Alienware R10 Ryzen 5800 RTX3070 Disassembly Afterthought

[Deactivated] on 30/05/2021 - 21:02
Last edited 13/06/2021 - 23:42

Finally had a chance to pull apart the newly arrived R10 and some food for thought.

Overall
+ Excellent case design that is easy to access common parts, RAM, HDDs (1x 3.5" and 2x 2.5" bays), GPU, front intake fans. All done without screws. Hence, I don't know what's the grudge with online reviews.
- Notorious non standard parts replacement. Will elaborate below, including what's worth noting

The following items were replaced

  1. CPU cooler with a Corsair H60 AIO - perfect direct replacement using the AIO's standard LGA 115X / 1366 STANDOFF mount/screws, no backplate is required. Radiator fits perfectly into the exhaust fan mount. Waterpump draws power from PCEI and fan connects to the exhaust fan connector without any start up error warning. Easily the best upgrade since it is very quiet, and keep the CPU cool. Installation instruction clips can be found online. NOTE - use the LGA 115X / 1366 STANDOFF screws, surprise no online tutorial mentioned which screws to use, or wish that Dell can provide more information on this.

  2. Intake fan - whilst the online community tend to favour Noctua or Corsair fans, I have replaced it with Artic P12 (picked up a few during Amazon sale), and no start up BIOS error.

  3. GPU - offloaded the RTX3070 to recoup cost and purchased a 1070 (3 fans non blower). Big mistake as the mATX case is not very forgiving - suggest to use a 2 fans version. In order to accommodate the GPU, I needed to relocate the front intake fan for more space. Intake fan been relocated to the 3.5" HDD bay using blu tack to secure it - stable and reduces vibration (I am sure there are better ways to do it).

  4. RAM - trying to find after market parts and match the single tight ass stick (OEM part number, costs bomb from Dell, and different timing to retail modules)? Good luck with it… best buying a matching pair of 8GBx2, and sell off the Dell 1x16GB stick. This is complete BS for such a generic component.

Look for X2YH1K-MIE or X2YH1K-MIE NX. Both have the same Dell part number. One is made in taiwan and one is made in the prc.

  1. Plastic outter shell - Basically stripped the case down as the plastic shell traps dust, is heavy, and takes up space.

End result - a very quiet and decent performing work machine.

P.S - No, I don't feel bad for offloading the 3070 above MSRP, because the person bought it off me thanked me for selling the card so cheaply, and that market rate for 3070 is ridiculous. I have also paid a premium for a very dated card. Simple supply/demand.

Computing Alienware Computer Desktop Computer

Comments

  • Hybroid on 30/05/2021 - 21:05
    +4

    Why didn't you just build your own in a much better air flow case then?

    • [Deactivated] on 30/05/2021 - 21:05

      Cost.

      As well never had first hand with an Alienware before, so doing it as a project too.

      • Hybroid on 30/05/2021 - 21:06
        +3

        Right, so you scalped the 3070.

        • [Deactivated] on 30/05/2021 - 21:07

          was editing whilst you replied.

          Cost. the RTX3070 brings the overall cost significantly. End up costing app $1295. In hindsight, should have done it with the RTX 3060ti.

          As well never had first hand with an Alienware before, so doing it as a project too.

          $ wise, essentially netted a free 1070.

          Been over 10 years since I have built/taken apart a whole case. A bit rusted nowadays. It was fun. The most painful part is doing research online to see what will and won't work with this machine.

        • FireRunner on 31/05/2021 - 10:18
          +1

          Hopefully it was a miner that got scalped

          • [Deactivated] on 01/06/2021 - 14:49

            @FireRunner: No, gamer. He was happy. Saved $300 on market price.

            Same can be said about everything from car to houses nowadays.

  • Master Bates on 30/05/2021 - 21:36
    +1

    It would be good to see some photos of your mods.

    Where did you get the 1070 from? Second hand?

    • [Deactivated] on 30/05/2021 - 22:04
      +1

      Look exactly like the ones you see online - reddit/youtube. Those folks done the job are pretty savvy. Closed the case and enough mucking around on this project. Done and dusted.

      1070 used, fb market place. $450… very expensive for such an old card, but yea, market price due shortage… not a heavy gamer, nor miner.

      Only if GPUs are cheaper, I would have went with custom build.

  • th123 on 30/05/2021 - 22:23

    Is it one or two fans that get replaced for the front? I keep hearing two but when I watched a video on YT, they did 1 front, 2 top.

    How much was the fan? Showing about $14 on Amazon if this is the one. My plan was just to throw an Arctic instead of the original (/r/alienware is saying corsair is loud AF and Noctua costs a lot more).

    • [Deactivated] on 30/05/2021 - 22:33
      +1

      2 front
      - a small 60mm under the GPU to replace the original one (1070 is a full length 3 fans, hence won't have space for a fan), daisy chained to the 120mm Artic.
      - 120mm Artic P12 PWM connected directly to the mobo, and mounted at the 3.5" bay drive. The one you have linked is correct.

      1 top exhaust fan, mounted to the AIO radiator.

  • AaronR on 31/05/2021 - 11:17

    Great info - thanks for the post.

    What do you mean with #5 ? What plastic outer shell?

    I've also got some spare P12's so great to hear they work OK.

  • aveeno bb on 05/06/2021 - 15:39

    A similar upgrade to what I've done, except for the choice of case fan.

    I was going to hold on to my 3060 Ti until the GPU prices drop, but I thought I could save a couple of hundreds if I sold it and bought a cheaper GPU.

    I bought an RX 6700 XT, which would give me a net saving of $500+, for basically the same performance, and I am not mining so the hashrate doesn't matter.

    The card is on the way, and I will report back when I get it installed.

    For those looking to downgrade or upgrade GPU - the max length is a factor (10.5 inches or 26.7 cm) if you don't want the hassle of moving the front fan, but you gotta watch the max-width (or height depending on how you look at it).

    A non-reference design with a tall fan and heatsink (usually with a 120 mm fan), will cause the swinging PSU mechanism to not close.

    It looks like the case can take about 135mm in max-width/height. So make sure you check all dimensions.

  • aveeno bb on 08/06/2021 - 17:23
    +1

    Reporting back on upgrading to RX 6700 XT. I've successfully upgraded, and the model I bought fits perfectly.

    Yet to run some benchmarks, but from what I've read games that do not have RT or DLSS support should run similar to 3060 Ti / 3070, better if the game is optimized for AMD GPUs (e.g. AC Valhalla).

    • Griefbringer on 12/06/2021 - 01:40

      Hi Fidelio, what brand 6700XT? Thanks

      • aveeno bb on 12/06/2021 - 07:09

        MSI Mech 2x. Asrock challenger d looks like it will fit perfectly too, but untested. Make sure to check the dimensions.

  • Griefbringer on 12/06/2021 - 01:39

    How have you gone sourcing additional RAM?

  • [Deactivated] on 07/08/2021 - 14:00

    Update - for those replacing the aircooler with an AIO, the VRM heatsink should be used.

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/642975

  • OpayuOnam on 22/11/2021 - 18:13

    Sorry but why try and match the RAM? (assuming you mean part match) so long the latency, speed and other spec match you don't need to part match RAM, that's a relic of old old times when production quality was so bad…

    Just my 2c

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