*NEW* M17xR3 Available for order... details and discussion here

Damn nice find! If they do offer the 485m and finally the 128 ssd x2 in raid0 both the r3 fail version and r2 will be forgotten! ( both are being returned before 21 days)

 

That would be a nice system IF it came with 485m AND RGBLED but I doubt that they will re-introduce that screen format unfortunately (you never know for sure though!)

Also, a point to note regarding SSD's in raid, they do not support TRIM - at the moment. Im not sure how much of an impact this has on SSD performance, but I too am looking at SSD combinations and would prefer RAID with TRIM when its possible.

Maybe worth noting too that aftermarket upgrades of these components can save quite a bit on Dell prices, so, if you are thinking of SSD's, I (personally) would shop about a bit prior to paying Dell prices for one (or two) SSD's as you are bound to get them cheaper "aftermarket"

 

Ahh, Gotcha. I need to spend more time on the forum Miss my old job that allowed me access to the forum all day every day lol. Thanks.

 

For now there is internal garbage collection in the drive firmwares. The way RAID works TRIM just is not going to be compatible with RAID since the command is for individual drives and not an array

 

Hopefully one day this will get sorted out. Guess time will tell.

 

@raphaelrabadan thanks a lot!!!

p.s. has any1 tried to connect DELL support concerning the 485 GTX option? also i see much more processors available... maybe they introduced all that stuff to canada first again?

 

This is what im hoping will get sorted too....im not in a rush, so will wait and see. (sorry for getting slightly OT)

 

I've been using SSDs in RAID (with obviously no TRIM support) since october 2009; used two Sammys and now two Intels.

Best advice I can provide you with is:

Never fill your NO-TRIM-ANY-BRAND-SSD more than 70%, and you should remain an HAPPY-SSD-BUDDY.

Freely visit the link in my sig, and also this post.

Cheers !

eYe

 

yeah I been checking every day as well, still no R3 Option

 

I don't see the option. Is it a future release?

Right now you can only buy the 120Hz screen in the 3D kit, and only with the 460M.

The R3 is not meant to replace the R2.

It's aimed at a different market. Those who want something more portable, cheaper, and don't need/want XFire/SLi. Similar market to the M15x. But this has the benefits of a bigger (3D) screen, 2 HDD slots, and 4 RAM slots.

Just look at Alienware.com's laptop page. It's got the R3 next to the R2, and the R2 still has the caption "The most powerful 17" gaming laptop in the universe".

If there'll be a successor to the R2 (most likely), the R3 is not that successor. There's been a much rumoured future M18x; THAT would replace the R2.

The R3 is essentially in a different class of gaming notebook to the R2.

Correct, if the information we know about it right now is true.

Like someone said, the 68xx series is meant to replace the 57xx series, and the 69xx series is meant to replace the 58xx series.

 

Just noticed something else which is a nice little addition regarding the R3 and its new chipset. This may be common knowledge and probably wouldnt make a huge difference, so apologies if its already been noted.

Seems that, depending on what cpu you order with your R3, it may vary in chipset. I dont know if its just the one chipset in all varieties of R3 config but from what i read here Mobile Processors , the relevant cpu/chipset combination can now support ram with speeds up to 1600mhz.....whereas before it was 1333mhz on the R2.

A little something extra I guess, down to SB no doubt....just thought I would mention it as Dell options all seem to be limited to ram that runs at 1333mhz....

 

@EvilCorsiair
well guess what?

me -"so i was about to order one but looks like you dont have 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 485M in customizing options yet?"

rep -"Glad you chatted in, I am happy to assist you with your concern today."

rep -"Thank you for waiting as I have checked the Nvidia 2 Gb is not in stock right now that is why you are not getting the option."

rep -" we do not have it right now, but we may have it in 2 weeks time."

pwned? *WEEHAA*

 

more so, will the R3 be able to handle the heat of a 485M GPU ???

 

Wow...really? I hope that's not just a rep that doesn't know what they're doing...because if that's true...the 485M would turn the R3 into a truly epic laptop.

I'd need something that good anyway to handle the 3D. I just hope it's not massively more expensive than the 460M...the R3's overpriced enough in the UK as it is.

It should definitely be able to if the cooling design is good (and it certainly looks good). I mean, the M15x could handle the 280M (as someone proved) and the 460M without a problem. The M17x's cooling should be more powerful than that.

 

well if the R3 had the 485m GPU option I would possibly jump on it, as the SB chipset, and USB3 options already tick off the boxes on what I want to replace my R1 with,

I could also live without the RGB LED screen, or even try to add one myself later.

