Just Ordered an M17x with 2 x 256 RAID option

Hi All!

I was hoping someone could fill me in on how Alienware systems are configured when a RAID option is selected hardware wise?

I picked the 512GB option with the intent of striping the disks for additional performance and am wondering if I'll have to reinstall it right out of the box.

Thanks for your responses in advanced...


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Hello,

I purchased the exact same configuration and it was setup as a RAID 0 array out of the box with the OS preinstalled. Assuming you purchased the 2x256 RAID 0 option you should be good to go. If you did the RAID 1 option with 2x256 you will need to reconfigure the RAID set to RAID 0 and reinstall the OS.

Hope this helps!

 

Thanks for the response! I just looked at the detailed order info and I did select RAID 0.. Sweet!

Is there a hardware RAID controller on board, or is it software RAID? I am hoping for the former obviously...

How does the system run? My biggest complaint about using laptops/notebooks is the typically the bottleneck to the disk....

Any suggestions on tools and or settings I can use to get the most out of the system without burning it up would be appreciated, especially if you have some experience with the same system.

I haven't really played too many games in quite awhile but am looking forward to checking out a few with the new system.. Any suggestions on must see/or try games would be appreciated. I was always partial to Need for Speed, and first person shooters.. If there is one particular game that stands out amongst the rest in terms of graphics/playability that you could suggest that would be awesome.

Cheers,
John


1
225-2945
Alienware M17X R4 with Soft Touch - Direct
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319-1472
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Hi John,

You will really like the RAID 0 configuration with those drives. The chipset uses the Intel HW RAID controller for the 2 drives we have installed. I thought perhaps this was a SW RAID when I ordered the system but reading other posts here and seeing the laptop for myself it's HW RAID.

The system overall is very fast, quick boot times and applications load quickly. In terms of tweaks or settings I really haven't had to do much at all, at the moment I can't think of any major system settings I have tweaked outside of minor stuff based on personal preferences. The lighting on the laptop is very slick, screen is also really nice. We have almost an identical configuration, I splurged on the 680m GPU but the 660m is very capable as well. This is my first Alienware laptop and I have to say I am impressed.

In terms of games I would definitely look at Battlefield 3 or Call Duty Black Ops which you should be able to find at a discount now as they have been out for a while. I am playing Borderlands 2 now and the original Borderlands is another game that I really have enjoyed. If you want more of a military shooter definitely go with Battlefield or one of the Call of Duty games, Borderlands has an interesting art style and is a shooter with RPG elements.

If you like strategy games I recommend Civilization 5 and have also enjoyed the new X-Com. Need For Speed Most Wanted comes out October 30th, I would suggest you take a look at that and see if that would be a racing game you would enjoy. Most of these games will have demos so I would suggest you try before you before if possible.

I buy most of my games through either EA's Origin or Valve's Steam platforms. Gives me the opportunity to install or uninstall games down the wire as needed which I value due to the limited HD space we have and both services run specials all the time, Steam runs weekend deals each week and around major holidays you can pick up a lot of games at a big discount. Another tip on buying games is Amazon runs sales on PC Download games and often times they use the Steam service - so you buy the download code from Amazon and enter into the Steam redeem code area - sometimes Amazon lists them cheaper than they are available on Steam!

If you want to know something else let me know. Enjoy your new Alienware laptop!

Craig

 

Thanks so much for the fast response and your insight into all of the above, much appreciated!!


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It's a hardware RAID, it's created and controlled by the oROM.

RAID 0 - oROM

About the performance.. Outstanding! One of my favorite features to be honest

 

Your going to happy it's good. Setup boot time will. Near nothing lol

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