Alienware Area-51 Desktop Owner's Lounge

Here is the thread for Area-51 desktop owners, past and present, to discuss random topics related to their machine, show off, ask questions.

 

Glad to be first. Finally a desktop sub-forum!

Where are all of the area-51 r2 owners at?

I'll start off with this:



My current 24/7 4.5Ghz overclock. I haven't fine tuned voltage yet. Getting a GTX 780 Wednesday to replace the awful GT 240 I've been temporarily using. Can't wait to reinstall windows onto my raid0 ssd setup and actually be able to run 3dmark11/fs LOL.

 

What voltage are you using for 4.5?

 

1.273v, I have yet to actually fine tune my overclock. Once I receive my new GPU I'll be reinstalling the OS and then finally play with a lower voltage, haven't used my desktop much. The GT 240 doesn't play too well with my a/v receiver.

It took 1.5v to get 4.8ghz as stable as I can get it, 4.7ghz was stable around 1.4+v. 4.6ghz was fully stable with 1.328v.

 

Doesn't 1.4 sound too high? I mean you can run it, but it'll degrade the chip.

Running 5820K @1.21v 4.2GHz here. (ASUS X99 inside Predator 2.0B case).


As for the GPU, if you live near microcenter, I'd suggest picking up a 970 G1 with a $50 replacement warranty (be sure to pricecheck with them via pcpartpicker website). You get full in store credit for the value of your 970 (when you trade it in) to spend on a better graphics card in 2 years span.

 

It's only for benching purposes. There's no way I'd use 1.4v+ for a 24/7 voltage. I'm going to try 1.25v @ 4.6ghz or 4.5ghz for 24/7 usage. Maybe less if the chip is fully stable, I tend to use one increment higher than the most stable voltage just for added security. Don't want to be doing something important then have a bsod.

Sadly the nearest microcenter closed down that was within 50 miles. Next closest one is like 400 miles away. I really don't want a 970 anyways though.


I already bought a GTX 780 SC ACX from a member at the EVGA forums. It will be my stopgap gpu until the full maxwell GM200 based Titan X/980Ti or Fiji based R9 390X come out later this year.

 

Nice! Great job on that wPrime run.

I don't stress out too much about CPU fatigue. That's just so unnecessary, IMHO. It's a consumable component. Worse case scenario is you buy a new CPU in a couple of years. I am still waiting for my 2920XM and 3920XM to fatigue from excessive voltage and there's no sign of it. But, I have been sternly admonished repeatedly by noobs that I was going to kill them.

The most important thing is to extract the most performance from it that you can, for as long as you can... run it hard, put it up wet, and if it's going to die let it go out in a blaze of glory. Nothing lasts forever.

Let the BGA jockeys obsess over the CPU welded to their mobo. They actually need to worry, but we don't have to care.

 

How should they even worry? The HQ series don't hold their boost clocks 24/7 like the PGA counterpart.

 

Oh of course. I ran my previous i7 at a high voltage 24/7. Still running great. Intel warranties their chips for three years, that's 24/7 usage. I doubt most of us use our processor 24/7 @ 100%. Even with degrading factored in we'd still get plenty of life. Not to mention intel provides a desktop overclock warranty for their high end K/X processors for like $20-30. Destroy the chip, they'll replace it.

Because if their cpu were to die, they need a whole new motherboard. Cooling on a lot of BGA cpus isn't the best. They run in the 90s. Our temps are actually better even when overclocked LOL.

 

Is it because of the smaller heatsink designed not with overclocking in mind? Or is it because of the BGA cpu connection/install method?

Wonder if you can reball a HQ to a BGA slot? Maybe someone that can get a bricked 15/7R2 mobo and try it




OT: To people planning to swap GPUs in the Area 51(X99)


Be careful with the 9x series GPU, I ran into an issue where the NVCP detects 2 displays when a single monitor is plugged into the DP port. Causing the system in a restart on a BSOD loop.

http://www.reddit.com/r/nvidia/comments/2lljsx/has_anyone_with_a_new_gtx_980970_successfully/

970G1 with modded 350w (75-75-150) tdp bios.

 

It's because the laptops are so thin, they compromise on cooling. Alienware however seems to have kept good cooling capacity. Their laptops are also not as thin though as others.

