New M17x R3 - first steps?

Hi!

I'm about to recieve my M17x R3 today and I'd like to know what my first steps should be. I've been reading this forum for a few days and seen alot of good advice, but not sure if it's all up-to-date info.

Specs... i7 2670QM, GTX 580M 2GB, 60Hz fullHD screen, Killer wifi, 750GB HDD, 4GB RAM.
I've just picked up a Samsung 830 SSD that I will install, and will buy memory later this week (2x4GB Kingston HyperX PnP 1600MHz DDR3 I think).

Step 1. Unpack and be amazed (this is, after all, my first Alienware)
Step 2. Create recovery discs
Step 3. Move the HDD to slot 0 and install the SSD in slot 1, correct?
Step 4. Reinstall Windows etc on SSD using the recovery discs
Step 5. Reinstall drivers, tools, apps, wallpapers, etc (or will that be taken care of by the recovery discs?)
Step 6. Update BIOS, drivers, etc (is the latest BIOS recommended, I read about some issues with it?)
Step 7. Optimize for SSD (Samsung Magician should take care of that, right?)
Step 8. Install more RAM
Step 9. Spend 2 days setting up AlienFX
Step 10. PWN!

Any comments or suggestions? Sorry if this has already been asked before.

Btw, do all 580M's have that throtting issue?

 

When I tried to put the O.S. on my SSD using the recovery disks I made it wouldn't work. Your'e better off doing a clean install on your SSD anyway.

 

I guess I'll give the recovery disks a shot first, but be prepared to do clean install...
But where can I find the included Alienware tools/apps/wallpapers/etc? On their website? Anyone know if the Windows 7 product key will work with a different language - ie, using key for swedish version to install english version (which I prefer)?

Other suggestions anyone?

 

My suggestion would be test it extremely thoroughly. I got my M17x last week and the first thing I always do is stress test. In my stress test my GPU died within 24 hours of opening the laptop, and I will be getting a tech out with a new GPU this week.

You want to insure you system is solid before the 21 days are up on your return, Alienware is really good with support, but within the 21 days you can ask for a brand new system at any time and they will give it to you. In my case I think the problem is small enough that the tech will just replace the part and everything will be great, but if you had other more systemic problems you might want a new machine.

I use Furmark for GPU only testing, and OCCT for all around testing.

You will almost certainly want to flash the 580m vBios to avoid the 63 degree throttle. I would say you should flash the vBios to the one that removes the throttle, then do your stress tests.

 

This should help: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ook-feel-after-clean-install-windows-7-a.html.

And this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...er-install-order-guide-alienware-systems.html.

 

The first thing i did was to reinstall windows and all needed stuff like drivers and certain apps like OSD onto the SSD. I left out everything else.

THen, play lots and lots of games, plus I benchmarked the system with 3dmark11 and Vantage just to make sure that my system was on par with other similar systems. If you're paranoid, you can also run memtest86 to test the ram

 

If you want the alienware logon screen it should be under C:\windows\system32\oobe\info\backgrounds\

If dell use the native way to add them into windows.

 

The first thing I did was have a big wank

 

What kind of test(s) do you suggest? I've just completed a few runs with 3DMark 11 & Vantage (in both Performance and Extreme). Right now I'm running FurMark 15 min burn in at 1920x1080. GPU temp @ 78°C with no problems so far.
Gonna re-run them when I've installed the SSD and the new memory.

Btw, what kind of results should I get using 3DMark 11/Vantage? I guess some of the results on 3dmark.com are with overclocking..?

 

Most all the top benchmark results you see will be with extreme overclocking.

I would recommend elevating the back of your laptop as much as possible, mine only failed when I had the back of the laptop elevated so it would not hit the 77 degree throttle (that is why you see 78, the card goes to super slow speeds at that temp and is not working very hard so that it stays cool). My card passed all the tests fine sitting flat on my desk and hitting the 77 degree throttle. But if I elevated it to keep it cool it would crash at lower temps after a few minutes at max power. I suspect mine had some fault that made it unable to handle max power for an extended time.

