Alienware M16 R1 AMD test: A good machine with a sober performance

The Dell Alienware M16 R1 (2023) is a mid-range 16-inch gaming laptop. Like the Dell Alienware M18 (2023), this 16-inch model is a new addition to Dell’s range. It features an AMD processor in our specific version, but is also available with a thirteenth-generation Intel Core processor for enthusiasts. What’s it really worth?

Alienware M16 R1 AMD design

Alienware presents the M16, the latest addition to its range of gaming laptops, inheriting the modern design initiated by the x16 and Alienware M18 models. After making its mark with the M15 and M17, Alienware is moving upmarket with the M16, which boasts a minimalist, uncluttered look, characterized by a dark color and sober styling. However, details such as the embossed text “16” on the lid and the illuminated Alienware logo add a touch of character.The customizable RGB lighting of the Alienware chassis adds dynamism to the design, particularly with the LED light circle on the rear, which has become emblematic of modern Alienware laptops. This light can be static or pass through a range of effects and colors, as can the Alienware logo, power button and keyboard keys, all controllable via the included Command Center software. The somewhat sci-fi styling has been softened over the years, but the M16 retains a rather elegant overall look.As for the keyboard, a nice surprise awaits users: mechanical keys. Offered as an optional extra for around €100, these low-profile Cherry MX keys, introduced a few years ago on Alienware laptops, offer a more pleasant and satisfying typing experience than the basic keyboard. Several keyboard configurations are available, including non-mechanical keys with single or individual illumination, and mechanical keys with individual illumination.The M16 stands out from the slimmer X series for its robustness and thickness. Although heavier than alternatives such as the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8, the M16 is positioned as a desktop replacement for gamers who don’t need to carry their laptop around frequently.The M16’s 16-inch screen, with QHD+ resolution and a refresh rate of 165 Hz, is ideal for gamers. Other screen options are available, all without touchscreen functionality but compatible with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync. On the connectivity side, the M16 offers a comprehensive selection of ports, including a headphone jack, Ethernet port, USB Type-A, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, mini DisplayPort and SD card slot.Finally, the M16 is equipped with a 1080p webcam offering a sharp image, supporting Windows Hello logins thanks to IR recognition, an additional asset for this powerful and stylish gaming laptop.

Alienware M16 R1 AMD specifications

Alienware M16 R1 AMD performance

AMD’s Ryzen 9 7845HX Dragon Range processor is positioned as an alternative to Intel’s latest Core i7 and i9 Raptor Lake processors. AMD’s promise is similar performance but with greater energy efficiency. With this, in our version, a total of 32 GB of RAM in DDR5, unfortunately, Dell hasn’t understood the principle, speed of DDR5. It’s a shame to use RAM at 4800 MHz, when this type of memory can go much faster and deliver much better performance. In the PC, 1 TB of storage, a fairly standard M.2 PCIe 4 SSD, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, a very good thing.

CPU performance

Having tested it on GeekBench, the Alienware M16 R1 AMD’s CPU performance is very good indeed. More than 15,000 points for a PC with a Ryzen 9 laptop version, quite frankly, I take my hat off to you.In single-core, it’s also very good, with more than 2,800 points, I’d even go so far as to prefer an AMD version to an Intel one if this goes on!On CineBench, it’s also very good, with the processor managing to exceed 25,000 points in multi-core. For the record, this is a better score than theIntel Core i5 14600K, cooled by 360 mm watercooling on a desktop PC.

RAM performance

Inevitably, when you use fairly average RAM, you get average performance. Nothing bad here, but nothing extravagant either, with less than 60 GB/s in read and write.In copy, it’s not very glorious either, with only 48 GB/s, with latencies of 98 ns, all the same… Here are the benefits of DDR5 RAM at 4800 MHz, while 6400 MHz and higher versions are available.

SSD performance

However, the manufacturer is trying to make up for the disappointing RAM with a high-performance PCIe 4 SSD. This offers read speeds of around 7000 MB/s, which is not bad at all.Write speeds of over 5000 MB/s are not bad either, which will be more than enough for all users of this PC, who are gamers first and foremost.

