How to Overclock the Alienware 18 and Haswell CPU (or actually have it run full stock Turbo Speed)

Yeah got worse performance with gaming as it is obviously getting too hot and throttling, will have to stick to defaults for now.

Should I change processor cache ratio to match the multiplier? or will that increase temps too much?

 

Noticed something strange the default settings for processor graphics ratio limit say it should be 10.5, but it wont apply the setting after reboot, and also the processor graphics current limit says the default is 46.000A but it wont stick on reboot either, they are currently at 8x and 16.000A and im pretty sure ive never touched those settings.

 

That probably won't hurt the temps, but it may not provide a benefit in gaming performance. Try it and see how it goes. Up to 4.5GHz I try to make the cache clock speed to core, but I typically do not try to take the cache higher than 4.5GHz.

The Intel HD Graphics is disabled when you are using discrete graphics. You cannot apply custom settings on the Intel GPU unless you switch to IGFX mode. That being said, there is no point in overclocking the Intel iGPU. It doesn't perform well enough to provide a good gaming experience even if you overclock the crap out of it. Just leave it at BIOS defaults. When you are using IGFX it will add to the already problematic heat factor on a Haswell CPU running stock. That is probably why the Alienware BIOS defaults are lower than stock clocks on the Intel iGPU... no point in adding extra heat if you realize no practical benefit.

 

Can somebody explain to me why if I go into BIOS, and I enable overclocking, the system bricks itself, even on stock settings level1 in the BIOS. My Alienware 18 is fine, but if I do this to my father's unit, it freaks out and bricks. If I undervolt by even 1mV, it bricks. What kind of STUPID design is this.

 

I suspect you have already tried clearing the CMOS with the RAM removal trick? Still does it after doing that, too? Does he have the same memory modules as you do? Maybe it is something with the RAM sticks that is messed up that only surfaces with overclocking enabled?

 

I can clear the brick with the RAM hotswap reset, but the moment I go back into the BIOS, enable default overclocking in the BIOS.....brick. It is beyond stupid. And it doesn't matter if it is on BIOS or cTDP either. It has to be disabled, or set to level 1,2,or 3, then turn down multipliers and from there and pray it doesn't brick. I'm basically trying to get his 4930MX to run 40 40 40 40 with a 100mV undervolt like my 4940MX runs, but it bricks even if leave core voltage on default and decrease core dynamic voltage offset by -1mV. If I try to change core voltage to 1.18 instead of the retarded 1.280V default, it will also brick.

FWIW, the 4940MX runs 40 40 40 40 at a nice 1.0980 ~1.1010 V. I used to be doing this on the 4930MX too before I gave the computer to my father, but now nothing seems to work. Not even clearing BIOS and reinstalling XTU seems to help.

If I haven't made this clear yet, I HATE the Alienware 18 with a passion. Absolutely. Hate. it.

 

How strange. Is it on A12? If you try A10 is it any different? And, over-volt is fine, only bricks with undervolting?

What about if you set the CPU input voltage to 2 instead of 1?

 

They are both on A12 (mine and his...mine doesn't have this issue at all). I haven't bothered with overvolting, runs too damn hot to begin with, even with CLU.

Not sure what you meant by CPU voltage 2 or 1. Are we talking core voltage static value, or the dynamic offset value? I've tried several dynamic offset values, they all fail no matter what. I've tried two conservative static values, which failed as well. What's even weirder is I had his computer for a while before I gave it to him, and didn't have this problem before

 

No, I mean Processor input voltage, not core voltage. Default in XTU is 1.000V and I recommend changing it to 2.000V. Try changing it to 2.000V as there is no in-between option. This dramatically improved Haswell XM performance and stability for me and I believe Papusan as well. It did not increase temps. I think some Haswell CPUs are just barely stable stock with 1.000V for input voltage and need 2.000V to function correctly. Again, this should not affect your core temps. It does not affect them for me.

If it doesn't change anything try swapping CPUs and see if the problem follows his CPU to your motherboard. If it does, you'll know that CPU is junk. Maybe something has happened to the CPU and it has developed a problem since you gave it to him.

 

Does one need A03 for the processor input voltage as well? The option isn't available to me on XTU.

 

I don't think so. I haven't used the AW18 in a couple of months. Maybe later today I can grab it off the shelf, power it up and check now that I have A12 on it. Last time I checked it was there.

 

Ok, so when I reinstall XTU I have all the options. If for some reason I have to reboot, i lose about half of them when XTU comes back up. The settings appear to stick, though.

Im not trying to chase numbers, I'd go find an [insert anything NOT Hasswell], but I do want a better Physx score... and better (at least what was promised) performance in gaming.

 

I don't remember but I think 2/3 latest versions of XTU is more crippled. Use an older version. Try also Throttlestop, but don't let Xtu start up in windows if you use Throttlestop.

