M17x-R2 - out with HD5870

Clevos have always been about function over form. Pay for better modular design over looks. Don't get stuck waiting for a good looking or quality made shell cleave, because it won't happen.

 

yes for 3 years. for 4 years maybe.

 

All this discussion has me suspecting that there's some sort of fundamental design problem with the mobile 5870 GPU that's preventing it from operating correctly in CrossFire mode. The biggest supporting evidence for this hypothesis is that there are no other vendors currently offering a 5870CF solution. If it was simply a matter of power or cooling, it stands to reason that a manufacturer like Clevo would simply produce a big, beefy laptop and put those cards in there.. but they haven't. Are the current notebook designs insufficient? If they can cool a single 5870, how hard could it be to do two?

Why would the cards that Babyhemi sold have the CrossFire connector omitted? The 5870 is supposed to be a top-end GPU and removing the connector just doesn't make much sense, though I can understand manufacturing a card that only includes the necessary. A card specifically designed for notebooks that would only have the physical space for a single card would have no need for the connector.. but still. Could it be that the card vendor simply said "Well, CF doesn't work with the 5870, so we'll just omit the connector until we solve the problem"?

My understanding is that there's supposed to be no difference between the two cards in a CrossFire setup. Someone a few pages back mentioned that card A and B should be interchangeable, so could it be that Dell/Alienware's engineering team has had to implement some sort of dubious kludge for card B to make CrossFire function? Is that why they're testing it so heavily? Maybe they're waiting for the next revision of the cards that WILL work as a secondary GPU in CrossFire mode? For that matter, maybe they're waiting for a respin of the GPU itself? Could it even be something as serious as an interfacing issue with the chipset or PCIe controller in the i5/i7?

I realize that this post simply raises more questions, but reading this thread has me thinking out loud, so I thought I'd share. I'm just as anxious as you guys are to get my hands on a new m17x with a 5870CF, so I'm really hoping it's something simple like supply or marketing.

As a parting thought, doesn't anyone find it strange that a Dell/Alienware representative hasn't chimed in at some point during the course of this thread's TWO HUNDRED pages? We know they read the forums, they've contributed to the threads on the R2's slow mouse and the R1's future BIOS feature requests.. but for them to have remained completely silent? That's a bit odd. I guess they're either as clueless as us.. or they've been sworn to secrecy. I'm hoping it's the latter. ;-)

 

The first paragraph is a good pt. but if it is supply then that would be the problem. Also an Alienware tech has been responding on certain threads and gave the part # for the CF5870's.

 

I think those Dell reps. you speak of on these forums are as clueless as we are about it. Some of them do have a direct line to Alienware engineering but I doubt they go to the trouble of finding out since it's not part of their job.

Well lets see what happens tomorrow, I doubt they'll get released but if they do, I'll jump up and down for joy and then order one immediately (as long as it's on EPP). If not, then I'll just wait till after E3 and see how the X7200 turns out.

I don't know about the rest of you, but the fact that AW released a single 5870m and not crossfire and continues to push back the release date raises red flags immediately. It tells me they have a major technical hurdle that they cannot overcome. If they were ready to go, we'd have seen them launched with the single 5870m. I doubt supply is the issue anymore.

 

Does Clevo have a good warranty?

 

If they have a part number, I suppose that's a really good sign. It's unlikely they'd have something like that in the system if an implementation was impossible.. but you never know, really.

I'm really hoping that I'm just another one of this thread's impatient readers. If they're testing the CF5870 and it's working, more power to them. I'd rather see a product that's properly designed and tested than one that was hurried out. As a representative plaintiff in a class action against Toshiba for producing a laptop with insufficient CPU cooling, I'd rather not have to deal with this sort of problem again.

 

Not in the same league as Dell. You have to mail it in.

 

That sucks

 

The delay has me curious - not sure I'd be brave enough to be a first adopter. Something is going on behind closed doors, that's for sure.

 

It'd be fun to look back on this thread 3 months from now and see who was right and who was completely off base.

 

Yeah but we would look back with CF5870's in our laptops.

 

Or would we?

