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

that's world of warcraft he is in valsh'jir (the underwater area, new from cata)

a pic not watching a wall would be better....

and also some figures from other games (crysis, crysis warhead, metro2033 for example) would be nice

 

I took many pics the few i posted I guess were facing the reef but anyways you guys were missing my point. I'm not preaching for the 460 all I was showing was that in THE GAME I PLAY it was enough and the 120hz is really noticeable. Crysis? Lol. Metro? Lol. Sorry I don't like them and will never play them so hahahahaha back at you. I dont base my purchases on benchmarks.

 

I really want to see real world numbers now. This article seems as fishy as a dodge camaro. The Benchmark for 3dmark 06 is lower than the one leaked in December (20155) and that one had a 2720 compared to this ones 2820 (20048).
And I hope 29 second boot isnt a record because that what my hybrid 500gb boots in. I want credit for my record lol.

 

Actually you miss the point of the 120hz screen, if you enable v-sync and your card can push over 60fps, then you will actually see an improvment over the 60hz display. If you keep the v-sync disabled it is almost pointless.

And by the way sorry if you felt like we were joking at you (i personally don't. The only thing i pointed out is, since i'm a wow player my self, where you were. And also knowing the game really well i know that facing something like a wall/reef will rise your fps but that's not indicative of how well the game is running) but you are the one in the first place who was claiming stellar FPS without telling anybody wich game. Now after showing those pictures expect somebody to be sarcastic at least. And don't take it so bad, really isn't worth

 

rethink your first paragraph.

no offence taken at all. Sure I did claim good fps in the game I play but I was merely stating the fact that the 460 does enough for me to benefit from the 120hz. and btw facing the reef with all the moving fish and reef etc drops fps more than looking out into the ocean.

Anyhow, Im curious about swapping a 460 for a 6970. Would there be any complications? would be cool to have a gpu that can really push frames with a 120 hz screen. either way this machine is going back today. I would much rather have the wireless streaming option than 3d/120. besides that i need to wait to see what the new mbps look like thursday lol

 

I genuinely hope that the 6970M is 3D capable. If I end up ordering, I will do it with 3D, but I'd rather get that added boost of the 6970M as well; that extra power could be a significant boost given that 3D pretty much halves framerates.

There are external drivers capable of running 3D on ATi with a 120Hz screen and the necessary glasses, so it should definitely be an option.

 

Seems like Dell's waiting just long enough to re-release the M17x-r3 (21/30 day periods should all end this Friday/Saturday/Sunday). The L702x and L502x are out, even in Canada - we got the M17x-r3 a week after USA.

Kind of off-topic, but a 3D 702x with glasses and GPU upgrade costs only ~$125ish less than the r3 as far as I can tell. Makes me glad I picked up the r3; I was initially waiting for the xps L702x.

 

Is any oem using 3d with ATI? I didnt think they were since it wasnt native 3d, needs that 3rd party app.

 

I'm pretty sure HP Envy uses AMD/ATi + 3D

 

You're right they do offer it. But from what I read we better stick to nvidia's 3D. May be an option after they get the bugs worked out... It seems like there is an ATI software shortcoming, not the hardware. I would especially think not with the 6970.

HP Envy 17 3D Review - Laptops - CNET Reviews

 

Yes the HP Envy uses the AMD 3D setup, as far as I'm aware they're the only ones though. Most manufacturers seem to be taking the easy route of the pre-bundled Nvidia kit on the 3D.

 

Yes, And I don't think the amd/ati 3d setup is that popular either.

 

Although the software sounds clunky, it doesn't sound any worse performance-wise than the nVidia 3D. They say it cuts framerates in half in some gaming tests; isn't nVidia's 3D the same?

Benchmarks reveal that the 6970 is, simply put, vastly superior. As in, easily more than 50% more powerful, and that's a hell of a boost. Even if the 3D software isn't as good, that extra power would more than make up for it.

On another note, does anyone know what kind of HDMI input they use? Is it a full HD, 3D capable input, or the worse ones I heard were used on other laptop HDMI inputs?

