580m? awesome. 3d? awesome! wait a sec...

I'd like to know why I can't opt 2x580m for SLI 3d goodness?

 

First things, first. You're on a respectful forum and that kind of language won't get you anywhere.
Secondly, the M17x R3 doesn't physically support two graphic cards so no SLi 580M.

 

Katalin is right, make sure you watch language on here as you'll get popped on it every time It sounds like you're looking for a beast that doesn't exist. The R3 has the 580m and 3D but you can't have them together, it's one or the other because of supposed "compatibility issues". And the R3 isn't a dual card system, that's what the M18x is for Good luck choosing a system and welcome to the forum.

 

When I go to configure on Dell/AW website the only 3d rig option it gives me is the 580m GPU though. Not saying THAT bothers me though. I haven't updated updated my old desktop for almost 4 years now. Back when I first started looking at AW the old m17x had dual GPU integration.

I'd gladly step up to the m18x for SLI but they don't have a 120hz screen for it

If the 580m does/or in the future have/as 3d Vision compatibility, will it be enough on it's own to run high settings on high end games in 3d? The only thing holding me back from using this as a desktop replacement is worrying about the 3d experience.

 

ps my apologies

 

No problem
Well, nobody knows atm if Dell will ever let it be compatible with the 120Hz panel, sad i know, the way i see it (but don't take my word for it) it's because sales on configs with 6970 might drop.
But if you're really into 3D and don't really need a laptop you can build a far better desktop with a nice 120Hz monitor for the same amount of money or even cheaper

 

So if I bought one on dellienwares website rite now, it wouldn't ship? Sounds like possibly something dell would do

I do favor getting a laptop over a desktop at the time being. Mainly for mobility ; not that I plan to take this to starbucks or mcdonalds and game, but my work schedule puts me away from home 2 weeks every 2 weeks. I'd easily build a awesome PC rig and get a m11x for time away but I'm a 3d freak and the m17x are just way to impressive (no sli being my only gripe). With the remote streaming stuff, as well as the HDMI in and AlienFX

I've searched around QUITE a bit on the 460m(?) 3d rig and have yet to find any reviews of the 3d performance. That is aside from the few words mentioned on the FAQ

 

From what i read here, they won't configure the GTX 580M with the 120Hz panel (not that the card won't fully work even without the 3D stuff)

Desktop and a M11x sounds nice, i'm planning on getting one myself since i have a desktop now.

Just think of what you really need since you pretty much have to choose from:
a) Desktop with 120Hz monitor(for your 3D needs) + small laptop
b) 3D laptop M17x R3 with the 460M only,as of today, with HDMI in and AlienFX features.
c) M17x R3 with 580M but 60Hz panel + external 120Hz monitor(for your 3D needs)
d) Dual GPU system like the M18x but no 3D with the laptop screen, as of today also with HDMI-in and AlienFX features.

 

Does one truly need 3D? And there are known issues with 3D and compatibility (Intel's GPU doesn't support so XPS 17 3D doesn't support Optimus).

And yes with the Sandy Bridge refresh, Alienware dropped SLI/CF support on the M17x. Basically they made the M18x the old M17x, M17x is basically the M15x with a larger screen but now 16:9.

 

That's because the iGP doesn't support 120Hz panels, other than that there are no issues with 3D

 

Actually yes. I thoroughly enjoy 3d gaming and misc content. Also every time I look into it lately it's getting bigger and more excepted. While it's not a deal breaker for some, I want my new rig to have it (real reason for upgrading)

However I'm not going to plunge into they throw the 580m a bone. Optimus I don't really care about, chances are I'll never use it without the cord. I basically want a desktop (competitor) that I can throw in a bag and setup in my hotel on government paid trips, sometimes they even throw me in a room with a decent 1080p screen making the HD stream a HUGE cool factor.

It doesn't seem like many people have a 3d m17x though, it's really hard to find reviews..

 

Catch up with the times.

The M17x is no longer dual gpu, only single gpu. M18x is the only dual GPU Alienware laptop (wouldn't even call it a laptop) out there. Also the 580m's do not support 3d and will most likely not in the forseeable future, because of Dell.

If you want a dual dual gpu laptop with 3d, then you would have to get the M18X with dual 460m's.

 

However you don't have the 3d screen with the m18, so you are stuck with the m17

 

Nate, the M18x has only a 60Hz panel so 3D is not available via its panel, only with an external monitor. And the 580M support 3D but externally!!

 

I could of waited for the 580, but currently I don't have a laptop - so I went for the 460. The worse case scenario, the 580/560 comes out and I have to return and reorder. However I have a feeling it won't till like next month so basically I would have to order the card from Dell and pay though the nose so I can keep the 4yr warranty with it.

 

Just to clarify:

Is the 580m non compatible with the 3d features of the 120hz screen, but still functions perfectly in every other area?

Or does it not work period?

I really don't mind disabling the 3D as long as I get to play games at 120hz on a better graphics card.

 

It just won't do 3D with the R3's 120Hz screen. It can with an external monitor like almost all other nVIDIAs.

 

But it will still function at 120hz? And all I need to do is disable 3D to eliminate any compatibility issues?

 

I bet it'll have the same if not a better behaviour than the 485M that was already tried in the M17x R3. See here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/567689-m17x-r3-485m-nvidia-solution-discussion.html

 

I talked to a sales rep today that assured me the 3d 580m variation is right around the corner. My guess is driver problems with the AW setup or just general kinks being worked out with how new/unreleased the chip really is, however the rep didn't speculate. Why release something that isn't bulletproof when there are still more sales to be had with the 460m? Maybe dell is finally going back to their roots and shipping sound rigs, I'd definitely hope so considering AW is one of the biggest names in laptop gaming, not to mention MTO gaming itself.

