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

Ah, sorry, not a problem for me and I don't have the intel low power GPU. Just gets a little warm. If you hear the fans then you are either completely blocking the intakes or something is 'pushing' it . My GPU fan runs at it's slowest setting - not even audible, or switches off altogether when I'm just in windows.

 

I see alright then. Makes me feel better about ordering this huge thing lol. I really didn't know what else to get since everything else looks ugly or doesn't have good build quality. I essentially need something almost as good as my desktop for when I am not home or when I just don't feel like sitting at my desktop.

 

That's what I got it for (DTR). This thing performs easily as well as my 2x295 (quad SLI) + 9600 Physics, desktop rig!

 

Now I just need to find some games to play it on. I don't really play anything besides WOW sometimes. Maybe I should get back into starcraft and counterstrike. I have skyrim and COD but I play those on the xbox.

 

Grab Crysis 3 for awesome graphics and great gameplay (IMO)

If you get a 3D model, Batman Arkham city is very good, away blows away people when I show it! Most common response, 'how can you go back to 'normal' gaming after that!'.

 

I looked at crysis and while it looks cool idk if it looks that fun. I never cared for batman arkam even though I love batman and battlefield 3 looks like a worse version of COD

 

Well fun is totally subjective

The thing I really like with BM Arkham City is the awesome graphics, and with depth perception. Those slo-mo knock-downs in super high res..oooooooo

For something completely different check out the portal franchise. Great fun I thought, and the very best and funniest dialogue I've ever come across in a game. Played both through 3 times to make sure I hadn't missed any lines!

Far Cry 3 and Tomb raider are my current faves though I'm getting into cimcity ATM.

 

Yes fun is subjective. I'm trying to get into the high graphics game but none of them are really pulling me. I'll probably reactiviate my subscription for wow and get back to that. And I'll get starcraft 2 as well. I definitely will get elder scrolls online but that doesn't come out till December.

Maybe I'll get the new COD BO2 for PC since I still haven't bought it. Plus a game like batman I think would be fair easier to play on a controller. I only want to get games that were designed for PCs like first person shooters, RPGs etc...

 

Forgot, have you checked out metro 2033? It's best on KB and mouse and pushes graphics. I do use a controller for the 'ports' like batman as they are better suited.

Good luck in your search

 

Whats metro 2033?

 

FPS action adventure. Check out some youtube vids to see gameplay

 

Maybe I'll try crysis. Is it a game that can be good on the PC? Also I have to get COD MW3 for PC too. I'll get battlefield as well and starcraft.

 

What do you guys think of the 120Hz screen? I ordered it but I'm not sure if it was worth the extra $250.

 

not good choice optimus not working with 120mhz screen, for me regular screen have better white color

 

I think it's great. Super high FPS on older games and the 3D is awesome (in the right games). Also you loose the intel GPU so no optimus - do you need long battery life when you can't game on battery anyway?

You are locking youself into NV if you want to upgrade the video later though...

 

I prefer NVIDIA anyway, so that's fine with me. I assume it works with both movies and games, right?

 

Are you asking if it works for 3D movies? I haven't tried it yet but it is supposed to. Must get around to buying one to check it out! It does drive 3D TV's out-of-the-box with a free add-on you get with the 3D model.

Normal movies are fine.

 

Wait what? What do you mean you lose the intel GPU? I'm confused now. I ordered mine with the 3d screen because I assumed it would have better quality than the regular screen (like how 3d LCDs are usually better than regular LCDs) and also because it has a higher refresh rate at 120 instead of 60.

But what are these drawbacks? I need my laptop to actually last longer than 2 hours when I have it unplugged. How much power does this drain? Will not having optimus be that big a deal? If so I need to cancel my order immediately and re-order with the regular screen.

 

Good points. I'd like to know this as well...

 

Yeah, it's a bit complex but basically only an NV card can drive a native 120hz monitor without a driver (like at boot). If they had chosen a dual sync panel the problem would not occur. I think it's bad that dell do not make this clear but I guess it's in some small print somewhere.

There are two drawbacks:

1 You are not being 'green' with power usage

2. Battery life is reduced from around 5.5 hours to 2.5.

Bonus I see is no optimus issues or 'confused' games that use the wrong GPU!

 

I think I read somewhere that there is a button to disable optimus for the m17 r4. Is that true?

 

Not exactly a button, but yes!

You have to have your OS installed with the BIOS/UEFI set to BIOS mode. You have to have Dell's Alienware On Screen Display software installed (or possibly the Alienware Command Center software, or possibly both...they're lightweight, seem to cause no problems).

Assuming those things, you just hold down the Function key and hit F7. The F7 key even has a "I/D GFX" label on it (for Integrated/Dedicated Graphics). A Windows prompt will pop up with a message about rebooting with the integrated graphics disabled. Hit reboot, and it comes back up running only from the real GPU. Do it again to re-enable Optimus/Enduro.

