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

I live in Illinois and personally had a very good experience with them. Unfortunately, my laptop was a dud due to hardware issues and had to send it back, but at no fault of their own. They made the RMA process very easy, though. I did have to pay return shipping in order to get a refund, but they do paid 3 day shipping both ways if you send it in to be fixed. I could have done that but choose not to. The Sager I ordered was not what I expected for the price.

Tapatalk 2

 

Everyone seems to buy sagers.. They don't have a backlit keyboard!

 

This year's models have backlit keyboards. Have heard of some problems with keystrokes registering though.

 

In my opinion Sagers suck. I think they're just a cheap way to get a good graphics card, but are worse than competitors in other aspects. Quality of components, build quality, battery life, cooling... /:

I don't know too in depth but I don't really like Sager. They don't look beast either.

 

They look to plain Jane for me.

 

That's one of the beauties of their machines. They don't look flashy (which some people don't want). I was close to pulling the trigger on one earlier this year, but the deal I got for my AW, no other reseller could match. The AW is a little flashy for me, but I love it. I may one day end up with a Clevo system if my career path dictates that I need to have a laptop that I need to bring to the office and use for meetings and all that fun crap. Less flashy, somewhat sophisticated looking, with amazing components. Plus, since it wont look like a gaming system, I could sit in the office and game out without anyone knowing, lol.

 

well putting it that way... Lol but its not the flashy that I love. I love being able to make the machine one of a kind. I can see it being too flashy though. But when I play battlefield the system likes to be white, then slowly go to red when I get shot. Which is sweet. Or playing fable it changes colors when I'm using certain weapons or abilities. I guess technology like that fascinates me.

 

Bit the bullet on Wednesday, here is the stats:

Base: Alienware M17x Base
Memory: 6144MB (1x2GB + 1x4GB) 1600MHz DDR3 Dual Channel
Keyboard: Internal UK/Irish Qwerty Keyboard
Video Card: 2GB GDDR5 AMD® Radeon™ HD 7970M
Hard Drive: 750GB 7,200rpm SATA 6Gb/s HDD
Operating System: English Windows® 7 Home Premium (64 BIT)
Optical Devices: DVD+/-RW (Read/Write)
Sound: Creative Sound Blaster Recon3Di with THX TruStudio Pro Software
Wireless Networking: Killer Wireless-N 1103 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO with Bluetooth 4.0
Cables: UK 2M 250V Power Cord
Documentation/Disks: Southern Europe Documentation (EN, SPA, POL, GRE)
Extended Service: 3 yrs Next Day In-Home Hardware & Premium Software Phone Support
Placemat: Placemats (Eng, Gre, Pol, Ara, Rus)
Order Information: Alienware M17x Order
Primary Battery: Primary 9 cell Li-Ion Default Base Battery
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-3610QM (6MB Cache, up to 3.3GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0)
Camera: Integrated Skype HD Certified FullHD Camera with dual digital microphones
Color Choice: Alienware M17x Nebula Red
Avatar: Alienware Logo
TimeZone: (GMT + 00.00) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
AlienFx Colour: Mars Red
Accidental Damage Support: No Accidental Damage Protection
Theft Protection Solution: Computrace LoJack for Laptops, 3yrs license
Pre Installed Software: Steam® Factory Installed and Steam Extra Content
LCD: 17.3" WideFHD (1920 x 1080) WLED LCD
Additional Software: Alienware M17x Resource DVD
Protect your new PC: McAfee® SecurityCenter 30 Day trial version
Power Supply: 240W AC Adaptor

 

I built allmost an identical computer this Monday, may I ask what Delivery time you got ? see if it differs alot in Europe alot.
I live in sweden and got the 30th of August estimated.
Also interesting what´s your total for the order ?
With som disscounts I landed on $2153/£1366 (converted from SEK).

 

It has a date of the 29th.

 

Pretty close to my build, IT IS AWESOME!

 

Hey guys I just need a few things clearing up as I am a noob. If you have the r3, you wouldn't be able to upgrade the cpu to an ivy bridge only sa sandy bridge, would this be correct? Is the difference between the two significant? And just to double clarify, if I were to purchase an r4 I would be able to upgrade the cpu and gpu after manufacture, yeah?

I've also been through the thread, and there seems to be a consensus that it's highly recommendable that I should get the 7970M but it isn't advised to get the 3720QM unless I am going to be involved in heavy audio and video editing.

