Aurora R4 a06 BIOS Overclocking

There are numerous factors that can contribute to internals overheating, e.g. removing my R4's PCI shroud yielding lower GPU temps overall. It seems strange to me that Alienware would remove such a feature whilst presenting themselves as a friend of the hardcore/enthusiast PC user. Given that there are countless examples online of people overclocking i7 3820s successfully, this seems to open up the possibility that the decision to remove this overclocking functionality from the BIOS stems from other contributing factors, such as case design and air flow, the motherboard, or an aversion to dealing with tech support calls from people that got it wrong, for example.

Luis, I sent an email to the address you posted, explaining that providing you with my phone contact information was potentially a hassle for you as I live in Tokyo. In the email I explained that I had attempted to contact Alienware tech support via phone and chat, but, not speaking much Japanese, was unable to come away with any answers; the Dell website restricts access to any support methods outside of your home country...

Despite all this, the reply I received suggested that I contact Japan support again...

In much the same way that one might purchase an iMac and not an all-in-one computer, I'm starting to feel like I've definitely purchased an "Alienware" and not a PC.

Thanks for the response.   I agree, it is lousy of Alienware to completely remove these overclocking abilities. This decision seems to go to the fact that Alienware offers "overclocking" as service. It probably made business sense to someone to stop affording users the ability to overclock their CPUs on their own.   I am using an SSD as a boot drive and have had no problems with it.   Hopefully Alienware/Dell might have a response to some of the questions/claims in this thread.

Hello Luis, let me explain it to you clearly this time because you absolutely did not understand the situation that i encounter after A06 bios update. 1) i purcased the aurora R4 with bios A05. Where the bios allow me to OC the multipler. I know and totally understand that the OC will made the CPU runs hotter. thus i buy the aftermarket CPU cooler (water cool) that is better than the stock. So its my investment on my system and its running below 70 deg at full load with all cores OC to 4.5Ghz. This the same temp with the stock OC profile 2. Before i purchase this Aurora, i also known this OC through multiplier is possible that why I purchase it!!! Then dell put the notifications on recommended bios update for win8 compatibility. It does not mentioned anything with this bios will disable the OC???? Why? Whos mistake of this?? Then i upgrade the bios without knowing it will change those functions. Can you imagine if this happened to you? To put it on other perspective, can you imagine you go to shopping market and bought expensive pants. But when at home your mother suddenly did not allowed you to wear pants? Dell cannot remove function that already exist in the 1st place. if you want to remove, you need to notify clearly. Now what? The investment i did on the aftermarket cooler now is absolute waste ?? Do you understand the situation? 2) how about my crucial M4 SSD did not everytime detected by the bios POST? Why is that? I had no issue or what so ever during the A05 bios, now i need to run the pre post diagnostics everytime i power on the system from cold boot? Can Dell being professional on dealing with your customer. Since i update the bios A06 , this aurora has been a sick on my eyes. Tell me now that Dell will not ever provide the solution straight foward, dont give lame reason or excuse. We are not that noob. It easy for me to ditch this aurora rather that keep it. Answer me now!!!!

Indeed.

After reading Luis' response that touches on the reason for the removal of various overclocking functionality from the BIOS, I'm obviously not expecting any solutions here, and I agree that it makes perfect sense to limit this functionality from a economics perspective, but it seems kind of presumptuous to remove features like this based on a default position that "they'll probably break it". I don't know, maybe this is has been a huge issue for Alienware in the past.

Also, as far as I'm aware, you can't rollback to a previous BIOS.

Indeed.   After reading Luis' response that touches on the reason for the removal of various overclocking functionality from the BIOS, I'm obviously not expecting any solutions here, and I agree that it makes perfect sense to limit this functionality from a economics perspective, but it seems kind of presumptuous to remove features like this based on a default position that "they'll probably break it". I don't know, maybe this is has been a huge issue for Alienware in the past.   Also, as far as I'm aware, you can't rollback to a previous BIOS.

Hello Dell / Alienware :

can you tell me the meaning of  what below sentences as posted on the dell alienware website ?

Chipset

Intel® X79 Express Chipset w/ Unlocked BIOS for Overclocking, CPU Socket 2011

(www.dell.com/.../pd.aspx)

what is with unlocked Bios for overlocking? This is correct when 1st I received the system where the Bios A05 inside.

Now after bios A06 is not unlocked anymore?

Why is that? Am i wrongly understand or my english is not good???

Hello Dell/Alienware,

Please eleborate more on what the above topics meant? This is from Dell website page (http://www.dell.com/my/p/alienware-aurora-r4/pd). Go  to Tech Spec --> Under Chipset.

This is what my expectation when receive my Aurora R4 with 3930K last month where onboard is bios A05. This beast was running great no problem at all.

I also did OC all the cores up to 4.5Ghz with my aftermarket CPU cooler proven to make the temp under control (below 70 degC at full load).

However, During my upgarde the Bios to A06 (Bios to be said for Windows 8 compatibility) has removed the unlock portion for adjusting core multiplier.

Since that also my system cannot detect my SSD (Crucial M4 512GB SSD).

All above problem is originated from the BIOS A 06. Now when I complaints about this problem, what you all do is telling me:-

1) Saying my setup problem (SSD) . Now proven it was not wrong.
2) Saying the OC is there only it reset because I was updating the Bios. No its not. Its locked.

3) After that saying that only K version CPU able to overclock. But mine is K version. Whay can not?

4)After all above answer, now you're saying the OC function is not advertised? Is that true?? Can you click the link I provided and eleborate further?

Sorry about the inconveniences. Please send us an e-mail to AWSocialMedia@dell.com with your service tag, phone number and a brief description of the issue and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

I have send the email before. There is no reply except reply to my forum inbox saying all the above. I will resend. Please take note, this is second time already.

I'll take note of that. I'll be checking the case now.

Is there updates on this issues?

Judging by the response I received (or lack of a response, rather) after emailing the social media address listed above, I doubt we'll be seeing any solutions to this issue.

Great!!! You rock

Great to hear. Thank you for looking into this. I'll mark the thread as answered.