On the Lowest possible settings on pretty much every game,
I get pretty lousy performance.
I have the 64gb SSD,8gb RAM model.
I don't think I'm overclocked.
Purchased in July 2012, from a store, not ordered from online.
The fan is running really loud when I just turn on the computer and when I open chrome it gets worse, but then quiets down.
COD4: With lowest settings will even lag when people are shooting.
MW3: Only Playable on lowest settings on resolution.
Black ops 2: Good for a few seconds, then Don't even bother.
I have contacted Alienware support and they were nice, and helped me a little bit, but the problem still persists.
Any help?
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It's probably the GPU overheating (and in turn, the computer throttles performance in an attempt to cool it down). Check your GPU heatsink; you probably need to repaste with thermal material such as Artic Silver 5 or IC Diamond 7.
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Buy some compressed air. Remove the bottom panel and clean out all the fans and vents.
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Is it easy? I'm not really sure what a heatsink is, and is Thermal Tape expensive or hard to come by? -
The heatsink is the metal component that transfers heat away (it usually consists of a copper block and one or more pipes). I think it's relatively easy to get to the heatsink on Alienware laptops (probably just need to remove the back panel and a few screws). But you should check the service manual on Dell's website to be sure.
Thermal compound (not tape) is <$10. You can buy it on Amazon, eBay, newegg or at most computer shops (a recommended one is IC Diamond 7). It's meant to be put in between the GPU core and heatsink in order to help heat transfer. -
Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative
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Did this solve your issue? I have the same problem, probably a bit worse. lag in every game on lowest res. and settings. Dell is sending a tech guy here tomorrow to replace the motherboard and gpu. Don't think the thermal paste should give me any problems since My laptop was bought in November last year. Don't know the general rule for how often you should re paste.
Did you laptop work fine before, or has it been like this the whole time?
Generally bad performance.
Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by Hoopi, Jan 28, 2013.