Hi @qaskari,

As the coffeelake processor supports higher clock rate than kabylake or older processors, you may easily notice that the Alienware 13R3, 15R3, 15R4, 17R4, 17R5 generates more heat compared to previous generation platforms. Therefore Dell engineering optimized the system to tolerate higher temperature from design perspective, and the new specification for Alienware 15 R4 / 17 R5 is:

CPU peak temperature will be no greater than 100 degree C

So, the temps are normal, but you can repaste if you want, or also, here you have some troubleshooting steps for CPU high temperature:

1. Open “ Alienware Command Center” 
2. Configure the Active System Theme - Thermal as “ Performance mode”
3. Configure the Active System theme - Overclock to  “ Overclock O2 “ (if applicable)

3. Boot up the system and run the stress test with pre-installed software Dell SupportAssist.  
Dell SupportAssist > Hardware Checkup > CPU > CPU stress test “ 

4. Launch the Alienware Command Center, go to Fusion and monitor the CPU frequency. Ensure the CPU frequency is in the range during the first 5 mins

Thanks for the response @Alienware-Eimy it was helpful. I'll take the steps you mentioned. Just one thing however, the SupportAssist I have does not have "Hardware Checkup". Somewhat similar menu items it does have are Scan Hardware and Tune Performance. Please advise.

Also, on a slightly different note (but maybe connected?) whenever I launch the Alienware Command Center I get a windows notification that 2 components are to be downloaded but nothing happens and I don't see any menu item in the Command Center to show pending updates/downloads or anything. I checked that the version is the latest 5.2.1 and it is..... Please advise.

Thanks a bunch.

@qaskari,

Regarding Support Assist, it should me hardware scan. Then for Command Center, if everything looks ok in device manager, then don't worry. Could be just a glitch.

I had the same problem but the heat caused my system to blue screen sometimes I would call technical support and if they couldn’t help you with the temps like what happened to me they will most likely just send a technician to replace the heat sink even the basic warranty fully covers it.

Hi @qaskari  welcome to this user to user discussion forum. This is not Dell Support.

Support for Alienware 17 R5 Drivers & Downloads BIOS v1.12.0 update says Intel CPU undervolting abilities are disabled in response to Intel Technical & Security Advisory, to mitigate Intel's Plundervolt vulnerability. Instead of peaking at around 87°C during mixed usage, CPU safe temperature threshold has been increased to 100°C (boiling point of water). After cleaning and repasting, CPU temperatures will still be just under 100°C. All parts within the laptop enclosure will be at an uncomfortable higher temperature, and Lithium-ion battery aging chemistry will be accelerated. 

Some users have installed an earlier BIOS version that does not mitigate the Plundervolt vulnerability. After BIOS roll back to old version finishes, press F2 to enter BIOS menu and reset the BIOS settings to default, so that undervolting is available. Then disable Windows Update ability to update BIOS again, under the “Security” tab, disable the option “UEFI Firmware Update Via C_apsules”. Be wary of any Dell BIOS updates, as they will remove the undervolting option, and ability re-flash BIOS to old version. 

The Alienware 17 R5 cooling system struggles to reduce 100°C and a cooling tray can be used to force more air into the bottom of the laptop. If your location has high ambient temperatures, finding somewhere cool is advocated. 

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