The 15 or not the 15?

I'm starting to freak out right now just from reading these forums. I just ordered an AW 15 R3 (almost fully loaded) and I'm really worried that I'm either going to have a messed up screen, a throttling PC, or both. Dell has always been terrible when it comes to thermal paste applications, but for $2200 (great deal), I hope neither is the case. I have no problems ripping apart my laptop to do a repaste used to teardown my M17x R2 all the time upgrading GPUs, CPUs, repasting and padding.

Here is what makes this complicated....
I just built an AW 17 R4 with a 1080, 6820 HK, 1535, 512 GB + 1 TB hdd, 32 GB RAM, and 4 year premier/accidental warranty. Friend shot me over a discount code so I can score it right now for $2641($1,050 off). I didn't want to get a 17 inch laptop because I wanted some semblance of portability, but that's a hard deal to pass up. What say you kind folks? Keep the 15 and if it sucks get the 17, or just cancel the 15 and get the 17 now? If I end up going the route of keeping the 15, and it sucks I can return it and get the 17 later during the Christmas sale or something. Idk though I really don't want to get a 17 inch laptop.

Damn first world problems.

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Just... Note that those prices are deceptive. $1050 off for those specs? That's just because the original price is crap. A Clevo P775DM3 is around 2800 for that, and an Aorus X7 DT or Asus G701 are both about 3100 for that. So it's not a bad price for the specs, but it's not some once in a lifetime deal or anything.

Note that the thermal problems are 100% present on both the 15 and 17. I'm not sure on the 13 but I suspect it as well. So either be prepared to rma a few times, or tinker with it yourself.

What's your fully loaded AW 15 for 2200 config? If it doesn't have at least a 1TB ssd, 6820hk, and 4K display or more that's not really a steal.

 

Almost, fully loaded. Only things missing are 32gb ram and the 1TB SSD. Here are the specs:

• Alienware 15 R3 $1542.61

• Accidental Damage Service, 4 Years $149.00
• Premium Support, 4 Years $131.00
• Premium Support with Onsite Service After Remote Diagnosis, 3 Year Extended $248.00
• Premium Support with Onsite Service After Remote Diagnosis, 1 Year $99.00
• 15.6 inch UHD (3840 x 2160) IGZO IPS Anti-Glare 300-nits Display
• Windows 10 Home-HE (64bit) English
• Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6820HK (Quad-Core, 8MB Cache, Dynamically Overclocked up to 4.1GHz)
• NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) GTX 1070 with 8GB GDDR5
• Lithium Ion (99 Wh) Battery
• Killer 1535 802.11ac 2x2 WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1
• 512GB PCIe SSD (Boot) + 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s (Storage)
• 16GB DDR4 at 2667MHz (2x8GB)
• Free expedited shipping: expected on or before 11/30
• Grand total: $2,277.83
• Total savings: $995.16

So, the price of the 17 alone minus the warranties is about $2200 actually, but I'm not sure I want to get one of these without a good warranty. Like this 15 would have cost me about $1600 minus the warranties.
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Well I guess your paying a ton for long term support and damage protection which drives the cost up. I would be very worried about the cpu, checking temps would be my first priority.

Have you looked around for a coupon code? It shouldn't be too hard to get 10% off which makes it a better deal. You are willing to repaste etc... So I'd say it's still a fine choice, no need to like switch brands if your a loyal fan, but be prepared for an RMA. Just trying to be realistic. Are you comfortable with liquid ultra? Some of the AW owners have been having good luck with that. Some places will sell you an AW and apply that for you but it'll be pricey so idk if I can recommend that while your trying to get decent value.

Just for context a Clevo P650RS with the same specs and a three year warranty is 2100. I'd say the AW 15 is worth the extra money as it's built a lot better, but a coupon would still be nice.

 

Yeah, I was checking out iunlock's guides. I'm totally fine tearing this apart and repasting with conductonaut or CLLU/CLPRO. It also is easier apparently on the 15 then the 17, since you don't have to flip the mobo to unplug the fans. I will definitely check the CPU Temps as soon as I get it. Just hopefully it comes before I leave for my trip to Chicago next Monday. If not, I will have to mess with it when I get back. Should still be within the 14 day return window. So, I will wait it out and see how I like the 15. Thanks for your help Galm!

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If it makes you feel better in value for money the 1080 is a terrible deal. And you would have to get a form factor you don't like. The 1070 is still very very capable at 1080p and decent at 4K.

Report in your temps when you get em! (Preferably stock and after repaste, be careful with coductive if it's your first time!) Good luck!

 

It does make me feel a bit better.

I most definitely will post before and after pics.

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I wouldn't worry until I get the machine and test it. If you need anything from the support side of things, let me know directly or let our team know by sending a message through any of our social media platforms.

 

Thanks! Will do. I just got my tracking number, but my delivery date says between the 23rd and 12/2 and carrier says FedEx Ground. I was told I was getting next day delivery, but Idk if that is the case now. I really hope so, because I stressed to the rep that I was leaving for a business trip on the 28th and he assured me it should be here before then.

Edit: Yay! My shipping updated and it will be here on Saturday!

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So far nothing. Hopefully, it will still come today, but it doesn't seem likely. I wish I could just drive and go pick it up. Ellenwood is not that far away. I didn't even know Dell has a distribution center here in GA.

Anyway, Looks like I might be SOL since I am leaving to Chicago on Monday. Hopefully, I can find someone to get over here to sign for me.





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$2641 is a great price for that laptop. Actually, It's only $100 more than what I paid for my 15" R3 so, I'm pretty upset by this post.

THANKS OP!