 

Regardless of this, I think people will still have an option to return the R3's because of the chipset issues. I still have not been contacted by Dell to inform me on what they plan on doing about fixing faulty systems. Had I not been a "lurking member" on this site, I probably wouldnt know there was anything potentailly wrong with my machine. So Dell still has to come up with a plan on fixing the current systems which were not returned. A solution to that problem for some may be a returned system to Dell. I dare them to try and charge me a restocking fee for a faulty machine.

 

It would be interesting to confirm whether or not Dell will take back units after the 21 day return period. I thought they would only repair/replace the MB after the 21 day period.

 

I thought I read in one of these threads that Dell was extending the return period to 60 days on all these?

 

When I was in talks with them regarding my system, I had someone higher than level 2 write me a letter saying my return period is to be extended by 7 days (base in Canada is 30, so 37 total). This took 6 hours on the phone to achieve, and I still doubt the statement's validity. In short; I highly doubt Dell will extend the return period.

6970 + 3D would be quite nice, especially since the battery life is +1.5 hours longer than nvidia's optimus.

 

No, from the original link:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...sandy-bridge-issue-what-does-mean-m17xr3.html

1. Customers can contact Dell within the applicable return period and arrange for a full refund and return shipment of the product

2. Customers may continue using their systems. Once new production material is available from Intel, we will be working with customers to determine the replacement steps for their motherboards if they choose to keep their system

That's why I think it would be interesting to hear if Dell is allowing anyone to return after the 21 day period.

 

Ahh. My bad.

 

The new review says that it will be released next Tues. how reliable is that?

 

It's most likely very accurate. This journalist would not say it unless he was told so and it makes sense since we know that Intel has been shipping the new chipsets for about 2 weeks now.

 

Where did you see that? I went back and cant find it.
I never put too much faith in these articles. Just because half of them are just reposting a rumor. The benchmarks I want to believe but look too good to be true. The first run of R3's only benched in the 13k range, but this one with a mild cpu and gpu upgrade is going to get 20k? Thats a huge leap.
The R2 and the EON18 both 3dmark06 at or above 19k stock, with dual 5870 gpu's and 940 xtreme procs, but the article states the EON is a 13K.

 

This is not a rumor. The journalist from laptopmag knows what he is talking about in the video he made. It's not some random guy posting on the internet type of infos.

 

The guys at laptopmag do get a bit more info from Dell than your average person, just keep in mind Dell frequently changes their mind about when they do things, so yes it could happen but then again it may not.

 

Fingers are crossed. (-:

 

updated first post with new quote/link (in addition to the original review video reference) as to the M17x R3 system relaunch eta of "early march"...

 

even though sandy bridge processors are scheduled for all other companies on early - mid april?

 

what I really want to hear is that the r3 will have dual gpu's, the 6970 is fast, ( i think tom review says its 4.5 percent slower then a 485 which is pretty good considering they are cheaper) but for just a bit more money I could get a x7200 clevo with dual gtx 485 (roughly 3500 on xotic pc). I guess the rumored m18x will fill that hole but there are alot of disadvantages to having a 18" notebook (weight aside) alot of notebook peripherals only go up to 17".

 

Might want to start planning the X7200 if you have to have dual GPU's I've taken mine apart and there isn't a second MXM slot so it is literally physically impossible for the rig to have dual gpu's.

 

that might be but when i talked to dell reps (4 to make sure i was getting either a goodvlie or the truth) they said for sure the SLi/CF is in planning for the m17x, however did not say it was the r3 model, so im thinking oct/nov rolls around and BAMF R4 is released with SLi 480m/485m or CF 6970 or a newer card. not saying its true bt thats what rolls though my head.

 

M17x R3 system relaunch date = "early march"...

M17x R3 system delivery date = ? (probably no different than all other sandy bridge based notebooks launched by dell today... )

+1

single discrete gpu solution = M17x R3

dual discrete gpu solution = ? (insert more speculation about mysterious/elusive/worst kept uber-secret/as yet unannounced/still mythical M18x here... )

 

So how does a gpu upgrade work, after I receive my unit? Do they come to my house to do an upgrade, or do I have to ship it back to them? My excuse for wanting an upgrade is cuz you (Dell) didn't make it available to us when we ordered in January (even though your manual says that 6970 is available for it).