I wish all notebooks had the ability to disable Optimus! Unfortunately this is one of the few notebooks that lets you di sable it, and also works fine with Nvidia's normal drivers (sounds like Clevo doesn't? These are better built too).

 

I was planning to buy an m17x and came across the Xbox wireless controller at the "Personalize" - "PC games & Controllers" page. Now I'm 100% sure that the wireless version of the controller wont work with any PCs without the Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver attached. But the Alienware site says nothing about the receiver and the total cost of the controller is shown as some 49 $, which means only the controller is bundled with the m17x, not the receiver. I just wanted to make sure that there is no receiver given with the laptop, as i wish not to purchase the controller if the case is so. I'd rather buy a wired one for half the price.


I desperately want to know whether there'll be a receiver bundled with the system(external or internal), or i have to buy one separately after purchasing the system.

 

If you buy the 360 wireless controller for PC it comes with a (way too big and cludgy for a laptop ) USB receiver, nio built in receiver. The controller is the same as an x-box one and can work on either. I use one and all I purchased extra is the rechargeable battery

HTH

 

Module Description Show Details

Alienare M17X R4 Alienware M17X R4 with Soft Touch

Operating System Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit

Processor 3rd generation Intel® Core™ i7-3740QM processor (6MB Cache, up to 3.7GHz w/Turbo Boost 2.0)

Memory 16GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz (4DIMMS)

Keyboard English Keyboard

Display Panels 17.3-inch WideFHD 1920 x 1080 60Hz WLED

Video Card 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 680M

Hard Drive 256GB SSD SATA 6Gb/s

AlienFX Terra Green

Hinge Up Stealth Black with Soft Touch Finish

Adobe Reader Acrobat SW Adobe Acrobat X Reader

Optical Driver Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)

Audio Creative Sound Blaster Recon3Di with THX TruStudio Pro Software

Wireless Networking Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 2230 With Bluetooth 4.0

Adapter Alienware M17x 240W A/C Adapter

Documentation Alienware Documentation

Office Productivity Software Microsoft® Office trial

Shipping Material Shipping Material - Black

Security Software McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months

Additional Software Additional Software

Primary Battery 90WHr 9-Cell Primary Battery

Hardware Support Services 1 Year Alienware Basic Support

Complete Care 1 Year Protection Package

Alien Wallpaper Alienhead Chrome Blue

WirelessHD None

Standard Nameplate Trigger Standard Nameplate

TOTAL: $2,598.99

 

Nice, bro. I myself have just also ordered an M17x with an i7 3630QM, AMD HD 7970M, 8gb RAM, 500gb 7200RPM HDD, Killer Wireless and a 1080p screen for $1550.

When will your M17x be arriving? Mine is expected to come between May 1st - May 5th.

 

That is a ridiculous deal, how did you get it?

 

That configuration looks good, but I would call Dell and see if I could get it for under $2000 before buying it.

 

I used 2 coupons which in total took off $250 and then I talked with a sales rep and haggled the price down further.

 

Extend your warranty. Trust me, you will be hugely glad if you ever need it.

 

Congrats on the system, very nice specs, hope you get introduced to the wonderful world of overclocking, your system will want it lol

 

That's a great build, you will love it.

 

I would change the "AlienFX Terra Green" to Mars Red, it runs a little cooler with this colour. :thumbsup:

 

Hello NBR,

Although this is my first post, I have been using this site for years to answer questions regarding my past and present systems. I am looking to upgrade (a lot) from my current Asus N61 to an M17x. I've already decided on the i7-3840QM and GTX 680 (I would like this system to last a long time, and I am willing to pay a premium for those components). However, I still have a few questions.

1) I will be buying stock hard drive and RAM, then upgrading upon receiving my computer. For the HDD, I am looking at the Samsung 840 series SSDs to complement the stock drive. For RAM, I am deciding between the Corsair Vengeance and Kingston HyperX (16GB/1600mHz each). If anyone has experience with these products in their M17x, any feedback would be appreciated.

2) Another HDD question: Can I replace the slot-load drive with another HDD in the future?

3) I noticed the R4 has a HDMI-in port. Has anyone had any experience with it?

4) Last, even with the measly Dell Membership Discount, this setup is still going to run almost $2600. Although money is not necessarily an issue, the less I pay, the better. Is it worth haggling with a representative? Or am I not going to get more than the $100 discount I get now.

Thank you all in advance for your answers.

 

Firstly if you want to save a bit, the 3740qm might be a better option, its slightly cheaper and the performance decrease is negligible.

1) I did the same, I ordered some generic CL10 ram and a samsung 830, they run fine. Any ram will be fine, but if you have the slower included ram (CL11) then all sticks run at the slowest speed.

2) Yes you can, you may need a cage but it is possible (you also have a msata as well)

3) Works at intended. Plug and go pretty much.

4) Should be able to get a better deal. Or try the Costco deal lurking around the website.

 

Thanks for the quick reply.

So just to clarify, if the slot-load drive is there, you have 2 2.5" bays and 1 mSATA bay?

 

Yeah, you have 2 normal 2.5 bays, one DVD drive bay and a mSATA slot. (the 2 HDD 2.5 bays are SATA III /6gbs )the others are SATA II / 3GBs speed.

 

Perfect, thanks.

As per your suggestion, I looked at the ark and found little difference between the two processors. I will be saving some money with the 3740. Now I wait.

 

Hi everyone, i PO-ed one M17X-R4 with these spec below :

Processor :

• 3rd Generation Intel Core i7 3840QM [8MB Cache , up to 3.8GHz w/ Turbo Boost]

Memory :

• 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz

Harddisk :

• 500GB SATA-II 7.200-RPM

Operating System :

• Windows 7

Video Card :

• 2GB GDDR5 AMD RADEON HD-7970M

LCD Panel :

• 17.3 inch WideFHD 1920x1080 60Hz WLED

Optical Disc Drive :

• Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner [DVD+-RW, CD-RW]

Wireless Adapter :

• Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2230 With Bluetooth 4.0

Colour :

• Space Black Anodized Aluminium

I'm wondering if i choose a wrong spec ?

1. is it better to buy Sata-0 or the other HDD than the regular one ? [The price difference is sooooo godly ]
2. the OS, is it better to get win-8 ?
3. many ppl said that 680M is better than 7970M, is it true ? [I Bought the 7970M coz many review said 7970M is now better with new catalyst release]
4. is it better to buy a 120Hz+3D Screen ? [Assume that i have 680M that support 3D, coz i read that 7970m doesn't support 3D]
5. wi-fi killer is better than the regular wi-fi adaptor ? [But the clerk at the store said that if the router doesn't have the proper things that support killer wi-fi its going to work like any other regular wi-fi adaptop ? doesn't really understand what he means though =_=" ]

i'm going to use this laptop mostly for online gaming + offline gaming [With Ultra setting]
the total price is about $2800+
Worth it ?

Thank you before for those who is going to answer my question
And sorry if my grammar sucks [i'm an asian] ^^

 

Not even almost worth it.
Sorry. You got ripped off.

 

You could have bought one with the same specifications and a longer warranty for $1000 less. Those are US dollars, right?

 

Yes i know the price is not normal, because i live and buy it @Indonesia , the price here is more expensive than the western country, no matter where i ask the price ( Every shop @Indonesia ) is the same so i dont think i got ripped off.

Yes i convert it to US dollars so it would be more easier for you ppl to see, coz i thought that the majority of this forums is US resident ?

 

1. SSD's are the best. You can upgrade this later.

2. Windows 8 is more efficient and boots faster, but most games are better on Windows 7.

3. The 680M is a better card, not for performance as much as for drivers and overall quality. I'm sure you'll be fine with the 7970M - it can handle any game.

4. The 3D is nice to have but reduces battery life by a good 50%. Unless you plan to use the 3D regularly, it's not worth it in my opinion. You can't really tell the difference in the screen while gaming (120Hz vs 60Hz) with such a small screen. 40" or more it makes a big difference.

5. Killer wireless is best for gaming over a wifi network. Google it and you'll learn a lot. This is easy to upgrade also... YouTube tutorials!

Overall, good system but you paid too much. Enjoy and take care of it. When that warranty expires, if something breaks, you are out of luck.

 

Thx for replying, i know that SSD is good but the price is too much for me i think. maybe i'll go to win-8 at later time, so 7970M is the right choice after all ^^
I see, so 120Hz really takes twice the battery power because its refreshing @120 times/sec ? thx for the information
i'll think about upgrading to killer wireless later, coz the clerk said that if i use killer wireless but the router doesn't support, its just a waste of money

Again, Thank you for answering my question, good to know that @Notebookreview there's many ppl that want to help newbie like me, i think i'll be a regular member here

 

Why not mail it to the US then mail it to you if it is literally a 1k loss to ship it to Indonesia? I don't understand.

 

Well there's a few reason behind it,
1. I bought the M17X from a certain shop @Jakarta, so whenever i got problems i can just go there and ask them to repair it later. (Knowing i'm not very fluent speaking english, so i bought it @local store)
2. I currently works @cambodia, going to take my m17x w/ me when i'm going for a holiday (10-days only) @Jakarta, so if i buy it from US like you said, it'll be too much hassle if i got a defective product.

I have a relative @U.S , but it'll be too much trouble to ask them for help because they don't understand anything about laptop.
So i think this is the only way to safely get my new laptop.

 

I have a better resolution- Buy a Lenovo since it's a Chinese company.. duh..

 

Nuuuu, i want alienware !! its a love at first sight , i dun want any other laptop !!

 

So you'll pay $1600 more for a laptop that will give people an instant judgement of that you're nerdy? Pshhh..

 

Nah, just think the $1600 extra you're talking about is mostly for the airplane ticket cost. ( Assume that i go to my relative @U.S to buy M17X, that would be wasting time + ticket cost )
I'm quite satisfied with the price, with a bit of extra cost i don't need to waste my time going to U.S or Worried about the defective part.

Anyway, thx for your concern