Battery life is highly dependent on system settings. Which GPU you have (and which is active if your system supports Optimus), whether or not you're using the network adapter, and what type of screen you have (higher resolution screens and faster refresh screens devour battery runtime), the battery capacity (this model has two different batteries - a 3-cell and a 6-cell), the screen brightness and what's running all play a role.
If the quoted (by Dell) battery run is 4-6 hours, then 2-3 is likely what you'll see under real world conditions. A quick search around reveals that's about what most users are reporting for this model.
One test said about 4 -- but that was a review system for a laptop website, which may have been tweaked for battery life.
All in 2-3 hours is likely about the best you can do with a system like this. Gaming system design priorities almost never include battery runtime.
First, we need to know your system hardware configuration for GPU controller and Display Type. Only systems with 144Hz refresh rate display are capable of switching from Performance Mode (Discrete GPU always on and controlling all graphics, short battery life) to Optimus Mode (Intel Integrated GPU Manages all non 3D graphics while the discrete GPU, handles 3D graphics like games, power efficiency on battery) and viceversa. If the Display refresh rate is higher, then the Optimus mode is disabled from factory because the Intel Integrated GPU can't handle refresh rates above 144Hz.
If your system has a display of 144Hz maximum refresh rate (with or without G-Sync) you can press Fn+F7 and a pop-up notification on the bottom right corner of the screen will ask you to confirm switching between modes. Make sure you have the latest Alienware OnScreen Display utility, that is the app that manages those notification messages. Once the system is in Optimus Mode (you can confirm it by looking in the Device Manager for Display Adapters and you should see the Intel GPU and the Discrete GPU), test the computer on battery to see how it is running. My recommendation is to reset the power plan to default and test it. But first, we need to know whether your system display is compatible with Optimus mode.
Reliable independent Reviews are rare, most reviews are paid for and have the mandated bias. The aspect to watch out for is that many reviews are based on pre-production models that never went to market, and may have had a very large capacity battery with no bloatware.
When using the m15 R3 system in the real world, there are many power hungry variables, so its wise to remove everything that is not being used. If only that could be applied to the windows updated features that are not used and cannot be turned off. Microsoft bloatware has made many users transition to a different operating system and they get good battery performance and life.
Right now I'm testing how long the battery can go in battery saver mode. Are you sure that 2-3 hours is realistic for a battery life? Keep in mind, I'm not gaming. Just web surfing.
I suppose that makes sense. I imagine the CPU and GPU are working within a standard range. It's a Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10750H CPU @ 2.60GHz and as for battery, I'm not sure but I think 6 cell. But remember, this is just web surfing and not in a gaming sense.
Hi @MadEmperorMike what is the power supply status, is the ac adapter being used and is the battery being fully charged? Please create a Power Efficiency Report to check and resolve any energy-related problems.
Interestingly, this is super difficult to say one way or another with the way Dell designed the system.
first, 2-3h is completely expected -IF- using the discrete GPU. If using the Intel onboard GPU, you should get 4-6h depending on other system variables.
I learned that the m15 R3 with 300Hz screen is not able to switch to Intel GPU so you are stuck with the highend GPU.
Options? with the 300Hz screen, you can make a power profile that limits the CPU use on battery. you could set 50% if you wanted. In the Nvidia control panel you can set the power mode of the GPU to battery saving. these together might get you 3+. turning down the backlight and reducing the refresh to 60Hz will also save juice. Who knows you could get close to 4h. (look around the forum, theres articles on this)
If you have the 60 or 144Hz screen you can use the Intel GPU. you might need to force it to use intel GPU to get best battery life so it doesn't switch to discrete. depending on system this is either controlled by windows. START-> search for graphics settings.... or in the intel GPU application, right click desktop and pick the Intel command center. you'll see power profiles in either place and can force Intel GPU for best battery.
If you are able to force intel gpu, limit CPU with power profile, lower backlight and refresh rate. you might see 5h battery life.
The systems with 144hz comes with the option to press Fn+F7 and it switches between Intel GPU and Nvidia GPU. It is managed by the Alienware On Screen Displays App
You can actually see which one is running from the Task Manager.
No really. Actually that is a very recent issue. I got the same system and when I got the computer, the battery life was 6 solid hours in Optimus mode and no less than 2 hours in Performance mode.
