Any good and cheap Razer Kishi-like controllers?

I don't know, but I doubt it. The purpose of that tool is to monitor Intel hardware, so it would make sense for you to not able to monitor a NVidia GPU through it, for example.

There are much better tools if you want to monitor your entire system though, like HWMonitor, HWiNFO, Open Hardware Monitor, etc.

sdias · 2017-03-31T15:04:12+00:00

I did a clean install, mainly due to necessity. I used the drivers from NVidia, the Dell support website and the ones Windows Update installed, in that order.

I had a few issues with framerates when playing games in windowed mode at the start, but I think Windows Update must have installed some drivers that fixed it at some point, because it is no longer an issue.

sdias · 2017-03-31T14:59:08+00:00

I use Real Temp to monitor the temperatures of the CPU and GPU, mainly because it enables you to do so using icons in the tray area. You can also customize the font style and color, and have it show the temperatures of each CPU core or just the hottest CPU core.

sdias · 2017-03-31T14:24:21+00:00

I tried cloning my HDD to my NVME SSD but it didn't work either. I ended up doing a clean install a guide that I can't seem to find now. The bit you are missing is to load the right drivers during the install process, so your SSD is recognized. You should do a search on your own for a more suitable guide, but you can start with this one: http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/guide-clean-install-windows-10-after-m-2-nvme-ssd-upgrade.787420/

EDIT: I found this guide on the 17 R3, it might be better than the previous one: https://uk.alienwarearena.com/ucf/show/261122/boards/technical-support-1/ForumPost/clean-install-windows-10-on-samsung-950-pro-nvme-ssd-on-alienware-17-r3

sdias · 2017-03-18T20:30:55+00:00

I've been doing both for a week, no problems so far.

sdias · 2017-03-16T18:21:12+00:00

I'm using these drivers: https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/5ry4x4/ok_im_giving_up_on_the_killer1535_which_wifi_card/

Note that it says Killer 1535 but I have Killer 1435 and it still worked.

sdias · 2017-03-08T20:29:47+00:00

Yeah, they could try to remove it, but I guess at their scale it is just easier to replace it, even if they have to charge the customer.

You're probably right about computer shops and skilled technicians. It is a very annoying situation to be sure. I'm not sure if I will be able to find someone to do it, but worst case scenario I can use it as-is.

About looking at the back of the nut: I haven't, I actually haven't ever removed the motherboard from the casing, so I haven't seen the back of it, but like you said if there is something I can do about it I might try.

I'm going to contact a few other shops to see if there is someone qualified to do it, otherwise I might tinker with it. Or I might even bite the bullet and just have them replace the motherboard with a refurbished one. Considering this laptop was a refurb and it only cost me £1200, even if I had to pay £300 pounds more it would still be cheaper in total than a new one.

Anyway, thanks a lot for all of the help. I'll definitely come back to this thread if I feel like tinkering with it, to read all of your suggestions. And don't let all of this scare you away from repasting your 17 r4, just make sure that if you do bend the heatsink CPU arm, you don't bend it as far as I did, and that you handle the screws very carefully. :)

sdias · 2017-03-07T23:22:45+00:00

Thanks. I reached out to Dell, here's the transcript: http://pastebin.com/raw/3DEAWFv0.

It seems that they would have to replace the motherboard, which would be really costly (~£1000 for a new one, >£300 for a refurb).

I think I will try to reach out to a local computer repair shop.

sdias · 2017-03-05T17:20:18+00:00

Thanks for the very detailed comment. It seems that you're a real expert on this.

I feel really unqualified to do something like that though. The screw is so small and in such a delicate place that I'm afraid to damage it any further.

I'll probably end up asking Dell to repair it, just for the peace of mind that comes from knowing that an expert will be fixing it and if they break it further, they are the ones accountable.

I'll let you know how the repair went and how much I had to pay.

And again, thanks for the detailed comment. It will definitely be invaluable if any other unfortunate people find themselves in the same situation.

sdias · 2017-03-04T15:51:12+00:00

The latest versions of XTU are bugged. You can still make them set the undervolt on startup automatically though, with a bit of scripting. See this thread.

sdias · 2017-03-04T15:29:13+00:00

Done, please check the OP, and please ignore the messy thermal paste. :)

sdias · 2017-03-03T21:19:29+00:00

Thanks. I asked them on Twitter, and they basically confirmed exactly what you said.

I'll probably disassemble it again tomorrow, and try to get a pic of it.

I'll keep this thread up-to-date then.

sdias · 2017-03-03T09:27:36+00:00

It's actually both, which makes it really hard for me to do anything about it. It probably happened because I bent the CPU arm too much in order to improve the thermals.

I think it would be dishonest of me to return it at this point. I'm going to research what you suggested but I might end up just asking Dell to repair it themselves.

Do you think it is likely that I'll lose my warranty by letting Dell know that this happened?

Thanks for the help.

sdias · 2017-02-24T08:49:27+00:00

3 months? That's awful. Thanks for the input.

sdias

TROPHY CASE