The Area-51 comes with 980s as an option so I don't think we have to worry about that issue. I haven't seen any complaints on that, but good to know.

Do you have an area-51? If not what does your rig consist of?

 

I wish I had bought the Area51, but the OEM motherboard is such turn off.

I run an ASUS X99 Deluxe+5820K with an Alienware Legacy case. (Aurora 7000 - Case Predator 2.0B)


5820K with 4.2GHz (100 blck) and 1.92v
57c max when wPrime 1024 (1 pass)
88c max when IBT extreme (10 hours or so)

 

That's a very cool setup!

 

I don't know if it is the lighting or if the Area-51 is available in a charcoal color now instead of only silver. I like how dark it looks in the first photo. It would be awesome to have Space Black (totally pitch black like the M17xR2, not gunmetal like M18x) and Nebula Red options. The silver looks attractive, but a little bit drab, like the laptops.

Alienware Area-51: Triad, Tri-SLI GTX 980, Haswell-E | Hot Hardware Reviews

 

Thanks. I'll post the whole build log once I finalize the build.

Does Dell still have these cases? I'd like another one if you still have them in the warehouse. If the Predator 2.0B case isn't available, can Dell sell me a barebone chassis (any model)?

Thanks in advance.

I have to agree with you here, flat/jet black would look much better with the case+metal flake/micro reflection.

I'm waiting for a barebone Area51 R2 case on Ebay.

 

OMG are you serious? Does anyone know if it's possible to setup raid on this computer? I tried looking everywhere in the bios and can't find anything regarding raid. Looking online, there's no option to buy any raid setups either. So no raid for this machine?

EDIT: This is dumb, so apperently the only way to raid is to use the sata1 and sata2 ports. Sata port 3, 4, 5, and 6 do not support raid as far I can tell. Hopefully that helps anyone else struggling with this.

 

The more reason to avoid the factory/OEM MB.

The X99 chipset actually support 6 native SATA ports and they're all capable of RAID.

 

Your best bet is a software RAID. I believe there was some annoyance with X99 but I forget.

There are people running RAID with 3 x 4 TB HDDs.

 

I'd imagine there would be a lot of problems with that setup. Software isn't as reliable as setting it in the BIOS yourself.



Off topic: can anyone provide detailed pictures of the Area51 internals, possibly with the GPUs removed? Would be appreciated. I'm just curious, plus just doing a little research if an Area51 pops up on ebay with a dead motherboard.

Components of interest.

1. Front / rear intake fans with caddy.
2. Wires to the MIO/light controller board.
3. Mounting screws screw hole of the CPU liquid cooler.
4. Cable management
5. IO/USB/status light connection to the motherboard
6. Radiator/fan setup

Thanks in advance.

 

If I have some extra time later on I'll take pics. I have hardware raid working fine, just needed to use port 1/2 for some reason. Hopefully Alienware fixes this with a bios update.

 

I see, I look forward to the pics.

Have anyone brought the RAID issue up in the Dell forum/PMed an official?

 

Been so busy, had to squeeze in a few benchmarks

3dm11: http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/9451400

fs: http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/5947672

My old desktop still wins gpu wise:

http://www.modsrigs.com/detail.aspx?buildid=29966

3dm11: http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/8257602

fs: http://www.3dmark.com/fs/2446121

 

Nice!

 

Not to push, but when can the internal pictures come? :v

 

Hope this helps a bit:

 

Thanks on the pics, really appreciate the front I/O connector pictures.

Does the motherboard use normal SATA connection ports or it's a unified proprietary that connects to the 4+2HDD slots in the opposite side of the case?

One last thing, If it's not too much, can you check if there's a I/O cable etc below the PCI-e slots?





Once again thanks


Also, what does the cable on pic #6 connect to? ( http://i.imgur.com/7VtCPLm.jpg)

 

Yes regular sata connectors exactly where you drew them. The cable in pic #6 is a usb3 connector for the front usb3 ports.

I'll take a look under the gpu later on for anymore cables.

 

Will be shortly joining you guys with the Area 51 R2. Retiring the Alienware 17 for a 5820k, 16GB, 780. Bought from Dell outlet hopefully it should be ok (I had a Aurora R4 from outlet and it was cheap for having a scratch on it).

