M17xR3 First Impression

hey Mandrake,

I just got my m17x r3 today.
I got the upgraded 60 hz screen. Is your screen really glossy? I can hardly see things when the background is dark or black.

Oh, another thing... my computer smelled really bad too. You were right, especially when I was taking it out the box.

Thank you for your time.

 

Yes but that glossy-ness goes back to the R1. Nothing new unfortunately.

 

Yea, my m15x (Gen 1) has that super glossy screen, too. Its great for games and movies (Which is what Alienware intends their computers to be used for). The glossyness really brings out the colors in games/movies/photos, that kinda thing.

 

So, this M17x R3, doesnt include that external receptor?



If not, that is so awesome! bcause g73 3D use that receptor and is annoying

 

The receptor is integrated in the laptop. (On top of the screen I believe next to the camera)

 

So the Dell site lies. All the m17x etc have 4 dimms

 

No receptor, confirmed.

 

Huh ? what you walking about ?

 

The Dell site does not lie and does not make mention of how many RAM slots the PC comes with.

You are confused.

4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz (2DIMMS) This means it's 2 x 2GB NOT SURE WHY YOU IMPLY THE PC COMES WITH ONLY 2 SLOTS. 2 ARE JUST EMPTY

8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz (4DIMMS) This means it's 4 dimms of 2GB each.[Add $250.00 or $8.00/month1]
Alienware Recommended

I am not sure why people get confused here. There is no room for confusion. They do not mention how many slots there are but how many dimms are used for a given configuration.

Also this is where you see Dell is cheap as it charges you $250.00 for 4 dimms of 2GB each which are worth at best $50.00 total.

A dimm is the actual memory module.

A slot is where the dimm goes into.

 

Just a quick FYI, the receptor mentioned in these posts is actually the emitter. One reason I like the AW is the emitter is built-in and I won’t have to carry it with me.. The receptor is in the glasses next to the left lens.

 

The new R3 does seem mighty awesome, but the fact that they went back to plastic makes me sad I'll be keeping my M15x, thank ya very much

 

I'm more disappointed in the lack of RGB LED... better be on the M18x! But I agree, it just seems cheesy.

 

Quick OC of the bus from 100 to 102 seems to work with no issues.

 

Waaay off topic Mandrake, but what kind of camera and settings did you use to take the pictures?

 

All the EXIF data can be retrieved off Flickr. I used two different bodies, two different lenses, 3 different flashes. Just select a pic, go to Actions and select view EXIF info.

 

XMP profiles make it too easy. Here is 1600@Cas7.

 

not that it really matters, but I was reading that the R3 comes equipped with a 3+ MP camera. Is that the true Mandrake?

 

Don't know, haven't read anything about it.

 

I pretty much decided to pick up a sandy bridge laptop because I require a min. 1.8ghz cpu (if quad core, different for dual core). The 820(?)m upgrade via Dell cost so much. I figured I could go with a 2630/2720 and pay nothing / next to nothing for upgrades and get a better overall laptop.

Long story short, that ss just made my day.

 

Anybody know where the latest version of evga eleet is? I can't find it.

 

Here's a link to the latest version of eleet so you don't have to sign up for evga's crap mail program lol:
eleet.zip

 

Why purchase 1600 when it only supports 1333 (per Owners Manual) ? What am i missing ? Thanks.

 

^ XMP profile

The BUS overclocking seems promising but SB is notorious for not being stable under BUS overclocking. I certainly hope that is not the only way we can overclock the sucker if XM processors are used. alienware overclocks the 2600k on their auroras to 3.9 from the factory. i wonder if thats a bus overclocking. If we can safely overclock the bus 10-15 percent it would be a nice feature.from the factory bios overclocking in a notebook seems like an alienware exclusive. kudos!

EDIT. just noticed the 1.22v on the CPU. thats pretty hight for a laptop isnt it? Atleast with my i7 920 i can usually get around 3.6 ghz on 1.22 and that make the temp go into low 70s in prime 95. But i have a 900gm cooler on the CPU. cant imagine how a laptop cooler can handle 1.22v

 

I think you missing this
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/550559-m17xr3-first-impression-22.html#post7097731

 

I am not familiar with overclocking.... what does that chart mean? Does the R3 support 1600 Mhz?

