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    M17xR3 A08 BIOS Released!

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by CaveBear, Aug 8, 2011.

  1. CaveBear

    CaveBear Notebook Enthusiast

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    CaveBear, Aug 8, 2011
    #1
  2. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Support new CPUs? As in 2660QM, 2760QM, 2860QM and the 2960XM? Sweet!
     
    widezu69, Aug 8, 2011
    #2
  3. Dr. J

    Dr. J Notebook Deity

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    New CPU's meaning what ours will be after the new bios down clocks the motherboard... :(
     
    Dr. J, Aug 8, 2011
    #3
  4. james_2k

    james_2k Notebook Evangelist

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    wonder if this one throttles.. probably
     
    james_2k, Aug 8, 2011
    #4
  5. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Well no one better to try it than you :)
     
    widezu69, Aug 8, 2011
    #5
  6. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    What...new cpu's?

    Is Intel releasing something new...not that I know of. :confused:
     
    Brabostaan, Aug 8, 2011
    #6
  7. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    Sandy Bridge refresh... see here: Intel Introduces 4 New Mobile CPUs | Tech|Inferno

    Like the 720QM -> 740QM, 820QM ->840QM etc. shift with the first gen i7 CPUs, but they pushed the multi a bit more... pretty cool, the 2960xm is at 3.7GHz :D
     
    svl7, Aug 8, 2011
    #7
  8. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    widezu69, Aug 8, 2011
    #8
  9. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    +1 rep. for the both of you. ;)

    I will now hold out untill they are released. Soon I guess. :confused:
     
    Brabostaan, Aug 8, 2011
    #9
  10. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    So if the CPU is "supported" then why can't we change the frequency?
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 8, 2011
    #10
  11. CptXabaras

    CptXabaras Overclocked, Overvolted, Liquid Cooled

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    becouse they want us to spend money
     
    CptXabaras, Aug 8, 2011
    #11
  12. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    keep an eye out on the ES market........

    what happened to changing frequency? I mean we never could change frequency anyway, was there a way to before?
     
    Raidriar, Aug 8, 2011
    #12
  13. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    Nope. Not on our laptops anyway...

    The BIOS does allow us to change the turbo mode time
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 8, 2011
    #13
  14. koelle

    koelle Notebook Consultant

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    Suppose new 2x60
     
    koelle, Aug 8, 2011
    #14
  15. DR650SE

    DR650SE The Whiskey Barracuda

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    $$$$$$$$$$
     
    DR650SE, Aug 8, 2011
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  16. Geoffxx

    Geoffxx Notebook Evangelist

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    intersting, any changes to 2920XM support ?
     
    Geoffxx, Aug 9, 2011
    #16
  17. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    svl7, Aug 9, 2011
    #17
  18. Geoffxx

    Geoffxx Notebook Evangelist

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    I read it but not willing to try this until someone proves it works 100% with my hardware, I really don't need any issues atm as I am away from home and need my machine working.
     
    Geoffxx, Aug 9, 2011
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  19. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    Well, there's no reason why it shouldn't work with your system. If you don't like it you can still revert back to the BIOS you currently use.
    Fun thing is that all people are crying for a modded BIOS, but as soon as there's one available most people aren't willing to try it unless it has been confirmed by a lot of people that it works... I guess you see the problem.
     
    svl7, Aug 9, 2011
    #19
  20. james_2k

    james_2k Notebook Evangelist

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    so someone else should risk it before you do :p uhuhuh!
     
    james_2k, Aug 9, 2011
    #20
  21. jujojujo_2003

    jujojujo_2003 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Any idea how I can enable boot password??
     
    jujojujo_2003, Aug 9, 2011
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  22. vicious2500

    vicious2500 Notebook Geek

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    I flashed my bios last night buy still have to install the NVIDIA drivers to check if it throttles. I'll do so when I get off.
     
    vicious2500, Aug 9, 2011
    #22
  23. bluejamesbond

    bluejamesbond Notebook Geek

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    for those who are trying to install the notebook drivers without inf mod...please use this. here the verde drivers provide all the sufficient drivers to use 3d and 460m gtx and the 580m should be supported as well. i am saying this after my install on the 3d m17x r3.

    btw this is notebook version of the verde drivers...best to do a clean install with all the components in the checklist and you can remove the Nvidia Update after the install in the Windows uninstall.

