Brand new R4. How to prepare & basic questions?

Summary :

Ordered laptop. haven't got it yet.

Basic Question :

0) Should i get my SSD now and build it in as soon as i get the laptop? and then install windows 8 on it? then format the 500gb and make it secondary (for movies, files etc) while using the ssd for games? (i'd only be playing a few, Assassins creed 3 , Dishonoured, League of Legends and Gw2 (possibly, i got bored of it in 2 days at launch). I'm currently not sure whether to get an SSD here or in Dubai, so i haven't got one yet, but i'm going to get the windows 8 upgrade and the laptop comes with 500gb 7200rpm + 64gb mSata , I don't really understand all the SSD things so would the mSata be my boot drive or what? I just want to make the most out of my system.

1) How do i maintain the laptop. as in, how do i keep it clean? I'm not the type of person who opens up laptops and cleans the fans and such, i'd rather just not get dust in there in the first place. but what can i do to keep it as clean as possible? (I've got dogs at home, and on my hp laptop i'd have dog hair under the keys a lot of the time) I've seen silicone keyboard protectors and stuff, but they ruin the look of the illuminated keyboard. I'm also looking at the cyberclean thing, but the engadget video on it is a joke, how it didn't clean anything at all. while the advertising videos show good stuff, though, that's advertising for ya.

2) Is it worth putting a skin on it? and is there somewhere where i can make/buy a personalised one / good quality one and preferably something affordable? this ones like $46+ tax and the look on the keyboard just makes me wonder if it's worth buying. but the screen/backhead part is pretty awesome. Alienware M17x R3 Skin

3) m17x laptop sleeves, is it possible to get a personalised one again? or any readymade ones that have things like Gw2, LoL, WoW, etc. stuff on them, so at least it'll be a recognised game and not something that gets outdated like mw2.

4) I got a gw2 limited edition mousepad for the laptop, but it's got like small black stains (i'm guessing it's dried up sweat or w/e) , i don't know how to clean it off. don't really want to risk using sofa foam and stuff like that on it cos' im not sure. Tried google and got different results like washing it and stuff.

5) Do i need better headset/mic for gaming? I got studio HD beats by dre atm which i bought for like $400 back in Dubai. I love using it for audio and stuff just wondering if it's good for gaming. though i'd rarely use it unless i had overnight raid sessions.

6) Is it possible to disable the touchpad (and the left right click too) on the m17x? i know it's probably possible but then i read so many people complaining about how they "accidentally" keep moving the mouse and clicking while typing.

7) If i'm going to be gaming in a quiet room, is it worth investing in speakers or are the built-in ones good enough? I usually game late whenever i get the time off uni. or like evenings when most of my friends have classes and i'm bored.

8) I've asked this before, but only got one answer (which was the green onion protector) , is it worth getting a screen protector for my m17x? i've read bad reviews about the green onion one reducing screen clarity and such.

9) Is there anything special worth buying that's specific to the m17x itself or helps a lot with the computer? Like how some games (LoL) have AlienFX special things, but that's free. I don't think it's worth buying a cooling pad because from what i've read just using bottlecaps to prop up the back of the laptop is 90% as good as a cooling pad. I already got an hp voodoo gaming mouse which works so much better than the razer/logitech ones i've used in the past. I've got a huge laptop bag atm which i'm pretty sure can hold the m17x (it's made for 2+ avg. 17in laptops, can't remember where i bought it but i paid around $100 for it) , like i use it while travelling to carry my 17in laptop + ipad + books (if going to class, thick ones that too) and it's been awesome. it's got tons of pockets too for smaller things but it's a shoulder strap one and i'm worried i'd start getting neck pain if i carried an m17x in it.

Sorry for the long post, just want to make sure my first gaming session on the m17x is memorable

 

Yes I would make the SSD the primary and start from scratch on the second only after you have the computer up and running on the SSD. I don't know where you are now, but if the price is cheaper where you areI would buy it now.

If you don't plan to take the system apart for a simple cleaning I would be looking for a local shop around to do it for you. I mean if you have dogs, it's not going to take long for it to get dirty...I have a cat and know.

Skins are a personal thing and never used them myself...can't answer.

Have you tried simple soap and water to clean the mouse pad?

I would invest into a real gaming gaming headset, I personally love the Sennheiser PC 350.

Should be able to disable it, I haven't tried, but I see no reason why you can't.

Get speakers..makes a huge difference with the bass.

Screen protectors are useless in my opinion, but some people love them.