 

The 580m has arrived on the 17x r3 but for the truly amazing price of £420!!!

 

there must be a system bios update to get 580m working with internal 3D it is not a driver issue.

 

^^Thats good news. Hopefully there is some element of truth to what that rep said and we may actually see a system which can actually rival the Clevo competition. I will snatch up a system as soon as it has 3D with a decent GPU.

 

The 580m has been heavily commented around the web as compatible with the 3D system, just that it hasn't been fully "qualified" yet. So the belief is that it will "come soon". The drivers for the 580m do support external 3D via HDMI 1.4 from what I've read. I can't test that because while I have a 580m coming, I don't have a 3D television to test it with.

 

Whenever it comes out, I just hope Dell doesn't charge a crazy amount for it. The only reason I want to go through Dell is to keep the warranty with the new video card (4 year advanced). This way if something happens to my system I will have the benefit of including that with the replacement order, if one has to be done.

 

GuyZ! M17x R3 available with 2GB 580M graphics card now... and they have limited time offer with 20% discount for graphics card value for 480USD only ...But Still it does not support 3D screen
you can read Nvidia Website for 580M that:
"3D Vision enables the laptop to send 3D contents (3D games, 3D Web Streaming, 3D photos, 3D Blu-Rays) to a built-in 3D enabled screen or an external 3D TV (only if supported by the laptop manufacturer)."

I think its dell sales policy until old stock for 460M is not cleared they may not want to support 580M with 3D screen... I think someone with 3D eanbled M17x should try themselves replacing thier existing 460m with580M and see if it works out... Since architecture would be same i bet it should work even without bios update... No offence but this is only my thinking which i'm pretty much sure should work 90%...

Regards!

 

I was excited when I read that first line, but then I noticed the same thing we all know

I agree it should work, but I'm kind of broke after buying my r3

 

It would be awesome if someone with a 460m 3d machine would try an upgrade.

 

I am 99.9% it will not work until they update the system BIOS to map it the same way as the 460m

 

Well, it has to know something since I don't think a bios update came out for the 580s. Maybe its already part of A04? I am not sure...

 

It pisses me off that AW leads you to think your getting the 580m in the 3d package: Alienware Laptops - Custom Gaming Laptops and Notebooks
"Featured Options:
2nd Gen Intel Core i7 processors
Up to 16GB DDR3 performance memory
Featuring 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 580M graphics
1920x1080p Full HD display with NVIDIA 3D Vision technology "

 

+1

However it is on two different lines

 

There is a rumor the 6990m will do 3D like the 460m. Still up to Dell to enable it if the rumor is true.

 

Plus, you would have to have the 120 Hz screen in order to use the 3D on the laptops. Granted you can pipe it out via HDMI 1.4 to a 3D TV/receiver, but thats another story.

Nvidia or AMD - in the end its up to Dell to enable it in the configurator so it can be ordered.

 

Whats even better then rumur is fact.

FACT IS nVidia has the support and drivers, ect to take the MAJOR edge over AMD on the new 3d HD gaming front.

the 6990m won't do 3d like 3d vision, untill they later step up there game and then include it to the list of supported sets, dont see that happening any time 'soon' (referring to the technology timescale)

 

I completely disagree with you... I don't think Bios has to do anything with Graphics card as long as architechture is same... You need new bios only if architecture is different not otherwise... Its graphics drivers that needs to support 120Hz...
I completely agree with Smooth_J since there is no latest Bios then A04 and 580 does support M17x R3 without any issues means there is no architecture difference and so now i'm 100% sure we should be able to swap 460 with 580... but where do we find now 580M since its not on sale anywhere for now ...

 

Its not a rumor anymore.

According to the spec sheet of the 6990m

But it is still up to Dell to enable it.

 

AMD 3dHD haha.

 

Whats so funny about it?

 

One thing I know is I am getting GPU envy :/ All these fast GPUs are coming out and I am getting a 460...I must resist since I have a really nice desktop now...

 

Geoffxx maybe right after all. Someone just reported that they received a m17x with A05 so that could be true about the BIOS.

 

well I hope you are right but I doubt it, we did extensive tests with the 485m and could never get it to work with the internal 3D, it worked in every other way and it had nothing to do with drivers, as you can see from my sig I am using none Dell drivers so nothing special there, the 485m refused to support internal 3D but worked with external....go figure

 

I think only a real user with 580M card and 3D version laptop can swap cards and give us an update wherther it worked or not?
Or wait i think dell will upgrade soon 580MSLI with 3d in possibly R4 Series...

Regards!

 

well you r da'man with the snide whit and all the answers bud - keep up the good work


and a word of caution to anyone thinking of doing this themselves, the Dell 580m may have a custom bios which is different to anyone elses and only this will actually fully work in an AW system

 

Good news Guyz!
The Dell Online Store: Build Your System
Alienware 580MGTX 2Gb with 3D and glasses...

 

Not for the US, but getting closer. I am not sure if I should be happy since I already received my system with a 460, or just upgrade the 580m.

 

The US store now allows the 580 & 3D bundle.

Cheers,

 

Didn't i tell you guys earlier in my post... they wanted to sell and clear thier 460M first...this is all marketing strategy...

 

Hey guyz just ordered my new 580M with 3D expecting this month end... Can't wait to get my hands ON!!!!!

 

Hey guys you can upgrade your GPU from Ebay available around $900 for 580MGTX... Regards!