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

I dont understand how people get such insane EPP discounts. I've tried my university EPP, my work EPP, my sister's work EPP, etc and all I get is the same $30 bucks off for "Members get the best pricing"...

 

Some places are better than others. It's possible to go even lower shipped, it just depends where you buy.

 

Quick question... who is the Allan guy that people are sending their orders to? Is he a rep that gives good discounts?

 

Here you go, read thru this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...e-us-canada-upgrade-new-system-purchases.html

 

gUYS..I AM PLANNING TO BUY...BUT NOT ABLE TO DECIDE BETWEEN 660M OR 675M...IS THERE HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PERFORMANCE...PLEASE LET ME KNOW ...THANK YOU.

 

you should really get 7970m bro, it is 60% more powerful than an 675m and twice more than a 660m..

 

bud ...i am more of Nvidia guy...so was thinking eiter 660 or 675 but its like 350 bucks more....worth it

 

if you are nvidia fan (we all are ) just wait a couple more months and get 680m

 

I totally feel your pain. I first was going with the 660m, then after reading here decided that I should give amd a shot. Now I am back sitting the fence after the b3/blizzard news about 12.4. I just do not want to hate my first AW because I took a risk on ati again. I swore them off 12+ years ago.

An informative discussion on the current nvidia options would be very useful to people. Waiting a couple on months is not really an option as the laptop will miss summer vacation time. Plus, god knows how much the 680m option will cost.

 

Definitely call and order on the phone or ask for a quote from Allan in that Sales Assistance thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...e-us-canada-upgrade-new-system-purchases.html

You should get 10% or more off. I have one configured with a 3720QM, 7970M, and 1080p screen (all else default). The website final price is $2163.93 ($2120.64 with my student discount). My discounted price from emailing Allan is $1963.93. Should I pull the trigger?

 

From what I've seen, 10% isn't much. Have you tried haggling over the phone?

 

I have been trying to figure out what will be the most beneficial setup for me based on the options for drives on the M17x R4. I'm also considering an M18x, although I believe I am now leaning more toward the M17x...although the answer to this should be the same for either model I think.

Both of these come out in the price range I am most interested in staying within:
750GB 7,200 RPM + 32GB mSATA Caching SSD
500GB 7,200 RPM Storage + 64GB mSATA Boot Drive

What are the advantages on one configuration over the other? I realize that the one has 250GB more space, and half the mSATA space. But what about real world use...which is the more logical choice? I tend to use hibernate quite a bit so the computer is exactly where I left it when I go back, so would that impact which may be the best option for me? I think the caching SSD would be better for gaming, but again, not 100% sure.

Also I believe that I can add another data drive later if I go with either of the two above configurations as the M17x will have another drive bay, correct?

Thanks in advance!

 

It's a lot to me considering I didn't upgrade the RAM and HDD which they make a lot of profit on.

 

Ya, Allan gives good quotes; much better than anything I ever got calling in. If you're happy with it, pull the trigger. You can try asking him to knock off a little more/expedite the shipping; worse case he says no and the quote stands as is.

 

While I have found a lot of info about changing graphics cards and installing RAM, I am less confident I understand the limitations of what I can do with disk drives in an m17x. I plan to get an R4 with a single 750GB disk and would like to add a second disk with as large a capacity as possible. I found a comment on youtube saying that a certain blue 1TB disk would not fit. The comment was not clear as to the "fit" was the physical size of the disk or the actual size (as in 1TB).

What are the limitations in terms of the 2 primary HDD slots? Anyone care to recommend disk setup that would give maximum TB storage? I find the options at dell a bit strange so I begin to wonder if there is something I should know about before ordering.

Thanks

 

Just upgrade the configurater to the 750gb and then buy one off of amazon, you can raid them were it will be 1.5tb on one logical drive. Then get a m-sata drive for caching.

 

I have a few questions for you sir, Please forgive my newbness on these topics. mSata drives are a new concept to me. I didn't even know they existed until I started checking out Alienware's again.

I would assume all you would need to do would be to turn on raid in your bios after installing the second drive to enable it or would you need to re install?

You say to get the 750 drive, get a second drive from newegg or amazon or w/e and then get a msata drive. But how/where exactly does a msata drive connect on the mobo for the m17x r4 if you're already using both sata ports/connections with each of the 750 drives?

