Alienware M17x R4 Pre-Order Configuration Questions... Ask HERE

Sorry if this is the wrong place, i'm new to the forum. I just ordered an M17x with the 3610qm cpu, the geforce 675m gpu, 8 gigs ram, 1920x1080 screen. Will there be heating problems? Anybody have any overheating troubles with the M17x? I have not received it yet. I am a tower guy who has decided to go with laptops. Can anyone recommend a good cooling pad?

 

You shouldn't have any heating problems but you paid more for a slower gpu when you got the 675m instead of the 7970m

Sent From My Rooted EVO 3D

 

SSD's dont make a night and day difference in performance.

680m was just released just wait for drivers and it'll blow the 7970m out the water.

Its a smaller percentage of people who want to overvolt and/or overclock, when the 680m + drivers will be same performance.

People who can't afford the 680m (or any other new nvidia card), will defend that they're choice with less stable AMD cards is the better option.

I don't mean to be rude, but what you say is not the exact real deal

 

the 675m comes with a new heatsink now that really helps with the temps...plus alienware is now shipping really good thermal paste with the gpu's

You should be ok. The 675m has a thermal throttle at 78c so as long as the temps underload are below this, you will be fine

Please dont turn this into a fanboy discussion. Both the 7970m and 680m are great cards. You ultimately have to decide which is right for you and your budget

 

Im still deciding if i should buy an AW. Still waiting for something better than the gtx680m. in the mean time im confused about certain customization. if i was going to pick the amd 7970m which processor, ram should i get to maximize gameplay? would the base 3rd gen intel cord i7 3610qm do? is the 2 dimms ram faster than the 4 dimms?

 

First and foremost please read my post as I did say these are my personal reasons and for him to see if they make sence to him, I did not impose my views on him as you are trying to. Reading is fundamental.

Second of all stating "People who can't afford the 680m (or any other new nvidia card), will defend that they're choice with less stable AMD cards is the better option" is ignorant and juvenile disregarding the high posibility that Mommy payed for your computer thus your funds are unlimited.

I am not a fanboy in any way shape or form, I simply dont care enough to be a fanboy for ether company as you seem to be thus you can refer to my opinions on the 680m vs 7970m argument.

Now if you want to argue drivers, lets just remember that nether the 7970m nor the 680m have good drivers out, so your point is invalid, just as nvidia can release gpu drivers, amd can as well. And even if nvidia releases better drivers it will not magically grow hardware on the card and make it more than 10% faster. And considering 7970m runs some games 15% better than 680m its a safe bet it still wont catch up to those specific games, but hey 680m is a great card, clearly in some games quite a bit better, but not in all. So no need to get so defensive about your purchaise, just enjoy it.

Now about SSDs, you clearly have no clue what you are talking about so ill just link you to something you can read and perhaps educate yourself before trying to sound like an expert online ultimately making others put their palms to their faces. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-notebook-portable,1913-5.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ursoUUbM1aM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid-state_drive
I can go on about my experience with other cards mobile and not, but i chose not to as it will lead to a pointless back and fourth argument with you as I see you are not someone who can respect other peoples opinions nor back his opinions up with facts I simply dont want to waste time.

Toodles.

 

1. Does anyone have any side by side views of the Nebula Red and Black system colors? I am sort of stuck in the middle of which to buy.

2. Is it safe to mix different brands of RAM? I plan to buy two sticks of 4GB 1600MHz ram (The same as what comes with my order) but it would most likely be from a different company.

 

Yes its safe but the faster ram will downclock to the slower timings. (if the timing are different) -from what i understand

 

Actually I think I'm the one facepalming here. Why do I even need to bother to reply to this.

1. So SSD's boot faster. Who doesn't know that. I myself am getting a 512GB SSD in my Alienware, but honestly who turns their computer off and on enough to give a damn about boot time. We're buying gaming laptops here, and the only big deal improvement related to that is everything in Windows is a bit snappier, and game levels load a couple of seconds faster. Definitely not "night and day difference in performance". So very good point there showing me boot times. Thumbs up.

2. One has to be an idiot to disagree that Nvidia have always given far better support than AMD especially when it comes to drivers. I don't need to talk more about this. And in some past Nvidia driver updates they can increase performance, sometimes in specific games, by even 20% (I don't know exact numbers pardon me). The majority of driver complaints are about AMD. Enough said.

3. I'm not fanboying, I'm stating the obvious. The 680m is a better card, with lower power consumption, and you get the benefits of all Nvidia's features. I myself was going to pick the 7970m until the 680m came out. And because no doubt it is a better card (the only thing 7970m supposedly is better at, is overclocking)... does not make me a fanboy. So stop trying to sound like a big boy.

