120hz 3D screen worth it?

I am considering getting a 17 over the 18 mainly for the 120hz 3D screen, is it worth it? I do not really mind the lack of Optimus because it will be plugged in at all times, do you really see/notice a difference compared to 60hz, people seem to say yes, is there any other drawbacks aside from glossy screen and crippled battery life?

I am also considering the 18, but to tell you the truth I do not really need all that extra power, the extra screen size would be much appreciated though, what a shame you are forced to buy in SLI, I would love to be able to get it with just one 780m, so later on down the line (1 or 2 years) I could slap another one in, and see a huge performance gain .

 

Hi, my thoughts

I got the 120hz model with my first AW (R3), mainly because I wanted to check out the 3D, but even if I didn't like it a 120hz refresh seemed to be a good option. Everyone's eyes are different and for me it does look 'crisper' but without a side-by-side it is difficult to say. In older games that my card runs really fast on I do appear get smoother gameplay since the frame rate can climb up to 100+FPS without the display dropping frames.

The 3D was a real surprise. Like most people I had seen 3D TV and the like and never thought much of it - a gimmick I can do without! But, it is just supurb in many games and really adds to the gameplay. Yeah you get to look a bit silly with those glasses but lights-out gaming in something like Batman AC or Crysis 3 is just awesome. 3D platforming like the portal games has an extra dimension that adds to the game in a real way

I don't see any drawbacks other than you mention but mine is almost alway plugged in so this wasn't a consideration. It can be a little more risky if you do things like (v)BIOS mods as without an iGPU connected as bricking the machine is easier to do with a bad selection . If at a later stage you install a newer GPU that dell do not supply as a 'standard' part then 3D stops working and you have to do some BIOS changes as well as use modified drivers - but you retain 120hz.

I got an 18 at the same time as the original R3 and sent the 18 back, really a personal choice but since both machines could run my games at max (or almost) it was just a case of my eyes deciding - and the fact the 3D blew me away !

Good luck with your decision

 

Thanks MickeyD1234, your help is much appreciated .

I was mainly considering it for the 120hz refresh rate, like you I always considered 3D, on tv's or cinema a "gimmick", now you got me curious to see what it is like in games . ^^
I didn't know that it would make it easier to brick your system while doing a vbios mod, that is pretty worrisome, I was under the impression that a vbios mod had to be done to fix the throttling issues that the 17 experiences, I might be totally wrong though since I didn't really read up on it .

 

Np .

It is just a slightly higher risk if it goes wrong as there is no iGPU to fall back on for POST to use. I've done a few vBIOS mods for throttling without a problem but I did brick it using an unlocked BIOS - my own stupid fault

You may well find that throttling is no longer an issue - you'd need to ask over in the owners lounge, I'm sure I saw that a recent BIOS update fixed it for many? Mine was alway throttling back to 2D clocks during heavy gameplay but I got a modded vBIOS that had the 2D and 3D clocks and voltages matched. Curiously, when the card crapped out on me and I got a new one it stopped happening, and I'm still running the original vBIOS

When I run the 3D test in the driver it was a real 'help me obi-wan' moment. I could actually pass my hand through the logo that popped out of the screen and it just looked like I was in a si-fi movie. Games generally only have depth from the screen back but with many having no anomolies I fell in love with it.

Best game for great looks IMO - Max Payne 3, but almost all the recent titles I tried are very good, excepting Farcry 3; terrible unfortunately. If you want to blow the console guys away then BM AC is a jaw-dropper. They even have put in stuff specifically to show off 3D like those old movies with the cheesy 'throw stuff at the screen' scenes, the Two-Face cut scene with the coin toss is impressive

 

Offering my 2c - I would never go back to a 60Hz display. The desktop is smoother when you move the mouse. The cursor doesn't have a "tail" as much with a 120Hz display. Films are smoother because 24fps divides nicely into 120Hz. 3D is still a gimmick but 120Hz has it's uses. The panels are (to me and specs wise) better quality. With the correct ICC profile, the R3 one covered almost all of sRGB and the one in the R4 that I have is also very good.

Of course, the iGPU is inactive with a 120Hz display so battery life is more than halved. I get 2 hours at best out of my machine on regular use.

 

To reiterate what has been said, backed by personal experience...

