M17x-R2 - out with HD5870

I can't stand the reactions in the bottom of the original site. Some of them seem to be endlessly jealous (very childish). They probably can't afford them and thats why they are making it look bad.

Anyways it looks like I have to call DELL again because of this news... they have cancelled my intial order with HD 5870 CF! And no other config has been confirmed jet. Hopefully it wil become available for REP's earlier.

 

ahh well i'm still happy on dual 4870 for now
and upgrade later.

 

Yep plus don't forget the certified SLI cooling platform to aid ventilation. Quite impressive stuff really, here's a pre-production model

 

Is the cooling better in the M17x vs the M15x? I am wondering if thre 5870 can be clocked higher then the M15x. I am thinking of getting a single gpu laptop.

 

Picturing that in my head made my morning.

 

so cinco de mayo is now half de mayo .

 

thus the present cooling system seems to come to an end as for gtx480 and later.

 

the Netherlands release date doesn't mean it's the same for the US release date. I thought that would have been apparent since they sold them for so long in certain countries only to cancel orders after they found out about their mistakes. When was the last time Alienware or Dell had a simultaneous global release?

 

right! what makes me wonder is the fact that dual 5870s appeared first in countries like IRL before it was finally down after two days.

 

Yep, I am also doubtful about this "mistake" by Dell. I am even starting to wonder if a CF5870 will even be available.

 

We need to remember that from the beginning of the production of the HD 5870's Crossfire was in the mix...

 

Well, that's true and they seem to advertise the 5870 as crossfire ready.

 

OK guys I have a M17x and it comes with bios version A04. What bios does everyone else have? I ask because I'm testing a 5870 (thanks babyhemi) and it does NOT work.

 

I think you are the first with a M17x that has one of these installed. At least I haven't sold any to M17x owners except for this one. I thought the M15x was the only bios so far in the Alienware line that released a bios for this card. Of course the M17x should release a bios that does very, very soon you would think because you can now buy it with a new purchase. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

I think everyone should be using A02 if I'm not mistaken.

 

my bios is 02 for my R2 and 03 for the r1 right?

 

Yeah, R1 is at A03...

 

Thanks guys. From what I understand the existing bios should work (A02) but mine came with A04 which isn't even on Dell's website. I need to find out what it does.

 

Is this your new one that you just ordered?

 

of course as its the latest available bios for download. there is not even A03. so how a M17X could come with A04 and the 5870 doesnt work? something is wrong here.

 

On the support site the A02 does not say anything about the 5870 support. I didn't see any reference to it.

 

Yes

Yes, I'm trying to get help from all different angles. I don't know of a way to find out what the A04 does.

 

Mandrake has an uber secret release lol..

Wow congrats man.. I didnt realize yours shipped. That was fast lol..


Very interesting on the version..

 

I got my info elsewhere.

Someone else must have received this system in the last week or so. I'm guessing they would have the same bios.

 

Well let us know what it has that is diff from 02.. i am interested in knowing.
Its a shame that it doesnt have the new ati card support.

agreed.. I hope that they see your post and reply with the same version number.

 

I am on A02 of course, but I had to verify as the "04" threw me off a little. Why would they do that? What about 03? or why would this 04 not work with a 5870? Does it mean an 05 is on its way for that?

By the way, not that it is in your priority list, but do you see Virtualization fixed on your Bios?

 

No, I didn't notice anything different in the bios.

 

It could be that A04 specifically looks for a Dell vendor id for the 5870 otherwise it doesn't work. Maybe you could try changing the 5870 clevo one to match the 4870 id?

 

Doesn't work.

I did try making some vbios changes with no success.

 

It might be the new bios for nVidia GPU coming out..???

 

Dell drivers page has the 5870 driver. The BIOS might be completed by the 5th along with the release of the 5870's in crossfire.

 

So did you order your system with 4870's and got a 5870 from hemi? Or did you order with single 5870. Just curious

 

The current 5870 I'm testing with is from babyhemi.

