Problems with Alienware X51 R2

First try the tape around the CPU fan.  And make sure that all the tabs that hold the panel to the chassis are engaged when you slide the panel on. It is easy to have one not engage properly and then the panel is held away from the chassis about 1/8 inch and the panel won't seal the to CPU fan shroud.  I bent mine in a little just so the panel would hold as closely as possible to the chassis.

Well, I've had my x51 R2 i7-4770 with GTX 760 Ti for 10 months (it was built in 2013).  I've had the BSOD problem for 9 months.  Dell keeps making me go through the same thing for 2 hours (17 hours so far...) & then they change some of the hardware: 3 graphics cards, 1 mother board, 1 daughter card (previous revision), 1 power supply, 3 riser cards.... & I still have the problem. (also have done 3 fresh installs of Windows 7 and tried  2 different hard drives.) 

So.... when I want to use my computer with out it BSODing, I lay it on its side, open the case and put a fan blowing down on the motherboard approximately in the center of the case.

The problem is NOT YOUR VIDEO CARD. The problem is NOT YOUR VIDEO CARD GETTING HOT. The problem is not some part of your computer being stressed by software you are using.  There is a design flaw in some small component on the motherboard or daughter card, and when that 1 small component gets too warm you get the BSOD.  It can get to warm with absolutely nothing going on.  My computer will BSOD with 1 monitor attached to the HD4600 from the CPU and NOTHING ATTACHED TO THE GTX 760 Ti..

My computer NEVER BSOD's if I disable the GTX 760 Ti and run 1 monitor with the onboard graphics (HD4600).

I do not know exactly where the faulty component is.  But it is not on the riser for the video card and it is not on the video card.  I do know that when I sealed the CPU fan to the removable panel so no hot air leaked from the CPU into the case, the problem was made a lot better - so I do know that heat escaping from the CPU affects the problem component.

Of all the changes that Dell has made to my computer the one that helped the most (but didn't solve!!!!) was when the changed the daughter card out for an older revision.  This makes me think that the problem is on the daughter card - but it could have been that the tech that put the computer back together just moved the cables around enough that the air now travels in a path that cools the problem area better....

Final solution: If you are out of warranty do not spend $70 on a new daughter card.  Instead buy a new case, powersupply & motherboard from Newegg.  Then sell the Alienware case, powersupply & motherboard on eBay - they go for $150 to $200.

(or you could just yank the graphics card out & sell it on eBay - your x51 R2 will then run flawlessly on the CPU graphics card.)

If you want to keep the Alienware case, then I'd perforate the side of the panel mount a fan blowing fresh air right onto the mother board (you might be able to use the panel's LED power).

BTW - In my research, I found out that Costco has been selling this exact machine for quite awhile.  If you look at the reviews on Costco's site, you'll see that this problem was VERY COMMON.  It also seems that the problem was very common when this model first came out - anything made 1st quarter of 2014 or earlier seems to have this BSOD issue.  Then, sometime in 2014, Dell changed something and there are no more complaints about the BSOD caused by dxgkrnl.sys.

Finally, Its been fixed. The problem was with a card that manages the energy distribution. That cost for a new card was of $300 MXN (Like $20 USD). More than a month has happened, and have encountered no problem.

I had to pay because I didn't had warranty, but still, the 3 times I called Dell ooking for a solution, they just blamed the problem to other components. Not until I went to their service/repair store, and they analized the computer in person. That was the moment finally they found the real problem.

I had been closely watching your initial post and all the subsequent replies. My situation is exactly the same as you had defined. I bought my machine in Nov 2013 and unfortunately until this time my machine has spent most hours being at the service center than in my study..... I reside in UAE and the dell authorized service people have been unable to fix the problem till date. They have already tried replacing most of the components and each time they replace something the machine works for one or two weeks and the BSOD recurs.

I I have tried all the advises mentioned as replies to your post and the end result has been no different.

However it seems like your PC is fixed finally after you have got a component in the machine replaced ( A card that manages energy distribution - as you had mentioned in your post). I would like to know what that card is called so that I can advise my service center guys to try that option ( as I am still under extended warranty). Would highly appreciate and early response.

Thanks,

Thanks for the assist. I shall take the machine to the service center and physically show it to them. In case they are not willing to replace it under warranty I shall pay for it. It's definitely worth the try.

I will post the result of this trial. You have not posted since 13th Jan until today so I am assuming that your PC is fixed and there haven't been any issues since.

Thanks & regards,

A word of advice to anyone considering these X51 machines, DO NOT BUY. I had to have mine replaced by Dell within 2 weeks of owning due to fan and heat issues. This was after they had already come to my house and replace every part. Now the replacement system is having the same issues a year later after limited use. 

Conveniently it's after my 1 year warranty ran out. These machines are horrible. I now have a $1200 paperweight.

A word of advice to anyone considering these X51 machines, DO NOT BUY. I had to have mine replaced by Dell within 2 weeks of owning due to fan and heat issues. This was after they had already come to my house and replace every part. Now the replacement system is having the same issues a year later after limited use.    Conveniently it's after my 1 year warranty ran out. These machines are horrible. I now have a $1200 paperweight.

Emotional states and a negative attitude can manifest itself as electrical disturbances.

I've had zero problems with my Alienware X51 Andromeda R5 since early 2012.

Upgraded from the OEM GTX 555 to EVGA GTX 660 TI FTW LE 3GB

and presently enjoying the EVGA GTX 1970 Superclocked.

Playing everything for the past 3 years on a discounted Refurbished X51 from Newegg.

Looks great in the Living Room.

Next Upgrade for the 3rd Anniversary

Wow, You are a nut job. Not only are you saying it's impossible that I am having these issues simply because you didn't have the issues with a different build X51. However you are also trying surmise my mental state because I am frustrated at wasting $1200. Then to top it off you are saying that if I did have this negative attitude that you suggest I have, it's the reason for my computer's issues. Wow.

Come on. No one is going to take you serious.

Just sell your Alienware at classified11 and get a good value of it.