Let's DELL

[koreanlover]

There is also a category of which those who want it will keep saving and spend all on the Dell Alienware M18 R3 or Alienware 17 system, then no money buy amplifier.

I assume that the Alienware systems cannot use with the MSI GS30 right?

Because the Alienware Amplifier's connection is only carrying data at x4 PCIe Gen 3 data rates = ~ 4GB/s. Whereas a standard GPU connection on a desktop is a full x16 Gen 3 connection or ~16GB/s. The GS30 can support that full x16 data rate! Will there be trottle?

Hmm looks like Alienware Graphics Amplifier might bottleneck the graphics bandwidth?

 

[koreanlover]

Honestly speaking, although this amplifier is a very practical implementation to bump up graphics performance, i feel that the Graphics Amplifier occupies a tad too much space. Especially behind the long graphics card and in front of the power supply where the PSU cables reside, having huge empty space which has no utility other than to house the length of cables, which makes the entire box clumsy and oversized.

I believe this amplifier box is still in its infancy of R&D and has great potential to be further developed and redesigned. They can redesign the entire box to be much slimmer and space-efficient, to something like Alienware X51 SFF PC / Silverstone Raven RVZ structure layout, where the graphics card is orientated on the same plane adjacent to the power supply. This will bring down the entire box to a much flatter, slimmer form factor liken to gaming consoles.

And as seen above, the power supply utilised is also a full sized regular ATX PSU, and it protruded way past the height of graphics card, generating quite substantial unnecessary space above graphics card. With just 375W required to power up the graphics card and 4x USB 3.0 ports, ATX PSU is definitely overkill and they could have replace it with a more compact SFX form factor PSU that is also capable of providing the similar wattage output. 300-450W is a very common wattage range for SFX PSU and also easily available on the market. SFX PSU is also shorter that it flushes perfectly well with the height of standard full profile graphics card, as seen in the image below. Hence, using SFX PSU will bring the box volume down much further and results in a much slender amplifier box.

Actually the Alienware Amplifier is a little outdated since Nvidia has managed to squeeze the desktop GTX 980 into laptops.

http://www.engadget.com/2015/09/22/nvidia-geforce-gtx-980-laptops/
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2984573/components/nvidia-hits-gaming-milestone-true-desktop-performance-in-a-laptop-with-geforce-gtx-980.html
http://www.geforce.com/whats-new/articles/introducing-the-geforce-gtx-980-notebooks

 

[koreanlover]

It is limited up to gtx980, reason I think because the power supply limit to 375w and the internals area for dual slot normal height gpu. But if future nvidia gpu is under 375w, it should work.

It use custom cable and support only alienware laptops only. so you can't just buy another laptop with thunderbolt.

In future version, with faster connections, maybe it can crazy enough to support sli, but for now, only 1gpu can work when you connect the graphics amplifier to your alienware laptop

Hopefully Dell manages to shrink the size of the Graphics Amplifier, or maybe introduce a laptop with a desktop GTX 980 like in my earlier post.

 

[koreanlover]

People who are rich enough to purchase these Alienware laptops are more likely to spend a bit more, at the small fraction of their laptop, to get this amplifier.

This Graphics Amplifier also solves the complexity and hassle buyers need to face if they were to build a DIY PC. Choosing from countless choice of PC parts to assembly and configuring system themselves.

Alienware laptop owners only need to hoot graphics card of their choice, much simple enough. Then install graphics card into the only PCIe slot inside the box, plug in the PCIe cable, install driver on the laptop, and they are good to go. That easy!

Having this amplifier is also much easier than upgrading the MXM based removable discrete graphics card on the laptop, where you need to remove almost every single internal part to reach down for the MXM card. MXM cards are also a lot less available than regular desktop graphics cards. You also need to clean the heatsink and reapply the thermal paste, which is going to be a tedious and scary journey, even for amateurs.

Yes having the amplifier reduces some complexity and hassle but it is still too huge for a small table like mine.
The size has to be reduced maybe like changing to a SFF PSU like what you said.

 

[koreanlover]

The secret that makes current lineup of Alienware 17 R3 so rigid and durable is the use of carbon fibre reinforced composite in its internal frame structure that also contribute to its lightweightness. Such thoughtful implementation allows the frame to withstand the weight from huge heatsink residing inside to cool GTX 980M effectively, and preventing laptop from long term warping and flexing due to its heavyweight nature. With such durable built, the laptop can also survive minor-moderate bangs without any severe deformities and potential spoiling sensitive PC parts inside. And it may also be able to last longer than your regular plastic notebook and saves you on the long run with less frequent laptop renews.

Is the Alienware 17 R3 really lightweight ?
The build is great and durable but I don't think I would be lugging it around daily.

 

[koreanlover]

Since Alienware 17 R3 cheapest cost $2,899.00

i will buy the following using $2,899.00
1) Inspiron 14 5458 with 4 Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis W/Accidental Damage(buy extended warranty to ensure 4yrs of usage without need to buy new laptop)

Price: $1,219.22
Reason to buy this: so that could bring it out for usage and not bulky ease of carry.
2) Alienware alpha with 4 Years Collect & Return Service(it dont provide accidental damage warranty)

Price: $1,494.81
Reason to buy this: use at home for gaming purpose

3) Dell UltraSharp 22 Multimedia Monitor - UZ2215H

Price: $289
Reason to buy this: Alienware alpha dont come with monitor need buy one

slightly overbudget by $100 compare to Alienware 17 R3 cheapest cost $2,899.00
like that go out can bring small laptop and at home can play gaming

Good idea but what graphics card does the Dell Inspiron 14 5458 come with ? Definitely cannot be compared to the Alienware 17 R3.

