*OFFICIAL* Alienware m15 R2 / m17 R2 Owner's Lounge

Cpu load benefits from faster ram, gpu performance not so much.

 

You should be happy, I'm getting a pathatic 2650 score with my i7 on the m15 r2.
continuously thermal throttling during the test. Doesn't matter which profile.
I ran this with an undervolt of -140mv. Which is kinda unstable. It's 100% stable at -125mv which I prefer to stay at. I also drop down my short turbo boost max TDP from 90 watt to 60 watt. And the normal turbo boost max tdp from 70 watt to 47 watt.
With those settings, when I still run cinabench, I still thermally throttle but instead of maintaining 3.6ghz, i now drop to 3.2 ghz, and the score in that scenario is 2300.

very disappointing results.

 

Works as intended. Read the review at Notebookcheck.net

“12 percent slower than the average Core i7-9750H in our database taken from 39 other laptops”

 

You need to repaste @QUICKSORT, thosse laptops are much better then the previous version for cooling. I find it is easier to repaste those new M15R2 then all previous 15R2/R3/R4 version. And the picture i send you for the amount of needed LM was correct finally. I have recently tried with less (Heatsink replace by dell) and core differential was bad. I opened up again, put to more drops and voila!
Start with less and add untill you have the perfect amount. Just make sure you protect the surrounding with tape in case it spills.
After that set the laptop to performance mode in windows and performance or full speed in AWCC. Set bios to performance and set your TDP in ThrottleStop to 90 and speed shift to 0.and run Cinebench R20. Your score will be much better.

My laptop has been destroy lately by a tech that came to my house to repair a noisy fan. Dell suggested to replace the keyboard and the heatsink and that was too much for the technician to handle. Now it's going to the depot for full repair with new MB, HS, Cables etc....and will probably come back still defective. Still i believe that these laptops are very good at cooling compare to previous generation and i don't think it has anything to do wiht my CPU being 9980HK cause it was overheating, throttling, like yours before repaste.

 

Does anyone know why I'm experiencing HDR is grayed out in some games and not others with my M15 r2? Specs: I7, 2080 Max Q. 16GB ram, 4k OLED.

Example: The new call of duty modern warfare will run HDR and RTX. When I launch the Division 2, Assassins Creed Origins, or Ghost Recon Breakpoint, the HDR option is grayed out in the games and it is pretty clear the lighting is not HDR. I do have HDR enabled of course as it runs perfectly in Modern Warfare. I've updated windows, AWCC, all drivers through the Alienware update. When that didn't solve the issue, I downloaded the latest gaming ready driver from Nvidia. Still no luck. I also heard that some games will not run HDR if the screen isn't at full brightness so I tested at 100% with same result.

Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

Many thanks!

 

Hey everyone. Is the correct part number for the m.2 heat shield in the m17 r2, R46DX?

 

Okay, so since I never did a manual repaste on a laptop myself. And because it's not a cheap product, and because there are a couple other issues I have, I contacted dell. I mean their support has always been great, apart from the burned Area 51M, but that was due to it being a serious unknown issue back then, combined with parts shortage.

Anyway, so I told them about my thermals. A guy called me the next day and had a remote connection to my pc to do a test on stock settings. HWInfo showed a max package temp of 102°C while throttling at 3.2 Ghz during a CPU stress test through the support assist tool of dell.
While at it, I also mentioned that I had an issue with my monitor frame. As the chassis of the monitor is slightly bent, when I open the laptop lid while holding it from the left side, the frame detaches from the chassis, and also when typing the keyboard makes an annoying rattling sound.

I had to make videos/photo's they checked and confirmed. And they will come and fix them. Which is still by far the most important reason why I'm still at dell. The great on-site support.
So they will replace the keyboard and the monitor they said. And they will do a repaste of the thermals. For that I was allowed to make them use my own thermal compound as long as it's not liquid metal. And personally I'm also not a huge fan of liquid metal. Don't get me wrong I know it's the best option for best thermals, but its complexity, longevity stuff, makes me not go for it as I'm not an extreme user.
So I got myself Thermal-Grizzly Kryonaut.

And we will see what this will give us.