 

Ya, i skipped a page apparently. Thanks for the prompt response. Now all i have to do is wait for the 485 and Wireless HD : /

 

What is that "XMP"?

 

extreme memory profile? not sure about the exact meaning but it basically allows your motherboard to recognise the ram speed without you doing anything. For example to get ram working at 1600 on an i7 you need to overclock the BLK or change the memory multiplier. but with XMP you just need to select the profile in the bios and BOOM 1600.

although i dont really see the relevence of fast memory anymore because it doesnt effect overclocking capabilities anymore. In the old dayd fast memory means you can OC the FSB more but now days you can just dial down the memory multiplier so your ram run at stock even if you have overclock the BLK by 50%.

XM processors also have unlocked multipliers so ram doesnt come into it either

 

Oops. PCGeek already pointed this out. Nm! Feel free to delete this repetitive post.

Just fyi, that's not a receiver, it's a transmitter It's what sends the shutter commands to the glasses (ie transmits) not receives from

You probably know this, just a case of reversed terminology

 

Thanks! Rep when I'm allowed to again.

 

Wish I had more info to pass along but I'm having compatibility issues with my SSD. I found out the hard way that it's not compatible with the latest Intel Rapid Storage technology (BSOD even in Safe Mode) and that I need to get the firmware updated so that hopefully it starts working properly. Right now I'm reinstalling the OS on a 500GB Seagate drive and then I will pop in my SSD to do maintenance on it. Hopefully this will all be straighten out by the weekend.

 

been getting oodles of BSOD with my Kingston SSD as well. Done 5 reinstalls and driver installs tonight (its almost 5AM) but think I have everything running (fingers crossed). If it flakes out on me then I will just install the 320G along with my 750GB arriving tomorrow. But yeah, fresh install on SSD=not easy.

 

ugh, that gives me less hope that a firmware upgrade will fix it.

 

More updates on the initial post.

 

the gen 3 ssd (SATA III, SATA 6 Gb/s interface) should be compatible with the R3, right?. I am thinking about getting this guy for my R3
Newegg.com - Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC064MAG-1G1 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

 

Who knows, I though my SSD would be compatible.

 

oh noes, BSOD'ed

 

Mandrake, why not try installing one of the older versions of RST?

 

There are still other issues even when it's not installed.

 

Judging by the pics and comparing to my m17x the touchpad is in the same position if not a small centimeter to the left(but i doubt it).

 

Then I'm just not remembering it correctly.

 

I'm a bit confused on the build material. I've heard about the rubbery coating on the lid and palmrest, but Dr. J said that it is a combination of rubber/magnesium. Mandrake- do you think the base is still magnesium?

Thanks!

 

it might just be me, but when my hands are positioned with my fingers on WASD, my palm is acctually touching tought the top left of the touch pad. and if its touching, and you try to use the touchpad, it doesnt respond.
oh, and the keyboard flex is not noticable unless you are the kind that pound on your keyboard. under normal usage it should not be flexing.

 

I don't know if Dr. J said specifically that the base was magnesium but I'll ask him. :0

 

Question, what is the battery time while watching a movie at 50% screen luminosity and PC set on lowest performance possible, wifi off.

I wonder if the PC has enough battery to watch an entire 2h movie or not.

 

If I said yes it would only be a guess.

The bottom control panel feels exactly like the one on the M15x. That covers a majority of the bottom of this system. The chassis feels like what's inside the existing M17xR2/M15x which I'm guessing is magnesium.

 

lol, I don't even have a working OS. These new generation controllers are not playing nice with the older SSDs. If I can't get it to work by the weekend I'm buying a new one and sell my SSD with the M15x.

 

What SSD do you have?

 

Lol, didn't mean to put words in your mouth I made a jump asking if the base was magnesium. But you think the machine is a combo of plastic, rubber, and mag?

 

OCZ Vertex LE