Now, since the Alienware OSD got messed up by a Windows Update (known issue) and Alienware released a new version to make it work again, my battery life in Optimus is less than 2 hours, and in Performance is still no less than 2 hours.
I have the i7 processor offered in that model with RTX 2070 and 144Hz monitor.
I already talked to Support and they are looking at the issue, because it is not normal.
BTW, I noticed that for some reason the battery gets hot when using it battery power in Optimus mode. For me it is a sofware issue with a driver or something.
No, it is not normal, that system should run around 6 hours on battery power in Optimus mode, because I know it, I tested it with my m15 R3, same configuration.
I contacted Alienware support and they are looking at the issue after a series of tests we did.
Being a gaming laptop, it should drain the battery rapidly during intensive gameplay. But if this is losing juice while casual multitasking, then this could be a defective piece.
Hey guys, I know I'm a broken record but I refuse to give up. When you search "alienware m15 r3 battery life" you'll get "4 hours and 38 minutes". And I just watched a video of how to specifically extend the battery life with the alleged result of 5 hours. I have never made it past 2 hours, surely this can't be right. Must I always stay close to outlets? What should I do? Replace the battery? background operations? something? Any help would be appreciated.
I believe it’s extremely unfair to be forced to buy new just for longer battery life.
ejn63
10 Elder
•
30.6K Posts
2
April 16th, 2021 14:00
Battery life is highly dependent on system settings. Which GPU you have (and which is active if your system supports Optimus), whether or not you're using the network adapter, and what type of screen you have (higher resolution screens and faster refresh screens devour battery runtime), the battery capacity (this model has two different batteries - a 3-cell and a 6-cell), the screen brightness and what's running all play a role.
If the quoted (by Dell) battery run is 4-6 hours, then 2-3 is likely what you'll see under real world conditions. A quick search around reveals that's about what most users are reporting for this model.
One test said about 4 -- but that was a review system for a laptop website, which may have been tweaked for battery life.
All in 2-3 hours is likely about the best you can do with a system like this. Gaming system design priorities almost never include battery runtime.
Mr_AJ
1 Rookie
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33 Posts
0
November 26th, 2022 23:00
Hi, Mike
First, we need to know your system hardware configuration for GPU controller and Display Type. Only systems with 144Hz refresh rate display are capable of switching from Performance Mode (Discrete GPU always on and controlling all graphics, short battery life) to Optimus Mode (Intel Integrated GPU Manages all non 3D graphics while the discrete GPU, handles 3D graphics like games, power efficiency on battery) and viceversa. If the Display refresh rate is higher, then the Optimus mode is disabled from factory because the Intel Integrated GPU can't handle refresh rates above 144Hz.
If your system has a display of 144Hz maximum refresh rate (with or without G-Sync) you can press Fn+F7 and a pop-up notification on the bottom right corner of the screen will ask you to confirm switching between modes. Make sure you have the latest Alienware OnScreen Display utility, that is the app that manages those notification messages. Once the system is in Optimus Mode (you can confirm it by looking in the Device Manager for Display Adapters and you should see the Intel GPU and the Discrete GPU), test the computer on battery to see how it is running. My recommendation is to reset the power plan to default and test it. But first, we need to know whether your system display is compatible with Optimus mode.
Let me know how it goes.
AJ.
crimsom
7 Technologist
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6.1K Posts
0
April 15th, 2021 23:00
Hi @MadEmperorMike your thread is posting same question as m15 R3, battery update.
MadEmperorMike
1 Rookie
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17 Posts
0
April 16th, 2021 13:00
I read the other post and it was insightful. However, I still have no direction moving forward
crimsom
7 Technologist
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6.1K Posts
1
April 16th, 2021 14:00
Hi @MadEmperorMike thank you for sharing update.
Reliable independent Reviews are rare, most reviews are paid for and have the mandated bias. The aspect to watch out for is that many reviews are based on pre-production models that never went to market, and may have had a very large capacity battery with no bloatware.
When using the m15 R3 system in the real world, there are many power hungry variables, so its wise to remove everything that is not being used. If only that could be applied to the windows updated features that are not used and cannot be turned off. Microsoft bloatware has made many users transition to a different operating system and they get good battery performance and life.
ejn63
10 Elder
•
30.6K Posts
1
April 16th, 2021 15:00
You've left too many loose ends to answer:
3- or 6-cell battery?
