M17xR3 #2 just arrived

As you may have read in previous threads, I returned my perfectly good one for a new one in order to get the free Xbox 360. Also upgraded the processor and the screen at the same time.

The new one arrived about an hour ago, and looks fantastic. Build quality seems perfect - even the media bar is fine, not raised at all (it was slightly raised on one side on my previous one, but not enough to concern me).

It's running like a champ. I haven't swapped in my memory or SSD and hard drive yet, thought I'd test it as shipped from Dell. But so far, it's a winner. This screen (1080p 60hz) is a ton better than the 1600x900 one on my first model.

 

I remember your thread. That's awesome man. We need more of these threads where people are saying that their machines showed up in great shape and are working properly. You got a free XBox out of the deal too!

 

Awesome and good for you. I too have gotten a second R3 and the media bar has been fine on this one. That was the only issue I ever saw with the first one(fixed it myself I might add). They must've fixed whatever issue was causing it. Glad you love the new one. And the screen is waaaaay different from a 1600x900-just got a replacement XPS 17 for an XPS M1730 and it was 1600x900 and it just seemed sooooo different than the 1920x1080 or 1920x1200. Day and night!!!

 

Yeah I was nervous, sending back a perfectly good one...but this one is even better.

 

Mine was received in great shape, but had a stuck pixel in the LCD. The LCD was replaced today by a Unisys (onsite) tech and now it's perfect.

Side note: You may want to update the Broadcom wireless drivers if you chose to stick with the base wireless option. I was having poor wireless performance before I grabbed the newest BCM43xx drivers from the Broadcom site.

 

I swear this new system is running much quieter than the first M17xR3 I had. Previously, the fans would kick on to a very audible level after a few minutes of playing EverQuest2.

On this system, temps look to be the same, but the fans aren't running at nearly the same speed.

Maybe on this one the GPU and CPU were pasted better?

 

Maybe?! But could be a fan issue(doubt it) too. Just monitor your temps and make sure they are not getting too hot(CPU and GPU).

 

That's just it - temps look to be the same on the CPU (68-71C under EQ2, which is very CPU intensive), with the fan quieter than before.

The GPU is running much lower - on the first machine, the fans would really get going to keep it at 68C in EQ2. Now they're barely running and GPU temp is holding at 64-65C.

 

Sounds like it is doing great. Both of mine have been awesome. Not a single issue other than the media bar on the first one. Easy fix. The R3 really is a great machine. I'm getting an M18x in a few days and I'm torn at which one to keep-the R3 or the M18???

 

remember the media bar is just a thin piece of metal. pressing the buttons in the middle will flex it a little causing..... thats right ! the end of it to get raised. try not to press so hard on the buttons or just put a dab of glue on the edge and itll stay down. among other ways to fix it.

 

Wait until you swap your SSD.

Mine is good out of the box but the moment I put anything else in it that POS has issues.

 

Already did, about 2 hours after it arrived. It's been rock solid with it for the two days since. And the first was rock solid with this SSD for the two weeks I had it. No issues at all...

 

Lucky, I've been getting lemons all the time.