M17x-R2 - out with HD5870

it's 128bit GDDR5...If it wasn't it would be a lot slower than a 4870.

 

Hey, is the M17x R2 all aluminum? *sp*

 

yes, sans the palm rest and utility cover on the bottom, which are magnesium.

 

Dell Canada only has the 5870 (single) as an option now. no other choices

 

AWSOME!



means they've run out of supply, can't be long now!

 

i may have to retype it to understand. single 5870 is ddr5.

what about them in CF? you have them and you know? 4870s were also thought to be ddr5 in CF even announced as such but they were finally released as ddr3 due to power -heat issues that also existed . it was only a few months before.

 

ATi lists the *only* specification to be with GDDR5, as opposed to say, their 4870 or 5850 specification list, which specifically list the support for additional GDDR3 or DDR3 memory specifications. There is no such thing as a GDDR3 5870, as I said, it would be slower than a 4870. The 5870 has only a 128bit memory bus(opposed to the 4870 256bit width), putting GDDR3 on there would effectively half the memory bandwidth of the GPU. They are able to use GDDR5 effectively now since the 5870 saw a process reduction (55 to 40nm). ATi lists the 5870 crossfire enabled, so the 5870 CF cards *will* be GDDR5. It's the *only* way for it to be better than the 4870.

I've said it before, there are * no* heat restrictions with the 5870, it's TDP is 5w Less than the 4870 so in theory, it runs cooler. I've said this a few times now, I'm not sure else how to explain it

 

Nice, so that helps with the cooling right?

 

The M17x is already basically a massive vent, the bottom cover is one big vent, the back of the computer is again, one big vent, it has vents on both sides where the GPU's are. The Magnesium isn't in any hot spots, so the effect is minimal. They're made from magnesium for weight considerations.

 

today is the day. so far no CF.

since the 5870s are 5w less, this should mean it has better overclocking than the 4870s too.

 

Thanks Lozz. I was going to order online through EPP, but I decided to let my discount expire. I was hoping to order the 5870 first and then change my order before it is complete (hoping that 5870x2 comes out by that time), that way I can keep the discount. I guess I'll wait for 5870x2 normally.

 

Yup. If ya just gotta have it it's there to be had. But then again that's the case every day.

 

Supposedly the 5870 drivers are out. Getting closer every day.

 

I have reordered without CF (see sig).

 

Can't wait? Or were you getting just one card anyway?

 

They were out when the 5870 was released. Same driver for a single card and for crossfire. It doesn't mean they are coming any time soon.

 

I think we all might end up waiting till june CeBIT. might as well since it's only 1 month away. Alienware might release the new laptop everyone's been talking about. "The All powerful M17" with quad SLI and CrossfireX support. *quickly runs to the corner and covers mouth laughing*

 

Yeah Im pretty jealous as mine was ordered sunday evening and Im still in production. I did however get my spare 240w AC adapter yesterday afternoon. Would love to see it go into boxing today and see it at my door early next week. I think I would have to change my pants before unboxing if I got it next week.

 

I don't think they will wait to unveil it at CeBit. They already have one 5870 on the site. So, there would be no point. Usually they unveil something new that is about to be introduced, like maybe mobile 480s. Or, the new usb 3 and sata 6.

 

Isn't CeBit in March? They might wait till E3 to release a refresh with sli and cf cards plus USB 3.0.

 

I think you are right, it should be E3.

 

Isn't E3 for high-profile stuff?

I wouldn't say this is really a high-profile release.

But I could be wrong.

 

They might not show off anything that has to do with one of these alienware machines. The one they seem most excited about is the m11x. It's all about the small form factor stuff these days.

 

Mobile workstation > small footprint laptops. Too little of a size and weight difference between a 11in and 17in, in my opinion, to sacrifice so much. But then again thats my $.02.

 

Isn't there another electronics show at the beginning of June?

 

I dunno, man. More people are more generally more excited about something that's not a premium item.