What CPU?
What GPU?
What type of display (resolution and refresh rate)?
If you're actively using the system continuously, Wifi on, I'd say 2-3 hours is probably the best you can do, depending on the hardware in the system.
MadEmperorMike
1 Rookie
•
17 Posts
0
April 16th, 2021 15:00
Right now I'm testing how long the battery can go in battery saver mode. Are you sure that 2-3 hours is realistic for a battery life? Keep in mind, I'm not gaming. Just web surfing.
MadEmperorMike
1 Rookie
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17 Posts
0
April 16th, 2021 19:00
I suppose that makes sense. I imagine the CPU and GPU are working within a standard range. It's a Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10750H CPU @ 2.60GHz and as for battery, I'm not sure but I think 6 cell. But remember, this is just web surfing and not in a gaming sense.
crimsom
7 Technologist
•
6.1K Posts
0
April 16th, 2021 22:00
Hi @MadEmperorMike what is the power supply status, is the ac adapter being used and is the battery being fully charged? Please create a Power Efficiency Report to check and resolve any energy-related problems.
derek77
12 Posts
0
April 25th, 2021 14:00
Interestingly, this is super difficult to say one way or another with the way Dell designed the system.
first, 2-3h is completely expected -IF- using the discrete GPU. If using the Intel onboard GPU, you should get 4-6h depending on other system variables.
I learned that the m15 R3 with 300Hz screen is not able to switch to Intel GPU so you are stuck with the highend GPU.
Options? with the 300Hz screen, you can make a power profile that limits the CPU use on battery. you could set 50% if you wanted. In the Nvidia control panel you can set the power mode of the GPU to battery saving. these together might get you 3+. turning down the backlight and reducing the refresh to 60Hz will also save juice. Who knows you could get close to 4h. (look around the forum, theres articles on this)
If you have the 60 or 144Hz screen you can use the Intel GPU. you might need to force it to use intel GPU to get best battery life so it doesn't switch to discrete. depending on system this is either controlled by windows. START-> search for graphics settings.... or in the intel GPU application, right click desktop and pick the Intel command center. you'll see power profiles in either place and can force Intel GPU for best battery.
If you are able to force intel gpu, limit CPU with power profile, lower backlight and refresh rate. you might see 5h battery life.
Mr_AJ
1 Rookie
•
33 Posts
0
May 15th, 2021 01:00
The systems with 144hz comes with the option to press Fn+F7 and it switches between Intel GPU and Nvidia GPU. It is managed by the Alienware On Screen Displays App
You can actually see which one is running from the Task Manager.
Mr_AJ
1 Rookie
•
33 Posts
0
May 15th, 2021 01:00
No really. Actually that is a very recent issue. I got the same system and when I got the computer, the battery life was 6 solid hours in Optimus mode and no less than 2 hours in Performance mode.
Now, since the Alienware OSD got messed up by a Windows Update (known issue) and Alienware released a new version to make it work again, my battery life in Optimus is less than 2 hours, and in Performance is still no less than 2 hours.
I have the i7 processor offered in that model with RTX 2070 and 144Hz monitor.
I already talked to Support and they are looking at the issue, because it is not normal.
BTW, I noticed that for some reason the battery gets hot when using it battery power in Optimus mode. For me it is a sofware issue with a driver or something.
Mr_AJ
1 Rookie
•
33 Posts
0
May 15th, 2021 01:00
I got the same problem.
No, it is not normal, that system should run around 6 hours on battery power in Optimus mode, because I know it, I tested it with my m15 R3, same configuration.
I contacted Alienware support and they are looking at the issue after a series of tests we did.
sukh22
2 Posts
0
May 17th, 2021 08:00
MadEmperorMike
1 Rookie
•
17 Posts
0
November 25th, 2022 22:00
Hey guys, I know I'm a broken record but I refuse to give up. When you search "alienware m15 r3 battery life" you'll get "4 hours and 38 minutes". And I just watched a video of how to specifically extend the battery life with the alleged result of 5 hours. I have never made it past 2 hours, surely this can't be right. Must I always stay close to outlets? What should I do? Replace the battery? background operations? something? Any help would be appreciated.
I believe it’s extremely unfair to be forced to buy new just for longer battery life.