 

The M17x has 2 sata ports and 1 m-sata port. Im not for sure how the m-sata works, you can ask around on it. As for the sata HDDS, you just buy the second one and the dock comes with the computer. I never have played with raid that much so, again, you will have to ask how to raid. The m-sata caches commonly used files onto the drive, that way when you go to access it its on the m-sata vs the sata drives. (Correct me if I'm wrong)

 

Thanks for your help. I am correct in assuming that there is a disk size limit somehow in the bios or something? The dell options are 1x750gb 7200rpm or 2x1TB 5400rpm, I would prefer 2x750 at 7200rpm and can easily add the second drive on arrival, but wonder why not just put in 1TB (or more) as the 2nd drive.

The msata has a port on the mobo and an independent location in the chassis? That would be excellent if I could add a second HDD and an msata to the m17x.

 

If you're talking about the WD Scroprio Blue; it should fit as it's 9.5mm.

There is no disk size limit. If you choose to go 750 and then add a 1tb drive then you can't raid them; well you can but it defeats the purpose of buying a 1tb drive. But yes you can add a 1tb drive yourself; and there's nothing larger in capacity for laptops as far as I know/have seen.

 

i would go with the 2 750gb, I'd prefer the speed over storage space. You can always buy 1.5tb external 3.0 drives and just plug in when you need it.

 

I think he was replying to my earlier question, which is what I plan to do, but do not see why dell just cannot offer that configuration in the first place.

For your questions, I am in process of getting my m17x order together but I do not expect to do much with it on the battery. The questions you asked that I can answer are yes more disks, more power sucked off the battery and yes better heat paste, less power sucked. With better paste the heat dissipates better and the components get less hot, so less power spinning the fans, but honestly, these laptops are not going to game long without being plugged in.

 

Why are you so much concern on the battery life? If you intend to play demanding games, then you cant play on battery as your GPU will require plugged-in power.

 

Hi, im purchasing a M17x today, but im still pondering some changes on the configuration. Thats what im thinking right now:
Processor 3820qm
GC 7970m
Ram 8gb
HD 750gb
Accidental damages care
BRdisk combo
FHD display

What do u think? any advice?

 

it's a lot cheaper to go with the base ram and hdd, i.e. 6gb and 500gb hdd, and upgrade yourself.

also, do you really need accidental damages care? i usually advise people against it. but only you can be the judge of that...

otherwise, it looks good. some might question 3820qm cuz it offers little performance upgrade compare to the lessor model in actual gaming situation but since i also got the 3820qm, cannot really blame u for that

 

Where i purchase the computer, thats the minimun processor, ram and HD elegible. The others are the extras. The actual price for that configuration is 1499 euros, as reference.

 

Hello all, I am new here, it is really nice to find a place full of Alienware fans.
I am going to buy a m17x r4 through Hideveloution as well, I have few questions like to ask. Any help would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance.

1, the video card. I am not a hardcore gamer. I am thinking to get the 660m for now, and upgrade it to 680m later if that is needed. So does the 660m capable to handle most the games on the market? And does it really worth to spend the extra for 7970m?

2, the msata. It is totally new to me, I am assuming it is a small version of ssd. My question is what is the different between HDD+msata Caching SSD/Boot Drive and having the OS on a SSD with a HDD as storage?

3, As I am buying from HID, I am thinking to buy the cheaper option of RAM. Is there any big difference in term of performance or quality?

4, Is there any Aussie here? Obviously we can't get the discount through Allen. I just like to know how much discount could you get if you call the Aus sales team. Most likely I will order from HID, but the warranty is still a concern to me.

 

Anyone knows if 3820qm processor is overclockeable?
If not, there is any processor able?

 

That sounds like a great price for that configuration. I'd say go for it.

 

nope and you should look at 3920XM.

 

Crap, that processor is not avaiable in my country, do u think that this one will be enough to max out Diablo3? is what im buying the laptop for.

 

nah for Diablo III the standard 3610QM should be more than enough, no need to spend more money for other CPU.

 

The 3610 will easily keep up with D3 when paired with the 7970m. That 3920xm processor is not available stock in an m17x. You would have to buy one separately and install it yourself, but in my opinion it is not worth the expense for gaming.

