The Beast Returns - Alienware m18 - i9 13980HK 24c/RTX 4090 Mobile

[David55]

Is the QHD+ screen still just 300 nits? Do we need to wait for a 4k screen for more nits, and is such a screen coming as an option in the near future?

[win32asmguy]

13 minutes ago, David55 said:

Is the QHD+ screen still just 300 nits? Do we need to wait for a 4k screen for more nits, and is such a screen coming as an option in the near future?

 

That is correct according to here:

 

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/alienware-m18-r1-laptop/alienware-m18-r1-setup-and-specifications/display?guid=guid-740ab3a0-50a9-4e5b-942d-02ebbb4a2fc6&lang=en-us

[David55]

Do you think also correct about a 4k option with more nits coming soon in the near future? 

[win32asmguy]

9 hours ago, David55 said:

Do you think also correct about a 4k option with more nits coming soon in the near future? 

 

I have not heard of any 18 inch UHD+ panels. I would speculate a 240hz QHD+ 500nit option is more likely.

[ssj92]

Right now there is no 4K panels for 18" as far as I know. 

 

AW has heard everyone about 300nit screens, however, not sure if they will be able to implement it in R1. 

 

The 240hz QHD display might be possible in R1 since the ASUS uses it, but probably won't be available as an option anytime soon. 

[Rengsey R. H. Jr.]

On 3/13/2023 at 9:22 AM, ssj92 said:

Right now there is no 4K panels for 18" as far as I know. 

 

AW has heard everyone about 300nit screens, however, not sure if they will be able to implement it in R1. 

 

The 240hz QHD display might be possible in R1 since the ASUS uses it, but probably won't be available as an option anytime soon. 

I can try to install my 4k 18" screen when I get my m18. It's only 60hz though.

[PHVM_BR]

Does anyone have a precise answer if the undervolt is unlocked on the m16's 13900HX?

With the unlocking of the overclock in the BIOS is the undervolt possible?

[win32asmguy]

2 hours ago, PHVM_BR said:

Does anyone have a precise answer if the undervolt is unlocked on the m16's 13900HX?

With the unlocking of the overclock in the BIOS is the undervolt possible?

 

It sounds like it is possible via a stored overclocking profile. I tried ordering an open box m16 from Best Buy but it was DOA so I was not able to test it out.

[PHVM_BR]

45 minutes ago, win32asmguy said:

 

It sounds like it is possible via a stored overclocking profile. I tried ordering an open box m16 from Best Buy but it was DOA so I was not able to test it out.

I intend to buy, but these 139xxHX without undervolt are uncontrollable thirsty beasts. With undervolt I believe to minimize this and maintain a (high) power consumption in a more stable way and still increase the multicore performance.

Without undervolt I will skip this generation more or go for a Ryzen 9 7945HX.

[1610ftw]

On 3/14/2023 at 8:42 PM, Rengsey R. H. Jr. said:

I can try to install my 4k 18" screen when I get my m18. It's only 60hz though.

 

 Don't do it - it will be too wide for the m18 and it may also void your warranty. Of course if you are still crazy enough to do it we will all cheer you on 😄

[win32asmguy]

Today my M18 with 13900HX, 4080 and 480hz FHD+ display arrived. Here is an initial run of Timespy after updating AWCC and drivers.

 

https://www.3dmark.com/3dm/91421717?

 

The FHD+ panel is really nice. Great color gamut and brightness and clarity.

 

The membrane keyboard is great. Not quite as nice as the Precision 7670 or Alienware 51m R2, but acceptable and quiet. It appears that the only way to disable the bootup rainbow effect is by disabling keyboard backlighting via the F7 key.

 

Sadly the fans do have a high pitch whine to them across the entire curve. I need to pull the system apart and look to see if there may be multiple brands (Sunon / CCI) to see if I need to try and fish for another part. That is really the only disappointing thing so far.

[ssj92]

1 hour ago, win32asmguy said:

Today my M18 with 13900HX, 4080 and 480hz FHD+ display arrived. Here is an initial run of Timespy after updating AWCC and drivers.

 

https://www.3dmark.com/3dm/91421717?

 

The FHD+ panel is really nice. Great color gamut and brightness and clarity.

 

The membrane keyboard is great. Not quite as nice as the Precision 7670 or Alienware 51m R2, but acceptable and quiet. It appears that the only way to disable the bootup rainbow effect is by disabling keyboard backlighting via the F7 key.

