Alienware M17x-R2 Buyers Remorse

So I just got my M17x-R2 today. I bought a refurb fully loaded (940XM, xfire 5870m, 8GB ram, RGB LED, twin 500gb hard drives, bluray, nebula red) machine and I am starting to feel like I made a mistake. I am a little disappointed in how hot the machine runs and the fact that I will have to mod the machine or buy a notebook cooler at the bare minimum to control the heat. Before I bought this, I was swinging between the M17x and a Clevo X7200. I could have gotten the Clevo for about the same price and I think I was swayed by the looks of the Alienware (which is something I have a tendency to do). Now I am starting to think I should sell it and buy the Clevo. Can anyone help me feel better about my purchase so I don't jump ship?

 

Care to explain what you mean by this? Are you getting thermal shutdown's? What exactly is "overheating" in your opinion?

 

I have started using Throttlestop and I can't seem to get anything over about 2.5ghz with all 8 threads running without hitting 100C. Even when I have throttlestop off and I try playing Crysis Warhead the machine starts throttling after a few minutes. Frankly it is pretty annoying and something that really should be addressed on Dell's end. Clearly this machine needs a better cooling system if I can't even run a game with a stock setup without it jumping wildly in frame rate due to throttling.

 

You're basically trying to overclock up to levels approaching desktop cpu power balthazar2k4, you can't expect a bone stock cooling system to handle that with no sweat, especially one that was designed to run mobile system level components. You've probably messed with the tdp/tdc settings as well so it makes the heat go up like crazy, the 940xm is an amazing chip but it's a small house heater lol. To top this off the one problem I've always had with my refurb/outlet computers from Dell/AW is the thermal paste job on them sucks. It's not too difficult to replace the paste and pads and when you do you have a screamer of a system.

 

I agree on the overclocking aspect, but I have tried the machine even at stock and had severe throttling issues. As for changing the thermal paste, well, I attempted that on Saturday, but I scratched the plastic up by the play/pause buttons and then bailed before I did anymore damage. I would really like to change the thermal paste on the CPU if nothing else (I have some MX-4 I used on my recent desktop build), but I am scared to death I am going to damage the machine in the process. It just sucks that I should have to do that at all. I mean, after all, this wasn't a cheap machine even as a refurb ($2900), but I could have gotten a new custom built x7200 for a hundred bucks more. I am really kicking myself right now.

 

You posted today and said you received it today. So you should be able to return it. Not sure why it's a hard decision for you if you're so unhappy with it. Call Dell up and express your concerns and go buy what you want.

 

Ah yes, well, unfortunately I purchased it from ebay. Obviously I realize that was a gamble, but I figured that I could always resell it on ebay if I really didn't like it. It's just a pain....

 

Did you check out the m17x tear down video on you tube? It's very easy to work on these if you just watch what your doing and check out the videos first. As far as the heat ya they run hot but as Dane says nothing they cannt handle.
Good luck on reselling it on ebay, you really should have bought from the outlet store as they back these laptops 100%. I don't think you will recover your 2900.00 as they are cheaper on the outlet right now. Try and replace the paste and give it another chance, I really don't see the Clevo as better had one Luck on what you decided.

 

Please don't sell your laptop man. $2900 is a steal for starters, especially since the 940XM is $1250 on its own. You'll work out the kinks, and you'll be as happy as a pig in poo. You can't, however, expect to have that CPU overclocked to the gills and produce no heat. Sorry. Never going to happen. Put some new paste on the CPU, and I'm positive you'll be fine.

 

Yes, I watched the teardown videos on youtube. I attempted to follow them and even though they make popping off that top panel look easy I am apparently challenged. I just can't get it to give. As for selling it, well, I have been checking Dell Outlet for the last couple weeks and I haven't seen one yet that was the same build as mine. That is why I bought it on ebay (not because I thought it was cheaper). I don't expect to get what I paid for it, but I think I would come out ok. I just don't particulary want to deal with selling it. Any suggestions on the best way to pop off that panel? I have tried to use a small flathead screwdriver, but it is being stubborn.

 

I know it was a pretty good deal (that's why I bought it). I still think they are overpriced to begin with new, but refurbished prices are more in-line with what I think they are worth. As for overclocking, I get it. I do. I have a 980X and 920 at home that I have overclocked to 4.26ghz. One is liquid cooled and the other is air. They both are cookers. My expectations were probably too high for the M17x based on what I had read on this board. If and when I get some new thermal paste on the CPU I will re-evaluate the situation. I think I am just disappointed right now.

 

Alright, if you're an overclocker, then you understand. You've got an absolute beast of a machine there. It will take care of your needs for years to come.

 

Come on..really now. I know it won't do french fries and doesn't fly to the moon but it's a very nice laptop also for that money.
m17x are nice and with a bit of maintenance they are beasts.

 

Wasn't arguing that it was a nice laptop. I know it is. What I am disappointed with is the fact that I could have bought a machine with a desktop i7-950 processor and gotten all four cores at 3+ ghz without all the fuss for about the same money. It isn't a knock against the M17x, just should have done better research I guess.

 

I use a bamboo skewer (bought a pack of ~50 for $0.99 at my local grocery store).

They are strong enough to pop the panel yet yield enough so as not to damage the panel.

Also, it is longer so that I can really get it where it is needed to remove the panel and wont short anything since it is not metal.

I typically start on the left side, and place it just under the panel near the #2 key (you will see a metal tab that you use to screw the keyboard down around there... a good place to get safe leverage)

I then pop off the left hand side (lifting it up with the skewer and then using my finger around the left end to help it along).
I then start moving to the right doing the same as I go along.

Good luck

D.

 

I pop mine by prying between the esc: key and the bottom of the touch plate blade down and the shaft raising up pop up with out scratching it.

 

Actually, I do solve spacecraft trajectories that include Earth-to-Moon candidates, as well as asteroid missions, deep space missions, etc. on mine, so IT won't fly there, but it's powerful enough to do the next best thing and solve all the math for the things that actually will! All that in a little aluminum box that sits on my table, gives that raddest lighting show you ever saw, and can warm up a sandwich for me if I set it back behind the exhaust ports? How cool could anything else get? Turbo talked about "a pig in poo", well I'm that for sure!

 

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I will give the repasting another chance this weekend. The reality is that it is a great laptop and with enough patience and tweaking it will be a fantastic laptop.

 

Instead of prying up from the keyboard, try the hinge cover area - see attached photo. This works best with a plastic CPU tool (cheap on ebay). Going from this location reduces the chance of damaging the underside of the media panel (the piece with the power button/touch buttons).

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For the OP, be sure to pair the service manual with any videos - see the following links (taken from the AW General Info sticky)

Dell Authored Service Manual
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/Alw_M17xR2/

Dell Teardown Video -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j20wn96uac0 (4:30 secs for removing the media panel - he uses a metal tool and prys from the side, no thanks)

 

Use a credit card to wedge and tilt the screen all the way back. Work at it on the right and left side and what you want to do is a tilt/pop up action. You want to pull up on the panel but also push it towards the back of the laptop and lift up you will have to wiggle a little and get it working. Use the credit card to get it wedged in the cracks and help you lift up. Honestly the touch panel is the most annoying part but if you are having a hard time that is a good thing. Over time it gets loose and easier to work with (like some women..i kid i kid) and you won't have much of an issue. If it is stubborn that means no one has removed it yet so no worries about previous owner messing around with internal.

Enjoy the laptop there will be some learning curve and maintenance involved and just like any fine automobile or women it won't be right the first time. With some time and patience you will have a well oiled machine that will be purring along for years to come.

 

So how about that, balthazar? Between "pigs in poo" and "loose easy women", I'll bet you're feeling a LOT better about the purchase now, right? I hadn't really though about it, but if popping the panel off is so difficult then that would almost assure that your machine is pristine inside, having never been "violated" in such a way before. It's a virgin! Now even I'm getting excited about your purchase!

 

@ OP, you chose between alienware and clevo x7200? wow....just...wow...

i could just share you a little about the cooling of x7200 (you can see my sig) i use a notebook cooler and i only get 58 temps in gaming, in sli its only 68, sometimes it reaches a max 71 to 73, but no matter in my opinion, i got what i pay for. its a desktop processor with a sli gtx 485.

i had the same experience as yours, i wanted a backlit keyboard and gaming, but when i saw sager, i turned around and had no regrets. i previously owned an alienware years ago and could easily compare the two units you are asking.

 

Uhhhh, dude, your setup is around $4,300. I don't see the comparison. If he could have gotten 485SLI with a 980 for $2,900, I'm sure he would have.

 

...burned...?
anyways, look dude, i got to say i do not own one yet, but i have worked on many before fixing probs and such, you do have an awesome machine, it just lands somewhere in between women and cars. btw i got the screen off by the esc button one using a... well, this specific tool on a leatherman, just something really thin.

once i get enough cash to buy my own, im headin there.

 

One thing everyone has failed to mention here is the obvious one for me: If the temps are high, especially when not overclocked why not call Dell and tell them they need to send a tech out to check it out, replace the heatsink, and replace the thermal paste for you? If the temps are really high especially on a $1k+ cpu they will get a tech out there in a heartbeat with a new heat sink to replace it for you as they don't want to replace the cpu That way you don't have to worry about screwing anything up as you seem less than confident on doing it yourself, if the tech screws it up then you're golden as they replace anything that gets broken as it was the tech that did it. There's a solution to anything, especially with Dell

 

Actually I use a 980x on my primary desktop. I considered buying an x7200 and migrating the processor from my desktop, but realized it would just be overkill. The only reason I have the 980x is for video encoding. It is serious overkill for gaming. The fact is I could have gotten a machine with an i7-950 and 485M for the nearly the same price as the Alienware. I think I will be happy with the M17x once I get the thermal paste changed.

 

Not a bad idea, but would they use the thermal paste that I want? I am going to attempt the teardown again this weekend with some better (not metal) prying tools. If I am still in a jam then I might just call Dell.

 

I don't see why they wouldn't as long as it's a good name brand paste,if I remember right you said it's mx4 so you should be good. All the techs and engineers I have talked to at Alienware/Dell don't care what you use as they know the stuff they use at the factory is absolute crap.

 

what temps would you consider high for cpu under load for 30+mins

 

Not only do you have a machine with awesome specs, you have a metal chassis that looks like a million bucks! And, the fact that it didn't break the bank is a huge plus.

I've been a road warrior for the last 7 years and plastic just did not hold up for me, even though I handle with care. Traveling 3 out of 4 weeks a month will put any machine to the test. And, I love seeing the expressions on TSA agents' faces going through security at airports. It's like having a nice car... lots of comments and the reactions from envious teenagers is priceless.

Every machine has it's little quirks, but I love my Alienware. I hope you end up loving yours, too. I'm confident you will once you cure your temps and find the sweet spot on your clocks. The advice you're getting for seeking help from Alienware is spot on. No sense in doing it by yourself if you're under warranty.

Have fun!

 

Maybe a point that was overlooked, but keep in mind that even when you close throttle stop, the CPU registers are still reading whatever TDP you set it at. It won't reset unless you restart the computer or turn down the TDP in throttle stop. That may be why your getting throttling in games once throttle stop is shut down.

 

uuhhh dude of course you wont see the comparison, because there's no set up like that in AW. anyways my company paid it for me because my length time incentive in work. yes it is overkill, that is why i 'overkilled' my privilege also.

 

Interesting, did not know that. I should give that a try. Thanks!

 

I'll definitely keep that in mind. Now that I know that even when you kill Throttlestop the TDP settings remain, I need to see if my computer is really having heat problems.

 

I am a road warrior also. I have been traveling for the last 8 years to and from Asia and the Middle East and know that it can be hell on laptops. I have actually had pretty good luck, but the metal chassis was a huge selling point for me. Should be much more durable than my previous. I haven't had a chance to travel with this one yet, but I can imagine going through Airport security is pretty amusing. As Dane mentioned and you have also recommended, contacting Alienware might be my best bet. I'll let everyone know how it turns out.

Thanks again to everyone for both the insight and encouragement to not give up so soon on it. I really do like the machine, but I want to love it.

 

That is basically my desktop rolled into a laptop. I imagine that is one hell of a machine. If I could have swung it, I probably would have. I have a hard time spending that kind of money for a laptop because I typically change machines frequently (mostly out of boredom), but if someone else is paying I would go for it in a heartbeat.

 

anyways regarding your rig, i hope the thermal issues will be solved. don't get any remorse, that issue should be fixed, and still you have a formidable rig.

and that sucks, i also travel and had to take out my rig every time when i pass the inspection stuff in the airport. i had no choice because i don't want to put that lappy in my baggage and i could not imagine what would happen if my baggage will be lost and my rig is inside it. so i always store it in my hand carry.

 

I would never leave anything of value inside of my checked luggage. I've had ridiculous things of little value stolen, like toothbrushes, shaving cream and even bags of dirty undergarments; so, you know that a computer would be gone on the first trip. I carry a work computer and my Alienware with me at all times, and never take my eyes off of them. I also have Lojack theft protection with replacement coverage just in case I get pulled aside for groping by TSA.

 

Get used to it man. Do you realize the power you have in a LAPTOP? Its gonna get hot because it DESTROYS the competition!!!

If you wanted a little cool lappie, you should have bought a MAC Book Air!!

 

Funny you should mention the Air. I just bought the 13" prior to the M17x and returned it because the screen was too small for long term use. Aside from that it was actually a pretty nice machine. Obviously, it was no where near as powerful as the M17x, but then again it is aiming at a different audience.

 

I am happy to report that I got the thermal paste changed to MX-4 and WOW what a difference! My temps dropped more than 10 degrees at full load. It was definitely worth the struggle. Now I might get a notebook cooler just to see how far I can push it. BTW, I think part of the problem was a piece of plastic film on the CPU that was out of alignment and partially jammed between the CPU and copper block. Thanks again to everyone who kept encouraging me to stick with it. I think I will be very pleased indeed....

 

Glad to see your up and running good now. I had Heat issues when i received my system and wound up redoing the paste and getting rid of that plastic shield they stick on the CPU and it helped me also. Also went out and bought a good Cooler and i am able to OC nicely and temps barely break 90.