 

Are you certain the keyboard needs to be replaced? I will explain.
My system only had an issue with the fan making noise at full speed. When i contacted Dell they told me that it was related to the keyboard? I told them that no it was related to the Heatsink and only the Heatsink needed to be replaced. Alienware tech support insisted to replace the keyboard also. I was afraid the tech could not perform this task without damaging anything inside the computer....and that is exactly what happened! To remove the Keyboard all the boards of the laptops have to be removed and then the keyboard has 33 very very small screw to be unscrewed. The technician striped most of the screw and damage someting inside (can only be see when running dell diagnostick tool) and Dell is still trying to find wich other part he damaged
Also i have the exact same display that you have and my chassis does the same thing. I never tought it was defective.
For dell CPU package at 102C is not consider overheating/defective. Defective for dell is 101C or more for 1 core and that is almost impossible to reach because i believe (not sure 100%) that is protected by software to throttle, shut down etc... before it happens.

I hope you will get a very good tech to replace the keyboard and your repair will go better then mine. Kryonaut is a good paste and i am sure it will improve your thermals. Like you mentionned, Dell has very good tech support, and if anything goes wrong they won't let you down.

 

Okay let me go over my issues.
The keyboard and the monitor frame issues I was able to overlook. But the guy specifically asked me if there was anything else wrong, and when I told him, he said that that's definitely not okay, and should be looked at while you still have your warranty, and you should have it fixed. Which is also why I then also mentioned the keyboard.

First off the monitor issue. This is how it looks like when the lid is closed. You can see the bent of the top of the laptop best in this angle:
https://i.imgur.com/kM9n3Ri.jpg

And this is how it looks when you open the monitor holding it from the left side only, and opening it a couple times without pushing the frame manually back in place:
https://i.imgur.com/KuI09Wy.jpg

About the Keyboard, this is the issue, and is not related to the heatsink in my case: (With Sound)
https://i.imgur.com/AbuiKrF.mp4

And finally about my temps. The issue isn't necessarily it reaching 100. The cores automatically throttle before they reach 100. I believe at 99 they start throttling. Problem is mainly with Core #2. Which skyrockets in temps, and is the first core to trigger the thermal throttling. Causing me to have way below average performance from this CPU compared to other people. Even people with the exact same laptop model. So might as well appreciate a repaste. So having Kryonaut applied cannot hurt.

Also thanks for the info about disassembling the keyboard. I'll talk with the the technician about the keyboard (who will be come by on Friday if every piece is in stock). And Might end up not replacing it, as it's not that much of a big deal for me. Annoying, but I can live with.

 

You're keyboard is defInetly defective. Mine makes no sound. So yes, it is justified to replace it. Hopefully the technician will be carefull in the process.
For the display, mine seperates sometimes too but not that much. I would have it repair me too if it was thsi bad.
Make sure the tech spread evenly kryonaut to the CPU and GPU with the tool that comes with it. It gives better results on laptops compare to just a x patern or a line. And it is better to tork the screws aleternatively following the order 1 to 6 for the heatsink. 1,2,3,4,5,6, couple of turn then 1,2,3,4,5,6 1 turn, 1,2,3,4,5,6,à 1 turn etc untill it is completly screwed. This will improve how the paste spread on the dies of CPU/GPU.He must not overscrewed also. Tight but not too tight.
I hope it goes well for you.

 

Anyone tested the 9980HK with the AGA? Wondering if the offload of the GPU heat makes any difference in the thermal performance on the CPU to reach higher performance. I haven't found any other posts or testing on this which surprises me.

 

Guy for re-pasting and replace my keyboard and monitor came today.
A couple things happened:
- He did replace the monitor. No more dent on the chassis, and it already looks far more premium as a laptop.
- He replaced the Heatsink (didn't use my Thermal Grizzly, will come to that in a second), Temps are a LOT better. No more thermal throttling after like 5 cinabenches. Never even reached 90 degrees without any undervolt. Of course this might also be because it's new new, the heatsink.
- He replaced the keyboard, and the keyboard bracket also, to make sure. Although he found out, the rattling sound issue wasn't caused by the keyboard, but a part of the motherboard.

Now, this guy when detaching the touchpad, broke a piece of the connector on the motherboard, because he wasn't aware that the cable was attached to two different parts through different sides. (and I looked at it, it's indeed tricky how they did this, but whatever). So the motherboard has to be replaced, and to make sure that sound goes away, they are going to replace the chassis of the bottom part of the laptop too. So I will have to wait till the motherboard is back in stock. And since the motherboard is going to be replaced anyway, the guy didn't want to waste my thermal paste, hence why he didn't use it.

