1st alienware.. keep or return

hi guys.. got my 1st ever alienware m17x r3 that i got from the outlet.. i am a loyal xps customer, ( i own a m170, m1210 and l701x.. and 1 macbook air ) and very disappointed that already having problems.. there is no sound from the speakers, tech came yesterday and replaced it.. still no dice.. now he is coming over again later to replace the motherboard.. so question is, should i keep this or just return it and get the r4? only had this since teusday.. specs are.. red, i7, 8gb ram, 750gb 7200rpm hd, 2 gb 580m, 1080 screen, dvd drive (upgrading to blu ray when part is available).. all for $1400.. so again, keep or return?

 

you got an awesome deal!

R4 even with the 7970m will cost you close to 1900 bucks give or take.

Sound is like the smallest problem on a laptop IMO. You can always get an external soundcard...

R3 with 580m with your configuration would cost at least 2300.

1400 is still a save + new motherboard!

 

I'd give them another chance and see if they can fix it before returning it. If they can't fix it with a new motherboard, then return it.

It's a great deal though

If you're gonna get an R4, wait till the end of this month...i hear there's IVY growing on the walls outside the Alienware factory

 

yeah, i know i got a good deal with the laptop.. but i just want everything to work.. right now i have to plug an external usb speakers while playing warhammer 40k.. what gets me is i paid for a laptop that is suppose to work.. if it was advertised as laptop with non-working speakers, i would think twice before getting it.. bottom line is, this was bought from the outlet, so basically, it was a returned laptop.. maybe it was for non-working speakers that the previous buyer gave it back. that being the case, why would you sell a laptop that has not been checked of any problems..?

well, actually third chance.. the tech said he will be here this afternoon.. had to take the day off from work just to have this laptop repaired.. sound sweet right? no work today on a friday? don't get paid too, so that next paycheck will be a little bit lighter..i sure hope that the motherboard replacement should do it.. otherwise, I SHALL UNLESS HELL!!!

 

If problem is not fixed after third time call out they issue a replacement.

Watchout, a lot of forum members here are not so independent from these laptop companies.

Trust your instinct and go with it.

 

motherboard replaced and speakers work fine now.. although i noticed when the tech was applying the thermal paste for both cpu and gpu, it seemed like it was too much.. does it even matter.. what program could i use to monitor my temps.. still deciding on whether or not to return this, sound is not that better compared to my m701x which has a small sub.. and powered by jbl..

 

download HWINFO64 for all your monitoring needs.

It is well documented that the stock sound in a m17x sucks.

 

thanks dude.. again this is my first ever alienware, so pardon my ignorance.. coming from an xps system, i thought alienware would match if not be better in the sound department.. not that the xps sound is great but again, it is way more better than this.. anyway loving the laptop now.. my l701x is now collecting dust..

 

same here, my first alienware and from outlet too. Already replaced all the fans and vents and screen two times...

 

HWINFO is awesome for monitoring tons of stuff but you might try MSIAfterburner as it gives you an on-screen display when gaming. You can see exactly what is going on real time rather that switching out and looking at the history (temps drop very quickly when switching out).

I don't use the overclocking features preferring NvidiaInspector as it 'fixes' the power throttle.

I see also that the R4 has a new sound chip

 

wow.. i'd request for a replacement for that..