Alienware 17 (880m)

Hi guys,

I received my Alienware 17 with everything standard that comes with the normal configuration bar the graphics card which is the Nvidia 880m 8GB GDDR 5. I will come across as a complete amateur when I ask my questions, so any help what so ever will be much appreciated.

Ok, so over the past few days I've been looking over this forums threads looking for some insightful overclocking knowledge. Much to my surprise Mr Fox gives the most detailed breakdowns I've ever seen to date on any forum. From what I've read, the m17x is capable of overclocking since it has a vbios. Is this correct? My question is, is there a vbios for the Alienware 17?

I've re-pasted my CPU and GPU with Artic Silver paste. My temps in Afterburner are always between 40-50, so the laptop is running fairly cool. Sorry to drop in on you guys like this since this is my first post on here. I will contributing towards this forum as much as I can with the little knowledge I have (don't laugh) haha.

 

Hi

Can you post the specifications of your new Alienware 17 so we can see them :thumbsup:

 

Yeah sure.

Specifications:

Alienware 17
Intel Core i7-4700MQ Processor (6MB Cache, up to 3.4GHz w/ Turbo Boost)
GTX 880m 8 GDDR 5
Intel HD Graphics 4600
8GB DDR3L at 1600MHz
500GB (8GB Hybrid, 5400 RPM, 64MB Cache) SATA 6Gb/s w/NCQ
17.3" (439.42 mm) WLED HD+ Anti-Glare Display (1600 x 900)
Killer NIC 1202 802.11n WiFi
Windows 8.1

 

hi again
Make a profile of your specs. Feel free to test your machine with 3DMark firestrike - 3DMark 11 - 3DMark Vantage and Cinebench 11.5. Then you can verify your computer results looks good from others here on the forum.:hi2:
Sorry for my miserable english

 

It's ok, no need to apologise

I'll add my specs to my profile when I'm back on my computer.

 

You'll be able to overclock with the 880m but you'll likely incure some throttling and you won't be able to overlook as aggressively as a 780m/880m that has had a fancy unlocked vbios flash.
Right now there is no 880m unlocked vbios publically available as there is with the 780m. I'm sure Johnksss and Svl7 will release it though the Tech Inferno website once it's properly finished.

 

I have tried over clocking via MSI, but the core clock just resets upon applying. I've restarted my laptop, reinstalled MSI ext.. I'm guessing it's due to my bios being locked down tighter than a nuns chuff.

 

It's been a while since I've used MSI to overclock but last time I did I remember editing a txt or ini file to allow OCing.

 

That 880m is going to crush every single game you play because of that 900p screen

 

I edited the config file to add "I accept" and (1) if I remember correctly. It hasn't worked either way .

To be fair, the 880m has been playing every game I've played so far at high. I tried The Amazing Spider-man 2 on Amazing setting and it was running that fairly well, but there literally is hardly any changes in graphics from High to Amazing. So from that, I'll most likely play my games on high setting from here on out.

 

No, and no, and no. This is for amd cards.

 

First of all as others stated with a locked vbios my 780M will woop any overclock you try and attempt on your 880m. Until an unlocked vbios is out you get stuck with a locked power throttling monster who doesn't have enough juice. But on a 900p screen you will never need to overlock.

 

Very true. I just hope an unlocked vbios is in the works.

 

Thats makes sense. Last time I used AB was when I had 7970m. How about we hear some of your solutions for the OP then?

@nightdex - Bad news.. no 880m vbios in the works, no time soon, atleast not the Svl7 and Johnksss brand that we've come to love. Also why not give EVGA precision X a go.

 

I'll give that a go and see what I come up with. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Hi,
Recently I bought Alienware 17
My Configuration is:

Alienware 17
Intel Core i7-4700MQ Processor (6MB Cache, up to 3.4GHz w/ Turbo Boost)
GTX 880m 8 GDDR 5
16GB DDR3L at 1600MHz
256GB mSATA SSD Boot + 1TB 5400RPM SATA 6Gb/s
17.3 inch (439.42 mm) 120Hz WLED FHD (1920 x 1080) TrueLife 400 Nit Display w/3D Bundle
Killer NIC 1202 802.11n WiFi
Windows 8.1

I am waiting for Svl7 and Johnksss kind work , over Modified Vbios for GTX880m !!!!!
Hope We will get Unlocked Vbios for GTX880m 8GB ddr5

Many thanks to Svl7 and Johnksss in Advance.

 

Good luck. I found out what my problem was. China sent my AW 17 with an 180 watt power supply. A 240 watt solved my problem with the core clock throttling.

 

Lol... What a fail by AW... So are you going ahead on getting the AW18?

 

Wow, how did they screw it up like that!

 

Yeah, I've decided to keep the AW 17 and just pay outright for the 18 in the end. I can carry the 17 out with me, while the 18 can be permanently setup in my lounge at home. I feel stupid for not checking the power supply in the bios beforehand. I'm so sorry for racking your brains guys. I really do appreciate all the help and suggestions you guys have provided me over these past few weeks. If anything, I now know more than I did before.

 

That is why we are here on the forum :hi2:

 

Taking advantage of this post.
What does the 1600x900 display quality seem to you?
It´s said its quality is very poor, about black level, contrast, gamut, and son.
Do you agree?
Regardas and thanks.

 

No the case at all. I've not got anything negative to say about this display. The colours are vibrant and me personally, I prefer 1600x900.

 

I agree, I have a full-hd 95% gamut, but I think it would have been better a 900p display to play the games (specially incoming games like watch dogs in native resolution) smoothly, and I don´t mind the difference, I used to play on a 768p, and playing in a 1080p isn´t very differente, at least for me.
Everything is a matter of getting used.
Cheers.