 

Sadly the fans do have a high pitch whine to them across the entire curve. I need to pull the system apart and look to see if there may be multiple brands (Sunon / CCI) to see if I need to try and fish for another part. That is really the only disappointing thing so far.

So your CPU also hits 100c instantly and thermal throttles it seems? Looks like AW made a bad choice going with liquid metal on the cpu. They should have stuck to paste or a phase change pad. 

 

My friends m18 isn't high pitch so that's interesting. Mine comes tomorrow so let's see if it also hits 100c. 

[1610ftw]

@win32asmguy and @ssj92 :

What kind of material is the palm rest and the other surfaces?

Is the palm rest still slightly rubberized / soft touch style like in other Alienwares and the Precision workstations?

 

 

[win32asmguy]

14 minutes ago, 1610ftw said:

@win32asmguy and @ssj92 :

What kind of material is the palm rest and the other surfaces?

Is the palm rest still slightly rubberized / soft touch style like in other Alienwares and the Precision workstations?

 

I would say "slightly rubberized" is a good assessment. It is not as rubberized as the Precision but not smooth like the metal bottom panel either.

[captn.ko]

Hey Guys, nice to see you again after nbr shutdown 🙂

@ssj92 is Throttlestop working? 

 

Will receive my m18 next week 😇

[1610ftw]

24 minutes ago, win32asmguy said:

 

I would say "slightly rubberized" is a good assessment. It is not as rubberized as the Precision but not smooth like the metal bottom panel either.

 

Thanks, good to know!

I would really like to check on out even though I have absolutely no use for it. I guess I just like the fact that it is relatively big with the potential to have really good cooling. 

[ssj92]

11 minutes ago, captn.ko said:

Hey Guys, nice to see you again after nbr shutdown 🙂

@ssj92 is Throttlestop working? 

 

Will receive my m18 next week 😇

It works for changing power limits but when i try UV the CPU gets locked at 5x multiplier. so no UV yet but bios has options and xtu does have a lot of options. 

[win32asmguy]

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-74-mm-barrel-330-w-ac-adapter-with-2-meter-power-cord-united-states/apd/450-bbqg/pc-accessories

 

This power brick showed up on Dell's site recently. It is the SFF 330W according to a sales rep, so I ordered one. Technically I already have the SlimQ 330W but it has been making a popping noise so I have stopped using it (and I do not have the 330W Dell tip for it either).

 

I also swapped over to my Windows 10 22H2 + Fedora 37 drive which is working well. Audio seems to have full volume and no missing drivers in Device Manager. AWCC download page mentions only Windows 11 support and I have not tried installing it.

[ssj92]

Better than the $235 I paid last year for mine. 

 

W10 works fine for me all drivers

[win32asmguy]

Well, I disassembled my M18 this afternoon to replace the TIM and it looks like liquid metal (element 31?) was in places it should not be.

 

So now I have to figure out how to safely clean it up before applying PTM7950.

[Rengsey R. H. Jr.]

27 minutes ago, win32asmguy said:

Well, I disassembled my M18 this afternoon to replace the TIM and it looks like liquid metal (element 31?) was in places it should not be.

 

So now I have to figure out how to safely clean it up before applying PTM7950.

Nice .. let us know how the temps are after the rework. Also the scores for time spy/firestrike. 

[Rengsey R. H. Jr.]

This is from Asus G18 RTX 4080 with Max OC. 

[win32asmguy]

This one was from Windows 11 mostly out of box after trying to get AWCC in a configuration where the CPU was performing poorly.

 

https://www.3dmark.com/spy/36952549

 

The interesting part is that if you have no AWCC installed, it can actually be put in a state where the custom OC level from the bios is used which seemed to work more reliably than AWCC switching game profiles and applying overclocking along with overvolting.

[Rengsey R. H. Jr.]

27 minutes ago, win32asmguy said:

This one was from Windows 11 mostly out of box after trying to get AWCC in a configuration where the CPU was performing poorly.

 

https://www.3dmark.com/spy/36952549

 

The interesting part is that if you have no AWCC installed, it can actually be put in a state where the custom OC level from the bios is used which seemed to work more reliably than AWCC switching game profiles and applying overclocking along with overvolting.

Here is my beast M18 RTX 4090

[Maxware79]

1 hour ago, win32asmguy said:

Well, I disassembled my M18 this afternoon to replace the TIM and it looks like liquid metal (element 31?) was in places it should not be.

 

So now I have to figure out how to safely clean it up before applying PTM7950.

 

I've been told not to use Isopropyl on the E31 or you're going to have a bad time. Very interested to see if a repaste makes a difference. Keep us posted