 

E3 would be where Dell would announce a major refresh of their lineup. CeBIT just doesn't have the media exposure E3 has.

 

Even if Dell anounces a new laptop or a refresh, it won't be ready for purchase until fall.

 

Not sure why you say that since the All Powerful campaigns all systems have been available within days of announcement at electronic shows.

 

I always thought that they announced the product in June and released them in August or September. That would be great if they released a new notebook in June that was ready for purchase.

 

I am much more interested in SATA 3 support than USB 3 support.

 

USB 3.0 isn't that important to me either but they will probably release that along with the 5870's.

 

13th now is the date for uk, sales person i spoke to wasnt to chuffed either as he was told 7th may and now their loosing sales as everyone is holding off...

might be getting this for xmas yet!!!

 

I love how people just come up with dates. Don't they get that the sales people have just no clue and they give you random dates to push you into a sale that will bring them a commission today not the next...

 

everything is a sales game. i wouldnt be surprised if they wouldnt be out at all.

 

I would actually be surprised if they were not released. Again, the problem is there is no competition. Why come out with the 5870's CF if Nvidia has nothing to compete with. You might as well sale the 4870 for the same price and I am sure they now get discounts on them and make more profit. That's how the game is run.

It's all Nvidia's fault for being completely absent for over a year on the high end market.

And I am worried about their Fermi solution. If it's really 100w per card, it's going to be insane...

 

Why would Alienware, who is a company that designs gaming machines, not release the 5870's in crossfire. Give them a bit to get things together.

 

for the reasons i know from the reliable source and he is not a sales person at all. CF 5870 are referred as incompatible. the actual word was: the CF 5870 option has been removed as incompatible. i dont know more techniqal details or what is fault as he didnt.

and i want them to be released as you do. no reason to post fake stuff here.

 

incompatible? The 5870 is the exact same card as the 4870. AMD on their own site say it's CF compatible. Besides the fact that crossfire technology didn't change between the 5870 and the 4870.

the M17x already has 3/3 requirements. It's not rocket science.

 

Everyone thinks they have a reliable source and they all say opposite things.

 

Is it the same exact dimentions? I don't understand why aristotelhs2060 believes his source when all the other "sources" were wrong.

 

That's because 9 times out of 10, their reliable source is a Dell tech, and most of us know Dell techs don't have a clue about anything.

 

They're using the MXM3.0b specification, which has exact card size and power requirements. It will be the exact same dimensions, the only prevailing issue is whether they can find a suppler that solders a CF connector on the PCB board. Considering its one of the biggest manufactures of computers in the world, I can't see their request go on deaf ears.

people will hear and believe what they want to be true, unless they're acutally just that gullible. *all* data from AMD points to CF 5870's *with* GDDR5 being a reality, the only issue is when.

 

The 4870s have been completely removed from the Canadian site, leaving just a single 5870 option. Seems odd to offer one of the only two current dual GPU laptops without any dual GPU options.

 

Nice, looks like Dual 5870's should be posted up there today or tomorrow.

 

this was posted a few pages ago, it is odd. I don't believe it's a supply issue, since they can just post up a 'will delay the shipment of your computer by x days' comment.

 

That's true, if it was supply, there would be a delay message. Taking stuff off the page means changes are happening. Or, someone just screwed up.

 

Somehow I doubt it. They are probably just tweaking something minor on the 4870s. I bet the dual 4870s will be back by Monday. If they were gone from the US site as well, I would've been a bit more optimistic.

 

I agree, it's probably something stupid like that gif that comes up when you select 4870's and it's comparing it to GPU options that aren't available anymore.

Then again.. why loose an extra $300 sale to a bad picture? lol.

 

honestly i know something more about reliable and not sources with all the issues i had till now. thus i didnt post any release date. pure facts and he even told me things i shouldnt know or he didnt have any need to tell me. thats all if you believe me ok if not thats ok too.

and i didnt post that they wont be released but how the facts are till now. i guess noone knows the future.