4. And for your information the majority of the payment is coming from my wallet, not mommys. Quit your whining.

And oh no how am I going to decompress files or launch photoshop without an SSD. pfft.

Toodles.

 

you two are blocking my post lol.
can someone answer my q above

 

I'm not an expert on this but I believe 4 sticks of ram is better than 2 so for example 4 2gb sticks is better than 2 4gb sticks also the 3610QM will just be fine but remember it can't overclocked in the BIOS and another differens is that the 3720QM is good if you are going to be playing with virtual machines

Sent From My Rooted EVO 3D

 

Well, I ended up almost completely reconfigured my setup. With the July 4th sale I ended up saving near 350 bucks so ended up going with the gtx 680m and the 120hz display, though the sales tax tacked back $200 XoP (though this does sorta get made up with $329 worth of gift cards I got from Dell. I would've gone with the 7970 but honestly, even though the company will end up fixing the bugs later on, it was too much of a hassle to have the 7970 working and not the enduro with it. So I took the risk of going with the newer 680m (and hope it'll work perfectly with optimus). In the scheme of things several hundred dollars extra for a computer that should hopefully last me the next 5 years isn't really bad. Can't wait to try it. It'll be my first AW computer; always wanted one since the company came out so even though I paid more than I would have had I gone with a Sager np9170 I know I won't have any buyer's remorse with a woulda, coulda, shoulda attitude. So, with a piece of advice make sure when you get your computer think will I still be smiling when I go to turn on my comp a year or two from now cause I know I will. ;o)

 

so dimms just means how many sticks of ram?
which processor can you overclock in the m17x configuration?

 

Yes dimms is sticks and the 3730QM and 3820QM can be overclocked in the BIOS the 3720QM can only be overclocked by only 100mhz to my understanding

Sent From My Rooted EVO 3D

 

the configuration for m17x processor doesnt make much difference except if you upgrade 3610qm to 3820qm.

 

What was your final price? (Not counting gift cards)

 

I think you made the right choice on the video BUT, ask a dozen people and you'll get a dozen different opinions. I love the 3D and would never go back.

You've done your research and depending on your country, you'll have a week or two to exercise 'buyers remorse' and get your money back

Just one thing though, the 3D model does not have optimus. The on-board intel chip is not wired in so no optimus problems, or extended battery life

Good luck, it's a very nice piece of kit..

 

I researched and apparently its better if you choose 2 sticks of RAM, instead of 4. The less dimm slots you use, the better I think. But not enough to make ANY difference, just pick what RAM is best for you.

You can overclock all the processors except the 3610, but I would suggest you get at least the 3720 anyways.

And for the M18x dual graphics. Both are fine, but I would suggest 680m. You get all the fancy nvidia features, better driver support, and from what I read SLI works better than Crossfire



Could somebody please try answer my question I tried posting a week ago but got not replies? Would really appreciate it

I have one simple question. Everyone please try give me a good answer.

120Hz screen vs. 60Hz screen?

I'm deciding between the M17x r4 with 680m / or the M18x r2 with 680m SLI.

Ignoring games like Skyrim and Crysis (which are pretty much single player don't need 100fps for them) ... but games such as CoD which I love, both single and SLI cards can easily top 120, and I would LOOOVE to have a 120Hz screen to match that as it could really give an advantage in competitive fast paced gaming, not to mention bragging rights (i mean literally getting 120 fps on the screen would be awesome and insanely smooth)

If the single 680m can play every game at 60+ fps (even if a couple demanding settings were turned a bit lower) ... That sounds pretty good. And I would be benefiting from a 120Hz screen and 3D Vision 2.

However I don't want to make any stupid decisions. Should I opt for the 680m SLI in the M18x and get full future-proofing and max framerates... but it would still only show 60fps on the 60hz screen, so would it be overkill?

Arrghhh decisions decisions... Please help me out. Screen knowledge 120Hz vs. 60Hz is a large factor /:

EDIT: Also after some research, I hear that having a 120hz screen makes even lower fps feel more smooth.. meaning even if I was running something at like 40fps, it wouldn't feel/look as bad as 40fps on a 60hz screen? Can anyone confirm?

