Plugging in the power adapter into my m14x laptop causes games to become unplayable

[djalekks]

So this is weird. I've been having this issue for a few months, and I didn't deduce it was due to the power adapter until now. Basically whenever I started playing games such as Mass Effect 3, Far Cry 3 and some others, the first few minutes would go fine. Then the playing experience would deteroirate substantially the more I played. the sound would get glitchy, even echoing at some points. And the visuals would become rugged, not smooth as usual. I thought it was a performance issue, but i lowered everything to the minimal, but still the same thing happens: runs perfectly, and then deteriorates. Also, at some point the computer shuts off. I thought it was the cooling system (m14xs are notorious for shitty cooling), and I bought a cooling bad. When I tried it at the store (without adapter) it worked perfectly, no performance drops. There was heat but it didn't burn my fingers when I played. So when I got back home, I tried with the power adapter and the same stuff happens. Then, getting a clue from what I just expereinced, I unplugged and viola, running fine again. So it has to be the power adapter. Is this possible? If it is the case, what do I do? I can't phone alienware now and ask for replacement because I'm in Serbia currently, and noone knows shit about alienwares here. Is it wise to just get a Dell adapter (seeing as they produce alienware)? I know it's a longer post but please bare with me. Thanks!

 

[fkr]

see if there is a power setting. clicked on Power Plan in Tray, More Power Options, Change Plan Settings, Change Advanced settings, Scrolled down to Ati Graphics Power Settings(nVidia in your case...)?

 

[Feldmarschall]

You can get Dell adapter but you should check that it has same values as original one. If you know someone with universal adapter that would be useful just to try is really due to adapter or is something else. Have you tried to monitor your laptop behaviour during gameplay? It is possible that adapter is unstable and therefore power reaching components is not as it should be and temps are to high.

 

[RetiredChief]

Most likely one of two choice:
1) it is the charger, that is it can no longer provide the rated output Voltage (ie voltage supplied is probably dropping off) at the current being drawn by the laptop.

2) the Imput circuit to the laptop that drops the 19V in down to wha tis required by the laptop doing the same thing.

Recommend you do NOT use the charger untill you rule it out.
You can probably use any universal AC adaptor. Most common is 19V out @ 4+ amps.
The two things that would be critical are:
A) Proper polarity. Normally the outside barrow is neg and the center is +
B) That the adaptor plug fits the computer jack.

 

[chugot9218]

I don't know why it would be the case, and I apologize if already suggested I tried to skim through the posts, but I know with my old Dell Laptop it switched to High Performance mode when I plugged it in (dunno if that was by default, I think it has another power mode that is higher than the standard but lower than High Performance, I think I set it to High Performance myself). Check and see if for some reason it is set to a lower power mode when plugged in for some reason, I think the location would be in/around the same menus as FKR above mentioned.

 

[fkr]

there is a high performance mode for both the CPU and the GPU in these laptops depending on how the profiles are setup. my kids pushed some buttons on my wifes laptop and when I plugged it in the screen would dim and the CPU would be limited. just a couple of quick settings and everything was better. I would always check settings before spending cash

 

[Weissach]

That's weird, mine is the opposite. When I unplug I lose ALOT of power despite my power settings being set to the opposite effect.