I purchased this product with Intel Core i9-8950HK processor, 4K display, 32GB DDR4 RAM and 2TB M.2 NVMe SSDs. I have had two main issues since purchase in February. First I ran into problems connecting portable hard drives via the Thunderbolt ports (described in a separate post).

Second issue I have had is the constant running of the fan with high core temperatures. I have had had services and parts replacements to address the first issue and somewhere down the line this new problem crept up. Temperature control appears to be an issue reported with most products of similar configuration that are currently in the market including DELL’s Alienware line. It was not an issue I expected with this product.

The issue is that the fans do not stop on AC power and core temperatures are high even at idle for several hours. The fans can get quite loud as well. This is ABNORMAL and if anyone else experiences this it should be reported. I have had a technician attempt to disregard this as normal as the core temperatures are not excessive. Thanks to the software HWinFO (https://www.hwinfo.com) I know that this is not true. I have provided links to log files generated by HWinFO for both normal and abnormal thermal and fan controls for the same workstation.

Normal thermal control,

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AYfnI3sFO3DLenzpzT0fN3KeLIRHI8Mn

Abnormal thermal and fan control,

https://drive.google.com/open?id=17EAroYhRoHbmqc6NmD3Meu7COFnXJq_P

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1bPq1KmD2qrhQ7y9hQYWLo1mks1l120gw

This workstation if working normally maintains good core temperatures. At least on my configuration temperatures were maintained below 80 C with fans turning off when reaching about 50 C. Core temperatures appear to be lower on DC power.

Once the problem started the core temperatures were reaching over 90 C at idle and fans did not stop working. However, as soon as I switch off the power adaptor and run on battery power the temperatures rapidly come down and the fans turn off.

This may be related to the issues I have had with connecting portable hard drives via thunderbolt ports resulting in abrupt power failure (described in a separate post). Abnormal function of the embedded controllers may be the cause for this but I have had no confirmation from DELL. After several service visits and parts replacements (except for the processor), DELL has offered me a product replacement. I hope they will investigate and resolve any hardware/firmware issues in this premium product.