So for now he reassembled it. My laptop looks a lot better with the non bent monitor. The laptop works currently as intended, with better thermals. The rattling sound is still there, and I have a touchpad that is not connected, so that doesn't work, but I don't need it at the moment anyway.
So will see till the next guy comes and fixes my machine.

 

Guys I need help.
Long story short.
Seem the repair guy messed more up on my laptop. The Green led on the power button doesn't work, and the laptop now only changers randomly for short times. On other times, there is no power adapter recognized, not even when I look in the bios.
So they decided to give me a new laptop (fingers crossed, that nothing will be wrong with that particular machine). But this means another 3 weeks or so without a laptop.

I disassembled my laptop to see if I could figure out something about why it doesn't charge. Couldn't find anything. It randomly starts charging, but the more time passes the less reliable it gets, it only charges like 5-10% of the time right now.
Do you guys know what I can do to make this somehow a little more reliable, at least until I get my new laptop? I did try another power adapter, I get the same behavior on that.

Any thoughts?

 

Flaky system board it would seem. Not sure what else it could be.

 

Never mind. I think I solved the problem.
I disassembled the laptop today. To see if I could find something. There was nothing. Though I did wiggle every connector I could see. One connector that came from the display was not properly seated. That one I pushed properly in. And I think that solved the problem.
It's been 8 hours now. And still no power adapter connection loss. Properly feeding the laptop.

So My laptop works until the new one arrives. Still thank you though.

 

I talked with a dell sales rep yesterday for laptop accessories, and asked for a sleeve for the m15 r2, as the vindicator 2.0 ones are no longer sold or even suggested upon ordering an m15 r2.
The woman told me that the Dell pro sleeve 15 is the one I should go with, I was confused as I thought that that was for a "normal" 15 inch laptop, and the m15 r2 having a larger exhaust I thought it might not fit. So I asked again if she was sure it fits the newly release m15 r2, and she confirmed.
I checked it out it looks really nice. I would want that, but looking at the max supported laptop dimensions, it comes short with a couple cm's. so I'm worried now to order it.
And will there be a successor for the vindicator 2.0 sleeve? As I did really like that one. Have one for my AW 13 r3, and I love the fact that it's a perfect fit. I hate it when the laptop is a little loose in it.
Anyone any experience / some helpful info regarding this?

EDIT: Nvm, found it.
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/alienware-m15-fabric-sleeve-reflective-graphics/apd/aa845445

 

Guys....just received an AW M17R2...quite impressed after opening the box but very soon disappointed while using the touchpad:
- scrolling ist more or less impossible (driver update solves it?)
- the whole pad is not "stiff" in the base unit. It seems like it is loose and always makes clicking noise when I just simply touch it (no pressing). Just like the unit in this video:
Ist this a known issue or just a defect and a replacement unit might not have this problem?

 

Disable tobi eye tracker.

 

Thx.
And what about the loose trackpad?

 

I have an m17 r2 as well, and my trackpad works exactly the same, so I would assume that's normal, but I don't have any scrolling issues, works like a charm.

 

Disabling Tobii solved the trackpad issue.
But the loose trackpad is driving me crazy. Does anyone has a unit where the trackpad is sturdy?

 

I don't know about the m17 r2, but it's fine on my m15 r2. I did have a loose component though, the extension on the motherboard for the 2 extra USB ports on the side. Which was rattling when typing on the keyboard. So while fixing that (and my thermal issues and my bent monitor), the guy that came to fix it bricked my motherboard, so I'm getting a new one. So will see how that one goes.

Even though I love these laptops. It seems like the Quality Check seems rather lacking.

 

Guys debating repasting a brand new m17 r2 - 2080 / 9750 with kryonought, done all the previous gen 17s and 18's.

Is this as hard and flimsy and some have said?

 

I received a replacement unit, after the the guy from dell broke the touchpad connector on the motherboard.
My temps are slightly worse than what they were after the guy replaced my heatsink. But I'm no longer thermally throttling. I reach mid 90 degrees. but no longer 100. And keeping a stable 4Ghz on all cores.

Do Even though I did also buy Kryonaut, I'm not going to use it right now. Already had too much headache. This is my 4th Alienware laptop within 1 year. (2 Area 51M's and 2 M15 r2's). I'm tired. The laptop I now got is fine. I have no problems so far whatsoever. So I will not be repasting it anytime soon. Perhaps after like 2 years if it starts throttling by then.

