When under high stress, the system average temperature can be expected to be up to (≤) 95 ℃

The CPU peak temperature should be less than or equal to (≤) 100 ℃

Launch the Alienware Command Center and go to Fusion and monitor the CPU frequency. Ensure that the CPU frequency is within the range during the first 5 minutes

When the system boots up, using the preinstalled software Dell SupportAssist run the stress test.

Press the F10 key to save the changes and exit the BIOS

Set the Core Over-Clocking Level to OC LV 3 and press the Enter key

Navigate to the Advanced tab and select Performance Options and press the Enter key

Restart the PC and enter the BIOS by tapping rapidly on the F2 key during POST

When under high stress, the system average temperature can be expected to be up to (≤) 95 ℃

The CPU peak temperature should be less than or equal to (≤) 100 ℃

Launch the Alienware Command Center and go to Fusion and monitor the CPU frequency. Ensure that the CPU frequency is within the range during the first 5 minutes

When the system boots up, using the preinstalled software Dell SupportAssist run the stress test.

Note : The CPU average temperature can be expected to reach 95 ℃ under cool mode for the Alienware m15, m15R2, m17, and m17R2 systems

When under high stress, the system average temperature can be expected to be less than (≤) 100 ℃

The CPU peak temperature should be less than or equal to (≤) 100 ℃

Launch the Alienware Command Center and go to Fusion and monitor the CPU frequency. Ensure that the CPU frequency is within the range during the first 5 minutes under performance mode

When the system boots up, using the preinstalled software Dell SupportAssist run the stress test.

Alienware m15 R3 and m17 R3

Note: Refer to this article only after the system has been diagnosed with the onboard diagnostics (ePSA).



CPU Performance Behavior on the Alienware m15 R3 and m17 R3

In general, the CPU frequency goes higher than Intel CPU’s high frequency under Performance mode and Balance mode.

CPU Model Name i5-10300H i7-10750H i9-10980HK # of Cores 4 6 8 # of Threads 8 12 16 Processor Base Frequency 2.5 GHz 2.6 GHz 2.4 GHz



There are five fan control modes in the Alienware m15 R3 and m17 R3

Full speed mode: the fan runs full speed to support the CPU operating at turbo frequency for a longer period of time. Noticeable fan sound can be heard. Performance mode: the fan runs aggressively to support the CPU operating at turbo frequency for a longer period of time. Noticeable fan sound can be heard. Balance mode: The fan runs in a moderate manner. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the period for the CPU to operate at turbo frequency would be shorter. Cool mode: The fan runs in a moderate manner. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the GPU and GPU performance will be limit for better skin comfort and battery life. Quiet mode: The fan runs in a more quiet level than Balance Mode. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the period for the CPU to operate at turbo frequency would be lower and shorter.

Note: Regardless of what mode, the CPU temperature can go above 99 degree C and trigger a Thermal Event (TCC) under heavy load. TCC is activated and adjusts CPU Power Limit 1 (PL1) frequency down by a couple hundred MHz. This decrease to the temperature rise allows the system’s thermal control mechanism to catch up the system best thermal performance balance. This may be what users sometimes see and are concerned about, but it is a general design of all gaming notebook.



Verify Process

First verify using the ePSA diagnostics that the system has an overheating issue. Set the test environment and plug the AC adapter to the test unit. Open Alienware Command Center (AWCC). Select the HOME Page on the AWCC main page.

Set the thermal mode to Performance. Stress test the CPU (Dell support Assist: CPU stress). Select the FUSION Page and Monitor the CPU Frequency and CPU temperature of Performance Mode CPU will perform as the performance table.

Processor Running Alienware SupportAssist CPU Stress Test

(CPU Portion, not including the Memory Portion),

CPU speed should keep around the following speed in the first 5 minutes stress period. CML i9-10980HK in Performance mode 3900 MHz~4800 MHz CML i7-10750H in Performance mode 3700 MHz~4600 MHz CML i5-10300H in Performance mode 3700 MHz~4300 MHz

Select the HOME page.

Change the Thermal Mode to Cool. Stress the CPU (Dell support Assist: CPU stress). Select the FUSION page.

Monitor CPU Frequency and CPU temperature of Cool Mode.

CPU will perform as the performance table.

Processor Running Alienware SupportAssist CPU Stress Test

(CPU Portion, not including the Memory Portion),

CPU speed should keep around the following speed in the first 5 minutes stress period. CML i9-10980HK in Performance mode 3000 MHz~4800 MHz CML i7-10750H in Performance mode 3000 MHz~4600 MHz CML i5-10300H in Performance mode 3300 MHz~4300 MHz

Reference Setting:

Open the Alienware Command Center to set performance mode on the Home Page.

Setting Alienware Command Center to setting performance mode in the Home Page to Performance Mode.



Stress the CPU using Dell SupportAssist.

Dell SupportAssist → checkup → choose CPU → run stress test .





→ checkup → choose → run . Monitor CPU frequency and temperature on the "FUSION page".



Example: Performance Mode





Example: Cool Mode



Note: Third-party tools (for example HW monitor info) show the temperature in red when the CPU T is greater than 90 degrees. However, being red does not indicate that there is an issue. When the Thermal Control Circuit (TCC 100 degrees C) is activated, it adjusts the CPU Power Limit 1 (PL1) frequency down by a couple hundred MHz. This decrease to the temperature rise increases the system stability and allows the system’s thermal control mechanism to catch up (frequency will never be below Base Frequency Mode) as designed. This may be what you sometimes see and are concerned about, but it is a general design feature of all Gaming Notebooks.

Common Questions