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    M17x-R2 - out with HD5870

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by ThaDutchy, Apr 22, 2010.

  1. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    I was waiting for you to show up. :p
     
  2. Phinagle

    Phinagle Notebook Prophet

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    Dell better hurry up....if not it looks like HP may pull an out of no where shocker and get the first with Crossfire 5800s in the dv7 on May 19th.

    HP Announces New Consumer Notebooks

     
  3. 5150Joker

    5150Joker Tech|Inferno

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    I doubt HP will make a dual graphics notebook. They probably just used marketing speak since it's crossfire compatible. Otherwise $799 starting for a crossfire notebook would be epic.
     
  4. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    It would be interesting if it were 5870s but I doubt it.
     
  5. Phinagle

    Phinagle Notebook Prophet

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    Yeah my gut reaction is no way too but I can't rule out there being a first time for everything. If anything I would have figured it as an HDX refresh though.
     
  6. Ghost_AWP

    Ghost_AWP Notebook Evangelist

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    It is interesting that HP consumed Voodoo, then all but killed it off. Now talk of a crossfire system? Either way, I can't get onboard with HP.
     
  7. PsiPr0

    PsiPr0 Notebook Evangelist

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    No metal chassis? No buy.
     
  8. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    The Envy line is supposed to have a similar "wow" factor as far as build quality is concerned.
     
  9. pdogg93

    pdogg93 Notebook Evangelist

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    You mean the poorman's macbook pro line?
     
  10. 5150Joker

    5150Joker Tech|Inferno

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    If HP didn't use those funky design patterns on the Envy it would be an alright mac clone. I wonder if the Envy 17 will have auto dimming?
     
  11. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    Buy a macbook pro and become a poor man. Anything is an upgrade from an Apple product.
     
  12. Ghost_AWP

    Ghost_AWP Notebook Evangelist

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    Couldn't agree more!
     
  13. pdogg93

    pdogg93 Notebook Evangelist

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    haha touche mandrake. But there is nothing i hate more than copycat designs. The only apple product i own is an iphone. And its the best. BB storm and other similar wannabe's have failed at delivering anything close to the iphone.
     
  14. bob2004

    bob2004 Notebook Geek

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    Its not really a copy of the macbook I mean macbook doesn't rely look that much different that most other laptops apart from the logo. Also macbook isn't that expensive my friend got one from apple store with a printer for around $1000USD. Not top of the line maybe but then again it runs lag free and don't see the point of upgrading any more since macs are pity-much netbooks.
     
  15. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    Android will have the market share sooner or later. Mr. Jobs didn't learn his lesson the first time around...but that's all off topic.

    In doing more research/testing it looks like the A04 bios I have isn't going to cut it. Even though A04 isn't released I believe a new system bios will be released to support the 5870s.
     
  16. 5150Joker

    5150Joker Tech|Inferno

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    Be daring and flash your R2 with the M15x A05 bios. Forced flash might work..lol.
     
  17. Elkay

    Elkay Notebook Deity

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    Update from DellChrisB regarding R1 compatibility:

    :)
     
  18. Achilleus

    Achilleus Notebook Evangelist

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    This sucks, I have a coupon that expires tomorrow on top of my epp discount, lol.
     
  19. Lozz

    Lozz Top Overpriced Dell

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    I agree, Hp seems to like to put barf designs into it's laptops. Who knows why?
     
  20. pwny

    pwny Notebook Enthusiast

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    I still wish Alienware would just tell anything to it's customers directly, we deserve at least that much.
     
  21. Joebarchuck

    Joebarchuck Notebook Virtuoso

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    Which compatibility issue are you talking about?
     
  22. Aristotelhs2060

    Aristotelhs2060 Notebook Virtuoso

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    damn i just received an email from the guy that will replace my system telling me i have to decide between 5870 and 4870 CF. Damn damn! i will go for CF 4870. this machine is made for dual gpus not one.

    i personally used tuneup utilities to take the icons from alienware invader theme (while i had installed invader theme on vista) and then applied them on clean windows 7. then used the wallpaper from invader theme. same for invader theme for wmp.

    i am sure its only a matter of new bios. but i doubt if they will support it any more. they even promised some dpc latency issues fixes before months and there is nothing coming out. there have also been observed resources conflicts as for the chipset driver and they dont seem to care. and those conflicts appear on all R1 users.
     
