Alienware m15 R5 Ryzen Edition Review: Boost Performance with TCC Offset!

Table of Contents

• Introduction 🌟
• Performance and Peculiarities 🎮
  • Cinebench R23 Benchmarks
  • DaVinci Resolve 17 Performance
  • Gaming Experience
  • Temperature Issues and Fixes
• Design and Display 👀
  • Design Overview
  • Display Options
  • Webcam and Audio Quality
  • Keyboard and Trackpad
  • Speaker Performance
  • Ports and Connectivity
• Battery Life and Upgrade Options 🔋
  • Battery Life
  • Upgrade Possibilities
• Pricing and Conclusion 💸
  • Pricing Overview
  • Overall Assessment

🌟 Introduction

Today, we are taking a closer look at the latest offering from Alienware, the m15 r5 Ryzen edition. This high-performance gaming laptop features impressive specifications, including a Ryzen 9 5900 HX processor, an RTX 3070 GPU, 16 gigabytes of RAM, and a generous one terabyte PCIe NVMe SSD for storage. In this article, we will explore the performance, design, display, battery life, and pricing of the m15 r5 Ryzen edition. Let's dive in and discover if this gaming laptop is worth the hype.

Performance and Peculiarities 🎮

Starting with the performance, the m15 r5 Ryzen edition shines in various benchmark tests. In Cinebench R23 using the balance fan profile and high-performance settings, the Ryzen 9 5900 HX achieves remarkable scores, surpassing 11,000 in the multi-core test and just shy of 1400 in the single-core test. Switching to the full-speed fan profile only yields marginal improvements.

Moving on to DaVinci Resolve 17, this laptop impresses by rendering videos faster than real-time for 1080p and slightly slower than real-time for 4K. The difference in render speed between fan profiles is minimal, although the full-speed profile performs slightly better. However, it's crucial to note that the m15 r5 Ryzen edition consistently maintains a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius, even during idle periods.

When it comes to gaming, the m15 r5 Ryzen edition delivers an enjoyable experience, particularly when paired with its 1080p 165Hz display. The RTX 3070 GPU performs exceptionally well, effortlessly running esports titles like CS:GO and APEX Legends at high frame rates, thanks to the high refresh rate display. Even demanding AAA titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider run smoothly without any overheating issues. The laptop handles ray tracing admirably, surpassing 60 frames per Second in first-generation RTX titles and even exceeding 100 frames per second in second-generation RTX titles featuring DLSS 2.0.

🎮 Cinebench R23 Benchmarks

Tests conducted using the balance fan profile and high-performance settings show that the m15 r5 Ryzen edition achieves impressive scores in Cinebench R23. The Ryzen 9 5900 HX processor performs exceptionally well, surpassing 11,000 in the multi-core test and nearly reaching 1400 in the single-core test.

🎬 DaVinci Resolve 17 Performance

In our tests with DaVinci Resolve 17, the m15 r5 Ryzen edition proves to be a capable machine for video rendering. It can render videos faster than real-time for 1080p and slightly slower than real-time for 4K. The difference in render speed between the balance and full-speed fan profiles is minimal, with the latter providing slightly better results.

🎮 Gaming Experience

The gaming experience on the m15 r5 Ryzen edition is truly remarkable. With its 1080p 165Hz display and RTX 3070 GPU, this laptop can handle esports titles like CS:GO and Apex Legends with ease. The high refresh rate display ensures smooth gameplay, while even AAA titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider run without any issues. The laptop's ray tracing performance is exceptional, achieving over 60 frames per second on first-generation RTX titles and surpassing 100 frames per second on second-generation RTX titles featuring DLSS 2.0.

🌡️ Temperature Issues and Fixes

One notable issue with the m15 r5 Ryzen edition is its high operating temperature. Out of the box, the laptop runs extremely hot, with the default temperature limit set to 100 degrees Celsius. This applies to all fan and performance profiles available in the Alienware Command Center. However, a simple fix is available.

By adjusting the value of a specific function called TCC offset in the BIOS, users can lower the maximum temperature limit and improve the laptop's overall performance. The TCC offset determines the maximum CPU operating temperature. Lower values correspond to lower temperatures, allowing for better performance. We recommend setting the TCC offset to 10, resulting in a maximum operating temperature of 90 degrees Celsius for the Ryzen 9 5900 HX. With this adjustment, the laptop's performance remains excellent while keeping temperatures at a manageable level.

