Hi, 

Can you please confirm which Bios version you are running with the system? Also, please check the Bios menu (to access the Bios menu, tap the F2 key during the initial boot sequence) and check what is shows for the AC adapter type. 

How can I see Bios version?

 

Thank you for your reply.

 

EDITED later: I got to BIOS menu, this is the information I have. Plase tell me if you need further information:

BIOS version: 1.3.9

Alienware 17 R3 FL75762

AC Adapter Type: 180 W

This may be of interest since I realized about a fact I want you to explain me because I don't understand. I disabled my antivirus and battery was doing well while playing and I only had very short and less common fps drops and only instantly. My antivirus is Kaspersky Total Security, purchased through their website for 1 license, is completely legal. If I put my antivirus, battery goes to 90% by 20 minutes of playing plugged and huge fps drops.

I am also thinking about a charger replacement. Mine is 180W and I read somewhere else that some laptops uses more power than charger can provide while playing very demanding games, I read this is usual for MSI but I suspect this is what is happening to me. Will a 240W charger solve my problem? I see there is a correlation between fps drops and battery loss because whenever fps drops, is because battery is draining (the color of power button turns to yellow instead of blue). I see that Dell has a 240W AC adapter compatible with Alienware 17 R3:

Dell 240-Watt AC Adapter with 6 ft Power Cord for Select Dell Alienware / latitude Laptops / Precision Workstations / Alienware Desktops

What do you think?

I checked temperatures: The temperatures while playing are GPU: 64-67ºC and CPU around the same temperatures. While playing Rome II Total War, a symbol of a battery appears, the color of Alienware button turns instantly to yellow and fps drops suddenly, then turns to blue and rise suddenly again.

I updated BIOS to 1.4.4, the latest BIOS drivers, still the problem persists. I think charger may be the problem, I also suspect about battery and GPU, but GPU seems to work well.

Hi, 

Thanks for confirming this. Send me your Service Tag in a PM, so we can look further into this. 

hi, i am experiencing the same problem for a while now... can you lead me into fixing this issue, awaiting answer to send further information.. 

 

thank you.

I am also facing the same issue. Many people had recommended to power drain my system (which I did by letting the battery to 0 and then unplugging it from the motherboard.) That didn't work. Then people stated it could possibly be my PSU. But tried 3 different 240 power supplies and nothing. 

I get it when playing games with high graphics demand. My performance is incredibly capped. 

When using the oculus rift the screen continually dims, the charging or "Plugged in" icon switches non stop from battery to charging.

Checked cpu clock speeds using CPU-Z and computer goes from 3.2mhz  and drops to 2.1mhz. when the disconnecting happens. The GPU also sees a big performance hit. 

The system is also an Alienware 17r3 - I have been facing this problem well over a year. Ended up getting a desktop gaming PC and just using my 17r3 for super light duty. Which should never be the case.  

Bios 1.6.1.

CPU - 17-6700HQ 

GPU - Nvidia GeForece GTX 980M 8Gb

Ram - 12gig 

 

Computer temps during oclus home. 

60-75c CPU temp (Highest at 80 percent load) 

50-65 - GPU @ 80-90% load 

 System is then forced into "Balanced" power option mode. from performance.