 

You're buying the 780 from Dell? I'd rather not since they're overpriced and only comes with reference PCB.

 

It's a Dell refurbished comp I paid less than the base model for mine. I plan to change the 780 when the next gen cards come down further down the line.

 

There's already a refurbished Area 51 R2? That's pretty quick.


Catzilla 720p

4.4GHz 1.21v 5820K
1599/3515mhz 1.31v 970 G1
2600MHz DDR4 15-15-15-35 1T 1.28v

http://www.catzilla.com/showresult?lp=441220|*|Result Details

 

yeah there is already quite a few ATI 270 base models which are around £1100 and a couple 770/780s out there. Stuck in the 'in production' stage for mine. No 980s yet... Weird question, but do you use the stabilising foot on yours?

 

I don't think mine even came with stabilizing foot

 

Just saw the Area 51 on Microcenter today, it was a lot smaller than I thought.

Also, the front 2 fans can really spin if you set them at 100%. Sounds like it'll take off

 

I'm considering getting an Area 51 but have some questions and I'd appreciate any advice.
1. All my gaming has been on Dell and Alienware notebooks. Now I don't game much anymore but I want a powerful computer for photo editing and I think I might as well get a good performing desktop that is capable at playing games. However, the only other gamers I know have switched to consoles. Should I too or is computer gaming better for some reason?
2. I plan to replace my M18x with a high performing desktop for photo editing on a 4k monitor. When gaming on a 4k monitor, can I scale down the resolution and still use the full screen to keep up the fps? To start I'm considering getting one GTX 980 and I know that two or three of them would be better with a 4k monitor but if I can scale down the resolution I think one good GPU would be enough.
3. Could I eventually update the motherboard of an Area 51? Is it a standard size slot or would I be stuck with overpriced Alienware motherboards?
4. Is an Area 51 overkill for me? I don't plan to overclock. I like that it has room to grow and that it is supposedly quiet. Is it actually fairly quiet or just quiet compared to most other gaming desktops? For the last seven years I have used Alienware notebooks like my current m18x. It is definitely quiet enough. I would hope that a desktop that is under my desk would be quiet enough too but about 20 years ago I heard a Dell desktop that was too loud if it was in the same room.
5. Is there a better forum for these rookie questions? I know this forum has a notebook origins.
Thank you for any input.

 

Just moved from my AW 17 to the Area 51 desktop and a old M11x R3.

1. Depends, the games on PC will always look better, the consoles are toys in comparison, for the normal person not interested in having the best looking possible and semi hassle free experience. But to be honest after seeing games at 60 FPS, I don't know how you could tolerate less.

2. You can send 1080p to a 4k monitor it should look fine but I havent seen it personally.

3. The motherboard might be a bit awkward thinking about it, but I could not see why not, might lose all the alienware lighting etc.

4. Desktop always going to be quieter. The AW17 is a washing machine in comparison.

5. I don't know, you can always buy one to test and give it back if you don't like it (the one I got was cheaper than building myself as it was a Dell outlet model).

 

Thank you, DDDenniZZZ!
That is very helpful info. It is good news that a desktop will be even quieter than a notebook.

 

Just don't overclock the Area 51 R2, a single 120mm AIO isn't going to cut it.

 

I'll do some testing once I have the rig up and running if you don't mind me testing your overclock profiles? Will be interesting to see how poor the cooling is. My old Aurora R4 had cpu pump issues as well.

 

Huh? Why no overclocking? I have 4.5Ghz 24/7 setup since I had my Area-51 R2. Not to mention benching 4.7ghz is not a problem at all temperature wise. The AIO cooler does a decent job at cooling.

 

Coolermaster Seidon 120 (close to what the 51 R2 is using, Asetek made) - With push/pull San Ace 120 9GV1212P1J091 35% speed (224CFM server fan) + duct tape the fan (prevent loss of radiator air pressure)
5820K 4.2GHz all cores, EIST and c-states disabled. 1.89v on core, cache fixed at 42 @1.75v. 100 CPU strap.
Prime95 small FFTs will easily break 99c on core #2 (this is worst case scenario, nothing will come close to Prime in real world apps).'