I would only be using my r4 solely for gaming purposes, mainly WoW, LoL and more than likely GW2 when it is released - for these games, would you guys recommend 7970m or stick with the base one? I intend to play on at least high settings, preferably ultra.

I intend to buy off the alienware website. So any information and feedback would be greatly appreciated

Edit: If I am going to upgrade to the 7970M, it's also advisable to get 1080p, right?

 

I think you can upgrade the CPU in the r3 to Ivy Bridge I think I read that somewhere... and I don't see why not. But I'm not sure. And the difference is not that significant.

The r4 I'm pretty sure yes you can upgrade them later. The GPU for sure at least.

If you don't intend on getting 3D then yes get the 7970m it's a beast. About the 3720qm... I would definitely suggest against the 3610qm if that's what you're talking about.. but no real life difference really.

With the 7970m you'll be able to play WoW etc on Ultra no problem, definitely don't stick to base GPU.

1080p is a must... do not skimp on the screen.

 

The R3 can only handle Sandy Bridge processors. The R4 can handle both the Sandy Bridge or Ivy Bridge.

As with any Alienware, you can upgrade after purchase. Just make sure the hardware is compatible.

If you need to save the $150, or whatever it costs to upgrade to the 3720QM, then the 3610QM should be fine for you. You could always upgrade that later on, especially if you plan on going upgrading to the XM processor, then save your money now.

I would go for the 7970M over any of the current cards that are available. If 3D is important to you, then I would wait until the 680Ms are back in stock.

Definitely go for the 1080p screen, you'll be kicking yourself later on if you don't.

 

Thank leo and skyline, much appreciated. Yeah i think i've decided what setup i want exactly. Just a general curiosity, but what other laptops can be upgraded after purchase? I am assuming not many. Gonna order mine next week, looking forward to it.

 

Sager can. Do some research on Asus and MSI, I'm not sure about those ones.

Either way I highly recommend Alienware over those brands.

 

If I ever were to go to the R4 line, the CPU would HAVE to be capable of handling a virtual machine, namely the 3720QM at least. I use a virtual machine too often to sacrifice that. It's usually what keeps me from upgrading because that's a $150 extra that I really can't afford to use, but I'm not about to sacrifice the 1080p screen OR the GPU if I'm spending that amount of money.

So hard to choose at times. Though the 7970M would probably be my GPU pick. I've had only a few problems with the 6970M and they aren't bad enough to negate the benefits of a powerful GPU. A GTX 570-level GPU would be all I'd need. The whole GTX 680M overclocking thing is nice and all... but really... I don't do anything that requires ANYTHING near to that level of POWA.

 

The only thing that worries me about the M17x (680m)... is future proofing.
With so many games coming out like:
Medal of Honor: Warfighter
Battlefield 4 (soon enough)
Dead Space 3
Assassin's Creed 3
Crysis 3
Metro: Last Light

Worried that for now it can play anything on Ultra... but very soon will have to start toning down some settings /:

 

That's just the name of the game. You can never "future proof" your system, by means of always being able to play games on ultra settings. You can "future proof" your system to be able to play games on medium to high settings for the next few years though.

There's always something bigger and badder around the corner. If you have to play everything on ultra settings, expect to upgrade your system every 6-12 months.

 

Nah I know there's still some older cards that still play today's games on Ultra... and I'm fine with playing on Medium a couple years from now..
It's just one of my thoughts between the M18x and the M17x..

 

Hello

Im looking forward to build my Alienware 17

What do you recomment guys?

Im planing to upgrade ssd and ram my self already got samsun830 256gb waiting laptop

I will use this pc for gaming all the time not planing to upgrade it after 1year or 2

Budget 2500usd without upgrades fees


How do i get dell coupon ?
Thanks in advance

 

Your budget is $2500?

Then go Alienware M17x R4 with 3720QM and 680M (out of stock as of now) or 7970M and just stay with the 500GB 7200 RPM and make sure you also get the Killer Wireless, then that's pretty much it 8 GB ram is enough for gaming. Make sure you get the FULL HD screen resolution!

 

So xotic has the m17x I'd like. I wonder if I can pick it up there since I live here?

 

I don't know that much about the killer wireless, but I've heard it is only 'actually' useful if you're in uni dorms or something where the router is rooms away, if you intend to to game near your router, you'll be fine. But then again, the extra cost on the killer isn't that much of a big deal.

Kyrius has got it spot on other than that.

