Alienware Alpha i3 - Quick Upgrades (and GPU overclock!)

My pain-cave PC is an Alienware Alpha i3. An all-in-one mini desktop computer with enough features to run everything I need right out of the box. I went with the lowest spec model with plans to upgrade both the RAM and HDD in the near future. 

The future is now! 

Having taken advantage of the Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 upgrade from Microsoft, I chose to bump the RAM from 4GB up to 12GB, and the 5400rpm HDD to a SSD (solid state drive).

Here is the quick rundown of how I went about the upgrade - 

RAM Upgrade

The base model i3 comes with one 4GB stick of DDR3L 1600Mhz Low Voltage RAM. L is the important part, you can't mix standard voltage DDR3 (1.5V) and Low Voltage DDR3 (1.25-1.35V). You can run either in the Alpha, just not both at the same time. As I was keeping the stock 4GB, I went for a matching 8GB DD3L to boost my Alpha to 12GB.

A quick price check online indicated an 8GB stick would set me back around AU$65. The first store I went into in Preston felt more like I'd walked into some seedy bro's bedroom while he was looking at the latest Zoo magazine. I double checked the sign on the door, yes, this was a computer store. I got strange looks when asking for a stick of 8GB DDR3LRAM, and he was both unwilling and, according to him, unable to help me. I kind of got the feeling that the store was a front for something else other than computers. Dodgy.

Further up the street I had more luck. The store had a stick in stock! My 8GB stick came with no packaging, no bag, and a complete lack of service. I handed over AU$80 for what would have cost me a lot less online. 

Anyhow, my tip - Avoid the mistakes I made by stumbling my way into a drug den / computer store then getting ripped off at the counter. Order online. 

My i3 Alpha now looking nervous.

Flip it - Only four screws to unleash the beast within. 

Pop the CPU cover to access the RAM

The stock 4GB DDR3L 1600Mhz Low Voltage stick

A matching DD3L 1600Mhz Low Voltage 8GB stick.

Installed - 12GB ready to RAMble! 

That's it. Just boot up and away you go!


HDD to SSD

While more RAM is nice to have, the system really wasn't hitting any performance limiters with only 4GB, so I went with the upgrade to SSD too.

The i3 Alpha has a generous 500GB drive, albeit only spinning at a lowly 5400rpm. This IS a performance limiter for the system. I had a spare 128GB SSD from a previous project that would go straight in, well, it did after messing about with partitioning software.

It was as if they expected you to upgrade this... easy to get to.

Copy copy, partition, copy copy - Thanks to Reflect Free.

After some partitioning magic (oh yes, the old-school will get that reference), it was a case of throwing it all back together for a #RideOn! 

Side note - 128GB is more than enough for my pain-cave PC. Most content is streamed, and now I have a 500GB portable HDD I can connect via USB thanks to this upgrade. The Alpha with Windows 10, Zwift, and a few other tools installed takes up around 40GB of space.

Conclusion 

The RAM upgrade will assist when multi-tasking ergo software, music playlists, and the like. The must-do is the SSD upgrade. It is BLINDINGLY FAST. Crazy fast. Less than 5 seconds to boot into Windows 10, and a lot snappier doing everything else. As for Zwift, the frame rates are still the same, it just takes less time to get it all up and running.

*March 2016 Update!*

GPU Overclock (Use at your own risk!)

Using MSI Afterburner and 'conservative' GPU overclock settings of 135/507 (core/memory), I gained a measurable 12% 3D performance increase on the Alienware Alpha i3. 3456->3871 with PassMark. While you're tinkering, switch off v-sync in the GeForce advanced settings too.

For best results ensure your Alpha has good airflow around it. And as above, use this at your own risk as it could cause system instability.

Watopia Zwift Zipp Wheel Test

The Zipp wheelsets in Zwift are more than just visual upgrades for your ride. Using the same Llama Lab parameters as the Road vs TT bike tests, I set out to put all the available Zipp wheel choices to the test around Watopia.

Llama Lab Parameters 

Frame: Zwift TT
Rider Weight: 71kg
Power: 300W / 4.2w/kg sustained.
Course: Watopia (Normal direction)
No power-ups or drafting in the tests.

Power output was accurate to the watt, for science! There was no variance on hills, descents, or for sprints.

Results

Zipp 202 KOM:     2:33.66 Sprint:    29.95 Lap:    13:51.97 Max:    65.2km/h

Zipp 404 KOM:     2:33.66  Sprint:    29.60 Lap:    13:44.29 Max:    66.0km/h

Zipp 808 KOM:     2:33.31 Sprint:    29.47 Lap:    13:42.03 Max:    66.2km/h

Zipp 808/Disc Combo KOM:     2:33.26  Sprint:    29.38 Lap:    13:39.17 Max:    66.5km/h

Observations 

When it comes to these steady-state tests, more (wheel) is better! The 808/Disc combo rates best across all tests. The 202 may come into their own on a long steeper climb, I'll re-test if one ever pops up on Watopia. For now, keep levelling up if you haven't unlocked all the Zipps yet!

#RideOn

Head to Head - Zwift Aero Road vs Zwift TT

Last month saw the general release of the long awaited Zwift TT bike. Triathletes were seen ripping off their virtual jersey sleeves with excitement! In real life, TT bikes are faster. That's a fact. What about on Zwift? I had a tip-off that they were, so after a hot-lap on Watopia that indicated they were quick, I put on the lab coat and cranked up Llama Labs to really put these bikes though their paces.