 

If the screen in your R1 is the bog standard CCFL job (I can't remember what screen they used) then you'll still see a massive improvement going to WLED.

My friend has an M15x, and his WLED display puts my M17's display to shame. It's much brighter, more vibrant and colourful.

 

This was true in the desktop space but it does not necessarily mean they are sticking to the same naming convention in the laptop space. The 6000 series is able to do more with less SPs in the desktop world so an 800 SP 6870M could still woop up a 800 SP 5870m

we will have to wait for benches to decide and even then, the difference in processors will still be another variable to have to factor in

 

OMG !! someone who gets it...thank you you !! Bolding is mine...

 

I believe the specs are more or less the same as the 5870M's stats apart from some apparent underclocking, aren't they? (IIRC)

Then unless they've worked some circuitry magic, it should be marginally less powerful. Even if it is more powerful, logic dictates it would only be by a very small margin.

It didn't take me long to figure it out once more information about it was released. Thinner and lighter, single GPU, cheaper, and sold at the same time, promoted alongside (not above) the R2 on their site? Clearly not meant to replace the R2.

I just wish more people would realise this instead of bashing it purely for its lack of dual-GPU options. (although bashing it for the lack of RGBLED is definitely a legitimate argument, but the M15x doesn't have it either, and they might not have been able to make a 3D RGBLED option.)

 

The 6870 in the desktop world with 1120 SPs performs very close to the 5870 with 1600 SPs and beats the 1440 SP 5850. Not all SPs are created equal

I think the 6870m should be able to at least match the 5870m

 

I've called twice, and (chatted online) with a sales rep. Their response; We currently have no stock. I find that amusing, considering the computers are built in the same factory as USA notebooks.
Anyway, I expect the base price to be +100~150 from what's posted on alienware usa.
In regards to the 32GB RAM comment, that upgrade will require 8GB modules. If they are available, I'm sure they're stupidly over-expensive (hence the 100,000+ GBP price).

If anyone in Canada really wants an r3 quickly, drop me a pm. I live 20mins from Niagara, and have Dell employees in the family (in USA), etc...

 

Memory controller is on the CPU die not the chipset...so the chipset will always be the HM67, but some Sandy Bridge CPU support 1600MHz (e.g. i7-2720QM) while others only support 1333Mhz (e.g. i7-2630QM).

Desktop GPU performing better with less SPU is because of the new uncore changes on Barts/Blackcomb, (hopefully) Turks/Whistler. and Caicos/Seymour...the rebranded GPU won't see that kind of bump without the new front end and doubled tessellation engine.

The only thing changed on the HD6870M from the Mob. HD5870 are the clocks and the BIOS.

 

Ah. In that case the 6870M should perform better than the 5870M (has the same number of SPs I believe) but even then I don't believe it would be by much.

It'll still make a difference, nonetheless.

 

Not sure how Eurocom's able to get the 6970M in their machines early but a big company like dell can't.

 

I've started taking orders for notebooks with the HD7970M.

EDD is 3/1/2012.

 

I would not assume this to be the case as this would actually be mixing names and architectures which so far has been something that ATI has never done. The 5870m and desktop 5870 are same architecture, just with chunks of the core disabled. The 6870 and 6870m will probably be the same architecture as well.

They do not have them. They are just saying they do. This company is notorious for lying about what they offer

 

So, its HM67 regardless of cpu choice eh? - just wondering what the difference between HM67 and QM67 are and why its not QM67 instead?

 

I think the differences are some security features and the PCIe connectivity

 

Aimed at a different market? Like the ones who want "so much power, it's not even fair." Or how about those that'll "be ducking for cover with the hyper-realistic graphics powered by the NVIDIA or AMD graphics options on the M17x. Gamers can crank up in-game settings and enjoy the HD experience..." with their new single-GPU configuration.

Just like how they haven't posted the M11x on the front page of Alienware.ca's site or fixed the M17x link. Or how they haven't posted the R3 on the site at all. Or even how they missed listing the 3D screen option in the configuration page on the U.S. site.

 

AMD's Dave Baumann on the "major" changes made to the rebranded HD6300M and HD6500M.

AMD Radeon HD 6000M Series Laptop GPUs Launched - Beyond3D Forum

 

The difference between HM67 and QM67 is that HM67 exists and QM67 doesn't.

Intel® Notebook Chipsets Product List

 

They are both Juniper cores according to wikipedia....that is extremely dissapointing as it means that ATI has fallen to nvidias levels now on mobile GPU naming conventions

Although changed from Broadway XT to Granville XT

 

Yes. It is aimed at a different market, it's not difficult to see. As for their description, like most people, you're just looking at the marketing talk.