    X64--NVIDIA VERDE for NOTEBOOKS (3d drivers included)
    NVIDIA DRIVERS 280.26 WHQL
     
    bluejamesbond, Aug 10, 2011
    #23
  24. Geoffxx

    Geoffxx Notebook Evangelist

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    no reason at all except that it is an M18x bios and I have an M17x with nvidia and 3D, now if we could get a modified M17x bios that supports the XM cpu then I'm in

    May I also add that it's rediculous that we should be going to these extreme measures to enable support for a current cpu, something that Dell really needs to look at, why on earth will they not add the support and be done with it, sack the marketing dept as this is just another mess like the 485m saga
     
    Geoffxx, Aug 10, 2011
    #24
  25. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    Well, this BIOS has been confirmed to work, by DaneGRClose, and according to the creator the BIOS will work best with systems that have a Nvidia card and an XM CPU.
    I can't see a reason for not flashing it, you have actually an absolutely useless $1000+ CPU in your system which is hardly any faster than a 2720QM/2820QM.


    It's pretty obvious why Dell doesn't enable the XM in the M17x r3, they want it exclusive for the M18x since sales aren't going very well, especially outside of the US.
    By only offering this CPU for the M18x they try to make this a reason to get an M18x instead of an M17x.
    I don't really know what you mean with 485m mess...
     
    svl7, Aug 10, 2011
    #25
  26. Scottyboy99

    Scottyboy99 Notebook Consultant

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    Well, I definetely need to take a chill pill but all the endless new releases of BIOS are doing my head in. I want my system to stay upto date but to jump from A04 to A08 in the space of days is ridiculous. Yes, I am one of those guys who constantly stresses about new drivers, updates etc bricking my system.

    Anyway, for the benefit of others sitting on the fence I updated my M17rx3 system (2820 QM, 6970m) to A08 and it seems to be fine. No hibernation, sleep issues, wifi seems ok. Maybe boot time into windows is ever so slightly slower but maybe that's just me imagining it.

    Good luck doing the flash. Should be ok. Hopefully Dell will slow down on the relentless BIOS updates now!

    Cheers
    Wayne
     
    Scottyboy99, Aug 10, 2011
    #26
  27. Geoffxx

    Geoffxx Notebook Evangelist

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    you are obviously the brains on this forum, you seem to have all the answers for all the people..........I'm glad you're here

    as for my own system - up to me ;)
     
    Geoffxx, Aug 10, 2011
    #27
  28. livid

    livid Notebook Consultant

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    The XM is merely for bragging rights. I remember when I had my Q9450 and I overclocked that sucker past QX9650 speeds, saving over $600 in my build cost.
     
    livid, Aug 10, 2011
    #28
  29. TostitoBandito

    TostitoBandito Notebook Evangelist

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    I still have a Q9450 in my desktop. That thing will overclock from 2.67 to 3.2 GHz without even changing voltage or anything. 3.4 or 3.6 GHz isn't that much harder.
     
    TostitoBandito, Aug 10, 2011
    #29
  30. hteng

    hteng Notebook Consultant

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    appreciate you taking the dive for us 6970m r3 users ! *Salute*, is the brightness control still working though?
     
    hteng, Aug 10, 2011
    #30
  31. Scottyboy99

    Scottyboy99 Notebook Consultant

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    Pleased to report FN brightness still works. I use the amd catalyst 11.7 drivers in combo with this bios.

    Cheers,
    Wayne
     
    Scottyboy99, Aug 10, 2011
    #31
  32. hteng

    hteng Notebook Consultant

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    awesome awesome news, i'll go ahead and upgrade too :D

    edit: also i read some chinese forums that the port 0 speed issue has been fixed.. sorta. just a rumor

    edit 2: just updated to A08, so far so good, using 11.8 preview driver, no sleep/wakeup/shutdown issues, brightness control is working.
     
    hteng, Aug 10, 2011
    #32
  33. Scottyboy99

    Scottyboy99 Notebook Consultant

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    Good to hear mate. How is the 11.8 preview driver over 11.7? Any noticeable improvement. To be honest I can't see much improvement from any of the driver updates or Bios updates (but no issues either). I am out dated with my benchmarking but I still use 3d Mark 06. Under bios a03 and dell stock drivers (march) I got about 19700 marks. Now under bios a08 and cat 11.7 I get much the same although my score is a bit more inconsistent ranging between 19300 at times but mostly around 19700. Not sure why its a bit more variable these days!
     
    Scottyboy99, Aug 10, 2011
    #33
  34. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    A08 is working fine on my system so far. Birghtness keys working. Wifi ok etc etc.