Design and Display 👀

The design of the m15 r5 Ryzen edition remains true to Alienware's legendary design scheme, with a few minor differences. The glossy bezels found in previous models have been replaced, resulting in a more refined aesthetic. The laptop weighs around 2.4 kilograms, striking a balance between portability and durability.

As for the display, two options are available: a 1080p 165Hz panel and a 1440p 240Hz panel. In our review unit, we have the former, which features a 15.6-inch IPS panel with a 165Hz refresh rate. The display covers 100% of the sRGB color space and offers a maximum brightness of 350 nits. Overall, it's a solid high-refresh-rate IPS panel that delivers a pleasant viewing experience.

👁️ Design Overview

The m15 r5 Ryzen edition follows Alienware's iconic design scheme, with subtle differences that set it apart from previous models. The glossy bezels have been replaced, resulting in a more refined appearance. The laptop strikes a balance between portability and durability, weighing around 2.4 kilograms.

👓 Display Options

The m15 r5 Ryzen edition offers two display options: a 1080p 165Hz panel and a 1440p 240Hz panel. Our review unit features the former, boasting a 15.6-inch IPS panel with a 165Hz refresh rate. The display covers 100% of the sRGB color space and achieves a maximum brightness of 350 nits.

📸 Webcam and Audio Quality

The m15 r5 Ryzen edition comes equipped with a webcam that performs adequately but lacks any form of authentication support. The audio quality is decent, delivering satisfactory results for gaming Sessions and voice chats. However, both the webcam and audio quality are not exceptional compared to other laptops in this price range.

⌨️ Keyboard and Trackpad

The keyboard on the m15 r5 Ryzen edition offers a satisfying typing experience, with a good amount of key travel and a comfortable feel. Notable changes from previous models include the repositioning of the arrow cluster and the addition of dedicated media keys. The trackpad performs adequately, providing precise tracking and responsiveness.

🔊 Speaker Performance

The speakers on the m15 r5 Ryzen edition deliver decent audio quality, reaching adequate volume levels for light gaming sessions. While not exceptional, the speakers offer an enjoyable audio experience, provided you don't expect audiophile-level sound quality.

🖥️ Ports and Connectivity

In terms of ports and connectivity, the m15 r5 Ryzen edition closely mirrors the G15 Ryzen edition. While it offers a sufficient array of ports, including USB and HDMI, there is empty space on the back of the laptop. Notably, Alienware has discontinued support for the graphics amplifier on this model.

Battery Life and Upgrade Options 🔋

The m15 r5 Ryzen edition provides decent battery life, lasting approximately seven hours under casual usage with its 86 watt-hour battery. As for upgrade options, the laptop features dual RAM slots and two slots for PCIe NVMe SSDs, providing ample room for future expansion and customization.

⏲️ Battery Life

The m15 r5 Ryzen edition offers decent battery life, lasting up to seven hours under casual usage with its 86 watt-hour battery. Depending on your usage Patterns, the laptop's battery life may vary.

💾 Upgrade Possibilities

The m15 r5 Ryzen edition allows for easy upgrades, featuring dual RAM slots and two slots for PCIe NVMe SSDs. Users can expand and customize their storage and memory configuration to meet their specific needs.

Pricing and Conclusion 💸

When it comes to pricing, the m15 r5 Ryzen edition starts at under $1400 for the base configuration. However, to experience the full potential of this laptop with the Ryzen 9 5900 HX and RTX 3070, the price rises to around $2000 in the United States and approximately $3400 in Singapore. While Alienware laptops have a reputation for quality and performance, it's important to acknowledge that pricing can become significantly higher as you customize the specifications.

In conclusion, the Alienware m15 r5 Ryzen edition is a powerful gaming laptop that delivers impressive performance. The TCC offset functionality allows users to mitigate the temperature issues and improve overall thermals. However, the price point is higher compared to similar laptops on the market. If you are a fan of the Alienware brand and value its aesthetic appeal, the m15 r5 Ryzen edition could be a great choice for you. However, if pricing is a major consideration, there are other laptops available with similar performance at a more agreeable price point.

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