Start with a thorough internal cleaning, and replace the heatsink pads/compound between the heatsink and CPU and GPU die.

Hi @crimsom  thanks for the detailed reply. 

1) My operating sytem is Windows 10 

2) My charger is always plugged in when playing games

3) I've just done an overall clean for my laptop and have removed surrounding objects to improve airflow but am still having heating issues.

The games run fine for around 15mins before showing fps/stuttering issues. I've been told Alienware computers require a thermal paste replacement around 5years after initial use. Was wondering if this could be the issue here?

Hi @Wallace Hong welcome to this free user-to-user Alienware laptop discussion forum. 

Support for Alienware m15 R2 says operating system can be Windows 10, 64-bit or Windows 11. Both of these have Version 22H2 updates. What operating system is installed on your system? 

Alienware m15 R2 Video has Integrated and Discrete GPU graphics, and Hybrid power. When playing GPU and CPU processor-intensive games, is the ac adapter (charger) power always connected with battery power fully charged (100%)? 

Alienware laptops are designed to provide maximum performance and Intel allows their processors temperatures to be no more than 100°C maximum. Running laptop at high temperature accelerates battery chemistry degradation. 

Please remove Base cover and remove dust and debris from system board, fan blades, intake and exhaust vents. Please use can of dry air or vacuum, do not use water or solvents. Example: How to Clean Laptop from the Inside | Clean Dust from Laptop | Clean Dell Laptop - YouTube and How to externally Clean your PC (Official Dell Tech Support) - YouTube.  

Please raise the laptop to increase air gap and remove adjacent objects so that local air flow is not obstructed, when powered-on. Using laptop on wood tray or table surface is advocated, do not use on top of carpet or bed fabric covering. 

Hi @Wallace Hong thank you for sharing additional information and questions. 

Carefully removing dust and debris from system board, fan blades, intake and exhaust vents should be undertaken to ensure internal heat removal is optimised. 

"Games run fine for around 15mins before showing fps/stuttering issues" usually means that the Alienware m15 R2 battery charge has reduced, see Hybrid power.  Please create windows Battery Report. How to generate a Battery Report in Windows 10 | Windows Central and Battery | Dell US.  

Modern thermal paste compounds are designed to have unlimited life. Over time the thermal paste can get squeezed out from between heatsink and CPU & GPU mating surfaces. Dell do not provide kit of parts for repasting or information within their support Documentation. Dell do not reveal which modern thermal paste compound has been used during fabrication. Dell do not reveal original heatsink pad specifications, so original heatsink pads should be retained together with good research by watching YouTube videos, etc. Dell expects users to purchase another PC every five years. 

Hi @crimsom , as requested:

Battery report

Installed batteries

Recent usage

Battery usage

Usage history

Battery capacity history

Battery life estimates

Hi @Wallace Hong thank you sharing Battery Report results. 

The Battery capacity history does not show any recent dips in full charge capacity, which is good. 

CPU overheating with either poor fps or stuttering issues when playing games is being reported by users. The general consensus is to have Intel CPU gaming at no more than 85°C maximum and apparently this fix works. Playing games at lower graphic resolution and/or fps is an option. 

Not X series, but M15R7. Here’s what I found, the GPU even with OC via alienwareCC, 1 hour in warzone, hardly break 70degC, while the 2070super in m15R3 hits 76degC right of the bat.

Regards,
John