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m15 R6, cannot undervolt CPU
I recently received my m15 R6 and I was excited to be able to undervolt my CPU to keep temperatures down and prevent thermal throttling. I ran Timespy out of the box and it was indeed running hot and thermal throttling. Unfortunately I made a critical error and I updated my BIOS in Alienware Update. Now the voltage is locked in both Throttlestop and XTU.
I attempted to downgrade my BIOS using methods found on this community forum and others but they have failed with the exact same message "Bios update blocked due to unsupported downgrade". Anyone have any suggestions or does Alienware support have an ability to override this?
crimsom
6 Professor
6 Professor
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6.1K Posts
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August 4th, 2021 10:00
Hi @Baked_Goat There are a number of Dell and Window Updates (not just BIOS update) that will stop any attempt to undervolt Intel CPU. A Factory Reset seems to be the best solution, although some users say Restore system to an earlier time may work.
ejn63
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23.4K Posts
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August 4th, 2021 13:00
This isn't a Windows limitation, and neither is it a Dell exclusive.
Intel decided on disabling undervolting, which is done with the vast majority of 10th and 11th generation CPUs are the silicon level.
That may not apply to the CPU in this model, but Intel's stance on undervolting is very clear.
Baked_Goat
7 Posts
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August 4th, 2021 13:00
Thanks for your response! Yeah I under the impression that Alienware was a premium brand that users would purchase for the ability to customize and maximize performance potential in a computer. Hence why I purchased this computer (and other ones that I had to return due to poor performance). Sadly, with these limitations, I will be reconsidering my purchase.
I will try a factory reset first to see if it is a Windows limitation.
crimsom
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August 4th, 2021 15:00
Hi @Baked_Goat thank you for sharing update.
Alienware m15 R6 models can have Intel core i5 11400H, Intel core i7 11800H, Intel core i9 11900H, but did not find any m15 R6 Intel CPU HK processors which are unlocked so they can be overclocked by user to attain maximum clock speed. Which CPU option does your m15 R6 have?
Support for Alienware m15 R6 Drivers & Downloads has BIOS version information.
Alienware m15 R6 System BIOS v1.3.3 includes Firmware security updates to address CVE-2021-21571 and CVE-2021-21572.
CVE-2021-21571, Published 2021-06-24T17:15:00, Dell UEFI BIOS https stack leveraged by the Dell BIOSConnect feature and Dell HTTPS Boot feature contains an improper certificate validation vulnerability. A remote unauthenticated attacker may exploit this vulnerability using a person-in-the-middle attack which may lead to a denial of service and payload tampering.
CVE-2021-21572, Published 2021-06-24T17:15:00, Dell BIOSConnect feature contains a buffer overflow vulnerability. An authenticated malicious admin user with local access to the system may potentially exploit this vulnerability to run arbitrary code and bypass UEFI restrictions.
Alienware m15 R6 System BIOS v1.4.3 includes Firmware updates to address security vulnerabilities. However Dell does not declare which security vulnerabilities.
Baked_Goat
7 Posts
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August 4th, 2021 15:00
Yes I've read this thread. There are users that have reported that they are able to undervolt their i7 11800H and that the limitation is strictly set by the manufacturer. If you google "i7 11800H undervolt" you'll see reports of people with MSI computers successfully undervolting the 11800H.
Baked_Goat
7 Posts
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August 4th, 2021 15:00
I have the m15 R6 with an i7 11800H processor. Its not an HK version so I understand it is not unlocked. However, some users on Discord and Reddit that own the R6 or X15/17 with the same processor have reported that they are able to undervolt. They have not updated their BIOS I believe. Alienware Update ran and updated the BIOS prior to me testing and confirming if I had undervolting capabilities. I attempted to roll back the BIOS in multiple ways but have been unsuccessful so far.
Baked_Goat
7 Posts
1
August 10th, 2021 08:00
Not really solved but @crimsom provided the best answer. Dell, please unlock the ability the undervolt in the next BIOS update! Or at least provided an alternate BIOS version where enthusiasts can install if they desire.