 

Naw, we'll be on our double 3Dfx 890M equipped M17x's. That's right, 3dfx is coming back in 3 months! A dell sales rep told me

 

Yep. Think Direct3D and (*chuckle*) OpenGL will be here for a long? Not quite, according to Dell rep. #216784. "Glide" will be making a grand comeback. 3Dfx bankruptcy 10 years ago was merely a setback....

 

That made me shed a tear. I loved that game.

 

Ah 3dfx, I have such fond memories of owning a Vodoo and Voodoo 2 SLi (the true inventors of SLi).

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i will be attacked again but i will refer this once more. the trusted guy (who also ordered my replacement with CF 5870 initially till it was removed) told me they removed this option as incompatible (exact words from deep Dell). when i asked him if it will be back again he told me he doesnt know but from the way they are telling this looks like it wont be up again.

Whats more interesting is that you were the first to post release date (not claiming you about that) because you had some contacts inside Dell and now you dont know.

To add to this CF 5870 has of course part number. It also had part number when it was up on EU Dell sites for two days. But then it was removed as not even people with full access to their database dont see anything. So where does this part number comes from in my opinion? Dell wanted to release them in CF (so had part number) but then something really bad happened. The fact that this part number existed doesnt mean it still exists.

And there is no reason for hiding CF 5870 release as they announced it on CEBIT if i am not wrong. So what selling trick and stuff? the first notebook with CF 5870 and this design would kiss a.. against its competitors at least till other machines with this configuration would be released. Something is pushing them back (if not out of schedule already) and its not marketing.

yes there was. the big difference? they are DDR3 and more important there wasnt any 4870 offered as single gpu (even though it works as single too) .. everyone who understands understands.

the only good point for me is CF connector on single gpu. but once again this doesnt prove anything. maybe they were ordered while they were waiting for them to be configured in CF but now left only with the CF connector. thus if a new vbios will be needed to fix possible issues on CF how would they expect from normal customers to do this? because everything is a matter of hardware-driver-vbios-Bios cooperation

One good point would be also that they are trying to get rid of the 4870s. Well my replacement order is in pre-production for 6 days now, somekind of delayed too!

 

Yup I conveyed the 5/5 date as I was told more than a week in advance. The guy at Dell that told me sounded very sure of it at the time. On 5/5 he then told me that it wouldn't come and that the next date was 5/13 but they weren't sure about it either. In fact, he hasn't gotten back to me since then even though I queried him about it.

We're supposed to see the CF 5870 release in a matter of hours if they hit their 5/13 target date. If not, then who knows when we'll see them, if ever. I actually regret selling my R2 because at the time, I got rid of it because the guy I speak with regularly was sure of the 5/5 date (I don't blame him, it's just the way things work). So if he doesn't know what's going on (and he has a direct line with the AW engineers), I doubt some guy in Europe does.

At this point I'd even be happy to see Clevo push out X7200 with Crossfire 5870m, as long as SOMEONE gets it out there.

 

I wouldn't believe that even if it came straight from michael dells mouth. Until there is ACTUAL PROOF, like an official statement of some kind, anything else is hearsay. Yeah yeah my reply is full of contradictions lol.

 

Malignant, I liked your old avatar better.

 

The point of the dual gpu's with the alienware was not only for the performance but also aesthetically, like the RGB LED screen, for me anyway. Unless clevo is going that route?

 

I did too but batboy or whichever admin took her away but hit girl kicks butt

 

Nah Clevo hasn't gone that route yet. Their next high profile release is the X7200 which is still a step up in looks compared to what they have out now. I don't think it will have RGB LED though. I'm still hoping it's metal though that's a long shot.

 

here's the thing. The canadian alienware site has had only the single 5870 as an option for a few days now. It seems like they are either done with pushing the 4870's or waiting for more stock. All i know is they're going to have to offer a dual card option soon. I'm hoping the xfire 5870's will pop up there any day now. Otherwise what's the point of getting an m17x?

edit: Also, why would they include a crossfire connector on their primary cards?

 

if you officially knew that CF 5870 wont be released, would you buy single 5870 instead of proved faster 4870 CF thus releasing them of their stock 5870s

all those months i am inside Dell group it looks like Dell has the trend to change order configuration websites so as to promote what it wants to get rid from.

 

They won't include a Crossfire connector with a single card. The 5870's should be released shortly I would imagine. The new bios was just released, I posted a thread containing a link to it as well as a picture of the release notes.

