M17x R3 RELAUNCHED! (w/460M/6870M/6970M)

if u mean the m17x doesn't use optimus then read the alienware description or just take you're power out and it says something about optimus. I have 2 r3's and a replacement one. i have tripple confirmed the driver problem. and the 3d r3 is being replaced for an 18x

 

I don't think Optimus is on ANY of them, is it? I hope not. My understanding is it isn't.

From what I've heard, Nvidia's 192 core parts are now beating AMD's 800 core parts...but whatever, they're close enough I'm sure either way. I just like Nvidia's better drivers, not to mention that normal drivers work on these things.

 

Not sure what the purpose of this thread is/was for.

 

To let people know that the m17x r3 is available for sale again after the sandy bridge fiasco.

 

It needs to be closed then.

 

Envy 17, AMD HD6850. I know it's not Alienware, but it's still a Sandy Bridge system, so I just wanted to let you know if it's not possible on the Alienware, then it's not because of Sandy Bridge, but a limitation put on it from Dell.

And no; No modifications, just the drivers linked here: (and they are the only ones that work for me, the system is very picky on drivers)
http://www2.ati.com/drivers/mobile/11-5_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc_ocl.exe

 

The Envy or Pavilion were actually systems I was looking at when I ran across this to begin with, as both are pretty nice.

But that's just it-it's picky, you're NOT using the normal process to acquire drivers, and in fact AMD now explicitly says they're not for systems with Intel switchable graphics...

That leaves you with entirely AMD systems, of which there aren't many (I was even looking at the AMD based Pavilion, until they pulled the better GPUs for it), or it leaves you with Nvidia systems that are supported...which is SUPPOSED to be most of them.

I've confirmed Asus' stuff still works (as it does for my 2+ year old Asus), I'd like confirmation for sure on Dell's stuff, but so far as I know it does, but Clevo/Sager's stuff ISN'T supported. I'd been looking at one of those for a while, because of the GTX 485

It's a lame situation, but there's not much that's supported. Not 100% sure if the Macbook Pro is supported under Windows or not...it uses switchable graphics, but they're not accessible under Windows, and not nessisarily done the same way they're done on other companies' systems (i.e. the last gen MBP used an Nvidia GPU, and switchable graphics, and could use Nvidia's normal drivers in Windows...but it didn't use Optimus (a good thing IMO) and just disabled the Intel garbage entirely in Windows. I think the new MBP CAN'T use AMD's normal drivers, but I'm not 100% sure.

Hate that this is so complicated now, and that 99.9% of notebooks aren't covered...

 

Anyone able to confirm / deny the presence of HDMI 1.4 on the M17x r3?

I just got a giant 3D HDTV (Not my first 3d display but the first time I've USED 3d), I'm wondering if I can use it to play some 3d games

 

Check using the program astra32. it gives u amazing detail on everything. i cant find the HDMI port in the program but if u try u can find it. just give some 3rd party drivers a try and hook up ur r3 and it should work.

 

the problem is that no matter how good or bad the nvidia drivers are this computer, optimus screws you over. my windows desktop performance rating was 5.5. my 6870 changed that to 7.1 and my gaming graphics went from 6.9 to 7.1. and i can easily tell the difference in all my games. especially gta iv. my textures would not load and in the settings, i only had 170 mb of v ram but now i don't have that problem with the 6870. in black ops, as the worst example possible, i can tell there's a HUGE difference because of how smooth it runs now. the drivers have improved since amd owns ati.

 

But again, so far as I know this doesn't USE Optimus-none of the GTX 460 or better systems do. Heck, if you can just swap out the GPU, then for sure it can't be using Optimus.

Windows Experience stuff isn't meaningful for us. It's just a SUPER general guide for people who can't even interpret what system requirements mean, not something you'd actually use to compare components.

And it doesn't matter that AMD's drivers are better than they used to be if you can't install them without hacks and whatnot.

 

The score was useless and i agree, but my desk performance was driven by the IGP. lets call optimus gpu switching because thats not what they call it. now if i had my nvid card all i had to do was load up gpuz or look at my gpu adapter in advance settings for screen resolution and it says the intel igp. and when i pressed fn+f7 it did not work because it was automatic. now that i have the amd card, that functions works an d it asks me if i want to change to the igp. And also take a look an AW's website. heres a link
"http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-M17x-r3/pd.aspx"
READ OPTIMUS TECHNOLOGY

and no hack or mods on my amd drivers. the radeon pro thing is the exact same thing as nforce for nvidia users. if u didnt see my post earlier it says the numbers for my benches where amd was the winner with no mod hack or overclock. it still runs cooler then the nvidia card even though the nvidia card has a 5% factory underclock.

