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    *OFFICIAL* Alienware m15 R4 / m17 R4 Owner's Lounge

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by Game7a1, Jan 12, 2021.

  1. Normimb

    Normimb Notebook Evangelist

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    Good news. Everyone is waiting to see some stock benchmark on that most powerfull 150W 3080. PLease post some Timespy results when you have a chance.

    Please uses this settings when benching:
    -Windows powerplan: Max performance
    -Nvidia 3d settings power option: Max performance
    - Disable G-sync (if you have it)
    .Fan speed in AWCC at Full speed
    CPU and GPU stock settings.

    That should give you the best stock performance results.
     
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  2. Cerreta28

    Cerreta28 Notebook Evangelist

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    Give me about 45 min I’ll post some ..
     
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  3. captn.ko

    captn.ko Notebook Deity

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    I can wait. Got an insane good price and only bought it because of that.
     
  4. Cerreta28

    Cerreta28 Notebook Evangelist

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  5. Cerreta28

    Cerreta28 Notebook Evangelist

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  6. pitha1337

    pitha1337 Notebook Evangelist

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    Great scores! Could you please try a TimeSpy in the balance profile in AWCC and give your opinion regarding the fans. I know that in the previous models they had a very high pitch noise. Currently I'm testing the GE76 which has similar scores and very quite fans.
     
  7. Normimb

    Normimb Notebook Evangelist

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    Thank you for posting those first Time Spy results of the M17R4 RTX3080 @Cerreta28.

    Those results are on par with the best 3080 150+watts we saw so far. Best graphic score recorded for this benchmark is 13691 (yesterday). You could maybe increase your score with more aggressive overclock.

    I have made a comparaison with my system, area 51Mr2 with 2080S last year.
    On both benchmark you Graphics performed 11.5% better then last year most powerfull Alienware laptop GPU card.
    Stock 3080: 12550 + 11.6%
    Stock 2080s: 11246

    +125 core +400 memory
    3080: 13139 +11.4%
    2080S: 11798

    It would be nice if you could let us know the TGP (Thermal graphic power) and the dynamic boost when you have more time.

    Thank you sir.
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2021
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  8. Cerreta28

    Cerreta28 Notebook Evangelist

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    I just did test in balance mode gpu score was 12723 stock so it was higher then the pro finance profile !??
     
  9. Cerreta28

    Cerreta28 Notebook Evangelist

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    I just did test in balance mode gpu score was 12723 stock so it was higher then the pro finance profile !??

    I’m doing a retest with OC on balance
    So gpu score was 13092 on balance
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2021
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  10. etern4l

    etern4l Notebook Virtuoso

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    Matching GE76 results could prove a bit of a challenge, because the Raider uses faster 3200 MHz memory (not soldered, of course).
     
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  11. Debicat

    Debicat Notebook Guru

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    Ooh it's nice to see some benchmarks from the new m17 R4! Idk if I'm going to go with AW but it's nice to get a reference point :)
     
  12. Debicat

    Debicat Notebook Guru

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    Thank you for this
     
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  13. Normimb

    Normimb Notebook Evangelist

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    + i think GE 76 has a 155W TGP+ 5W (dynamic boost) as for the M17R4 should have 150wTGP and no clue about dynamic boost or not.
     
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  14. Papusan

    Papusan Jokebook's Sucks! Dont waste your $$$ on Filthy

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    Sad seeing the performance gain is so small vs older gen 2080 Super mobile from last year. Probably one of the worst releases from Nvidia ever. I can only remember 880M was on same level. Barely faster than 780M stock but failed hard when oc'd.
    upload_2021-2-12_4-24-49.png
    https://www.3dmark.com/spy/18009924
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2021
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  15. Normimb

    Normimb Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes it's one of the worst release ever (we had such high expectations with these RTX30XX series, but 50% drop performance vs desktop 3080 is worst then anticipated) and also the previous one with RTX2080 Super showing only 4-5% gain over previous RTX2080 (Bad but still close to desktop performance -12%). Gone are the days of laptop being consider desktop replacement (DTR).
    Laptop have lost 50% over desktop and now since they all going thin, and thinner, they are going to run hot, and hotter on top of that. Or they run cool and cooler with TCC offset....great :(
     
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  16. etern4l

    etern4l Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yes, I hope AW refresh AGA, since eGPUs look like the only way forward if you want to get anywhere close to high end on a laptop.
     
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  17. Debicat

    Debicat Notebook Guru

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    I saw your comment, thank you for the rep points! I'm a Miss :)
    Dell is having a Presidents Day sale but I'm not sure I want to take the AW plunge considering the control issues Dell has with their software
     
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  18. Cerreta28

    Cerreta28 Notebook Evangelist

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    I just applied LM to the CPU and GPU let’s see how it turns out .. not sure if sore will be any better
     
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  19. PvtJoker347

    PvtJoker347 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I think the sale is available for the M17/M15 R3 and Area 51m R2. But it doesn’t look like the discounts apply to the new M17/M15 R4 systems.
     
