Just ordered an AW 18...a little lost need advice on getting the most out of it.

Hey all, apparently I've been registered here since '09, though I don't think I've posted in a while.

Just ordered an AW 18 with sli 880m's, and a 4940mx.

I spent the last few days browsing these forums, and honestly, there's too much info, too many old threads, and I'm confused as to what's relevant anymore.

What I would like, if anyone here had a few minutes, is info (links that are current) on what I need to do to overclock these GPU's and the same with my i7 4940mx.

I'm not exactly uncomfortable with OC'ing, but I would like a list of the programs and maybe even how-to's to get the most out of this system.

I'll have 30 days once it arrives to decide if I'm keeping it, and with such an enormous price-tag, there's NO way I won't try to squeeze as much as I can out of the machine.

I'd very much like to avoid opening the PC and tinkering with the internals (applying thermal paste) unless it's mandatory to getting the best experience.

Also, I would like to use stock cooling, and not have to buy a special laptop cooler (unless of course I have to, this thing is already large and bulky)

Casual overclocking with desktop PC's has gotten very easy, user friendly, from checking these forums out the last few days it seems this system will need more work.

Any help, tips are much appreciated.

 

I recommend you contact Mr. FOX , a well known member here regarding maximizing the beast of that AW 18 of yours. He will cut to the chase and just direct you into the direction you want.

 

Basically, what ^ he said. I would like to give some basic tips, but honestly, he'd do it better. You would likely need to get the unlocked vBIOS from svl7 and johnksss over at techinferno, though. I've been told we have an agreement to not give it out here. The machine will do you well once you get stuff under control; though he may recommend Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra for a thermal repaste at least on the CPU.

 

Congrats on your purchase. I have the same pc specs as the one you just ordered. My first bit of advise would be patience. I have had the pc for just over a month, and there has been some good and bad. The bad for me consisted of the pc freezing right out of the box. But, with patience and advice from the people on this forum its been all good. The first thing you should do is read, read and read some more. Start here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...actually-have-run-full-stock-turbo-speed.html


You will find tons of examples on how to overclock your new pc. Most of the thread seemingly deals with people who have the 4930mx CPU. Don't let that worry you, just get the info and you can apply it to your pc. I suggest you read the whole thread and not skip anything, that one piece you skip is the one you'll need (I know). Also, if your pc does not come with the newest bios, which right now is A09, you should up grade to it. The programs you will need to overclock will be Throttlestop, Intel's extreme tuning utility (XTU), and HWinfo64 (for fan control). The guide to Throttlestop can be found here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...arket-upgrades/531329-throttlestop-guide.html

Look carefully in the the signature for link to get the newest Throttlestop 7 beta 2.

Here is link to setup HWinfo64 (for fan control):

HWiNFO 64 Support for Alienware 18 Fans?


Here is a link to a basic Intel's extreme tuning utility (XTU), youtube video:

Intel XTU (Extreme Tuning Utility) How to video (by HWBOT) - YouTube


This should be a good start for you while you are waiting for your pc. You will be reading a lot of posts by Mr. Fox, for me he has been spot on. If your not a big techno pc person, DON'T PANIC, in learning how to use these tools I have caused a good deal of BSOD on my pc. Hopefully, your pc will arrive and you will not have a problem and not have to use any of this-BUT in case your not that lucky....:hi2: Like I said patience will get you through. My pc reminds me of my kid, I love the kid BUT SOMETIMES!

Good Luck

 

Thanks for the replies fellas, especially Scanner!
Really appreciate the links. Should be a couple of weeks before it gets here, but I plan on downloading all the programs I need on a portable flash drive so when it arrives I can just load everything on and start OC'ing this bad boy.

Also, how would one go about re-applying thermal paste to this machine?
Is it easy to open?

Once open is it easy to remove the old paste?

 

video of m18 teardown and repaste

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O07C0qyuBOk

courtesy of your friendly neighborhood mr.fox.

i watch it every night to let his soothing voice put me to sleep.

 

Thanks inap!

That's exactly what I needed

 

This teardown video is actually a lot better - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRvAAfN9lOs

And read Mr Fox's post, look through the pics to see how to apply thermal paste if you choose to do so. http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...y-liquid-ultra-any-tips-before-i-start-5.html

This thread is also full of useful information. http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...l-alienware-18-owner-s-lounge-thread-344.html

I think the problems will be fixed soon with the 880m, with a driver update from Nvidia. But I guess we just have to wait a little while!

 

Yes, sharing peoples work without their permission would be pretty low ball for community software. Unless you would rather the files were simply not created in future.

 

Yes, apparently we do such things. Why do you think I have this many posts? XD. NBR is nice, smart and friendly unless you start a headset discussion.
......................
NEVER start a headset discussion.
Trust me.
<S>THEY WILL COME FOR YOU IN YOUR SLEEP</S> It just doesn't end well. .

 

Use speakers instead, problem solved.