Dell Alienware Aurora Owners Manual

							31CHAPTER 4: USING YOUR DESKTOP 
Integrated Devices
USB FunctionsAllows you to enable or disable the integrated USB controller.
HD Audio Controller Allows you to enable or disable the integrated audio controller.
Onboard IEEE1394 Controller Allows you to enable or disable the onboard IEEE 1394 controller. 
LAN1 BCM5784 Device (available on Aurora and Aurora ALX only)/ Onboard LAN Controller (available on Aurora-R2 only)
Allows you to enable or disable the onboard LAN controller.
LAN1 Option ROM  (available on Aurora and Aurora ALX only)/ Onboard LAN Boot ROM (available on Aurora-R2 only)
Allows you to enable and disable the network controller’s boot option.
SiL3132 E-Sata Device  (available on Aurora and Aurora ALX only)/ JMicron-362 E-SATA Device (available on Aurora-R2 only)
Allows you to enable and disable the e-SATA controller.
Integrated Devices
Configure SATA#1-6 as (available on Aurora and Aurora ALX only)/ SATA Mode (available on Aurora-R2 only)
Allows you to configure the integrated hard drive controller to AHCI or RAID.
AHCI CD/DVD Boot Time outAllows you to set the wait time for SATA or CD/DVD in AHCI mode. 
Power Management Setup
Suspend ModeSets the energy-saving mode of the ACPI function.
AC RecoverySets what action the computer takes when power is restored.
Remote Wakeup (available on Aurora and Aurora ALX only)
Sets the system to wake up from an onboard LAN, PCIE-X1 LAN card, or a PCI LAN card.
Auto Power OnAllows the computer to start up at a certain time. 
						

							32CHAPTER 4: USING YOUR DESKTOP 
Frequency/Voltage Control
CPU SpeedDisplays the current processor speed.
Memory SpeedDisplays the current memory speed.
Current QPI SpeedDisplays current QPI speed.
QPI FrequencyAllows you to change the QPI frequency.
Memory RatioAllows you to change the memory ratio.
Core (Non-Turbo) RatioDisplays the ratio between the processor core clock and the FSB frequency.
Advance DRAM ConfigurationAllows you to access the Advance DRAM Configuration submenu
Overclock ConfigurationAllows you to access the Overclock Configuration submenu
Overvoltage ConfigurationAllows you to access the Overvoltage Configuration submenu
Load Level1 OC Setting Allows you to restore the Level 1 overclocking settings that were shipped from the factory (only displayed with an XE processor).
Advance DRAM Configuration Submenu
Memory-ZOpens submenu to display the SPD configuration for each memory module.
Advanced Memory SettingsAllows you to toggle to Manual mode and set all of the timing parameters.
tCLDisplays the Column Address Strobe Latency (editable in Manual Mode).
tRCDDisplays timing of RAS to CAS delay (editable in Manual Mode).
tRPDisplays timing of RAS Precharge (editable in Manual Mode).
tRASDisplays timing of Row Address Strobe (editable in Manual Mode).
tRFCDisplays timing of Refresh to Archive/Refresh cycle time (editable in Manual Mode).
tWRDisplays timing of Write Recover (editable in Manual Mode).
tWTRDisplays Write to Read Delay (editable in Manual Mode). 
						

							33CHAPTER 4: USING YOUR DESKTOP 
Overclock Configuration Submenu
Turbo Mode TDC Limit Override Allows you to program the current thresholds for the processor while in turbo mode.
Turbo Mode TDP Limit OverrideAllows you to program the power thresholds for the processor while in turbo mode.
Overvoltage Configuration Submenu
CPU Temperature SensorDisplays the processor temperature in Celsius and Fahrenheit .
VCoreDisplays processor core voltage.
Dynamic CPU VCore OffsetProcessor Core Voltage Offset.
DDR3 Memory VoltageAdjust the DDR3 Memory Voltage.
IOH VoltageAdjust the IOH Voltage.
QPI and Uncore VoltageAdjust QPI and Uncore Voltage.
Advance DRAM Configuration Submenu
tRRDDisplays RAS to RAS delay (editable in Manual Mode).
tRTPDisplays Read to Precharge Command Delay (editable in Manual Mode).
1T/2T TimingDisplays the Command Rate (editable in Manual Mode).
Overclock Configuration Submenu
Adjust CPU BClk (MHz)Allows you to adjust BClk of processor.
Spread SpectrumEnable/Disable Spread Spectrum Modulation.
Adjust PCI Frequency (MHz) (available on Aurora and Aurora ALX only)
Allows you to adjust PCI frequency.
Adjust PCI-E Frequency (MHz)Allows you to adjust PCI-E frequency.
Intel® TurboMode techIf enabled, allows processor to run at faster frequencies than marked.
[1-4] Core CPU Turbo Ratio Limit (available on Aurora and Aurora ALX only)
Limit ratio for cores 1-4  (XE processors only). 
						

							34CHAPTER 4: USING YOUR DESKTOP 
BIOS Security Features
Change Supervisor PasswordAllows you to change the supervisor password.
Change User PasswordAllows you to change the user password. You cannot use the user password to enter the BIOS setup, during POST.
Exit
Exit OptionsProvides options to Save Changes and Exit, Discard Changes and Exit, Load Optimal Defaults, and Discard Changes. 
						

