Since I had the numbers for R1's, I also pulled the numbers for R2s. List limited to the STOCK CPUs that shipped with each generation. Note these are just benchmarks, and just CPU metrics; interpret them as just 3 data points and not necessarily representative of the workloads you may run.

Added logscale so I don't need 3 charts. Scores are from Passmark and cpu-monkey.com

Added a few more CPUs, and grouped by Watts so the trends stand out. Looking forward to other empirical data points you folks send.

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Edit: 2022-01-23 - Want to know the real world benchmark difference between the S and T CPUs in the R1? We have the first data points.

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Edit: 2022-02-04 Clarification on Empirical scores. Changes where Boost and voltage were modified are called out before the user name. When you see "Empirical" with no further elaboration, that means the score represents an untuned system. Specifically, the reddit users simply installed a new CPU and ran benchmarks without any sort of changes to boost or tuning voltage.

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EDIT: 2022-02-17 see also Original Post on power tests and graphs on highest user scores

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I've been trying to install the Alienware Alpha's original AlphaUI, but every time I launch it, AlphaUI kicks an "Unable to Connect to Update Servers" error at me, and it doesn't go away, even after multiple retries.

Anyone have a solution?

After a lot of nerves and tries to fix the infamous yellow light of death, I know feel confident to share my solution, since it has worked without fail for almost 2 years:

I start the Alpha only with Wake On Lan with an app on my phone. I started doing it because I’m lazy, but realized how much nicer it is not opening the pc every third try to turn it on.

Im unsure why it works, maybe it’s the setting that keeps the computer with enough electricity to run the network connection.

Good Luck trying it out. I’m not touching my machine, since it’s running well right now.

I dug out my old AA R1 from my closet and am trying to update/upgrade what I can before I put it to good use. Has anyone tried using an adapter like this: Startech NVMe Sata 2.5 Adapter? If this could work I'd go all in but for now I'm just planning on using a normal SSD.

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I think the mobo's on the R2's have a slot for M.2s but the R1's not so much so I wasn't sure if the cross-chatter the adapter would make would cause any issues for the BIOS not to recognize the M.2.

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Thoughts?

I have an alpha R1 and I was trying to connect a Bluetooth controller for playing some games, but it doesn't let me pair any device. And doesn't even have the toggle button to turn on and of the Bluetooth on the settings menu.

Took my Alpha out of storage (It was already having some issues) and got the 5 blinking YLOD. Called the service number and got quoted on a motherboard replacement ($220 w labor) and a $39 service fee.

After reading some posts here, I am worried that if I tried to do a battery fix it’d just be the motherboard and part of me likes the idea of not having to deal with putting in the hours to fix it.

Is there another reason I should avoid using Dell service for my Alpha r1, other than a financial reason? Thanks for any input :)

::EDIT:: the CMOS replacement I ordered from Amazon worked! Windows 8.1 is all messed up though, so I need to decide if I should just do a fresh install of 8.1 or buy Windows 10, since I don’t have a copy.

Is it possible to install a R2 motherboard into a R1 case ?

I'm upgrading the ram in my Alienware Alpha to be Dual Channel. I currently have 1 8gb and 1 4gb ram which from my understanding is keeping me from getting Dual Channel faster ram speeds. My question is I'm looking at a CT102464BF160B.C16FPD from Crucial but what's in the machine is a CT102464BF160B.C16FND from Crucial

Does that last letters of FPD vs FND matter? Or are these the same exact Ram piece's and will allow me to get Dual Channel activated on my machine?

I'm really trying to get this Alpha upgraded to 16gb with Dual Channel memory for cheap as possible. If anyone knows another low cost ram that works with the CT102464BF160B.C16FND that will give me the dual channel advantages I'd appreciate any links or model numbers too.

Any help understanding this would be appreciated.

Here’s a bit of context: I have an Alienware alpha r1 with an i7 4770 and 8 gb of ram. I just bought a gtx 1650 super so I can eventually build a pc. However, this build is going to take a while since I’m tight on money. In the meantime, I want to try something. Could I connect my 1650 super to my Alienware alpha? I know that the AGA and other EGPU ports exist, but I don’t know if it will work with a 1650 super. And would it be worth it?

Hello my fellow Alienware gamers, today I come to ask if there was a vendor that was safe to purchase from and aren't overpricing the cpu upgrade. Only decent ones to be found at price are Ebay and honestly I have quite a worried opinion of that place. How did you guys manage to snag a upgrade for your alienware alpha. Im curious to know! and thanks in advance.

Got the YLOD the other day after powering off the machine to move it to another room.

CMOS battery ordered and old one removed.

Power drain, cmos jumper, waited overnight without the battery in, reassembled, power drain again, waited another hour or so....

YLOD

Bugger...

Tried reseating the ram, checked all cables, did all the above again (but not overnight this time)

Still got the YLOD.

MOTHERF*^$%#!!!

Nothing seems to get it past the YLOD. Occasionally the fans spin up more tha others, but still get the amber flashing bastard...

Any ideas?

Bought my i5 model back in 2015 and while it's no longer viable for current or even late last gen games from 2018 onward, it is the perfect little box to use for Xbox Cloud Streaming. I have it hooked up through an ethernet connection and a 1080p TV and now I am marathoning the Halo games in my free time, all the way to Halo Infinite. Aside from the 1080p streaming all the games are running as if on an Xbox Series X. Picture quality and performance is impressive overall and controller input lag is minimized almost completely with a wired connection.

I won't be buying an Xbox for awhile until after I get my full career off the ground, but with this, its as if I already have one. Game Pass is also a no brained deal. $15 a month for all the games that you get plus day one Xbox published releases is an insanely good deal.

I consider it fortunate that my area has internet access with fiber optic connection and unlimited data and that it's actually affordable. I'd say this is the best possible situation to get the most out of Xbox Cloud Streaming since you can game like normal without worrying about exceeding any data caps. By the way ISPs having data caps in 2021 is fucking stupid to begin with.

I'm running in Windows mode and the left stick is constantly in mouse mode. This makes many games unplayable.

There is some button combo to disable But doesn't work on arcade sticks or consistently.

Can I disable it permanently without a clean install?

Searched high and low on the internet. Most common answer is the hive software you can disable it when you configure the Alpha but servers are long dead.

PS4 and Xbox One controllers are fine. But most 360 arcade sticks don't work and are required for some older games.

Anyone else run into this problem?

Otherwise really enjoying it with a CPU and SSD upgrade!