  23. Rengsey R. H. Jr.

    Rengsey R. H. Jr. I Never Slept

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    Anyone received their m17x with the 5870 card yet? I want to see as everyone else on here , if the 5870 has the CF connector slot. let us know...thanks
     
  24. Aristotelhs2060

    Aristotelhs2060 Notebook Virtuoso

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    dont forget you will have to buy the second gpu fan too if you bought with single 5870
     
  25. _Josh

    _Josh Notebook Consultant

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    New member here! Hi, guys! I've been lurking here for some time, and I've finally took the time to join. I, too, was curious about the things mentioned in this thread, and I have some pretty solid clarification from a Dell rep I talked to about 15 minutes ago. Here is the conversation:

    2:02:28 PM Customer Josh
    Initial Question/Comment:
    2:02:33 PM System System
    You are now being connected to an agent. Thank you for using Dell Chat
    2:02:33 PM System System
    Connected with
    2:02:38 PM Agent
    Howdy from Round Rock, TX! Thank you for contacting Dell Chat. I hope you are doing well and thank you for waiting. My name is and I can be reached at if we happen to get disconnected. How may I help you today?
    2:03:18 PM Customer Josh
    I have various questions regarding configurations with the M15x and M17x.
    2:03:43 PM Agent
    Ok great! I'll be glad to help you out with that!
    2:04:57 PM Customer Josh
    I noticed that the M15x has recently been updated to include the Ati Mobility 5850. Is there any chance that you could confirm whether or not it is the model that uses GDDR3 or the model that uses GDDR5 memory much like what's in the MSI 15 inch notebook.
    2:05:11 PM Customer Josh
    ?*
    2:05:58 PM Agent
    I can look it up! Give me one moment!
    2:06:05 PM Customer Josh
    Alright! Much thanks.
    2:12:49 PM Customer Josh
    Still with me?
    2:13:03 PM Agent
    I'm here!
    2:13:07 PM Agent
    Just trying to find the info!
    2:13:25 PM Customer Josh
    No problem at all! I was just making sure we didn't disconnect.
    2:18:28 PM Agent
    Sorry Josh! Still checking! That's a brand new option and it takes a bit for the information to update on our tech pages
    2:22:15 PM Customer Josh
    No problem! Knowing that would help me weigh the factors between a maxed m15x or m17x. Basically more mobility and battery life vs more raw performance. My degree is VERY computer dependant, and I have an extremely high end desktop both here in my dorm and at home 100 miles away. However, it's really really been a pain to have this huge desktop in my dorm. As soon as I sell it, I'll have 4 grand to drop on a laptop. If the 5850 uses GDDR3, then it will be a no brainer for me to go with the m17x. Which this rises to my next question, which might be easier for you to answer. Are there any plans in the near future (being 1 monthish) to offer 5870 in crossfire instead of 4870? I honestly don't want to be put in the situation where an upgrade happens 1-2 weeks after I drop 4,000 dollars onto this new machine.
    2:25:39 PM Agent
    It uses GDDR3
    2:26:32 PM Agent
    Crossfire on the 5870 is probably coming down the road, but I don't have any ETA for when
    2:27:13 PM Customer Josh
    M17x it is, then. I'll simply wait it out as long as I possibly can, in hopes of catching a system with the CF5870.
    2:27:46 PM Customer Josh
    Thanks so much for the needed clarification! Now to sell this second desktop so I can afford it, ha.
    2:28:04 PM Agent
    I can also shoot you an email as soon as it becomes available if you'd like
    2:28:44 PM Customer Josh
    That would be fantastic! My email is on record from entering this chat, correct? If not, it's
    2:29:14 PM Agent
    Got it! I'll send you an email as soon as I hear anything
    2:29:58 PM Customer Josh
    Thanks so much, bud. My buddies here at MSU will be thrilled to have an informant. You guys may get several units sold. :)
    2:30:28 PM Agent
    :) glad to hear it!
    2:30:47 PM Customer Josh
    I must be going, now! Again, thanks a ton and have a great day/week.