If you want the AW 17, it would be wise to get the 120Hz 3D bundle. The screen is definitely better than the traditional 60Hz. But if you're seeking the ultimate gaming experience, even dual 770M's will outperform a single 780M. So, taking the AW 17 over the AW 18 just because of the screen, probably isn't a good idea, performance wise. Keep in mind that battery life is significantly less with this screen -- I'm seeing, on average, 2 hours and 35 minutes on Balanced with the battery.

If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to ask me. I have the AW 17 with everything you are asking about.

 

I would like to upgrade my R3 to a 120hz display but the last one on eBay I saw was 450 bucks. Plus I have the red cover so not sure how easy it is to swap covers.

Either way there's no way I can afford $450 after splurging $700 on a 780m from eurocom!

 

As others have mentioned, the 120hz display is amazing. Difference is noticeable and many that have experienced it simply can't go back to 60hz.

 

I'm a little outdated on the 120hz/3d status at present, but at least in the past, I thought this really hurt your FPS compared to a 60hz/non-3d screen. Meaning, I remember when this first came out that the hardware requirements were alot steeper and notebook gpus needed alot of horsepower to try and keep up, is that no longer an issue?

 

+1 ...the brightness is also better on the 120Hz screens. I've had both, and the screen was noticeably brighter ...I believe it was made a little brighter because of the 3D (if I remember correctly). Anyways, 120Hz seems to be more future proof also so it might be a good choice (unless you need battery time).

 

I wasn't aware of this, I was under the impression performance didn't take a hit, can somebody confirm this ? ^^

 

Yup, performance does take a hit but only when in 3D mode. The card is having to produce two frames to each single one when in 'normal' mode. I find the hit runs generally at around 30% drop but can be as high as 50%. All I do is drop the resolution down a notch to get it back (as well as drop AA down). The weird thing is that apart from larger menus I cannot see any difference in the game quality. Spent some considerable time in FC3 trying to see the difference between 1920x and 1600x and could not, apart from better frame rates and smoother motion. I guess it may well make a difference on a big screen but not for me on the 17 LCD .

I also notice that a lower frame rate in 3D seems to have less effect on the games than the same low FPS in normal mode. Probably something to do with the frames being interleaved to each eye alternatively

I did look at 3D back in the day with an SLi GTX 295 but barely powerful enough for the top titles at that time. This machine is the first that I can play for a few hours and enjoy it .

Oh yeah, if on-line gaming is your thing then 3D is not for you. The 120hz refresh may give a few milliseconds better response (no idea, not my thing) but input lag can make the difference between you getting the hit or dieing before you even get the chance to take a shot

 

Ok but in non 3D mode performance is the same right?

Hmm that bit about online gaming scares me, I play quite a few online games, is this in 3D mode only? or is it just because it is a 120hz screen?

 

Sorry not very clear . The performance hit is ONLY while 3D is activated. You either turn it off with a hot-key (Ctrl-T) or use a shortcut the the driver installs to switch it off so it is not detected.

 

Don't get confused here: the 120Hz screen does not decrease performance. It may in 3D, but you won't even notice it in most 3D games because those games all run at like 60+ FPS already. So, no need to even worry about that.

Get the 120Hz screen if you don't mind having less battery life. This bundle also eliminates issues with Optimus and basically opens up your system to its full potential...

 

The 120 Hz screen is really awesome, I use to have the LED RGB on the R2 and this screen beats that! The 3D is a nice to have and the 120 Hz is a must have to me! And these new Gpu's have evolved allot since the 3D started.


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One of the things I hate about my current R3... haha

Switching back and forth between GPU's for no reason at all sometimes... though that was long ago, still.. it annoyed the out of me sometimes while gaming... lol

Or, when you more with it on your lap on the couch, and unplug the cord, minimizing your gameplay and telling you to plug back in to use the ATI GPU... GAH!

 

Btw not to hijack the thread, but thanks for the above responses regarding 120hz. I've debated myself this question for my next machine and previously thought the 120hz thing was a bit of a gimmick (as I wrongly thought it was only because of the 3d, which didn't appeal to me). I've become a bit of a screen snob and weak screens drive me crazy so that's one area I never like to skimp on. Good to know the 120 adds capability even outside the 3d being on. Thanks!

 

you can get the 120Hz 3D bare screen for $150 from ebay, then add the nvidia IR board , and the 50 pin cable. Then you are ready to roll. The cover is an easy swap after it is removed from the laptop.

 

I'd get it and forget about the 3d basically, 120hz in 2d plat-formers is amazing to start and in twitch shooters... I could go on.