 

You still have an AW 18 ? hehehe

 

I tried to get the version referenced by Mr.Fox but it has been pulled from Intel. As well as every other site i tried. Even my version isn't current but it automatically updates. All i can do within XTU about that is stop the notification. Throttlestop is fantastic, just haven't messed with it on the 4930mx. Did a whole bunch of messing around on it with my 920MX, though.

 

I don't use my Aw much longer, but Throttlestop is the best choice for you and your Hotwell Mx. No doubt about that. Download from 1 page in Throttlestop guide and enjoy. Xtu is only a bloated Oc software now. I think It's intended that Intel crippling Xtu for mobile because they shuffle out only BGA garbage for laptops now. They are afraid that a lots of crippled BGA crap will be returned destroyed to OEM's because of the use of XTU. Intel know very well that they use junk silicone for mobile and OC killing those chips. Better with money in the banks for their shareholders than a lots of returned damage BGA JUNK.

 

Yup, it's a nice machine as long as you lower your expectations on overclocking performance a bit. It won't win any speed contests the way the BIOS is crippled and only being able to use one 330W AC adapter, but it does a good job of playing games. I love how it is well built and so easy to work on. They got that part right.

 

Sweet. I kept one also.

 

So, for those still struggling with 4930MX overclocking on the Alienware 18, I offer this for your consideration...

A12 BIOS using stock core voltage and stock power limits @ 4.3GHz, 4.1 cache, 2.0V input voltage, the 4930MX has no heating or throttling problems with Liquid Ultra. With stock core voltage and stock power limits it pulls less than 20W. This is using a new ThrottleStop Beta 3 from @unclewebb with PowerCut enabled... very stable new version of ThrottleStop for this machine, M18xR2 (3920XM), Panther (4960X) and Sky X9 (6700K). And, for a anyone-can-do-this-baby-girl 4.3GHz OC sipping just over 16W the wPrime score is not too shabby. Let's see a BGA turd CPU do that at 16W and 1.109V, LOL.



Single 970M (from @woodzstack), stock vBIOS, no GPU OC. (Ignore the crappy physics scores because this is Windows 8.1 OS, so sucky physics results are a given.)

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/11146331


http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/11519634

 

Are you using XTU to set the input voltage? If so, what version? Mine auto updates every time.

 

Use rather Throttlestop for your overclock settings. Don' use the bloated xtu

 

No. I use ThrottleStop.

Exact-a-mundo.

 

So I've applied liquid ultra to my 4900 and my 880m's and seen massive drop in temps on the cpu and overclocked it to 4.2, but not sure im seeing much improvement in gaming performance from before. bit disappointing really.

 

I'm glad you saw the massive drop in temps, which is expected with CLU. You were expecting to see a change in performance? Unless you were having thermal throttling before the performance should be the same.

 

An ok overclock of the processor could perhaps provide 1-3 fps extra. Depends on the game and how low clocked your processor was initially. But the massive drop in temps as you said is nice and counts just as much.

 

Any drop in temps has been offset by running it at 4.2 ghz which has increased temps back to their previous levels, If it's not going to have any benefit in gaming, I might as well run it at stock and have it run cooler lol.

At least I know there's not much point in getting an extreme processor now.

 

Actually noticed it is a fair bit faster at everything else so that is good.

 

Are you using it in a really hot environment or something? My temps are fine with the 4930MX running at 4.3GHz all the time.

 

well there fine generally but under maximum load they go up pretty high, probably due to the slow fans, but I think in terms of general use there probably about the same.

 

What if you use maximum fan speed with Hwinfo during maximum load? Eg in Wprime 1024M /Cinebench 11.5. or even in gaming.

 

it goes up to early 90's max, but tends to be around 80 under sustained heavy load so think that's fine.

 

Is there anyway to run the 4940mx past 4389.5 MHz. Currently I have all core at X 44, running stable. Even if i tried bumping to X 45 in bios , clock stays the same as if I am still using the core in X 44.

Side note: my temps never go near 60 Celsius.

 

There should be, but I've never seen even one example of a 4940MX that was a good overclocker. I have had the 4930MX all the way to 50x4. It may be the power limits are set too low. Hard to know without more information to work with. Just setting the multipliers and nothing else isn't going to be enough.

 

Have noticed that after rebooting my laptop after sleep, the cpu speed goes down to max 4.0, even though the settings are still the same in XTU, If I shutdown and restart it goes back to 4.2.

Also is it possible to push the 4900 any higher than 4.2?

 

A12 bios OC tutorial?

 

Hello, I am using a translator for I do not know English. Is there any wonder that can show me how to make zero overclocking? 4930mx processor. Bios A12. Can you tell us wonder as illustrated step by step?