But I've seen many people pull it off without problems. It's just me that is being skeptical. If you have a steady hand. Have good tools (like iFix it. I bought it myself, lots of handy tools, especially for like taking out or plugging back in certain cables.) And are simply careful and take your time. I think you should be fine.

 

Okay thanks dude - how have you been testing for throttling ? is it throttling under 4Ghz is that what your saying?

 

So I have Intel XTU running to monitor temperatures and Clock frequencies. (because I also use it for undervolting).
But you can also use Task manager to see your current clock frequency under the performance tab choosing CPU. And for temperatures you can use like CoreTemp.

You will be throttling (dipping below 4.0Ghz) when at least one of the cores reaches 100°C.
On intel XTU it also shows, if your are power and/or Thermally throttling. Of course there are other tools too like HWInfo.

Then I start running Cinebench r20, which during the test utulizes all your cores and threads at 100% at the same time, and then simply monitor my CPU.

 

Okay, my first timespy results with my replacement laptop:
https://www.3dmark.com/3dm/44363182?

Am actually really satisfied with this result. Now gotta hope no more issues with this laptop.

 

Nice score. Make sure you run all your test in performance mode in AWCC and in windows power plan. Undervolt but don't reduce TDP. Leave it at 110 or more. Then run your test and watch your 6 core speed. If it drops below maximum (in your case 4GHZ on all 6 cores all the time) during the test then it means it needs a repaste or a better undervolt. If it keeps its with good temps then you are all set and can start gaming good with this machine. I recommend you use HWinfo to monitor performance during test, you will see if clock speed is constant or if it drops.

 

Awcc was at full speed when I did that test. But I leave it at balanced at all times, and leave AWCC closed for the rest of the time. My power plan is Balanced. But I modify balanced as such that when plugged in, it's basically High performance. About the undervolt. I did tests, and -135mv is the lowest I can go without getting any errors in stability tests in throttlestop.
I will NEVER switch to max tdp 110. I find 90 to be already too high. When I use Cinabench, I reach 98 degrees, (but of course cinabench is a synthetic test, not a realistic scenario). But no thermal throttling. I'm fine with that. I don't need more CPU performance. With all the issues I had, I'm more than happy with this result. Perhaps after 1-2 years, if the thermals were to get worse, I'd do a repaste. But not liquid metal. Simple kryonaut.

 

Isn't the 9750h short boost max limit is 90w? Is it a new bios update with the 110 short?

 

My bad, misunderstood you. I suppose you meant with 110, not the TDP, but the undervolt 110mv.
I see, forget what I said about increasing the TDP. Like I said, my undervolt is at -135mv stable.

 

As long as you are happy with the performance, that's what is important. But you do understand that running window power plan to balanced and setting a low maximum TDP (i think you run in the range of 60) will reduce your temps and performance overall. I never saw your HWinfo file ot your clock speed when you run the test but i am pretty sure you are not running 4.0GZ constant on all 6 cores during load. That is why you see no themal throttling because it is not running at full speed.

Another thing i noticed is that with alienware Laptop it is very important to reset the bios to performance enable on a regular basis. It as a tendency to disable performance mode after a BSOD. This will reduce cpu speed and at the same time reduce max temps.

You can set max TDP what you want in throttle stop. I do not have a 9750H so i was guessing it was 110. Putting it at 110 won't change anything since it will probably never even reach 80w at max load. For example my 9980HK is set a 150 and never wen't above 120w. The idea is to set TDP higher so it won't reduce it's performance. That is my understanting but i am not an expert on the subject.

 

Alienware is replacing my damage system with an Area 51m .
I still believe that the M15R2 are good gaming laptops after a simple repaste/undervolt (mine got damage by technicians trying to repair minor defective parts).
I have to say that even if i ran into somme issues with alienware products that they treated me very well when it comes warranty/exchange. They were generous in my new configuration, they gave me max configuration except for rams (32GB). I consider myself lucky with that exchange.

 

9900K + 2080? Also 2x the amount of RAM which can be extended if needed, unlike in the m15 R2. Nice! The only issue could be the battery life I guess.

