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    Is my Alienware M18X R2 having problems?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by OrgyGeorgie, Jan 17, 2015.

  1. OrgyGeorgie

    OrgyGeorgie Newbie

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    Hello everyone, I bought this alienware M18x R2 in january of 2013. Im no expert in computers but i have built a desktop around 10 years ago. Ive only been playing diablo 2 since i bought this laptop (i know....) and im the type to stick to what i know. Anyways fast forward to 2015 and im giving some new games a try. Ive been playing skyrim and far cry 4. I finnaly figured out how to display framerates(MSI Afterburner and H-something) and on ultra settings in skyrim its runing around 40fps but as soon as i get some action it drops to 25-30.

    In far cry 4 its basically the same, in ultra it runs at around 40 then when theres action its drops below 30 and sometimes even slower. I set far cry to LOW and even then it runs around 60 but often drops to 15-20 fps. sometimes even slower...

    Am i doing something wrong??

    Also how do I find out what hard drives i have? I know i have 2 (one solid state and one regular).
    Also how do i know what type of RAM i have(pretty sure its DDR3)

    Please help as this laptop cost me around 4500$ and so far its not performing better than a ps3...

    Thanks.

    my specs are

    M18X R2
    Intel core i7-3840QM @ 2.8 GHz
    24 GB RAM
    Dual GTX 675M video cards
    Windows ultimate 64bit
     
    OrgyGeorgie, Jan 17, 2015
    #1
  2. pathfindercod

    pathfindercod Notebook Virtuoso

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    Do you have SLI enabled? also do you have latest gpu drivers installed?
     
    pathfindercod, Jan 17, 2015
    #2
  3. TBoneSan

    TBoneSan Laptop Fiend

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    What are your CPU/GPU 1 & 2 temps while gaming?
     
    TBoneSan, Jan 17, 2015
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  4. OrgyGeorgie

    OrgyGeorgie Newbie

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    Yes i believe i have the newest drivers...i downloaded them off the nvidia website. Also i do have sli enabled and physex is on automatic. My cpu temp is around 70 to 80 centigrade for about an hour of playing..my gpu temps ate right around 80-90.. i will double check today.

    I was reading many forum members sigs and NO one has a similar alienware as mine! No one has gtx 675m's or my processor...did i choose the wrong parts? Are they no good?
     
    OrgyGeorgie, Jan 17, 2015
    #4
  5. TBoneSan

    TBoneSan Laptop Fiend

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    If they are pushing 90 degree's there's your answer. They are throttling to stop themselves melting through your desk :p... a bit of an exaggeration ;).
    Have you ever opened your laptop to blow out the lint/dust/moss/cobwebs off the heatsinks?

    It could be as simple as taking the bottom panel off and giving it a good old clean. Especially if you've never done it before.
     
    TBoneSan, Jan 17, 2015
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  6. OrgyGeorgie

    OrgyGeorgie Newbie

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    yes i took off the panel and vaccumed the dust from the 3 heat sinks and fans yesterday morning..there wasnt too much dust... also my cpu is NOT overclocked. Tbone, in your sig, are those #'s for your cpu overclocked? When i go to control panel\system it shows my cpu is only 2.8 ghz...are these numbers too slow?
     
    OrgyGeorgie, Jan 17, 2015
    #6
  7. ht_addict

    ht_addict Notebook Evangelist

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    First try raising the back end of your laptop to allow for better air flow. If that doesn't work, pickup some Coollaboratory Ultra and do a re-paste of the GPU's.
     
    ht_addict, Jan 17, 2015
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  8. OrgyGeorgie

    OrgyGeorgie Newbie

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    Ok ill try raising it..so its not that my system is lacking power? (Performance)
     
    OrgyGeorgie, Jan 17, 2015
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  9. TBoneSan

    TBoneSan Laptop Fiend

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    I think you might be about due to repaste your CPU/GPU's. From the information you've given us I don't think you're lacking power.

    I'd just go with IC7 Diamond Paste for everything unless you're feeling extreme..get Liquid Ultra.
     
    TBoneSan, Jan 17, 2015
    #9
  10. OrgyGeorgie

    OrgyGeorgie Newbie

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    any links on how to repast cpu and gpu's??

    Thanks everyone!

    so your saying my system shouldnt have problems running those games with all options set to ultra? what games would my system have a hard time runing? im looking at getting the new grand theft auto and crysis 2
     
    OrgyGeorgie, Jan 17, 2015
    #10
  11. TBoneSan

    TBoneSan Laptop Fiend

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    You know what.. For those kind of games (except Skyrim) it seems about right. Although your temps are also very high.
    Have you updated your drivers?
     
    TBoneSan, Jan 17, 2015
    #11