If it passes the Furmark test (even just like 5-10 minutes is fine) and a few minutes of OCCT CPU and LinkPack tests with plenty of airspace then you should be solid.

 

With the back elevated (like 3½ cm) I can complete the 15 min FurMark burn-in without problem. GPU temp was between 64°C and 67°C for most of the test. Does that mean my GPU is all ok?

Edit: Also ran OCCT CPU, Linpack and GPU tests without problems.

What's the deal with throttling? You mention both 63°C and 77°C.
Not sure I'm comfortable installing a custom vBIOS on a brand new laptop...

 

I did the vBIOS mod mentioned to fix the Power throttle (63c one) when my lappy was only a few days old. You just have to do it, it's like cutting the umbilical cord, set your lappy free.

And get a couple of rubber door stops (round ones) for your cooling method, one at each back corner and you should then not hit the thermal throttle either.

 

But if the temp can hit 77-78°C (my first FurMark test) how can there be a throttle at 63°C..?

What's the best way to log GPU temp during game play? I'd like to see if the throttle is really a problem for me in "real use".

 

Did you notice if there was a drop in frequency at 63c, i.e. did furmark show the clock drop from 620mhz, if it did not after 63c then you dont have a power throttle. As to hitting 77 and thermal throttling, your not using a cooler are you? I have run furmark for 15, 20 mins and only hit 70c, ambient was about 21c, that was using the coolmaster, I would guess the doorstop cooler might be a little warmer maybe 72-73 but I have not tested that.

 

Hmm, no I didn't notice that (was the first time I ever ran FurMark, haven't used it before). But I can do the test again as soon as I'm finished installing the SSD.
No coolers involved, just flat on my kitchen table (for the second test I raised the back a bit). Ambient temp about 22°C here.
Do you have the same spec (i7 2670QM + GTX 580M)?

About the SSD installation - SATA3 SSD goes in the middle module 1 bay, right? The (Seagate Momentus 750GB) HDD is installed in the module 0 bay.

 

Tried it, didn't work for me either. Well, it does work but Windows won't boot if you change from RAID to AHCI in BIOS. I want AHCI so I guess a clean install is the only option :-/

Is that a big problem? How much "real world" performance might be lost?

Module 1 bay it is - thanks for quick reply!

 

A shed load. You will notice slowdowns in games where FPS will drop of a cliff, going from say a smooth 60 to under 10, then back up to 60 when the GPU cools.

The only way to keep away from the 77 Thermal throttle, is either, move to antarctica or raise the back by an inch (3cm). Well I suppose you could cut a large hole in the desk or where ever you play, but generally that may upset a few people.

 

power throttle kicks in at about 67c. So your GPU mhz drops about 200mhz when this happens. So, you'll still be able to finish your test. If you are happy with your current performance then great, no need to do anything, however, just be aware that your GPU mhz drops into the 400's which will hold you back when you're playing the graphically intensive triple AAA titles

 

I hear what you're saying. Won't mess with the vBIOS unless it gets really ugly, but I'll definitely look into some kind of permanent solution for raising the back. 1-2cm should be enough, right?

Oh, and about the disk controller mode... Are there any downsides involved with running in RAID-mode instead of AHCI-mode? One SSD and one HDD, but I won't set up a RAID-array (if I stay in RAID-mode the AlienRespawn recovery actually works). I've read that RAID-mode should support all the necessary features like TRIM, etc.

 

If you haven't already read this post: Here are some of the ways that people cool

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/640546-what-your-cooling-method.html

The 2 favorite cooling methods for raising the back up is the "book" method and the bottlecap method. Please see my pic in that thread for the bottlecap method lol...bottlecap method drops my temps 7-8c

I have my SATA set to RAID in the bios. I have the SSD as my main drive and a HDD as my storage. There is nothing wrong with doing this. I believe from my experiments that the crucial M4 is more stable in RAID.

 

Quick tip if you're looking for something a bit more aesthetically pleasing


just|mobile Lazy Couch


just|mobile Cooling Bar

Haven't tried any of them but thinking about ordering the Lazy Couch