 

Howdy LeoVainio,

I rememer seeing your post last week, but hesitated on replying to see I could confirm my thoughts on this. Speaking from a strictly TV based input, a 3D display is typically made up of 2 60 Hz "screens" that alternate on and off to produce the 3D effect. It is not technically a 120 Hz screen, but is often advertized as such. They do make 120 Hz screens that actually refresh at that rate, but there are not 3D displays. I do not have an nVidia 3D display system, so I am not speaking from first-hand knowledge, but I would expect this to hold true for the nVidia 3D laptop display, that it would not refresh at 120 Hz unless you were displaying a 3D image, bascially locking you down to a 60 Hz refresh rate. If your desire is for a 120Hz display, for non 3D purposes, you might want to check out an external display. I want to reiterate here that I am just providing an educated guess here, and it might be best to post an message to the sales board and ask one of the sales specialists. I do know, that if you want the 3D display, you will have to get an nVidia card (660M, 675M, or 680M). Good luck!

Rich S.

 

FWIW it IS a 120hz refresh rate. 2x60 when displaying 3d to each eye.

IMO, all that matters is 'do you want 3D?' You need to see it yourself if it interests you. I like it so it's a no brainer which card and display I go for.

What linksRs says is correct for 3D TV's and anyone wanting to connect up a TV over Display Mini-port will have a job finding a 'true' 120hz display

You have to go for a proper PC monitir. You can use 3D TV's and get a representation (over HDMI), but the resolution is dropped to 720p and depends on how good the glasses are with the TV.

My 5 cents...

 

hmmm, i fail to understand how 40fps on a 120hz screen looks faster/better than 40fps on a 60hz screen. I was thinking about this and really trying to rationalize it.

that's like saying 40 mph in a Ferrari feels faster than 40 mph in a honda...i think it is purely subjective. It is 40mph either way

 

I don't think any of the data makes sense. Subjective is the key statement!

I would never recommend 3D since it might look like poo to another person

 

Total with sales tax: $2797
$2584 without tax (depending on where you live you can get it tax free)

 

Lulz...

Anywhoozles,
I highly suggest everyone who is ready to order first "shop" around for a good rep to buy from. Last year when ordering my m17xr3 i got some stone cold rep, didnt even budge on the price, so I bought a system At full price as advertised. This time around i got a great rep that got me all sorts of discounts (200$ off) and rembersed me for a sale that came up the next day by throwing in an extra. Now the tricky part is knowing what configs have headroom for them to give a discount or rebate. In my case 7970m 3720 8gb ram killer n had that headroom.

Just something to think about

 

Sager is definitely going to get you a better price. Looks like a prettty sweet build. I'd definitely upgrade that wireless though.

 

Here is the build I ordered (hope the link works). If it doesn't it's the middle build on the M17x page right now:
The Dell Online Store: Build Your System (Edit: as of 7/6 this build no longer has the $195.00 discount, although it does appear there is a coupon code for $100 off. Specials change all the time but I still feel it is possible to match or beat the Sager pricing.)

Virtually identical specs, on all main components (better wireless card as Derek suggested). This build is $1849 on sale right now. However, it is very easy to get that price down to the level you are looking at if you take into account the 5% gift card (and perhaps another $200 gift card) and any other promos they may be running, plus a little haggling.

Honestly I was under $2k with a three year warranty with this build (BEFORE factoring in the gift card promo). And the three year basic retails at $369, so if you take that off my build I would have been almost exactly the same price as the Sager, but with my gift card coming also, I had a better deal on my Alienware than you have on that Sager. Plus (subjective, I know) Alienware is so much cooler.

I would recommend a longer warranty now, as it would be much more expensive to add later from what I understand. That's one thing you shouldn't skimp on.

 

1. Is the Linksys/Cisco E4200 a good enough router to constitute the upgrade to Killer Wireless?

2. For anyone who received the student deal, how long did it take for you to receive your gift card?

 

usually the length of time it takes for your comp to come in. They said mine should come in around 20th of this month (if this is through dell).


Hm, the whole 60hz x2 thing would've been nice to know about. Could have saved 250 bucks. Eh, it'll be interesting to try games in 3D. =oP

These are things that should be sticked:

AW 120hz isn't true 120hz its 60hz x2 (for 3d effect [at least that's the theory])
3610 cannot be OC'd
etc., etc.

 

Everywhere all over the internet people say they see much more smoothness. Movies play at 24 fps as far as I know. And anybody who has gone to a TV store and seen a 60hz screen next to a 120hz screen playing the same thing has seen the 120hz looks smoother and movies dont look the same. And besides if it runs 40fps on 60hz.. its only running 40 frames once and another 20, whereas the 120hz would show each frame 3 times creating the illusion of smoothness. And it is noticeable, and that way you never miss a frame in a game.