 

Hello, my computer freezes when overclocking if I did. Why is this? And when it was opened as crashes when I change the bios settings.

 

Mr. Fox:
I have:
Alienware 18
Dual NVIDIA GTX970M (6GB) in SLI (w/Prema's Performance vBios)
i7 4940MX
A12 Bios

I used your settings in this tutorial, although my bios looks slightly different from your screenshot, all of the settings appeared to be there. Additionally, when using XTU, the latest version shows some of the settings a little differently.

Those things said, my system appears stable (Passed 5 minute xtu stress test), although the reference clock in XTU at 100.3 shut my computer off less than a minute into the stress test. When I set it to 100.2 it passed the stress test fine. However it hover just under the 100c mark the whole time. Ranging from 95-100 though it did drop out of that range more than a few times, it hovered up at the top.

Thanks for your help and the wealth of information in here.

Are the fan/temp tables fixed in the A12 Bios?

Also, I'd like to tweak my specs a little more, but I don't even know where to begin. Any advice? I can post whatever data you like, trying to learn how it all works, and reading through a 79 page thread that also talks about other models and configurations makes my head swim a bit.

 

The fan / temp tables will never ever be fixed. Use Hwinfo64 fan control instead.
Disable Xtu and start using Throttlestop. You can find the software in the signature to @unclewebb http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/the-throttlestop-guide.531329/

 

I have an Alienware 17 R1 with a 4930MX. Today, I bought CLU to do some overclocking. I used following settings:



But my temps are weird. As you can see in the picture below, core 0 gets pretty hot.



Am I doing anything wrong? Both dice and heatsink look almost exactly like the ones here:

http://imgur.com/a/JUQvK#0

 

Download and run Cinebench R15 and wprime 1024M stress test (run as adm and select 8 threads in advanced options). Put high performance in win power plan and not balanced mode. Monitor with Hwinfo and post the results.
http://www.wprime.net/Download/
http://www.guru3d.com/files-details/cinebench-15-download.html

 

Here the results (wprime 1024 stress test):





I expected better results Why do I get such high temperatures? Maybe wrong application of CLU?

 

hi everyone. I am new here. I have an Alienware 17 R5 with a 4930MX. I am totally a noob in overclocking. Can someone guide me how to overclock this processor to 4.5Ghz.
As far as info is needed I have already applied Cool Laboratory Liquid Ultra on my processor.
My graphics card is GTX880m 8Gb and 512gb ssd alongwith 2x1tb hard drives.
My bios version is A14 and at the start of this guide MR.FOX gave settings according to A4 I guess.
So assuming that lots of things have changed kindly guide me how to overclock my processor to 4.5GHZ stable?
Would be highly grateful ..

Thanks in advance guys

Hello Everyone.. I am a newbie here. I have an Alienware 17 R5 with i7 4930mx. I needed guide for overclocking my processor to 4.5GHZ... I am totally a noob about overclocking.
As far as info is related I have already applied Liquid Ultra just on my processor.
My graphics card is GTX880m 8GB alongwith 2x1TB hardrive and 512 gb SSD.
my bios version is A14.
At the start of this thread MR.FOX quoted that the bios version he was using was a bit older.. So that's why I am asking for guidance. as lots of things might have been changed in bios and everything.
Would be grateful if someone can guide me .

Thanks in Advance guys

 

FYI you have a Alienware 17 R1 (Ranger) not an R5 unless your from the future and dell went back to using 4th gen chips. The M17x series went up to R4, Then the Alienware 17 series launched which reset it to R1. There current model is the alienware 17 R3 which uses non-socketed BGA 6th gen HQ cpu's.

 

Bro kindly first verify the model then speak up ... Cause I am dead sure mine is m17r5... anyhow the question wasn't about your verification for model number..Question was to guide me through overclocking...

Thanks a ton

 

Please show me where I get support for Alienware m17R5. Pict from Dell's support!!
Regardless. Guide for overclocking your AW 17... Start reading from page 1. Same procedure for AW 17 as Aw 18 (So called Aw 17R5 *Ranger*) and AW 18(Viking)!! Aw 17 and 18 = Haswell chipset aka i7-4xxxMx/Mq(see info in Cpu-z)

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/Products/laptop/alienware_laptops

 

I extremely am sorry for the name... didn't knew that a mistake in name or version would cost me such a big fuss.... sir reading from page 1 is quite hard you see its a grand post... i just need correct settings for this processor in xtu or throttlestop..would be greatful if you could guide me through that

 

gyus, anyone who is strong enough for proper overclocking 4930mx and editing fan tables in BIOS? A09 unlocked. It was quite easy with throttlestop. Now I wish to check can we get more in bios that with TS.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/a18-unlocked-bios-u-asked-for-it-u-get-it.802171/

 

can the 4700MQ be overclocked?