    As soon as I get any more information or an email regarding crossfired 5870s, I will post it here.
     
  26. kilthro

    kilthro Floating in Space

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    I would remove your personal and the dell's rep info out of the post.
     
  27. qezep

    qezep Notebook Enthusiast

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    I got an email there saying that the CF 5870s will be available by 7th May.

    Sorry Aristotelhs2060. That "by" sounds like he reckons it will be out before then. When you call your rep how many hours do you think you can keep him on the phone?
     
  28. _Josh

    _Josh Notebook Consultant

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    Done and done.
     
  29. Tristan

    Tristan Garrosh Did Nothing Wrong

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    This is my final week of waiting. After friday, i'm just ordering a single 5870 system
     
  30. NYC Drifter

    NYC Drifter Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm waiting and waiting and waiting. ..
     
  31. Gflyer1

    Gflyer1 Notebook Geek

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    You guys came this far.Id wait it out a little longer.Put your itchy trigger fingers away for now.. :p
     
  32. ThaDutchy

    ThaDutchy Notebook Evangelist

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    Off course he's going to tell you the5850 has GDDR3, if that's gonna take it for you to decide to spend $2000 more! I guess he would even tell the M17x is actually a stealth plane if that's gonna convince you to take it. :eek:

    Rule nr1.... :cool:
     
  33. xhero

    xhero Notebook Evangelist

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    Joker, what date have you been told?
     
  34. _Josh

    _Josh Notebook Consultant

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    4 grand is 4 grand. I have nothing else to spend that extra money on. The choice was either M15x @ 4k or M17x @ 4k.
     
  35. Tristan

    Tristan Garrosh Did Nothing Wrong

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    Nintendo Finger man. Growing up with that thing screwed my patience for life.

    But it is a stealth plane...isn't it? Certainly would fly better than some of the stuff in the air currently...
     
  36. Tristan

    Tristan Garrosh Did Nothing Wrong

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    Food, utilities, kids college funds? :D
    Or bribe Dell at least to give you the cards early. :rolleyes:
     
  37. _Josh

    _Josh Notebook Consultant

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    No kids! I live on campus, currently! My tuition includes schooling, a meal plan, and housing! My job provides gas expenses.
     
  38. Desertf0x9

    Desertf0x9 Notebook Evangelist

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    Ordered on 5/4 with single 5870, ill let u guys know if there are xfire connectors on the card
     
  39. alexbalibander

    alexbalibander Notebook Consultant

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    why 6gigs ? :p
     
  40. K-nabeesse

    K-nabeesse Notebook Consultant

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    Can you make a copy/paste of this mail ? Take care to squeeze important information.
     
  41. Lozz

    Lozz Top Overpriced Dell

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    Alienware probally would if they weren't owned by Dell and have to deal with all their cra*
     
  42. freedom16

    freedom16 Notebook Deity

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    Hhahah, you guys hyping everything up for this day and nothing happened except for the m15x has the update for the 5850.
     
  43. Mikoyan_UK

    Mikoyan_UK Notebook Consultant

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    It really does seem so :(
     
  44. lordqarlyn

    lordqarlyn Global Biz Consultant

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    well guess I won't be buying a new M17x anytime soon
     
  45. qezep

    qezep Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for choosing Dell.

    We had an update from the product team that card will be available by 7th May.
    We can supply the system with the "Dual Cross Fire 1 GB ATI RADEON HD 5870"
    Inconvenience is regretted. Will confirm the same once the production begins on the same.

    Please feel free to revert for any further queries.
    Regards.
     
  46. Lozz

    Lozz Top Overpriced Dell

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    That's highly unusuall.. but it's something, so thanks!
     
  47. xhero

    xhero Notebook Evangelist

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    There's always more hope
     
  48. Achilleus

    Achilleus Notebook Evangelist

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    That's a bs email. The bad grammar gives it away.
     
  49. Elkay

    Elkay Notebook Deity

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    I've never had a conversation with a Dell employee that spoke anything but flawless English.
     
  50. qezep

    qezep Notebook Enthusiast

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    He also told me, when I called after, that he will try and not impact my origional estimated date too much. My original order was cancelled. I've been floored by the experience so far to be honest.
     
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