 

[koreanlover]

This graphics amplifier for the Dell Alienware m17 R3 laptop can use for any graphics card? If yes, then infuture must buy laptop with USB-C / thunderbolt port right ? Can the graphics amplifier be used like SLI? Meaning stack 3 graphics amplifier together?

Nope, don't think can use SLI for the graphics amplifier.
If you want to do SLI for 3 graphics card, better to buy the Alienware desktop X51 or Area-51.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Is the Alienware 17 R3 really lightweight ?
The build is great and durable but I don't think I would be lugging it around daily.

Not light at all at 3+ kg, but at least not much heavier than it will have been if regular plastic structure is used.

 

[WhiteHunter]

Yes think the Alienware Graphics Amplifier is made to reduce the weight of the laptop.

not exactly. the intention of Alienware is to allow laptop users to have the graphics power of a desktop and also the experience of using your laptop as a desktop as the Graphics Amplifer has 4 Usb ports where you can connect a mouse as well as a keyboard and a desktop monitor. users can then choose to fix the desktop graphics card of their own choice be it a GTX Titan X or 980.

this corresponds to the Hwz video which ask desktop or laptop but you can have both the experience if you choose Alienware Graphics Amplifer.

most laptops in the market does not allow one to upgrade its own graphics card. they usually have to purchase a new laptop. same goes for Alienware laptops so they come out with this Alienware Graphics Amplifier where you do not need to buy a new laptop just to get the latest graphics card.

you got a laptop with i5 or i7 which is enough to play most if not all the games in the market but your laptop graphics card is GTX 960M or 980M and you want the Titan X/980 so Alienware Graphics Amplifer is the solution.

 

[WhiteHunter]

Imagine you already spend $3999 on Dell Alienware 17 R2, are you going to spend another $500 on Alienware Graphics Amplifier?

That's a total $4500 for a laptop just for gaming~

I guess Dell should have a better solution for a cheaper price, getting dell Inspiron 24 7000 would be better for all rounded use ~

you pay for design, quality, experience and the premium feel. same as why would someone buy a ferrari when they can get a normal sports car. Dell Alienware 17 R3 is a very good gaming laptop. probably one of the best and it can rival a desktop setup.

wonder if this Alienware Graphics Apmlifier can use with other brands of laptop say Asus etc?

 

[kimsix]

you pay for design, quality, experience and the premium feel. same as why would someone buy a ferrari when they can get a normal sports car. Dell Alienware 17 R3 is a very good gaming laptop. probably one of the best and it can rival a desktop setup.

wonder if this Alienware Graphics Apmlifier can use with other brands of laptop say Asus etc?

Alienware graphics amplifier use a custom cable to connect to alienware laptops, it will not work with other brands of laptop

 

[NobunagaOda]

Not light at all at 3+ kg, but at least not much heavier than it will have been if regular plastic structure is used.

3+kg is not considered heavy unless you include Alienware 17 together with Alienware Graphics Amplifier.

 

[NobunagaOda]

Nope, don't think can use SLI for the graphics amplifier.
If you want to do SLI for 3 graphics card, better to buy the Alienware desktop X51 or Area-51.

Alienware Graphics Amplifier can only insert one graphics card. Is the Alienware X51 or Area-51 better than Alienware 17?

 

[NobunagaOda]

Alienware graphics amplifier use a custom cable to connect to alienware laptops, it will not work with other brands of laptop

The custom cable is included with Alienware graphics amplifier or with the Alienware laptops?

 

[kimsix]

Is the Alienware 17 R3 really lightweight ?
The build is great and durable but I don't think I would be lugging it around daily.

The alienware 17 r3 is not light weight for sure. It is very rigid and if you lift it,you can tell the insides are soundly secured.

 

[bosssaizo]

Boss reporting in.

Hope everyone had a good holiday.

We see so many discussions out there so our question to everyone is this:
What do you guys love about Alienware? And if you have a choice, what parts would you change to make your Alienware more awesome?

 

[NobunagaOda]

Boss reporting in.

Hope everyone had a good holiday.

We see so many discussions out there so our question to everyone is this:
What do you guys love about Alienware? And if you have a choice, what parts would you change to make your Alienware more awesome?

The main thing I love about Alienware is the design of the laptop. It really look like outerspace alien design and is quite unique compared to other laptops where it is squarish and usually black in colour. Another thing I love is the great Alienware Graphics Amplifier. It really boost the graphics power of the laptop for a great gaming experience..

If I could change the parts of Alienware, I would prefer to use lightweight materials to make the laptop weigh less heavy in the region of 2kg and below.

 

[NobunagaOda]

Good idea but what graphics card does the Dell Inspiron 14 5458 come with ? Definitely cannot be compared to the Alienware 17 R3.

Based on the $949, It is i7 with 920M graphics card. It is far from Alienware 17 R3 with Alienware Graphics Amplifier.

 

[NobunagaOda]

the Dell Alienware Graphics Amplifier can act as heater if your hands are cold after gaming in air-con room

Why not switch off the air-con. Is it true the Dell Alienware Graphics Amplifier generate that much heat?

 

[NobunagaOda]

Yes having the amplifier reduces some complexity and hassle but it is still too huge for a small table like mine.
The size has to be reduced maybe like changing to a SFF PSU like what you said.

Buy a bigger table. Don't think the Alienware graphics amplifier can be reduced since there needs to have ample space for a desktop graphics card and some cooling system.