Also, who would I pay? Dell or aafes? If aafes, then shoot, I'd have to call and figure something out with them... :/

 

I've done some searching on this very question, and almost every thread I find seems to imply that you just call Dell up and order the parts and then install them yourself.

I say almost because I also found the following thread where the OP is told Dell will send an on-sight rep out to install it for you. Myself, I do not know the answer, but I'd rather do the work myself. I'm 100% sure I'm more careful and skilled than the average tech.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/533261-where-send-my-m17r2-cpu-upgrade.html

 

Ah, thanks

 

It depends, you can either buy just the parts or you can pay a Dell tech an hourly rate to install them for you. Some of the more difficult sales reps won't sale the part without the tech but they're just trying to make more money off of you

 

I'd like to change from 460 to 6970 NOW if possible. That is, if the 6970 supports switchable gpus.

 

It definitely supports switchable gpus, no worries in that regard

 

The 6970 does support switchable gpu's according to the laptopmag.com review here's a quote on it:

 

Dang, gotta get my hands on it then. I will def call the aafes guy again tomorrow, since I couldnt reach him today.

 

The only other issue you may run into is as Dell hasn't re-released it yet they won't have any info other than the pre-recall info which was without the 6970. Probably gonna have to wait until next week or whenever they open orders again to get a chance at a 6970, you may also get stuck with Dell's "new parts go to new orders first" crap and at this point without a cancel and reorder Dell looks at yours as existing business not a new order

 

That's bs. Total bs. Damn you Dell!

Anyways, I'll be calling aafes tomorrow to see wassup, just to get the low-down on how upgrades work (billed through aafes, or do it through dell privately).

 

I fully expect to get kicked to the end of the line in order to get the 6970M. Have already resigned myself to it. I'm already (mostly) apathetic toward the "want mine now" itch, so...you know. Whatever.

That's how I roll.

 

Meh, still try though. Call aafes tomorrow.

Im gonna call also. I'm gonna stop calling Dell for a while, since they give me bs answers anyways.

 

I took advantage of the Intel fiasco to return my R3 that I received on 1/27/2011 because I realized I wanted the 6970M. My recommendation for $ and warranty reasons (since you haven't even gotten your R3) is to cancel and reorder. It isn't possible to change an order once it is placed and there is no chance AAEFS is going to know anything about a GPU upgrade when Dell doesn't even know anything about it.

 

Honestly dookie your probably not going to get far with either in regards to re-release, when the 6970m will be available, or if they can modify your order to get you a 6970m until the laptop is back up (with the 6970m as an option).

I don't think a new order / an order with the 6970m (once available) is going to get pushed back that much further than the current orders. If you really want a 6970m then definitely wait for it (if your not interested in 3D also) as it shouldn't be too expensive of an upgrade either.

 

Then I should keep my order, and just upgrade later, right? Either way, I doubt aafes gonna give me the 30% discount. I'll check tomorrow though

 

Folks, lets stick to commenting on the review itself. I'm seeing several posts mirroring what is being posted in the SB thread in the main aw forum.

No need for a reply/comment on this, if you must, PM me instead. Please refrain from cross posting the same thing over multiple threads.

Thanks.

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So I'm assuming the Nvidia cards will use the gpu on cpu, but the ati cards will have a chip on the motherboard? Amd's switchable graphics must have an ati integrated chip according to the ati site. It would be nice to get all that battery time back like the review claims.

 

There is no "chip on the motherboard" - it is now on the CPU.
AMD switchable graphics now (magically) works with intel CPUs; there's a owner thread describing the 6 870. (S)He also gets up to 5.5 hours of battery life, but has to manually switch.

 

Just found the specific line I was looking for, It is designed to dynamically switch the graphics operation between Intel® integrated graphics and discreet graphics.
Nice to see them play nice (-: