom most part of the actual LCD display: 38.8C

 

Hey guys, did anyone notice how long it takes between laptop hitting production and actually being shipped out?

 

This was the timeline for my X17. Going from production to finishing build took roughly a week for mine.

In production: July 24th
Build Finished: August 1st
Ship date: August 3rd
Delivered: August 5th

 

Sincerely, I see it totally fine. But only time will say how does it handle in the long term.
If you find it uncomfortable, return the laptop.

 

Oh man for me so far it is

Order date: July 10th
Confirmation date: July 16th
In Production: 14th August

If mine goes similar to yours then I should hopefully receive it by 23rd of August , otherwise the estimated delivery date from Dell is 13th of September

 

Nice set of excuses.

 

For me the most important thing is aesthetics haha I just like the flashy lights and the white chassis ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

If it got delayed past the initial shipment and delivery dates be sure to contact Dell Customer Support and ask for a reimbursement. For me I was able to get $200 reimbursed because of their delay.

 

Don't count in them ever adding the MUX. I don't buy the insidious Dell delaying MUX release theory and people who tried hacks to enable reported trouble.

 

The support agent that I am speaking to on email reply to me like a broken record, ignoring 90% of my email and only keep telling me that the machine is pending production...

I am not any more persuasive over the phone

I also got mine on a 20% discount so I don't think they will give me any chances

I think we are given different support here in Australia because its been nothing but terrible for me, both phone and email.

 

There should be live support chat you can do in your browser. That's where I went to ask for all the discounts and reimbursements that I got.

 

No amount of pleading will help. The only thing that may work is if you call and tell them you want to cancel because you can't wait that long. Then someone in front of you in the queue might get an annoying delay email, and your laptop might be shipped promptly. Most likely, although they could just cancel as requested if they smell weakness

 

I have waited this long it probably wont kill me to wait a bit longer, we're not going anywhere since its lockdown here anyways.

 

Yep, that's what they are banking on

 

Where are you reading your sources of trouble? I haven't read anything of the sort.
Seem you're trolling posts to me

Sent from my EVR-N29 using Tapatalk

 

You can read up on this here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/enable-mux-on-alienware-x17-4k-120hz-tutotial.836637/page-2

You are welcome, and think a little harder before posting next time.

 

I'm already part of that thread also.i don't see any mention of others posting any troubles as you mentioned. Minus the fact by thread OP stating possible brick of the device nothing more.


Sent from my EVR-N29 using Tapatalk

 

Mine was purchased July 28th
Confirmed also on July 28th
Still not in the "In Production" status to this day August 18th
Estimate delivery arrival is Sept 10th
I doubt that will reach the expected delivery date

 

I think the last post on that thread mentions about the user trying it out and ending up removing it due to having some “hairy” moments using it and not being confident keeping it

 

Received the X15 and I am very impressed. Amazing build quality and look. No throttling in gaming and have not needed to use throttlestop. This is amazing performance from a device this compact. Here is a timespy run with the 11800H and 3070. This is very close to a full TGP 3070 in a 16mm chassis!

https://www.3dmark.com/spy/22250511

 

The TimeSpy score is nothing to write home about, a step backwards in terms of performance as expected. Previous gen m15 R4 is 5% faster on stock settings:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/...4_i710870h_rtx_3070_fire_strike_and_time_spy/

 

Totally different machine and totally different chassis size and the CPU is still faster. I still think this is very impressive for how thin this thing is. And I'm coming from being a hardcore DTR fan. The thermals are good enough that they could easily give us the 140w vbios

 

I'm sick and tired of hearing about all the negative people on this thread. Bunch of children living under mammas roof drinking their energy drinks. All that matters is that people are satisfied with their purchase and the negative nellies stop raining on other peoples parades. Speaking as someone who who has wasted a sizable fortune on crap over the years I can say that spending 3K on my X17 was worth the cost.

 

Totally different? Looks very similar to the m15 R2-4.This thing is actually heavier than the m15 R1, and probably the rest of them too.

 

20.5mm vs 16mm Z height and thermals that seem better and more quiet.That's totally different.

 

Wonder how many people would notice the difference in practice, not nitpicking side by side. Now, 15 R2 at 35mm vs m15 R2 at 22mm (that's with the lid closed BTW). A 13 mm difference is very clear and indeed the two laptops feel "totally different". 4.5mm is 1/3 of that. Meh.

Sure, thermals are better once you slash TGP...

 

My 3070 is maxing out around 70C with aggressive fans, it could easily handle 140w. Maybe they will? 11800H is performing at full TDP as well.

 

70C in TS or during an extended bemchmark load, or just in TS or FS? As I'm sure you know temps can raise quite quickly at the top end of the curve in response to power increase even even as small as a few W. The only way to confirm the performance under increased power would be to load that 140W BIOS and test. To be fair though, you are on stock paste, so there is still the LM escape route.

 

I did the timespy stability test, 20 loops, max fans. I would flash the 140w vbios from the m15 but don't think they are compatible at all.

 

Benchmarks are all cool and stuff, but what is most important is that you are enjoying your new laptop, if it runs the games that you want to play and looks cool while doing it then its money well spent

I am happy to hear that you are enjoying your new laptop, congrats!

 

Completely agree. Absolutely baffles me to be honest that of all the things these people can choose to do in there spare time, they decide to complain and critisize about a laptop that they don't even own, or have no real life experience of using it, on the owners forum for said laptop where the majority, if not, all real life users are actually enjoying the laptop.

 

Usually you don't hear from people who are enjoying their products because they're too busy enjoying them

 

@DanteDrac Did you try to install the 4TB SSD in the end? I just had another look on HIDevolution and there is now an option for them to install a Sabrent 4TB SSD in the X17. There's still no option for the 8TB SSD though. I tried to phone them and confirm whether this is correct but couldn't get through to them. Maybe give them a call and see what they say? I assume it must be correct otherwise why would they offer it? But it's a bit confusing that they dont offer the 8TB version.

 

I'm very impressed with how flexible the X series laptops are pertaining to upgradability and the ability to overclock. Far more then any laptop I've ever owned. The other thing that impressed me is the speed. I wanted a laptop that was a true desktop replacement for my last system which had a 6950X CPU and dual Titan Xp's in SLI config. I had that system at a constant CPU overclock by 43% and my X17 is every bit as snappy and responsive with opening programs and everyday operation. Even programs like photoshop are every bit as responsive. I haven't done much gaming other then to try a few like Civilization 6 and my X17 seems to be even slightly more responsive then my former desktop. If the desktop component market wasn't so dry then I would not have even considered a 3K laptop but given the current market I'm more then satisfied with my X17. Connecting mine with a large external monitor and wireless keyboard is fine for my needs and even though I didn't expect it to feel like a true desktop replacement it has accomplished exactly that.

 

We know a couple of experienced people here already returned the laptop for all the reasons mentioned in the thread.
While it's great that for some people the laptop met or exceeded often moderate performance expectations, or that the aesthetics for performance tradeoff is right for them; people hoping for absolute top performance (as historically expected from the brand) in all aspects clearly may have issues with these products - hopefully by now it's clear why.

Obviously, these forums are also frequented by potential buyers. You don't need to own a product to discuss it, and it doesn't take much time to pop in a comment on the forum. Nowhere near the time gamers tend to spend. Whether discussing laptops online or gaming is a more baffling form of leisure is wide open to a debate IMHO.

 

But if your gonna trash it then at least have the courtesy to do it based on actual experience. Because anyone who hasn't used it but chooses to be critical has zero credibility.

 

This is a patently false argument, we've discussed this a couple of times already. There are lots of experienced and smart people on this forum who don't own a laptop of this particular series but still arguably have much more credibility than say newcomers hoping to boost it by sharing personal data.

When I see memory latency 86ns+ reported by multiple credible users, I don't need to go and buy the laptop to confirm it's really that bad. I can just state that it's much worse than what an earlier model I own can achieve, which not everyone may be aware of. Ultimately it's about whether the arguments are based on good data and make sense.

 

The thing is you’ve made your point that you don’t like these X series laptops. That’s fine. You are also correct that you don’t need to own the laptops to post on this forum. I get that.

The point I am making is you have made your stance pretty clear that you prefer the Area 51 laptops / Clevo / Insert Other DTR here compared to the X Series. Whilst I read this forum from the very beginning and have seen you post various interesting info I just don’t get why you have to repeatedly make negative comments over and over again without adding anything else constructive if you’ve already made your point. I also don’t get why you’d wanna waste your free time on a forum for a product you hate so much and have no intention of buying but each to their own I guess. It’s a free world and all that, I just personally find it weird.

I’ve had a poor experience so far regarding the condition I have received the X series laptops in. Just because I had a poor experience so far doesn’t mean I’m gonna post sarcastic, negative comments every 5 posts to new owners who seem happy with their purchase. I don’t gain anything from that.

Maybe it’s a hobby of yours to do this. Can’t think of any other reason why tbh.

 

You missed the point. I do own AW laptops, and I care about the brand - hence the involvement here.

 

Fair enough. It doesn’t come across like you care about the brand though. It comes across as if you hate it and post negative comments at every opportunity you can. Again the constructive information you post is useful and helpful. The other comments that are repeatedly sarcastic and negative add nothing to the conversation and if anything makes you seem more like a troll than anything else.

 

So has anyone attempted to flash a higher TGP vbios in the X15? The 110w in the X15 leaves some headroom for more power as I'm never going past 78C in gaming. I'm really tempted to flash the 140w vbios from the M15 and tweaking voltages

 

I would suggest a different perspective: a few things we have been "sarcastically moaning" about on this forum over the years have actually been addressed. They brought the SODIMMs back, the MUX switch is starting to make an appearance. Feedback on products is good, the trap one might fall into is taking such feedback personally as an owner.

 

11th gen Intel seems to have proplems with the imc. It has gear 2 mode to work with very high frequency mem modules. The problem with the mobile platform is 3200 MHz is the upper limit. In case of this low mem frequency the imc has to run in gear 1 CR1. Unfortunately the X17 runs the imc in gear 2 CR2 which reduces the imc speed by 75%. This could be the main reason for the high mem latency,



In summary it is absolutely irrelevant which mem modules are used in the X17 as long as they are x8.

Here are the scores of AIDA64 with Kingston FURY 3200 CL20 dual rank:

Here is the original kingston value ram from dell oc to 3466 MHz but which is single rank:

Interestingly, The 3200 Kingston FURY have higher copy speed which might give them a small edge in real world apps/games. But in the end, as long as X17 runs in gear2 mode it is rather useless to shop for DDR4 kits. Bench runs were done under Win11, which seems to have slightly worse mem perf than Win10.

Also I have no idea if AIDA64 mem bench is a good representation of real world performance, as dual rank modules should in a 2 slot system alsways be prefered to single rank. The Dell 32GB 3466 MHz kit is single rank. Maybe the 64GB kit is dual rank? Does anybody know? In this case, last named kit might be the best option.