The Idea - Same conditions for both bikes, the same wheels, the same rider weight, holding the same w/kg for the entire lap of both Watopia and Richmond. With a little magic and a w/kg picked that was within a sustainable (and repeatable) range, we had lift off! 

Llama Lab Parameters 

Frames: Zwift Areo Road / Zwift TT

Rider Weight: 71kg

Wheels: Zipp 808

Power: 300W / 4.2w/kg sustained. 

No power-ups or drafting in the tests.

Power output was accurate to the watt, for science! There was no variance on hills, descents, or for sprints.

Watopia - Our Island Home

Zwift Aero Road KOM:     2:33.52 Sprint:    30.49 Lap:    14:05.50 Average Speed: 38.9km/h Max Speed:     64.0km/h

Zwift TT KOM:     2:33.32  Sprint:    29.45 Lap:    13:42.30 Average Speed: 40.0km/h Max Speed:     66.2km/h

WKO multi-range comparison: 

Yellow: Aero Road. Red: TT. (Top is km/h, bottom is elevation)

Richmond - Road Worlds Course 2015

Zwift Aero Road Sprint:    19.26 Broad St:  24.82 KOM:     1:53.82 23rd St:   52.89 Lap:    25:06.58 Average Speed: 38.8km/h Max Speed:     70.3km/h

Zwift TT Sprint:    18.72 Broad St:  24.17 KOM:     1:53.31 23rd St:   50.49 Lap:    24:26.36 Average Speed: 39.9km/h Max Speed:     72.2km/h

WKO multi-range comparison: 

Yellow: Aero Road. Red: TT. (Top is km/h, bottom is elevation)

Observations 

Hands down the TT bikes are faster. Surprisingly they climb pretty well too. I attribute their climbing times to the higher speed in which they enter the start of the climbs, and their ability to get up to speed when the gradient flattens out.

Sprints on a TT bike in real life are typically clumsy and wasn't really put to the sword in these tests. I hope on Zwift the developers can make the aero advantages disappear, or even become a hindrance at anything above 500-600W. We don't want everyone rolling around on tri-bars on Zwift, it'll be carnage! :) 

I also tested the Zipp 808/DISC combo, but you'll have to wait for the wheel comparison tests to find out the results there......

#RideOn

Christmas Gift Ideas - The Road Cyclist

There's one in every family, office, or random Kris Kringle list you're lucky enough to be a part of - The Road Cyclist. They're almost impossible to buy for. They've got every gadget DC Rainmaker has reviewed, they've got more socks than days in a year, and if there is something they don't own, it is only because they think it's shit. If it wasn't shit, they'd have invested in the Kickstarter and had it before everyone else.

Herein lies the (almost) impossible - Buying a Christmas gift for the road cyclist. Below are a few options that may get you out of trouble this season.



#8 - Gift Cards (AU$ ?)

All of the big online shops offer gift cards/certificates. If you're really stuck and want to play a safe hand, go this route. To support local business drop by your nearest bike shop and pick up a gift card there.

#7 - Water bottles, good ones! (AU~$20-$30)

There is nothing like good quality bottles on rides. My tip - Purist bottles. Google them. Find them. Buy them. It'll be nothing but love from your cyclist friend/associate.

More Info: http://www.specializedwaterbottles.com/water-bottles/the-purist

#6 - USB Power Brick (AU$20-$50)

For those emergency "I need to charge my Garmin!" and "My phone is almost flat" moments that every cyclist encounters all too often.

Available at most electronic stores.

#5 - RIDE Magazine Subscription. (AU$50-65)

Australia's leading road cycling magazine. Lots of page turning, glossy pictures, and that new page smell your iPad just can't replicate. Go for the Tour de France 2016 guide option too, trust me on that one.

Link: http://www.ridemedia.com.au/product-category/ride-subscriptions/

#4 - 1 Year Strava Premium Subscription (US$59.00)

Strava. They may already be on it, they may not. Either way, you can't go wrong with adding 12 months of premium Strava goodness to a cyclist's life. (Not to mention the free 2 months Zwift that comes with it!)

Link: https://shop.strava.com/products/premium-annual-subscription

#3 - Sponsorship for Athletes book. (AU$20)

An excellent resource for anyone rolling around representing, or wanting to represent a brand of any sort. Vickie Saunders' book is a must read on how to do it right.

Link: http://www.thesponsorshipconsultants.com.au/

#2 - USB ANT+ Stick. (AU$50-60)

If you don't know what this is, that doesn't matter. If your cyclist friend/associate doesn't know what one is, that also doesn't matter. They'll thank you once they find out what it can be used for! For full effect, get them a 3m USB extension cabe. Again, don't ask questions. ;)

(*This allows a computer to read data from power meters, speed sensors, heart rate monitors, etc. They're required to get the most from Zwift, TrainerRoad, upcoming Sufferfest PC/Mac app, etc. Also come in handy for firmware updates of Quarq, among other things)

Available at good bike stores and online.

#1 One Metre - It matters. ($0 - $?)

Doing away with the idea of giving the cyclist 'something' - Give them your word they have your respect and support as a fellow road user. While you're at it, make a donation to the Amy Gillett Foundation on their behalf. It'll likely mean a lot more to them than anything else you'll find on a store shelf.

Link: http://www.amygillett.org.au