M17x R3 System Relaunch Review (Laptop Mag): 2820QM + 6970M + 1080p 60Hz

for anyone interested, laptopmag.com has recently posted a review of the forthcoming (early march according to michael prospero of laptopmag.com @2:12 and in this blog post) M17x R3 system relaunch (2820QM + 6970M + 1080p 60Hz):

 

The good news is that now we have the third independent people testing the wireless HD stating there is no latency. That's awesome as this make this technology usable now.

This confirms it's the most powerful single GPU laptop currently available on the market.

 

Definitely! This makes me more excited on getting one!

 

Question, because I haven't found the answer yet on these forums: I've ordered an R3 with the 460M, but would much rather have the 6970M if available. Anyone know when we'll be able to get that, and suggestions for how to go about it? Mine has been delayed like everyone elses...can I just call them up and ask them to change it?

 

Yeah just call them and ask them, not sure if they're taking orders yet. It should only be $100-$150 more.


About the review, "There was a bit of flex in the keyboard, but Alienware told us that production models would have more support."

 

Yeah! I hope it will be better.

 

Yeah, sure it will be Dell.

 

seems plausible:

 

But, come to think of it. Isn't it the one you have and mandrake had the production model? Hmm.

 

Yeah, my flex is less than what Drake's was as I have the plate on mine but it still isn't really what is expected for a $2-3k notebook. So I guess improved, maybe, where it should be? heck no.

 

Is there a thread discussing this anywhere that we know of, i.e. anyone tried it? I haven't found one.

 

Dodge Camaro

 

LOL that's awesome Faiz! I didn't even catch that one

 

13.4k Vantage? Very impressive!!! But I'm more interested in GPU score in Vantage.

 

annoyed since first reading it, but understand their choice of words is to avoid/mitigate any potential dispute - although they could have just as easily used 'muscle car'... it would have been simpler and inferred the same.

 

I'm pretty sure they meant the Ford Challenger /sarcasm

On a serious note, have any of you who have the R3 tried using WiDi? Assuming you have a receiver of course.

 

The WiDi isn't available to the public yet, was never available on the models that were released and available for order and since about the end of January beginning of February none have shipped.

 

Well 3dmark Vantage was 13,414 which the 5870s in R2 get about 15k stock. I think mine is 15,450 or something. I would guess the higher 3dmark 06 is because of the new CPU and that being a bit more CPU dependent these days. Their test system broke 20k stock and mine sits about 19,700 stock.

Regardless that is an amazing system for all that you get. I REALLY hope the R2's can upgrade to 2x 6970 as they are looking to be amazing GPU's..just a tad slower than 5870s in CF. But you will have a lot less hassle with only one GPU.

 

think he might be referring to intel widi, found in the initial wave of the M17x R3 when optioned with the intel 6300, as opposed to the forthcoming sibeam wirelesshd option?

 

FYI, 6970s cost the same as GTX 460Ms

...in real world market at least. I'm sure Dell will charge the same +50 for 460, and an additional +100-150 for the 6970

 

One other thing you forgot was that it has to have Optimus, it has to run on the Intel integrated graphics based on what Intel states and the 3D model can't access it.

 

one question im dying to know if i picked the 6970 "when its available"
while customizing the r3 am i gunna be able to choose the 3d screen (as i tried
before with the 6870 they wouldn't allow me to pick the 3d screen unless
i choose the gtx460) ,, any news on the rereleasing date of the r3??

 

definitely forgot about that...

the 1080p 60Hz screen has consistently gotten great reviews thus far, including this one, so will be avoiding the optional 3d screen when re-ordering...

 

No news as of yet on an official re-release date Kristopholese, also it's possible they may pair the 3D and 6970 but I doubt it as it's looked like they want to move the 3D units before they offer the 120hz screen without the 3D kit.

 

I still don't understand why Nvidia won't allow 3D+Optimus to be an option, it's possible with the tech/hardware but it seems they're being difficult. I believe Drake verified that the screen isn't routed special so it's definitely possible with the right software.

 

oh well i hope so i just want to make sure to hav a perfect alienware thanx

 

don't think we'll be seeing optimus on any 120Hz optioned notebooks until the igp supports 120Hz (chief river?), which means not anytime soon...

 

I would think there would be a way to implement an auto switching of the screen frequency as well within the software and Windows, if they can do Optimus it should be able to handle that no problem lol.

 

I know everyone has their own point of view, but I'd just like to voice mine


Stay as far away from Optimus as possible

 

ahhh, there i$... lol

 

I've owned an Optimus rig kune. If you know how to run Optimus and configure it it's not bad, drivers are a pain and it's still a little buggy but I'd still take it again if I could with 3D.

 

agree w/danegrclose on desire to have optimus available (one day ) on the 120Hz screens as well, though never had any issues with it at all on the M11x R2.

after some updates, hopefully the M17x R3 will likewise prove the seamless switching/battery life extending technology invaluable...