Might've been overkill for me to say that, but I'd like to have Prime95 test as the "safe zone" of which I would run an overclock/overvolt.


The Aurora R4 had a faulty pump fluid issue which led to the clogging of the microfins on the CPU cold plate. The pump itself is fine.

 

I'm not currently an Area-51 owner, but I'd love to see someone install 100% water cooled components (upgraded cooling for the CPU and add water cooling to the GPU's) in it with LED lighting. It would look amazing in combination with the default AlienFX lighting. Go all out with colored coolant and whatnot.

I don't think there's enough room for triple-GPU configs, but SLI should definitely have enough.

 

Does anyone know what motherboard is in the Area 51? I suspect it is private labeled by "Alienware" but is very similar to a model by Asus or ???
I'm trying to decide between an Origin or the Area 51 and knowing more about the Area 51 motherboard would help. I wish Alienware would provide more details about the parts in their computers.

 

You can do a single GPU, use a rad in the rear and one on the top fan bracket (if you can clear space). Apogee XL, a Laing D5 pump and a GPU block of your choice.

The challenge comes in how you can mount a radiator on the front fan bracket, the front fan clips onto a bracket that's slid into place and there's no screw holes for you to mount through. You can just rest the entire fan+rad in the bracket, but I doubt that it's strong enough in the long run.

For a 2011 socket and 2x GPUs I would recommend 360mm rad, the Alienware Area51 R2 has space for 2x 120 rear exhaust and front upper fan, but not the bottom 120mm PCI fan. There's too many cables in the way.

Lastly, I don't think the airflow would be efficient enough. The exhaust fan on the rear will suck up all the warm air from the front rad, decreasing the efficiency of the watercooling setup. I'm quite concerned about the PSU too, since it doesn't have an external hole to breathe through and therefore will also use warm air inside the case for cooling itself.

All Alienware desktop motherboard, including the AlienFX MIO daughterboard is made by MSI.
For example, MSI X79MA is rebranded as the Aurora R4's motherboard (though, not without significant gimping of the feature and click BIOS).

I don't think MSI sells a motherboard like the Area 51 R2's though, Dell/AW might've pushed them to create a custom one and not have a retail version available to public.


For future proofijng, I would definitely go with the Origin if you don't have the time to build your own PC. You can install your own components much easier than any Alienware since all Origin does is put regular components together.

 

if u want a gaming pc with alienfx and u wanna use it "as it is" take alienware.(at most change gpu/ram) this choice is made for Aesthetics

if u wanna customize your pc, and use your money to gain max performance build your pc.

(i have 2 custom build pcs with top performance and 2 alienware for gaming and good performance)

( no origin pc, never )

 

1. buy barebone alienware case from ebay
2. put own parts inside

profit??11one!!

Also, 3Dmark seems to identify the motherboard unit as "Alienware 0XJKKD"

 

Thanks for the info about AW motherboards and building and cases and the recommendation to build my own pc.

I would like to build a pc and I have the hardware experience to do it but I occasionally need support because I'm not a good computer trouble shooter. (If a new driver doesn't fix it I'm usually stumped.) Also, I've read some reviews of motherboards and it seems a lot of people have problems with most brands and most models. I'd rather avoid that stress and I can afford to avoid it. All I need is phone support because I'm comfortable replacing parts. That is why Origin's lifetime phone support sounds like a good match for me. I wish I could just buy that support and build my own computer.

I really would like to build a computer but I can easily afford any pc so I think I will take the easy path unless anyone knows of affordable phone support. "A mans got to know his limitations." Did John Wayne say that or was it Clint Eastwood?

 

Most modern z77, 87, 97, x99 motherboard will not hassle you if you leave everything at auto.

Once you start overclocking, that's a different story. There's lots more variables to count in.

 

Thanks for the profile, I'll try them once I'm up and running. Want to do a clean install etc. I need stability over pure power tbh, will see if the stock overclocks are reasonable or too much.

The fluid did indeed gunk up the contact plate, cleaned it, and it runs but it does throw up a CPU cooling error in the BIOS (but it runs fine).

 

Check your pump connection, the fan is supposed to connect to the 4 pin SYS fan on the top and the pump to 7 pin cable also on the top.