 

I have faith that before this day is over he will find the "fix".

 

I got my r2 last week and my bios is A02. keep us posted mandrake i would love to buy two of those for my r2 when they get confirmed working xfire.

 

I think I first post this in the wrong place. Maybe it must be here, so there it goes (with my humble apologize to the administrators 4 the repetition):
Hi there to everybody! this site really rocks! In few readings I found more info than searching google... BTW, since I'm waiting for my next purchase: Do anyone knows when Dell's Alienware will supply the M17x (Rx or whatever) with a Core i7 Extreme 980X? I was waiting for the dual ATI 5870... Now I'm waiting for the actualization of the CPU (something that other "desktop replacement competitors already provide).
I will appreciate any (sustenable) info on that...
Thanks!

 

try never. M17x is using a mobile processor not a desktop processor. the 940 is the only other mobile extreme processor that might come out

 

The only laptop with the processor would be the Clevo D900F, but it has a single graphics card. If gpu power is more important, get the M17x with two 5870s (when they are realesed) and the i7-920xm, but it cpu power is more important, get the D900F with the i7-980X and a GTX 285.

 

Alienware never had any desktop processor notebooks (unless it's a past Clevo rebadge), and never planned to have any, at least not that anyone knows of.

 

I heard somewhere they were the first to do it, we need an Alienware historian to be sure.

 

SO it does look promising since Dell has the 5870 driver on the site now.. Cant wait to get a part number for xf for these.. Babyhemi if you can get them I will order from you man!!!

 

they should have a driver for 5870 as they offer a single 5870 for weeks now. it doesnt mean anything for crossfire. if they will release them in CF they will, if they wont they wont.

 

I know but I still have hope lol..

 

just talked to the guy in IRL Dell. CF 5870 has been totally removed as incompatible with M17X MLK.

in addition to that i have to select in one day long between 4870 CF and single 5870. what would you guys select?

Mandrake did you finally make it with the 5870?

 

Hmmm not good.

Before choosing, I would have to look at various benchmarks using both configurations, real world benchmarks using the types of games and applications I would use. What ever gave the highest total performance I would pick.

Of course that depends on your budget too.

 

my budget is free. its a replacement. thus i am searching for benchmarks between those two and i cant find any comparison.

guys help! what would you select? i have 24 hours left to choose.

i am thinking of buying CF 4870 and then buy an 5870 if mandrake manages to get his work.

 

well that is the more expensive option lol, so you expect it to perform better. But the 5870 is newer tech.

Your option sounds reasonable. You'll still get a kickass machine.

 

I would go with dual 4870's. I have read they outperform a single 5870. But also, in a system this big with potential for 2 cards I would not get a single card configuration. I rather upgrade later.

Anyway, since you got 24hrs, you can still push it until the end and see what happens tomorrow. Maybe they will announce dual 5870's just in time for you to order. I would order within the last 2 hrs of my deadline.

 

yeah, I think WaR has the best idea, wait until the last minute, just in case they make the CF 5870 available.

 

yes cinco de mayo is the big day. but as i said this guy told me they totally removed the option of CF 5870 as incompatible for this machine whatever this means for all of you.
so i dont know how you have those info about 5870 CF being released. and this guy is for sure that didnt lie. he had full access to database and he was more than expert knowing many things, even checked part numbers. he would go for single 5870 but he didnt know many about notebooks but for desktops. thus i dont want a machine with free space in it (meaning the second gpu lool).

of course. in the time being i am trying to find what would you select between those two options. if 5870 CF becomes available i know what i will choose. lool thus if cinco de mayo is the release date probably for US then i guess it wont be available at the same time for EU which i really care for.

yes i am thinking exactly the same. the point is where to find 5870s with crossfire option and if they will need a dell vendor id to work. Thus i wont have the option to upgrade here in GR rather than buying from internet.

Mandrake did you get your 5870 to work?