 

0) Yes buy a SSD, when you can, the sooner will mean less hassle later on, samsung 830 works well and is relatively well priced.
1) I only recently got mine, just dont use it in stupidly dusty areas and it should be fine, some air dusters may be helpful as well.
2) Up to you about the skins I was going to put one on mine but I decided against it, I don't really mind it having a few scrapes on it now after the honeymoon period of the first few days.
3) I have seen some more designed sleeves but they are from china sometimes. Just get a decent bag, that extra sleeve will make it so heavy haha.
4)Just rub them off, alcohol based cleaners are supposed to be good (they dont fry the electronics) or the foam should be fine as well.
5) Dont use a headset so I couldnt say.
6) You can disable trackpad with a function key (FN+F12 I think) but I dont really have the issue tbh.
7) In built speakers are good tbh
8) No screen protector on mine, if its going to be in that bag, I dont see why you would badly need it.
9) Not that I can think of, more ram maybe depends on your needs. Laptop compartment wise check if it will stretch to 1.75 inches! My laptop bag is a snug fit, but jsut about fits, its thicker than you think.

 

Just another question, the only good SSD i know of is the samsung 840 which is on amazon for like $99 for 128gb. i'd prefer buying a 256 but atm i don't really have too much money to spare and 128gb seems plenty. is it worth buying it and does anyone know of a good place to buy it in canada? (Amazon has 3 versions, ones normal ones desktop ones notebook and i'm pretty sure alienware is notebook but i could be wrong) + , do i need anything extra for the laptop to install an ssd?

On a side note, Speedfan just showed me that my current computers GPU is down from 90c to 0c.. so i guess it's failed or something melted away. oh well. gg hp laptop, lasted me less than a year & even though it's "global warranty" they refuse to cover it here because i bought it in middle east.

 

in my personal opinion i would get a Samsung 830 for two reasons the write speed is higher than the new model unless your getting the PRO version and the speed gains from a standard 840 aren't much its an extra 20mbs on read speeds eg loading a program and opening files. And the second is the 830 is actually cheaper atm its £127 on amazon atm great price we also don't know if 840 has good build quality as it only released around 2 weeks ago so we don't know its build quality or reliability BUT knowing Samsung its probably pretty good

if i was you i would save up for a 256GB samsung 830 you will be getting more bang for your buck.

about your speedfan issue are you sure the GPU isnt swiching to the intergrated graphics and 90c is really high it shouldn't be anywhere near that but i have never used speedfan i use a program called HWiNFO64 and GPU-z and CPU-z for temp readouts i would recommend using those programs heres links :


GPUZ Download TechPowerUp GPU-Z v0.6.6 | techPowerUp
CPUZ CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting
HWINFO64 HWiNFO64 Download

 

My current laptop fan isn't working at all, and within the first week i was seeing like 70-80c temps, just now it's around 90 when im not even gaming anymore. Was watching a movie the other day and my laptop just froze and crashed.

 

wow u should never been getting temps that high i never hit over 75 under full load playing a really demanding game. u should contact dell straight away i don't want to try a repair for u when its a brand new machine contact DELL

 

Just to clarify for you, this guy has not got his M17x yet. He is talking about his current who-knows laptop.

 

0. SSD is a must if you have an alienware laptop. Not a hyrbid but an SSD would work best for what you need. Also windows 8 is geared towards touch screen and not really for gaming.
1. There is nothing really you can do to prevent dust built up. I would recommend reading the alienware user guide provided on the website to learn how to take the laptop apart and cleaning it. Experience level for this is basic.
2. Do not look into skins at this point, the soft touch material that the R4 comes with is great. After you receive it consider it, but can guess you wont get it.
3. Same answer as for #2
4. Can't help here.
5. I would suggest testing it when the system arrives, since the built in mic is decent.
6. The touchpad as far as I know cannot be disabled, but it is great I don't believe you would need to disable it.
7. The speakers do lack clarity, so I have invested into upgrading external speakers.
8. Cannot help you here since I do not have a fear of scratching my screen since I don't do heavy gaming.
9. As for the cooling pad Alienware M17x R4 Custom Cooling Stand
and upgrades I would wait until you receive it since they come pretty well equipped.

 

okay i did mention in my initial question that my current laptop is an HP. (Pavilion dv6b80se)

Thanks for the suggestions, just wondering now if it's worth buying external speakers for gaming in a quiet environment? Like all I want is to relive those moments i'd have in 2006 playing WoW when i first entered stormwind and the music was mind-blowing.

 

Get the laptop first before considering external speakers.

 

sorry misread it was late at night at the time remember i live in the UK LOL