    Anything you want me to confirm just ask :)
     
    Joe85, Aug 10, 2011
    #34
  35. Scottyboy99

    Scottyboy99 Notebook Consultant

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    Cheers Joe. Looks like the Bios is a safe bet for all 6970m users!

    Do your benchmarks all seem ok - like said in my previous post only thing I noticed is my 3d Mark 06 is a bit more sporadic varying by around 500 points at times but generally returns score of approx 19700 - not sure that is down to bios though or an accumulation of hard drive clutter. I think bizarrely it came a bit inconsistent ever since I updated to the poisonous latest iTunes (10.4)! Sorry, that has gone a bit off topic.
     
    Scottyboy99, Aug 10, 2011
    #35
  36. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    Ha, itunes is a plague! I'll run a 3d mark 06 and get back to you.
     
    Joe85, Aug 10, 2011
    #36
  37. 0verseer

    0verseer Notebook Enthusiast

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    I updated to A08 just about now, was hoping my shutdown problem would go away, but it didn't :( Still my R3 leaves all LEDs on until I force shutdown, it got a bit faster though.

    Anyone except me having this or might know whats causing it ? Been searching google for this, but nothing i've tried works.
     
    0verseer, Aug 10, 2011
    #37
  38. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    Wow, 3dmark06 scored just over 11000 :( was 19700 before.......
     
    Joe85, Aug 10, 2011
    #38
  39. hteng

    hteng Notebook Consultant

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    sorry i didn't used 11.7, so i don't have any benchs, i played crysis 2 for about 15mins with 800 1100 clocks and it seems to be fine, temps are good, framerate stays above 30 for the most part.
     
    hteng, Aug 10, 2011
    #39
  40. 0verseer

    0verseer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Got 14075 on 06 with A08/GTX460 right about now.
     
    0verseer, Aug 10, 2011
    #40
  41. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    I just re-ran it. 19490.... much better. :)
     
    Joe85, Aug 10, 2011
    #41
  42. Scottyboy99

    Scottyboy99 Notebook Consultant

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    11000! That must of been a horrible shock. Must of been some background task running at same time. 19490 sounds bang on i would say. I just got 19,532. No doubt if I reboot or switch to integrated gpu and back to discrete gpu the score would be better. Quirky stuff!
     
    Scottyboy99, Aug 10, 2011
    #42
  43. 0verseer

    0verseer Notebook Enthusiast

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    How do you get so high ? The 6970 is only about 5-7% faster than the 460GTX, so how come ?

    Have you bought 3dMark06, so the scores differs depending on the configuration of the tests or?
     
    0verseer, Aug 10, 2011
    #43
  44. Geoffxx

    Geoffxx Notebook Evangelist

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    woop woop, you caught me again lol, I need to spend more time with none bragging posts and less replies to people than don't really matter
     
    Geoffxx, Aug 10, 2011
    #44
  45. james_2k

    james_2k Notebook Evangelist

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    no its faster than that.

    the 6870 or 50 or whatever the lower ati card on the r3 was is about the same as the 460
     
    james_2k, Aug 10, 2011
    #45
  46. 0verseer

    0verseer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Not according to AMD Radeon HD 6970M - Notebookcheck.net Tech

    6970 performs about 8% better in overall benchmarks section. And there is no awesome difference in fps on any game that I can see. Still 19.700 is way more than "8%".
    I consider Notebookcheck a somewhat reliable source since they do all kinds of tests.
     
    0verseer, Aug 10, 2011
    #46
  47. CaveBear

    CaveBear Notebook Enthusiast

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    Huh? Are you possibly looking at the list for 3DMark 05??? Because that's the only place I can find a 460M at -8%... The one that is 8% slower under 3DMark 06 is a GeForce GTS 450... :confused:
     
    CaveBear, Aug 10, 2011
    #47
  48. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    Any idea when the new cpu's hit Alienware?
     
    Brabostaan, Aug 10, 2011
    #48
  49. CleanSweep

    CleanSweep Notebook Geek

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    The 6970m is much closer to twice as fast as a 460m, lol. That is a number I pulled out of my head, so it must be more correct than yours!
    Sarcasm aside, the 6970m actually is much faster, the 6870m is even a bit faster I think.
     
    CleanSweep, Aug 10, 2011
    #49
  50. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    The 6870 launched with the 460M, the 6870 was about 10-15% faster, IN BENCHMARKS. FPS wasn't much different in most games. That's why it came down to either 3D or a faster GPU. Now we have the 580M so it's a no brainer to select the 580M + 3D just for the 120hz screen, even.
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 10, 2011
    #50
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