							35CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS 
This chapter provides guidelines and instructions for increasing the processing power and storage capacity, by upgrading equipment. You can purchase components for your desktop at www.dell.com or www.alienware.com. 
NOTE: See  the Service  Manual  at support.dell.com/manuals  for installation  instructions  of  all  serviceable  components.  Parts  purchased from Dell and Alienware ship with specific replacement instructions.
 
CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL 
OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS
CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL 
OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS 
						

							36CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS 
Before You Begin
This section provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your desktop. Unless otherwise noted, each procedure assumes that the following conditions exist:
You have performed the steps in “Turning Off Your Desktop” and “Before • Working Inside Your Desktop” in this section.
You have read the safety information that shipped with your desktop.• 
A component can be replaced or—if purchased separately—installed by • performing the removal procedure in reverse order.
The procedures in this section may require the following tools:
Small flat-blade screwdriver• 
Phillips screwdriver• 
BIOS executable update program available at • support.dell.com
Turning Off Your Desktop
CAUTION: To avoid losing data, save and close all open files and exit all open programs before you turn off your desktop.
Save and close all open files and exit all open programs. 1. 
Click 2. Start → Shut Down.  
The desktop turns off after the operating system shutdown process finishes.
Ensure that the desktop and any attached devices are turned off. If your 3. desktop and attached devices do not automatically turn off when you shut down your operating system, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the desktop turns off. 
						

							37CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS 
CAUTION:  When  you  disconnect  a  cable,  pull  on  its  connector  or  on  its pull-tab, not on the cable itself. Some cables have connectors with locking tabs; if you are disconnecting this type of cable, press in on the locking tabs before you disconnect the cable. As you pull connectors apart, keep them  evenly  aligned  to  avoid  bending  any  connector  pins.  Also,  before you connect a cable, ensure that both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.
To  avoid  damaging  the  desktop,  perform  the  following  steps  before  you  begin working inside the desktop.
Ensure that the work surface is flat and clean to prevent the side panel from 1. being scratched.
Turn off your desktop (see “Turning Off Your Desktop” on page 2. 36). 
CAUTION:  To  disconnect  a  network  cable,  first  unplug  the  cable  from your desktop and then unplug the cable from the network device.
Disconnect all telephone or network cables from the desktop. 3. 
Disconnect your desktop and all attached devices from their electrical 4. outlets.
Press the power button to ground the system board.5. 
Before Working Inside Your Desktop
Use  the  following  safety  guidelines  to  help  protect  your  desktop  from  potential damage and to help to ensure your own personal safety.
WARNING: Before working inside your desktop, read the safety information in  the  “SAFETY,  ENVIRONMENTAL,  AND  REGULATORY  INFORMATION“ that  shipped  with  your  computer.  For  additional  safety  best  practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
CAUTION:  Handle  components  and  cards  with  care.  Do  not  touch  the components  or  contacts  on  a  card.  Hold  a  card  by  its  edges.  Hold  a component such as a processor by its edges, not by its pins.
CAUTION: Only a certified service technician should perform repairs on your desktop. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty.
CAUTION:  To  avoid  electrostatic  discharge,  ground  yourself  by  using  a wrist  grounding  strap  or  by  periodically  touching  an  unpainted  metal surface (such as a connector on the back of the computer). 
						

							38CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS 
Removing and Replacing the Side Panel
CAUTION:  Before  removing  the  side  panel,  disconnect  the  power  cable from your desktop.
To remove the side panel:
Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 36. 
NOTE: Ensure that you remove the security cable from the security cable slot (if applicable). 
Slide the latch to the right to unlock the release panel.2. 
Lift the release panel to open the side panel.3. 
Place the side panel in a secure location.4. 
NOTE: Theater lighting (available only on Alienware Aurora ALX) turns on automatically when the side panel is removed. Theater lighting is powered by internal batteries.
To  replace  the  side  panel,  push  the  side  panel  against  the  side  of  the  computer 
until it locks into place.
13
2
4
1release panel2security cable slot
3latch4side panel 
						

							39CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS 
Inside View of Your Computer
12 3
4
1memory module(s)2graphics cards (2)
3optical drives (3)4hard drives (4)
Removing and Replacing Memory Module(s)
To remove the memory module(s):
Follow the instructions in “Before You Begin” on page 1. 36.
Remove the side panel (see “Removing and Replacing the Side Panel“ on 2. page 38).
Locate the memory module connectors on the system board (see “Inside 3. View of Your Computer“ on page 39).
CAUTION:  The  memory  module(s)  may  become  very  hot  during  normal operation. Allow the memory module(s) to cool before touching them.
NOTE: For better access to memory module(s), remove the graphics card if the card is full length.
Spread apart the securing clips at both ends of the memory module 4. connector.
Lift the memory module off the memory module connector. If the memory 5. module is difficult to remove, gently ease the memory module back and 
forth to remove it from the memory module connector. 
						

							40CHAPTER 5: INSTALLING ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS 
Aurora-R2
Recommended memory configuration:
TypeSlots
1066 MHz and I333 MHz DDR3Slots 1 and 2 or slots 1 — 4
To replace memory module(s):
Aurora/Aurora ALX
Recommended memory configuration:
TypeSlots
1066 MHz and I333 MHz DDR3Slots 1, 3, and 5 or slots 1 — 6
1600 MHz XMPSlots 1, 3, and 5