Graphics performance

The machine’s graphics performance is not to be outdone either, with an RTX 4070 inside, which does the job quite well. According to 3DMark, Battlefield 5 achieves more than 110 fps in 1440p Ultra

Alienware M16 R1 AMD screen

Alienware offers the option of configuring the M16 gaming laptop with a 240Hz QHD+ screen. Our model features a 16-inch screen with 2560×1600 resolution and 240Hz refresh rate. Both options are compatible with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, eliminating screen tearing problems. This particular panel has a response time of 3ms and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color space, which is comparable to most high-end laptops.Playing Cyberpunk on this computer was a visually pleasing experience. Rich, vibrant colors, good contrast ratios and excellent viewing angles make this 16-inch screen particularly pleasant to use. The QHD+ resolution ensures remarkable sharpness of content, whether for games or video viewing. The 16:10 aspect ratio, larger than the usual 16:9 format of gaming laptops, is an added advantage, especially for work and other productivity tasks. The screen also supports HDR, making compatible games particularly vivid and spectacular. The visual impact of Cyberpunk, with an RTX 4070 and DLSS 3, was particularly impressive on this screen. To take full advantage of the 240Hz refresh rate, I played FPS titles such as Apex Legends, Valorant and Roboquest, and the experience was excellent overall. The integrated 1080p webcam is pretty basic. It supports IR for Windows Hello, but wasn’t particularly effective for facial recognition. It’s a decent-quality webcam for basic video calls, but it’s best not to expect too much from it.

Keyboard and trackpad

My model was equipped with Alienware’s standard M-series keyboard with AlienFX RGB lighting. I found this keyboard particularly pleasant to type on, with keys featuring individually controllable LED lighting. There’s also a slightly cheaper variant with single-zone lighting.As for the M16’s touchpad, although it’s not as large as I’d have liked, it’s still more spacious than those on Alienware’s X-series laptops. It’s a basic touchpad, compatible with Windows Precision drivers and customizable for Windows gestures, with no extravagant features such as touch-activated lights. Although most gamers use external mice with such high-performance machines, this doesn’t justify the addition of a mediocre touchpad. Fortunately, Alienware has opted for a touchpad that is both large and comfortable, which is a wise decision.In summary, while the M16 may have a few areas for improvement, its keyboard and touchpad features are well thought-out, offering users a satisfying experience for both typing and browsing.

Alienware M16 R1 AMD battery life

The Alienware M16’s first battery life test produced an extremely disappointing result of just 2 hours and 30 minutes. By adjusting the screen refresh rate from a fixed 240 Hz to a dynamic 60-120 Hz mode, I was able to add an hour to this time, but it’s still pretty low, even for a powerful gaming laptop. To give you a concrete idea of actual battery life, an hour’s viewing on Netflix consumed 38% of the battery. So don’t expect to watch a movie lasting more than 2 hours and 30 minutes without recharging, or you’ll miss the end. After that, you can always put the PC in “energy-saving” mode, but that’s not the point of this type of machine.

Alienware M16 R1 AMD sound quality

The Alienware M16’s stereo speakers deliver impressive volume, with levels measured at 79.2 dB(A) at a distance of one meter. They offer enough bass to make listening to music very enjoyable. The soundscape can become quite tumultuous at maximum volume, but by reducing the volume to 80%, sound quality becomes more balanced again, while remaining loud enough to fill a room.

Alienware M16 R1 AMD connectivity

To the left of the chassis is an essential and convenient port configuration for quick access: a USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port, an HDMI 2.1 port for easily connecting an external display or projector, and a 3.5 mm jack port that serves as both input and output. This last feature is particularly useful for gamers who want to plug in headphones or external speakers for optimal sound immersion.However, it’s on the rear of the computer that the majority of ports are located, offering tidier cable management and sleeker aesthetics. There are two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports, offering fast transfer rates and the ability to connect modern peripherals. In addition, two further USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports complete this configuration, allowing maximum flexibility for connecting various accessories or storage devices.The RJ45 Ethernet port is a crucial addition for gamers requiring a fast, stable Internet connection. Added to this is a mini DisplayPort, a further option for video connection, giving users the freedom to connect multiple monitors. For power, the Alienware M16 R1 AMD features a dedicated AC adapter port. Last but not least, the SD card reader is a considerable asset for users wishing to quickly transfer data from cameras or other mobile storage devices.

Alienware M16 R1 AMD review

The Alienware M16 R1 is one of the best gaming laptops on the market today. This exceptional machine, with its impressive power, is capable of handling almost all modern titles without difficulty. However, a notable weak point lies in its cooling system, whose efficiency leaves much to be desiredThe current cooling system, although ambitious, proves to be excessively noisy. As soon as a game is launched, the noise generated can give the impression that the computer is about to take off. By comparison, the Alienware M16 R1’s vapor-chamber cooling system is not as efficient as the water-cooling solution found in competing models, such as the Legion 9i. It often struggles to keep operating temperatures within acceptable limits.