 

A05 BIOS release notes :

BIOS:
1.Add an option of ΅§Intel(R) Virtualization Technology΅¨ in
BIOS setup menu to fix ΅§Can not run XP virtual mode΅¨ issue.
EC:
1.Support AMD Broadway MXM card used different thermal SMBUS address.

A04 BIOS release notes (because it was never officially released)

1.Add a workaround to fix "AMD DOS diag tool stop running"
issue on CFD CPU + dual Broadway XT system configuration.
EC:
1. Fix when battery is lower than 7.2V, the battery must need remove then insert
then system just can check the battery exist issue.
2. Support BWXT external thermal sensor.

do you see something for CF 5870 support or something? i dont.

 

Crylo,

I meant why would they have the crossfire connector jack sticking out of the single ati 5870 unless it was designed to be paired with another 5870... Babyhemi's 5870 cards he was selling did not have the option to connect two in xfire, but dell's do. All I'm saying is that 5870 xfire is obviously coming.

 

by the way havent checked this thread?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/482905-confirmed-single-hd5870-m17x-has-cf-connector.html

or you say he lies?

 

Checked what thread?

 

EDIT: lol sorry I meant cable, it's like 3am here, and I'm tired. He said connector and for some reason I thought about the cable that connects the two cards. I need to sleep.

 

ok. of course they wouldnt. it comes together with second gpu.

PS: DELL UK dual 4870s will delay order for 12 days. i remember before two days this was for the single 5870. exactly same delay. loool. whatever Dell!

 

Mine has gone in production stage already yesterday, is yours still in pre-production? Allthough my EDD says june 21th

 

yes still in pre-production. i noticed that people with single 5870 get it faster. my EDD still 11th June but they want to chage it later to p.ss me off more or make me cancel it because its free and replacement.

 

indeed! If someone can get it out there, this means its possible and therefore AW will be able to get it out there.

 

Pdogg, there's no doubt AW wants to release a CF 5870. There's some issue, supply, engineering, or something else, that's holding it back. Once overcome, we'll see CF 5870's as an option.

 

Oh it does, in a way. It's just using the code names. Let me decipher it for you.
Broadway XT is the code name for the RV480 chip that powers the Mobility Radeon 5870. Dual Broadway XT configurations are mentioned in the A04 BIOS Update notes. This basically translates into two ATi Radeon Mobility HD 5870 in Crossfire configuration.

 

LOL Gizmo, even I figured that one out

 

Got an e-mail from my Dell rep, he says I can order CF 5870 straight away. Part of his e-mail:

''I’ve confirmed with the Production team that the Crossfire Of HD 5870 is ready to go. Last time it was a marketing error. I have no Information about why it’s not displayed online.''

 

Just in case anyone was curious. on the Dell.ca site the M17x doesn't have the option for the 4870's CF anymore. That could be a good sign?

 

It's been that way for over a week.

 

OH, lol then ignore my ignorance

 

I have been checking the Dell Panama config site since that is where the 5850s first showed up, and it's down for maintenance.

 

!#@$^&%!&$!*&%##!& my order shipped 4 days ahead of schedule D: now I'll have to return it if they pop up before then

 

Oh man that sucks, NOW they will come out just because your laptop shipped. Oh hey, thanks btw

 

.....and it's still not available on Alienware(Dell) USA site. Only dual 4870HD's or ONE, SINGLE, LONESOME, ALL BY ITSELF BECAUSE IT ISN'T OUT IN CF YET, 5870HD.



But tomorrow it will be here (my cat said so)


p.s. I don't own any pet animals.

 

"Broadway XT" is the 5870.

EDIT: Oops, I wasn't up to date on the thread. It's early in the morning, just ignore me lol.

 

meh.. I'm not sure I'll return it even if they do come out before my 21day period is up. It's not like 4870's are slouches, and I'd have to wait a minimum 2-4weeks for them to recieve it, credit my accounts and then another 3-4 weeks for my *new* laptop to ship, of which time the 480s will be announced XD

 

What do ye think the 480s will be like in comparison to the 5870s (I'm just asking for speculation)? If it was certian that the 480s would be out 3 weeks after the 5870s would ye wait?