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  20. Spartan@HIDevolution

    Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative

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    I tried a few discount code. None work on the new models
     
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  21. PvtJoker347

    PvtJoker347 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yea same here.
     
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  22. mehtenj94

    mehtenj94 Notebook Consultant

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    Let us know if it actually improves anything.
     
  23. Cerreta28

    Cerreta28 Notebook Evangelist

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    It went up a few points not much at all .. temps of the gpu did go down from 82c to about 77c

    I will say I’m not that impressed with the laptop over my old 2080s but I’ll prob keep it Because I already sold my Rtx 3090 FE
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2021
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  24. FXi

    FXi Notebook Deity

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    How many 3.0 pci-e lanes going to the 3080? Curious if people might see some uptick when 4.0 comes to next gen chips which for M series would be Tiger Lake. I know on the desktop they really only saw 5-8% if I recall uptick from 4.0, but in a normally more restrictive laptop environment it might give a bit more, or not, hard to say. But knowing what you've got there gives a reference.
     
  25. Debicat

    Debicat Notebook Guru

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    Thanks guys
     
  26. Normimb

    Normimb Notebook Evangelist

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    Have you tried the new paste: Thermalright TFX? I have and it gave me same or better results for the GPU and CPU on my 51MR2 vs LM conductonaut. I do not garante better results but you might wan't a give it a try next time you reopen the system.
    Do you have any idea on the maximum wattage of the GPU during gaming or benchmark? Apparently Nvidia driver is not reliable to report real TPG of the new card so i was thinking HWinfo max wattage would give us a better idea of max TGP.
     
  27. Sk0b0ld

    Sk0b0ld Notebook Consultant

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    We have a guy on our forum who got his m17 r4 today. He says in balance-mode the GPU takes 160-165w in time spy. Undervolting should also work, but is still being verified.

    AW-Forum (German)
     
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  28. seanwee

    seanwee Father of laptop shunt modding

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    Alienware really driving it up against the wall eh? Still, 5C drop on the gpu is pretty big.

    I'm testing pastes at the moment and TFX performs the best out of numerous high end pastes (TFX, ZF-EX, KPX, Mastergel maker, Kryonaut, Gelid GC Extreme)

    LM doesn't provide much benefit over regular pastes on the gpu, maximally 1-2C better in my testing. On large gpu dies its not worth using LM though since it pools up quickly leaving dry spots in some areas affecting thermals.
     
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  29. Cerreta28

    Cerreta28 Notebook Evangelist

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    Has any one seen or know what this issue is .. when I play games on my external display it’s looks all messed up I have to FN-F7 in to optimus for it to be correct .
    https://imgur.com/a/CT9TbQe

    turns out it’s doing it both modes. Any advise
     
  30. Normimb

    Normimb Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks. This would mean that it has Dynamic boost 10 or 15 watts.
    150W + (DB 2.0 10W or 15W).
     
  31. mehtenj94

    mehtenj94 Notebook Consultant

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    Does Fn + F7 still work on the Gsync panels ? Is there a noticeable improvement in battery life by doing this ? Does anyone have any idea ?
     
  32. Cerreta28

    Cerreta28 Notebook Evangelist

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    mine does . I have the 144hz panel with gsync
    I don’t have an issue with my external monitor going out a lot ..
     
  33. mehtenj94

    mehtenj94 Notebook Consultant

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  34. etern4l

    etern4l Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yep, can't touch MSI GE76 with 3200MHz RAM.
     
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  35. Cerreta28

    Cerreta28 Notebook Evangelist

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    Does the ram help a lot ?
     
  36. Papusan

    Papusan Jokebook's Sucks! Dont waste your $$$ on Filthy

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    Yeah, Dell Alienware should really have used ram slots for their thicker and bigger gaming flagship as they is able to do for their thinner and much smaller 14 inch Dell branded models.
    [​IMG]
     
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  37. FXi

    FXi Notebook Deity

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    Seriously Papasan, there is no excuse, thin or not, for soldering wifi chips, for which standards evolve every 2-3 years for a stupid $25 card and soldered RAM is equally ridiculous in an enthusiast device. I love photos of ultra thin devices with plenty of space for slotted ram, slotted wifi (this one in Dell's own line!) to show just how insane AW is being about this. Half the enthusiasts in this forum likely change out Killer cards for basic Intel varieties just to avoid those crazy driver problems. /sigh Your pic and my 1000 words!
     
  38. jpowell490

    jpowell490 Notebook Evangelist

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    FXi,

    Agreed, but even worse is using soldered RAM. I can't believe that a gaming laptop like Alienware would ever even consider that.

    I have another Area-51M R2 that should be coming next this week. This is the 3rd one. If something is wrong with this one, I'm ordering the GE76 MSI.

    Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
     
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  39. Normimb

    Normimb Notebook Evangelist

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    And if it's fine then i recomment updating the wi-fi card to AX210 (intel) someting you could never do with the M15/17 R4 wich is a big disapointement. Also consider the difference in gaming is less from benching to gaming (FPS framerates). So far i have notice that the RTX3080 (150W) have the lead in benchmark by 7% to 10% as compare to the 2080S of the area51Mr2 but.... In terms of FPS while gaming (when Dynamic turbo boost is not as effective) i have noticed that many times and in many games that FPS is higher on the previous gen 2080S equiped with the 10900K.

    Also you should take a look at the average temperatures in benchmark like TimeSpy and FireStrike. You will notice that the DTR area 51m, Clevo, GT75 200W RTX card run much cooler (58C) as opposed to the RTX3080 overclocked running basic benchmark at 68-77c. This will certainly translate in FPS drop while gaming when the GPU will go in thermal trottling mode.
     
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2021
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  40. jpowell490

    jpowell490 Notebook Evangelist

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    Hey Norm,

    Yea I personally don't like the 30 series cards. I can't help but think the benchmarks add to the numbers because they are a newer card.

    The Area-51M R2 operates at 200w and has the desktop CPU, so I don't see any way the MSI could get close to it. The one I have coming is configured with the I9 10900K and the 2080 Super.

    Cooling is excellent and has been on all of the previous ones.

    Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
     
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  41. Papusan

    Papusan Jokebook's Sucks! Dont waste your $$$ on Filthy

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    This show it crystal clear. Once the GPU test 1 is done, the second graphics test will colapse. Expect same behaviour in games as well.
    upload_2021-2-16_1-52-2.png
     
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  42. Normimb

    Normimb Notebook Evangelist

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    Good point @Papusan. Also i have made a capture that includes another Clevo system for temperatures reference. Seems like these 150W cards are running at their thermal limits. In games it will be either too hot or thermal throttling.

    prema fox .png

    Edit: Only MSI GE76 have better cooling (58C to 68C) .
     
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2021
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  43. Papusan

    Papusan Jokebook's Sucks! Dont waste your $$$ on Filthy

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    Or just use a 4K external screen and hope that the Cpu can leave some thermal headroom for the graphics card with the new nice Dynamic boost feature (to balance power between Cpu&Gpu). But forget use your Cpu to much more than gaming if you want to keep the FPS stable :D
    [​IMG]
     
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  44. bjrebo

    bjrebo Notebook Consultant

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    Getting excited about the new toy. Mine has been in production for about a week. I will be getting a USB-C dock with 100W PD and a stand or cooler. Does anyone here have a recommendation on either of those for the rig? I am happy to bench and test anything including UV/OC ETC. I bought this thing to push it, so i want to see what she can do.

    Spec that i landed on
    10980HK
    RTX 3080
    360Hz screen -- I chickened out on the 4k. All my externals are 4k so that will be fine. I like the idea of not having to set a frame cap ever. Happy to push this thing and OC to the max. I wish there was a LM option. I bought my last Razer from HID and LM has been awesome.
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2021
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  45. PvtJoker347

    PvtJoker347 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I purchased a laptop cooler from Amazon and it served me well for a GT76 system. It is a AICHESON Laptop Cooling Pad for 17.3 Notebook, Red 5 Fans- $27.99. It comes in blue fans also and has a good grip on the laptop.
    I’m excited about receiving my system as well, I should receive it in less than a week. Mine was in production for 5 days and last night I received an email that my build is complete and in transit to a shipping center. The status still shows in production, but I think it remains in that status until it arrives from China (location where the systems are manufactured). I stayed with 4K but I will down sample as needed. But I understand the attractiveness in 1080p for high frame rates and not being forced to lower the settings.
     
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  46. bjrebo

    bjrebo Notebook Consultant

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    ordered TY. I have been a part of this comminuty for about a dozen years! It is really fun to speak with like-minded Laptop connoisseurs.
     
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  47. PvtJoker347

    PvtJoker347 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Agreed, I really enjoy the wealth of knowledge and help members provide in this forum.
     
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  48. Alex4seby

    Alex4seby Notebook Consultant

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    Hello,
    Can i see a gpu-z screen from m17r4 of someone has the laptop and what tdp is GPU (150w)?
    Thanks
     
  49. bjrebo

    bjrebo Notebook Consultant

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    The reviews say it is 150w and 15w (165w) additional headroom with low cpu loads. I will send when I get mine. Fingers crossed for next week.
     
  50. OCTINY

    OCTINY Notebook Guru

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    Screenshot_20210222-223621__01.jpg
    Screenshot_20210222-222923__01.jpg

    3080 in the M17 R4 is a beast when pushed, even at 150w+15w. Not bad against stock desktop 3070's.

    Can't wait to get mine.

    And FYI, 3000 series in general all drop hard on the 2nd test, percentage wise. Be it desktop or mobile, hot temps or not. Just the nature of the architecture w/ Timespy.
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2021
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