 

Anyway, I'm pretty excited about this review. Especially the re-confirmation of the 6970! Hopefully they get the ball rolling on the backlogged r3's, and start taking new orders.

 

I'm ready to re-order mine with 6970M and 2820QM!

Returned within 21 days due to Intel fiasco: M17xR3 with 3D/460M
Returned for Sandy Bridge: Envy 17 3D

 

The review said that running on battery automatically turns off the 6970, and they managed 5 hours on it idle.. impressive. Looking forward to seeing how the 6970 stacks up!

 

Exciting to heat about the 6970!! Only problem is the 460 plays my games well over 60 frames averaging 70-140 and the 120hz screen is so buttery smooth I'm not sure if I should go for gpu power or display :/ I don't need the 3d which is annoying. Still h net used my glasses for ANY games in a month.

 

Can you provide an example? Game title? Others will want to know this. Thanks.

 

curious as to if a game even benefits from the 120hz screen if it isnt doing 120FPS. Am I incorrect? I thought 120hz meant 120 refreshes a second which correlates to FPS? No?
Also, 2 5870s in CF have drops to 70-80 FPS online in COD MW2 and 35 on Crysis and Warhead. What games do you play?

 

Yeah I'm sorry but I'm gonna have to respectfully play the "no" card here. The 460m is a great card but it doesn't fetch those kind of frames even OC'ed at 800/1600/1500 on any games that are very tough to run at high settings. 60fps yes, 70 possibly, 100-140 heck no. Unless you're playing older games it's not that strong of a card. Go look at my review and you can see what the card gets at stock on some titles that are both newer and older.

 

Well, I chatted with a Dell Rep online since the current environment was too noisy for a phonecall, and was told to call Customer Care and provided the number. Later I called Customer Care, but was told they couldn't help me and that I needed to speak to someone in Sales, and was transferred. The Sales person told me she didn't have access to that information for some reason (she was talking a million miles a minute) and transferred me to a different Rep. That Rep told me that since I had ordered through AAFES I'd need to talk to another person and, you guessed it, transferred me. This final person basically said he couldn't do anything for me and that I'd have to talk to an AAFES (non Dell) rep.

He did say that I would not be able to modify my order, that I would have to cancel and reorder in order to change my graphics card to the 6970. I pressed further about the 6970 and he said he had no information about additional graphics options or their prices, nor would they until the R3 relaunches.

So dead end. Suggestions? I've mentioned in the "Sandy Bridge Issue" thread that I've been toying with the idea of getting an R2 with a single 5870M for the same price (discounted) because that would be a more powerful graphical configuration than the R3 with the 460M. But, if the 6970 is available for not many additional funbux, it's a no brainer to get the R3 I think.

 

I think the "sometime next week" mentioned in the 6970+widi vid is pretty much correct considering Dell just released the XPS L702x

 

Screenshots incoming as soon as my lil girl gets to bed

 

What is the price for the config they tested? How much in US dollars? I'm debating if I should sell my "new" (just bought) Outlet R2 with i7 920xm, CF 5870, RGB and 500GB hd for an R3 with SB and 6970.

The only reason holding me back is the possibility of getting 6970 in CF on the R2 through the new BIOS developments some people are diligently working on. I am mainly a gamer so I don't mind too much about the advantages of SB. i7 and even some last gen extreme processors are still more than sufficient. HDMI in is attractive but not mandatory. An M18x or whatever isn't going to be in my budge. 2k was what I was willing to spend since I just bought a home. The R2 I bought was a great deal with outlet coupon and came in at 2k exactly after taxes. If the R3 that they tested is about 3k then I will keep what I have. OR if there is a good chance I can upgrade to CF 6970s. GRRRRR What to do?!!!

 

I will be very surprised if the M17x in the review comes anywhere near 3k. It must be much less especially when you upgrade RAM and HDD yourself.

 

Nice find, shouldn't be long now. Always Europe first for some reason.

 

** just to be clear this is with 2820m and gtx460 4gb ram 120hz screen. Having said that and even though it works great for my game and looks awesome Ill probably still go 6970. I like the extra battery life unplugged and I like the wireless streaming. I routinely plug my laptop to my hdmi when i stream ufc etc and hockey games etc and it will be AMAZING to sit on my couch now and have my screen projected with no wires!

Not the greatest pics i have no clue how to take ss's etc so I used my phone lol... all settings on max, 120hz, max multisampling EXCEPT shadows which i left on fair. I dont think its realistic to be underwater and see sharp dark shadows 100 yards away.. lol

 

Dang, this is good news!

Ready to order the 6970 now, since it's available (somewhere around the world). Wonder if AAFES will let me upgrade with the 30% discount. I shall call tomorrow

 

What the heck game is that Emm3? Try running Crysis, Metro 2033, BFBC2, CODBO, CODMW2 MP, FF, SC2, etc at stable 100+ fps that's a different story.

 

Its World of Warcraft if im not mistaken.

 

Haahahhahahh!