 

Hi all,
I've been having some weird issues with my m15 R2 after repaste... Sometimes I'm getting BSOD when running games (at random times, afte 1hour playing or just when started) and in one instance when just watching a video. After few BSOD's I've redone thermal paste just to make sure that paste covered GPU and CPU evenly. The odd bit is that temperatures are always under 75 for both CPU and GPU hence the confusion... I've run dell diagnostics, memtest, fresh OS, but the issue persists. The BSOD errors tend to be random and inconsistent such as IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL, PAGE FAULT IN NONPAGED AREA , SYSTEM THREAD EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED etc. Has anyone experienced similar behaviour and what did you to resolve it? Any suggestion to what it might be are much appreciated!

 

2080 + 9900K + 32 RAM + 2 TB Raid0 + 144HZ G-sync. I had a bad battery life with M15R2 with the OLED panel (wich i will miss) so i think it will be about the same.

 

1-Make sure you run the game in performance mode in AWCC and windows power plan.
2- No undervolt
3- No overclock (close MSI)
4-set bios to performance= Enable
5-Test with different games.
Play the game and pray....

Seriously it would surprirse me that the BSOD comes from your repaste if temps are this low.
Good luck.

 

Hi, I have issue with undervolting, so if I change the voltage for example -100v, my voltage goes down till 550v after that cpu temp dramatically drops from 70-80 to 45-50 straight away, fps remains the same, but problem is picture start freezing, just little bit, but noticeable, specially in racing games. Even if change the voltage on just -20v its still drops to 550v , my base average voltage is 1250v( without undervolt). XTU and ThrottleStop does the same thing. Also why fans on max speed gives the 0 boost to temps, fan on cool and full speed gives the same temperature, how its possible. Laptop is pretty new, just 3 weeks in use.
Thank you.
H9750, RTX2060.

 

Hi there, new owner here. The new 2019 M15s look really amazing.

Beyond updating drivers, undervolting, and command console is there anything I should do with my new M15 R2? Tried reading through a few pages here, but there was just too much content. Thank you!

Also, I heard that DLSS doesn't need to be trained anymore. But I still don't see an option to turn it on in Nvidia. I assume it still needs to be enabled per game? Is that correct?

 

I went ahead and ordered a Valve Index VR Kit.
Do you guys think the Alienware m15 r2, can support the high resolution and framerate of that headset? (i7, 2080 max q)

 

Yes, read this guide please and follow it to the dot if you don't want Killer Networking to cripple your internet: Guide: Killer Software / Extension Un-installation and Blocking

 

Alienware Customization - Wallpapers, OEM Info, Start Menu

 

Not the same device but when i bought my m15 r1, it has faulty screen and thermal sink. I contacted with them and they told me that we will replace your parts but you need to wait one month to wait for parts to come. I wish i can had the same treatment as you did with them. It will be 2 months when the parts came and replaced. Of course if it comes.

 

Latest LAN/WLAN/Bluetooth Drivers 13-Apr-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 v1.0.0.13

Killer 1550/1650/Intel WLAN Drivers v21.80.0.4

Killer 1202 WLAN Driver v10.0.0.355

Killer 1435-1535 WLAN Driver v12.0.0.938

Killer 1525 WLAN Driver v12.0.0.448

Intel Wireless Bluetooth Driver v21.80.0.3

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, see:
"Are you sure you want to run this file?" [Yes or No]

 

@etern4l

In the Area-51m, you can change the battery from Adaptive to Mainly AC Use or Custom and have it start charging at 50% and stop at 90%.

Is there such an option in the m15 BIOS and what is it called or where is it found as I am trying to help someone but they said they don't have such an option in the 2nd tab.

 

I just checked, the options are there on the 2nd tab, but you have to go down, as the screen has to scroll a little to see the options.
And thanks, now I know this option is there too. Didn't know that myself.

 

Hey @Spartan, since you've asked me, the m15 R1 does not have this BIOS feature.

 

Ow, I didn't realize that the quesiton might have been for the Alienware m15 R1.
Mine is the m15 R2, which does have that option.

 

The guy is saying that he doesn't have such an option? Is that something new on the R2 and perhaps the R1 doesn't have it? he has an R1 it seems

 

Hi guys! Looking to purchase the 15r2 from the outlet so I was comparing stuff and I thought the main difference between both is the cpu but some m15s use the 9th gen chips also. Am I missing something? From what I saw, main difference is only the 90wh on the 15r1 to the 76wh on the new models and the laptop screens(not even sure if they are different)