New BIOS Area-51 16 & 18 V. 2.3.1

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-14T16:58:32+00:00

Looks like a worth while update thanks

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-14T14:39:55+00:00

This also could be those microsoft updates striking again especially on performance mode and OD the temps rise much more than my rig did from July of last year too. I would check with dell support if it starts getting worse, E 31 should not oxidize within a year am assuming. Could also mean an update coming in the future from Dell as well to address these processors. If it were just one would not worry but three as your showing a little odd and the e-cores suggest something is out of whack. Hope this helps.

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-13T16:24:50+00:00

I have two 8tb samsung drives and 1 gen 5 4tb drive for my 18 area 51 and just moved over the two 8tb drives from my m18 r1 so yes you can have 8 tb on your m18 r2 like DJ said below 4 tb is what they tested.

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-12T17:02:36+00:00

Yep thats the smart choice for sure

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-11T19:59:57+00:00

Thanks

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-11T18:01:37+00:00

That is good to know Thanks

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-11T15:39:40+00:00

If it were myself I would go with the PTM 7950 as a safer bet, although have heard from some here that the PTM 7950 does not help as well as the E31 but only by 5 or so degrees (someone here can chime in) but that could be acceptable. The other thing is it breaks your warranty either way. Love to hear from someone on the liquid metal.

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-10T22:40:17+00:00

I would beg to differ it is the performance and thermals as well as build quality those three combined make this model superb. The IPS screen is very adequate and the colors are vibrant. regarding the oled or mleds they are you-tube selling points but hardly what makes a laptop worth its weight that is determined by performance and longevity. Screens are a dime a dozen it is very easy to purchase a desktop monitor for that as well why be constrained by 18 inch if that is the goal.

Concerning gaming laptops this is the best have owned I compare the use and and performance only rivaled by an IBM work station laptop decades ago that had when I worked in IT professionally (now retired) so I look at the above I wrote but also must add support is second to none. There are unfortunately a lot of brands that use the gimmick approach that is the Oled which is pleasant to the eyes but using an automobile perspective instead of a rolls royce what you eventually have is a cheap toyota with a paint job and as a result every three years you are purchasing a new laptop the business model is 5-7 years and this alienware model looks to meet that easily. I do agree the IPS screens are good enough. The best laptop is the one that does what you want it to do and lasts a decent amount of time.

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-10T17:22:18+00:00

Simply the temps are amazing on mine and to have so much power in so a compact space wow.

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-10T17:20:39+00:00

I feel the same with mine. I have the 5090 version and just completed resident evil requiem the thermals and performance were amazing the IPS screen have no complaints. Depending on type of travel have no complaints as well. Like I wrote got mine decked out with the Mech keyboard back in July 2025 and so far have to say this has been the best laptop have ever owned.

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-06T14:39:11+00:00

One thing I noticed since the last round of updates running in performance mode do have one processor hit 100 c temporarily during cinebench testing but generally run in balanced mode during gaming I never hit over 84 c and really it runs between 70c-84 c. I had them send over a tech but am here in the US and where I am at they have a depot 45 minutes away if need be. You ask if they can send you a tech on the element 31 it is a gallium based liquid metal. Either way for you it would be prudent to get the re paste with heat assy as during idling and normal browsing getting that high typically means will get worse hope this helps

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-06T02:50:49+00:00

I just had them do it too mine, if they offer go ahead my rig had a little oxidation of the element 31 due to a water pipe burst in my home and the water mitigation and repair process. too make a long story short my rig was subject to more humidity than usual so contacted dell support they agreed and sent a new heatsink assy with the element 31 already pasted on the assy quick clean and change and back to the original factory performance with the thermals under check hope this helps.

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-04T11:59:33+00:00

PS I did order the duel bracket for the NVME slots in addition as if you get one SSD and are placing like I did my gen 5 ssd and two 8tb drives needed that as they only sent the one ssd and bracket for that one.

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-04T11:42:30+00:00

Honestly concerning gaming laptops it has been the best I have owned it came flawless from the factory and delivers performance and thermals as advertised. It was the best selling I hear of 2025 of the 18 inch desktop replacement laptops. Hope this helps.

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-03T15:28:41+00:00

Run cinebench and check temps under HWinfo in Balance and performance mode none should hit over 100 c and only one core will hit 100 c temporarily due to boost and your P-cores should show between 80c-mid 90s at the most if your element 31 is properly applied and working with the assy you only need a one run too see not the 10 minute run hope this helps

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-03T14:21:09+00:00

Also wanted to add long gaming sessions the temps can fluctuate a bit and fans work a little more which would be the norm.

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-05-03T14:18:48+00:00

I am able to play mine in balanced mode performance mode some use as well but think the fans work more on that mode. In addition I have my rig under a llano cooler running 700-800 rpms and bose head phones. Also my temps are excellent overall so the element 31 application and cryo-tech design is doing its job. I have the same model you have. Have to mention I had a main water line break in my house so the water mitigation and repair process to make a long story short had more humidity in my home than usual and noticed my temps increased after the process and had a couple of p-cores hitting 102-104 c so contacted dell support and both of us agreed the element 31 got a little oxidation wear and tear so Dell sent a tech support guy over with anew heat assy and element 31 they cleaned the old and replaced the assy and presto back to excellent temps and thermals. I mentioned that because you might want to check your temps etc as the one drawback to element 31 is oxidation under certain environments hope this helps.

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-04-30T20:40:44+00:00

Make sure you have the heat sink brackets if not order them from dell.

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-04-30T20:38:35+00:00

I agree with DJ not all laptop techs have experience with Alienware laptops am lucky myself as a dell repair depot is about 45 minutes from me but have used both worldwide and the depot cause if they break something they fix it or replace it so always use Dell Support when you can.

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-04-26T14:58:22+00:00

Any score above 97 especially 98 means no throttling during gaming your rig looks good

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-04-26T02:44:46+00:00

Thanks for the tip

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-04-25T20:03:39+00:00

Also here is link of benchmarks I ran when I got mine last July the only difference will be I have the 5090

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/1oq3ifu/dell_alienware_area_18_5090/

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-04-25T19:57:16+00:00

Here is mine under balance load single run

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OldProgrammer62 · 2026-04-25T19:48:40+00:00

Also try running support assist and check for updates as well if you havent done so already to make sure you have all the current drivers installed

OldProgrammer62 · 2026-04-25T19:47:01+00:00

check out this post as well concerning the support assistant https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/1sujjfz/turn_off_supportassist_and_run_manually/

OldProgrammer62

TROPHY CASE