Oh, and compared to most laptops, it certainly is 'hyper-realistic'. I mean, Crysis looks pretty damn realistic on my machine, and I can tell you that it's not as strong as an R3.

Just because it's a single GPU doesn't make it weak either. If you believe so, you also believe that every M15x ever built is weak? Really?

As for Alienware.ca, that's Canada. They're based in America, of course they're going to update that first. And the 3D not being available was most likely a bug, like how 32GB of RAM was offered in the UK for over £110,000. I assure you, the 3D screen IS available now, check for yourself.

 

QM67 to be launched start of Feb, so ive heard..... http://www.xoticpcforums.com/showthread.php?p=51887

 

Before you wreck yourself!!! lol J/K, had too,

On another front, when are estimated delivery dates? I'm waiting for somone to get thier hands on this system, just so I can see what the CPU capabilities are. Still curious as to whether or not ocerclocking options will be for all cpus, or just an XM CPU, which currently, isn't even offered. and if it is for all CPU's, then what makes the XM an XM?

 

With sandy bridge the non extreme cpus are limited to boosting the turbo speeds only by 4 bins. With the extreme it is completely unlocked (up to 57x)

At least that is my understanding for the desktop side of it

 

I don't know about anyone else but I'm Buried in 2-8-2011 land . Get's any later and I'll have to buy it a Valentines gift.

 

I believe quite a lot of the first people were saying their latest estimate was early Feb.

 

When the R2 first came out I believe it suffered from similar delays.

 

in my experience (6 dell notebooks) i've always gotten my notebook prior to the estimated arrival date, sometimes 2 weeks before. better with shipping than hp was with my Envy 17 3d.

 

I ordered mine from the u.s site. I'll be picking it up from my place over the border and driving it back over soon enough.

 

Hopefully they ship without delays that I think the R2 had, scook may be right on that. All I know is my three orders I did in Iraq were given three month delivery estimates, and normaly got there in one month. Hopefully dell is set to meet the orders they've taken. Though I thought lack of common sense was a military thing, I se it more and more everyday in civilian life too. At least I'll be eagerly waiting, just too see some hands on feedback.

 

End of February...which is why you're not seeing it for sale in the M17x R3 in the middle of January.


Q chipsets are business class with security features to allow a company's IT department the ability to track and control their employee issued notebooks.

 

Fair play, I wasnt sure of the differences...if one was better than the other and WAS to be released, thought people should know eh? - I know that I would want to know if a better component was going to be available very soon and wasnt something I could easily upgrade later on....

 

It's finally live in Canada
Alienware M17x Laptop Details | Dell Canada

$1599 base. That's a fairly reasonable price increase, even considering our currency is at par. At least we're not in the same boat as every other country (other than U.S.). Besides, it's easy enough for us to order from Dell USA - instant $200 savings.

EDIT: nvm, the component upgrades are stupidly more expensive.
$200 to upgrade from OEM to retail i7.
$50 per GB of RAM (not that it's ever a good idea to purchase RAM from Dell, but it's usually only $25 / GB of RAM upgrade).
Screen upgrades cost same as USA though.

Wow, the warranty upgrades even cost more than usual.
No option to engrave the nameplate.

$1899 +tax with 1080p 60Hz & GTX 460M
$2037 with tax in Ontario & B.C. (HST needs to die)

 

lol, the GTX 450M is actually $25 cheaper for Canadians.

 

Does anyone know if the M17x R3 has a multi touch touch pad for two finger scrolling, pinch to zoom, etc.?

 

they raised it from $50 upgrade to a $75 upgrade in the US today. Also, when i first customized mine on Monday the cpu upgrade was not required to get the 3d package, but now it is. Dell is just tweaking the options, trying to nickel and dime the customer as usual.

 

base price in belgium 1999€, thats 2670$ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! are they nuts ats dell... how totally unfair. these are the specs for that cash :

Alienware M17x Stealth Black
Intel® Core™ i7 Processor 2630QM (2.00Ghz, 6MB, 4C)
1Yr Next Day Hardware Support included
1.5GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 460M w/ Optimus
GEHEUGEN 4096MB 1333MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [2x2048]
DVD+/-RW (DVD, CD read and write)
250GB (7,200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive
17.3" WideHD+ (1600 x 900) WLED

can you believe that ?!

 

Wow, they require CPU upgrade to get 3D now?
It's not like that yet on Canada website.