 

Hi,

Can someone explain to me how the "mSATA SSD" works? Does the PC boot from the mSATA and programs run from the other drives?

Example:

Code:

- 128GB Crucial Solid State mSATA III (Primary Drive w/ O.S. Installed)
- 240GB Intel 520 Series Solid State Drive (Up to Sequential Read 550MB/s - Write 520MB/s SSD2 Serial-ATA III)
- 240GB Intel 520 Series Solid State Drive (Up to Sequential Read 550MB/s - Write 520MB/s SSD2 Serial-ATA III)
- Raid 0 Stripe Enabled (Combines Hard Drives for performance)

Would this be optimal for performance? I assume when you install programs, they install to the 240GB SSD's, correct? Or do they install to the mSATA SSD?

Please let me know, thank you!

 

Since I cancelled my last order (system was eating my laptop it seemed) I'm looking at bumping it up a bit. I have my base configuration that I originally got + 2 alternatives. Which do you think would be the better alternative? I've attached them via PDF but I'll also detail them here a bit.

	Base	Alt 1	Alt 2
CPU	i7-3610QM	i7-3720QM	i7-3820QM
GPU	Radeon HD 7970m	GTX 680m	Radeon HD 7970m
HD	500GB SATA II	500GB SATA II	750GB SATA II
WiFi	Wireless-N 2230	Killer Wireless-N 1103	Killer Wireless-N 1103
Price	$1,898	$2,468	$2,368

 

I'd purchase Alternative 1. With that CPU and GPU, you will be very satisfied. The HDD & RAM can be upgraded later on.

 

The Msata is just another SATA connector/port designed with SSD's in mind. It is SATA 2 speed. The most common use is for a small SSD and set up as a caching drive for a mechanical boot drive. When configured (in intel RST) as a caching drive it will not show up as a drive in windows. The RAID controller hides it and copies all file access onto it for future fast access. As it fills up older files are overwritten.

If you have an SSD as a boot drive then this is only going to be of use if you use it for a small SSD to accelerate a second mechanical drive. Or you could put in a 3rd large SSD and RAID 0 them all as a single drive.Looking at that setup you will see one large disk but as the msata in the R4 is sata 2 all the drives will operate at that speed. Probably not noticeable on SSD's though...

 

So, it's pointless to get a mSATA SSD then? It will only slow down the other SSD's, as in the configuration above?

 

Correct, unless you want the extra space in a single drive configuration.

I had a boot SSD running at SATA 2 (in an R3) and when I 'fixed' it the only difference I could see was a couple of seconds off boot time. Nothing in real usage - only showed in benchmarking though...

 

So I called and managed to get the price down a bit. So after weighing my options I went for Alt 2. J.Dre did give an honest opinion but I weighed my options and went for the better balance. I spoke to Dell and they gave me free NBD shipping, $100 off the price, EPP pricing, and a $200 gift card (the student promo). So hopefully by the 7th it will be here.

P.S. It ended up at 2220+tax.

 

Im trying to figure out which video card would go well with my setup. I plan to use the laptop for gaming. I'm unsure which video card would be the best choice based on my other choices and help would be great.

PROCESSOR: 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3720QM (6MB Cache, up to 3.6GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0)
OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit
MEMORY: 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz (2DIMMS)
HARD DRIVE:500GB 7,200 RPM SATA 3Gb/s
VIDEO CARD: 2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon™ HD 7970M
LCD PANEL: 17.3-inch WideFHD 1920 x 1080 60Hz WLED
WIRELESS CARD: Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO for Gaming & Video and Bluetooth 4.0
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE: Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)

Other Options
2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M
2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon™ HD 7970M
2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 675M
2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 680M

Did you just straight up ask for a discount or how did you get the price lowered?

 

660M no way.
675M no way.

7970m and 680m are pretty much equal with performance. If you want 120Hz 3D, get the 680m. If you'd get the 60Hz screen then 7970m all the way.

 

Lol.. I told them I had a 2k budget and no matter what I ended up choosing I needed to be able to pay it off by the time the promo period was done. I also told him that there were other cheaper options I was looking at from other companies. I was putting it on my Dell Preferred Account plus I already had the EPP from my employer. They just helped me out by giving me the gift card and the extra $100. The guy said he couldn't do better than that but it was better than I was expecting anyways.