All my research points to that. And the tons of games that can be played at over 60fps will see improvement from every frame being show. Loses v-sync issues, screen tearing, blur while turning fast, and faster response time.

I'd just like to see thoughts from people that have experienced the difference /:

 

I wasn't clear. It is a true 120hz display, that's part of why you loose enduro. You are using 60hz only when you are watching 3D but you get 60Hz to each eye and the display is coping with 2x60 in half the time - not some internal trickery that 120hz TV's use - at least that's how I understand it

I've always said if the 3D doesn't interest you then save the money or spend it on something else YMMV

 

oh, good, can't wait to try it out. ;8^D

 

I have no clue where you came up with the 2x60hz that is crazy

But yes, it does not use interpolating or any of that crap like Smooth Flow and those TV's. It is entirely a true 120hz display, meaning everything you do with your laptop will have faster response time and be refreshed 120 times per second no matter what it is.

By 2x60hz you mean 3D. half the frames of 120 go to the right eye, half go to the left eye, creating the 3D. But otherwise even in 2D its 120hz.

Either way an amazing piece of hardware, which is in fact one of the deciding factors in my decision between an m18x with dual graphics, or the m17x with 120hz + 3D. But don't know yet

 

Hey guys, which is a better buy for me?

an Alienware M17X R4 with 7970m with Killer Wireless + 12 GB of Ram + 3610 QM

or

an Alienware M17x R4 with 7970m with normal Wireless Card + 8 GB of Ram + 3720 QM

I would appreciate your input about this guys

 

Personally I'd go with the top one BUT the 3610QM cannot be overclocked.

 

The fact that it cannot be overclocked leans me towards buying the 3720 QM one :S

 

Yup, that is what I meant, in 3D, guess I still wasn't clear.

Each image through the glasses is seen individually at 60 but the display is refreshing the whole thing at 120 - thanks.

I backed out of an M18x for that exact reason - no 3D and an expensive external monitor required to 'upgrade' to it

 

Looking at the options on xoticpc.com

What wOuld be better

CruSial solid state msata 128gb + primary hdd and an empty secondery for future use or M4 128gb sdd + secondary hdd.

 

All you would loose is SATA3 on the SSD. Msata port is SATA2.

Probably good to keep your options open if your not going for the small 'cache' - that will drag the HDD down to SATA2. I barely saw any difference in use between an SSD on sata2 or sata3 ports.

 

hi, qucick question this morning do you think taking the 3720qm worth it for 150$ (I plan to order a gtx 680m with that) ? What does it change ?

 

^ well, according to people. The 3720QM (I'm assuming you made a typo there.) can actually be overclocked compared to the 3610QM one.

 

yes thx, so should i take the 3720qm today or take the 3710 and upgrade myself with a future processor ?

 

It's either spend the $150 now and get the 3720, or wait and spend probably double for the 3720. If you want to go say the 3820 or the 3920 (or 3940 whichever it's going to be), you'll be looking at the least $500+.

 

i'd spend the additional $150 now and get the 3720. It overclocks nicely to 4ghz single core, I don't think you really need anymore than that

 

Thx I have a last question for this afternoon, I would like to know is it possible to put 2 ssd and one mSata in the same laptop ? I have read online that's possible but when I check the user manual I only see two space for hard drive (so for ssd) but where do you put the mSata ?
Thanks a lot planing to order tonight

 

I'm not sure where its at I think under the keybored but there are two hard drive bays and a msata slot for sure in the m17x

Sent From My Rooted EVO 3D

 

Haven't found the Msata port yet but I've see this done by users here. One guy created a 3 x SSD raid 0 . Takes the whole array down to sata 2 but probably not noticeable in 'normal' use

Enjoy your 'building'!

 

You can put an mSata with 2 SSD's. I don't remember where I read this, but in order to get to the mSata you must take the entire thing apart (R4) including removing the display.

 

Thats correct. Its about a 20-25 minute process. I plan to do that once this new unit comes in.

 

D: wow

Sent From My Rooted EVO 3D

 

m17x
3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3610QM processor (6MB Cache, up to 3.3GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0)
OPERATING SYSTEM Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit
MEMORY 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz (2DIMMS)
VIDEO CARD 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 680M
HARD DRIVE 256GB SSD SATA 6Gb/s
LCD PANEL 17.3-inch WideFHD 1920 x 1080 60Hz WLED edit
WIRELESS CARDS Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 2230 With Bluetooth 4.0
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)

Just bought it!