 

Wow, that's messed up. IMO NOONE should be using Optimus, but on a GTX 460?!? Dell screwed up

I'm super skeptical about AMD's drivers working though, since I've had multiple people say they don't, and AMD themselves explicitly says they don't work :-/

 

Quick question, is it possible to has a white colour scheme on this notebook? Or just limitedbto the schemes that are available in the order process?

 

No. There are a lot of colors that you can choose after you receive your laptop.

 

Yes, white is an option, using it myself right now.

 

well thats true im having troubles with 11.5. going to wait for an update next month. although my current ones are running perfectly.

 

Dang. And of course the Asus I was potentially looking at sold out :laugh:

 

Last update on this dead forum. I'm getting ANOTHER replacement with a free 6970 .

 

Hey. i was just wondering if the 2630 qm support 1600mhz ram because on intel's website it only says 1333. maybe you know better typecast?

 

Yes it can, just need to switch XMP profile in the bios.

 

Gentlemen,
Forgive my ignorance here but I’ve searched through this whole thread and many other fourms/website and Ive decided to post on this thread/fourm as from what I can see people here seem to have a more of a level head when it come to the AMD/Nvida debate, but I still have some questions regarding my decision on buying my new M17x, Id be grateful of any suggestions/advice any of you may have.

The system Im looking at is this,
I7 2820QM 2.3Ghz 8MB Cache
2GB HD 6970 or GTX 460
8Gb 1600Mhz 2DIMMS
SATA3 6/Gbs 256GB SSD
750GB 7200RPM HDD
Blue-ray reader
Intel Ultimate N WiFi Link 6300
I wont be bothering with the Wireless HD

1) 3D aside is the AMD6870 card a better option as far as being able to handle games at higher resolution?

2) If I did go for AMD6870 would I be able to play 3D game on my 63” 3D Samsung PSC63C700 TV connected through HDMI 1.4. cable. Im not interested in playing 3D on the laptop but I do very much want to play 3D on my TV

3) Does the Laptop actually support HDMI 1.4 or is it 1.3 as 1.4 is the only one capable of supporting 3D

4) Is there an optical out to carry audio? I know HDMI carries audio but I want to connect my audio up to my Denon surround amplifier

5) If the card truly supports 3D gaming Im assuming I use the 3D glasses that came with my TV?

6) On to storage, would I be correct in saying that the best solution for speed vs cost would be a 256 SSD drive to store windows on and any games currently being used and say a 750 Gb HHD as a second drive? Is 256 enough or a bit overkill here?

7) Finally is there any major mistakes I have made choosing this setup? Apart for peoples personal preferences would this system be good for playing the latest games?

Thanks for reading this I look forward to your replies

Actually Ive decided to go for i7 2920XM 2.5Ghz CPU

 

Yeah, it's about 20-45% faster than a GTX 460. The downside is it can't use normal drivers in any systems I've seen, so I would never buy one. I wouldn't buy one of these with a GTX 460 either, because Dell's inexplicably using Optimus, which hurts compatibility and performance.

Yeah, that seems quite reasonable for a 2 drive bay system. I guess I'm getting Asus' G74 and will use a 300GB Intel 310 SSD + a 750GB/7200RPM Seagate drive, probably (unless I just throw in a faster 500GB Momentus XT in the second bay).

Technically the hardware's good, I just personally wouldn't buy it because of driver issues. Also technically the 2GHz CPU is probably better bang for the buck, but if given the option I might find myself upgrading just 'cause :laugh:

 

kk thx cause on intels spec website it only says 1333

 

hmm. my suggestion is that if u want 2920/w good cooling and good gpu performance and support for 3d to a tv u should go for the m18x. although you may have to sacrifice the SSD . but if u really want 3d ( that runs most games average (low res) then go for it. Being the user of every gpu option for 17x r3 and 18x that has arrived and other r3's with 2820/w ssd etcc... my suggestion is that push for the 18x ITS WORTH IT!! ~FYI , if it makes a difference, the 17x soft touch is on a plastic shell clipped to the metal frame.~ If u cant afford to do so, 6970 and engineering sample of 2920