This thread will help you for that: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/456885-aw-dell-ordering-advice-how-save.html

The phone number in the OP post is what I used but there is no more option 3. It's all voice prompts now. I just went "New Computer", "Individual", then "Alienware".

 

Agreed, only choose between the two, or you may regret big time. (I remember when I bought an Alienware M18x with just the 560m, such a regret!)

 

Thanks for the help going with the 7970m.

 

Great choice there Deadmarine, can't go wrong with the two (680M and 7970M)

 

Hey guys one question cuz it's 4am and I'm feeling kinda slow.

The m17x with the true 120Hz screen.. when you plug in your ps3 to the hdmi, the screen is true 120Hz no matter if the ps3 outputs 60hz..

Because if that's true I believe that could be a little beneficial for gaming such as CoD.. as no matter what the input people in shops etc notice more smoothness on 120hz vs. 60hz even when displaying the same 24fps or whatever stuff..

Just something that came to my mind doesn't really matter

 

^ I also noticed that too. But I don't see any questions posted..?

 

Difficult to say, the difference seen in TV stores is due to the TV's using higher Hz with propriety 'screen smoothing' technology to get around the awful 24 fps reaction times during fast movement.

 

Yeah I know about the interpolating etc... But either way 60fps + 60Hz ... vs 60fps + 120Hz everything is getting refreshed twice should give the illusion of more smoothness and no chances of a frame being skipped..

I know no details, I'll just have to wait and see from experience. These are just my hopes I have a great TV... but if my ps3 played CoD better on this true 120hz screen that would be just an awesome bonus to getting the whole laptop in the first place

 

Yup, always my advice - look at it and see, everyone sees things slightly differently and that would be an awesome bonus.

I have a pretty good 400hz, 3dtv and can say that at 1920x1080 the 24 fps is unplayable. Input lag is just too much, but drop it down to 720 @50hz and it works great with no noticeable loss of quality (in 3D). Looks sooo much better than the ps3

 

REALLY REALLY Wanting to get a m17x but the price is killing me. I have to get a car since I'm giving mine to my brother here soon and need to pay off my tool loan. I mean I have more than enough the 500 for the 680 is just what kills me. If a rep could get me a decently good price then I'd jump on it. Seeing as though I play a lot of BF3 the 7970m will not do. I've read of too many problems with it.

 

You're not going anywhere on Ultra, apparently, but the 675m should work fine for most games, including BF3 on High and most others on Ultra. I got mine with the 675m, but it isn't here yet, so I've no personal experience to share as of now, but that link should give you loads of information on that card and others as well, including benchmarks for many popular games.

EDIT: I'm not much of an overclocker myself, but there are also options for overclocking the 675m IIRC, and options for upgrading in the future, since it's an alienware and all.

 

That's weird, I play Battlefield 3 completely fine (Ultra) on my Alienware M17x R4 7970M. I am loving my 7970M!

 

Hi, Like Kyrius and darkmagshin say, you're good to go right now with either the 7970m or the 675m if that extra cost is too much of a hit.

The 7970m sounds a better performer in actual power than the 675m but as you say, has some driver problems.

Are you interested in the 3D? That will make a big difference to your future options if you go for one of these cards. I'd go for the 120hz display (as I did!) since I really like the extra 'dimension' it adds to games. This will restrict you to NV cards though.

The 675 plays all the titles I've tried on max (except in 3d where a small OC helps) so I'd say it's going to work very well for you right now.

HTH

 

Same here. My 7970M rips through every game I've tried with it. It has been 100% stable and no issues whatsoever. I play BF3 with zero issues. Looks and runs fantastic.

 

Id like to run BF3 on ultra not high. I trust nvidea more than AMD but have never owned a AMD card. Maybe I should just give it a try.

 

Well, I just spent an hour or so blasting through BF3 on ultra and although I don't do on-line so can't say how that impacts it, it plays great with around 25-35 FPS most of the time, a few drops and highs but nothing that seems to hit game play.

 

Alienware M17x R4 7970M - Battlefield 3 on Ultra - YouTube
Here's my Test Video Gameplay on Battlefield 3 Ultra (7970M). Fraps capped at 30FPS so the GPU utilization didn't go any further than 80%

HUGE DONUT On Battlefield 3 // Alienware M17x R4 Overclocked 7970M - Battlefield 3 on Ultra - YouTube
This is my Test Video Gameplay on Battlefield 3 Ultra (7970M) and overclocked. Fraps capped at 60FPS so the GPU was utilized well.