 

I am pretty sure the 12.4 AMD driver issue with d3 does not affect the 7970m, but can anyone confirm this? Anyone with this card in an AW that played the beta/demo using 12.4 driver?

From: ATI Radeon HD 3800 - Forums - Diablo III

 

As I understand it is basically the same chip clocked a little faster so it should be slightly quicker and consume slightly more power.

 

Spec'd this out on AAFES

Also what brand SSD does Alienware use?

 

Hi, do somebody has some guesses as to when GTX 680M will be released. I dont wanna go with the HD 7970M as I'm worried it might be too noisy (is it true, do amd cards run louder?) and I also was thinking of going with the 3D screen for the laptop. Are there any guesses if the GTX 680M might release in May. I can wait till May but I can't wait for many months.

If I go with AMD HD7970M my concerns are if there is a feature for automatic switching between GPU and CPU (I think its called Enduro, but I don't know if it works or not). Secondly, the noise issues with the AMD cards compared to NVIDIA gpus. Any one who is knowledgeable about these matters, care to elaborate for me. Thanks.

 

Does anyone know if the m4 supports sata3

 

Is that $1954 shipped? Is this a refurb? If that is new, that's pretty good, especially with a 256 gig SSD and 16 gigs ram

Alienware uses the Samsung 830, but they normally charge an arm and a leg for ram and SSD upgrades

can you buy this without the SSD and minimal ram amount?

 

I can buy it without ssd and 8gb ram for $1500 with same cpu and gpu.

Not a refurb.

 

ok...a crucial M4 SSD is less than $1 per gig now and you can get 8 gigs of ram for about $40. So from that perspective, it is cheaper to do those items yourself. However, $1500 is a great deal on that laptop with a i7 3820, 1080p and 7970m

 

How does the 7970m stack up these days as far as performance compared to crossfire 6990's?

EDIT:
Went with this one which included shipping and no tax... $1504 OTD!!!!!!

I'll probably add an intel 520 ssd.

 

Equal or very close

 

Hey guys, this is gonna be my first time purchasing an Alienware and have a couple of questions regarding the specs. Sorry if this has been discussed before, I tried searching and couldn't find anything.

Right now I'm looking at the M17x R4, and don't know whether I should go with the GTX 675m or the AMD 7970m. Which one do you guys recommend? Also, as for the HDD, is the 750GB + 32GB mSATA drive considerably faster than a regular 750GB or 1TB HDD? Thanks!

 

Hey guys, this is gonna be my first time purchasing an Alienware and have a couple of questions regarding the specs.

Right now I'm looking at the M17x R4, and don't know whether I should go with the GTX 675m or the AMD 7970m. Which one do you guys recommend? Also, as for the HDD, is the 750GB + 32GB mSATA drive considerably faster than a regular 750GB or 1TB HDD? Thanks!

 

Go with the 7970m, it is considerably better.

 

How did u get it without any tax ???

Can someone pls tell me how to get low or no tax. I was just gna order when I found out thathat I have to pay $191 tax !!!!!

Isn't that pretty high ?

 

Tax is tax. It's whatever applies to your location. You need to have access to the AAFES deal to get those prices/no tax.

 

What do you guys think of this ?

Alienware M17x ($2,346.28) ---- Including $191.26 tax !!!!!

3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3720QM
6GB DDR3 at 1600MHz (2DIMMS)
750GB 7,200 RPM
2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon™ HD 7970M
17.3-inch WideFHD 1920 x 1080 60Hz
Intel® Advanced-N WiFi Link 6250 a/g/n 2x2 MIMO Technology with WiMax and Bluetooth 4.0
Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)

i also ordered a Samsung 830 GB SSD and will order 8GB MHz Corsair Vengeance RAM.

so i will have two hds...but this lefts me wondering, wat can i do with the empty mSATA slot ?


----- will be ordering it soon, so lemme know if i shud change smthn

thanks !

 

Hi everyone, i was checking the specs and these ports are listed:

•(3x) Auto-sensing jacks for Line-out (2 line out; 1x SPDIF/Headphone)

what could you use the 2 line out for?
i have checked the pictures of the machine and, maybe i am mistaken, but it apparently shows two headphones jack, is it true or not?

another concern i have is the power and quality of the speakers, is the bass strong enough to notice it, i understand it lacks subwoofer?

Thanks in advance