 

Thanks for the advice, however i cant find such a piece on ebay... Can you help a brother out with a link? Maybe I'm missing a search term...

 

120Hz Screen

New 17 3 inch FHD TL 3D Display Laptop LCD Screen for Dell Alienware M17x R3 | eBay

Cable and nVidia IR board

Alienware M17x R3 parts

Looks like it's out of stock on the cable and module. As for the screen, i did a $150 best offer through eBay.

 

Just got my m17 with the 3d 120hz screen and its a good difference in brightness compared to the non 120hz, but its definately true , battery life is marginal, solid 2 hours,

 

Good to hear man, have fun .

Have you checked out the 3D on a recent game yet, your thoughts?

Thanks.

 

How it is the minimum brightness in these Alienware 17 120Hz screens? I work/game a lot at night and like to have the screen dim as possible.

Also I've hear that the 120Hz screens help against glare in 2D? It's that true?

 

Yes, it has anti-glare technology. The brightness is only a bit more noticeable than any other screen. The difference is in the details. Not only does it look better, but it eliminates all of the issues with Optimus. This screen is definitely worth the extra $150.

 

Another vote for the 120hz screen...I made sure mine came with the 3D screen. I actually like 3D in some games and it's fun to watch 3D Blu-rays.
The improved brightness is noticeable to me compared to other 60hz glare type screens and as J.Dre said above the difference is in the details.
I like the "feel" of 120hz on the eyes...you may not notice it right away but over time you appreciate it.
Cheers!!

 

Is the glossy 3D screen viable for outdoors use?

 

It's not a crime to like the 3D in games . Too many people have seen 3D TV and think it's going to be like that - and many are surprised at the extra it brings to a good open world game. Def not for all but the BM series is awesome
Thanks for the feedback, I just want to promote the 120hz screen so the game authors still make some effort .

And there's the rub. Not really, even a bright room can give annoying reflections, win one, loose one - your call .

 

I agree. 3D for 3rd person games like Batman and Assassins Creed is great. Not so much first person shooters seeing as in real life you aim down a sight with one eye. Aiming down a sight in a game in 3D gives me headaches!

 

Exactly! You can turn on the 3D lazer sight and for some games it works but not worth the eyestrain and inaccuracy.

Saying that a game like Portal get a whole new lease of life, it was AW's title-of-choice for the 3D models, now they don't even seem to mention the 3D - guess with all the TV stations dumping 3D it's not a great selling point?

 

What they should do is make a 1stPS game that utilises 3D efficiently but has a mechanic where when running around firing from the hip it is glorious 3D but when aiming down the sight the 3D effect is dramatically reduced to almost 0 to counter-act headaches.

 

And not very difficult if a game author wants to use it I wouldn't think? Don't know if it would work well but at least it simulates closing one eye

 

I have another question

Does the 120hz screen have the same blue tint that notebookcheck reports for the matte 60hz?

Also, I offer hugs and kisses for any owner who could take their little Alien outside and post a photo of the screen in (direct/indirect) sunlight. I wanna see how bad it is.

Thanks for helping me, guys!!

 

Yes the colour accuracy of the display isn't great, however, notebookcheck have a calibrated profile for the same screen in the Toshiba laptop review which does wonders for the colours. I use it.

 

Haha sunlight - England, we might get lucky but I can't help you there .

Here is the reflection indoors, daylight from right and the reflection of a wall picture to the left. The blur/glow to the lower right is some photographic artifact and not there.

How often you planning to use it outside?

No blue tint I have heard of on the 120hz display - this is new to the AW 60hz models I believe...

 

Download this:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/upload...D_FHD_Glare__Samsung_SEC5044_173HT02_T01_.icc
Double click on it, nothing will happen. That's fine. Go to your start menu, type "color" and select Color Management.
A window will open, tick "Use my settings for this device" then click "Add..." at the bottom left.
A dialogue will open for you to navigate to the profile, there should be one with "Toshiba" in it, I forget what it is exactly called. Click it and hit OK.
The colours of your screen should change, you will notice things look a bit brown but it's not, it's the profile cancelling out the blue a bit. I have compared my display now to some professional monitors and with the profile, it is much closer to true colours.

 

Thanks guys, you're great!

I plan to use my new notebook outside on sunny days for work, which involves mostly text work. Gaming will mostly be done indoors (or outdoors at night).

A good display is very important to me, especially because I play a lot of old games and good displays make these old jewels shine.

Do you think the AW17 is the right choice for me?