*OFFICIAL* "All Powerful" M17x-R2 Edition Owner's Lounge - Part 2

No desktop here. I only have the M17x and a netbook.

 

With the exception of Mr Neutron(who is obviously loaded if they can afford that and a stacked m17x) most of you just use the m17x, just as I thought. I'll end up getting a netbook for college, maybe even high school, but bringing in a flashly m11x in at my school is just asking for it to get stolen.

Tell if I'm wrong but my logic is:
M17x+possible netbook > m11x+desktop

In terms of straight dollar forms. Hell by the time I get to my first class in college I'll probably have a hologram netbook for pure notetaking.

 

I have a netbook + M17x r2 and the combo is great, the M17x is essentially a desktop that I sometimes take places and I always have the netbook with me. M17x does the grunt work and everything the netbook can't do, like HD video and gaming.

 

That's a tough question without knowing what you want. Let's say you want a desktop with as close specs as an M17x as possible. I believe that would be an i7 desktop with dual 5770 cards. Depending on what you build it with you're looking at $1200-1500 CAD probably for the tower alone. I don't know of any RGB LED monitors, but there is a Samsung WLED that is pretty nice but pricy. So lets just say you add 300-500 more for speakers a monitor and accessories. Then you have about 1100 for the m11x. So you're at probably around 2600 at the very very least, probably around 3000.

The consensus also seems to be that the m17x is really only worth it if you get the dual GPUs and the RGB LED, so that's at least $3000 CAD. Then for the netbook you're looking at $3300. The desktop would perform a little better and be easier/cheaper to upgrade. On the other hand the m17x is totally and will take up less space. Tough decision imo.

 

I'm Canadian, but I live in the states:wink:
So configuration I'm looking at is only around $2100 after discounts.

 

Did both, after both reflashing and reseating the cable, the issue remains.

I did notice that on the ATI card on the right, it seemed like the xfire cable was not seated all of the way. It was slightly off. So I made sure it was seated all of the way, put everything back together and booted up. Upon running Call of Duty World at War and choosing "dual graphics cards" I immediately got the jittery screen.

Same thing happened when I closed COD and opened CNC. Jittery screen. Definitely glad that green screen and the crashing went away. Almost there. One more card and I should be all set. Hopefully.

 

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but I got my shipping info for my 2nd hd bracket. Will be here tomorrow.

 

Regarding having a desktop and the M17x, many people do. It jsut depends on your preferences and financial situation. I personally love my M17x but also have a watercooled i7 desktop with a 5870 (soon to be 2)

 

Mine shipped too but I won't be home. Hopefully nobody messes with it because the delivery guy usually leaves it in front of the door if I'm not around.

 

That's my point! Looks like connector was ruined by the wrong angle and/or pressure but Dell didn't focus on testing too much.

 

the crossfire connector is an even worse design that the SLI one was.....it is annoying

 

Yes, but they make things worse by whacking it entirely and then selling it to Dell. I wrote a message to Bill so hopefully he can let the testing team know.

 

I saw your post, all bold, was loud lol (in my head)

 

Cool. Yeah, it was difficult to get to. I had to use a paperclip and very gently slide it under the copper heatpipe (?) and push the other side of the cable in. It was sitting in there kinda crooked.

Sadly, that did not fix the problem. This card is probably also defective, ever so slightly. I just hope they can get someone out tomorrow instead of Weds.

Otherwise, I ask for a Mamba for free!

Just got off the phone with the Alienware rep and he is having me download 3dmark06. He says that in a remote session, he can still see the 3Dmark test running unlike the MultiGPU test from Furmark.

10mins left on the download (internet upgrade is tomorrow! Can't wait!)

 

If you want to be heard - bring forth a cannon

 

So, 1 hour with the rep and still getting the jittery screen issue. Even saw some really nasty scrolling in Command and Conquer while testing it for the rep on the phone.

He's researching some options right now. Listening to hold music. He said I will most likely get another replacement secondary GPU. Getting ready to call customer service for my Mamba.

 

Hopefully, the won't replace your mobo.

 

Actually, he's trying to replace the primary. Hasn't done it yet, but I can see it coming.

He thinks they should have replaced both the first time.

 

oh yeah, still on the phone...

 

Let them replace both cards, but not the primary only.
Else, there will be another round soon.

 

he wants to replace the motherboard. You were right on.

 

Ugh, I'd let them do it and then ask for a brand new one. You shouldn't be having to put up with this less than a week after receiving.

 

Dunno if I want a whole new motherboard. He thinks the port for the secondary card is bad.

 

C'mon. That's crazy. They just brought the faulty replacement GPU! You know, they might do quite a few rounds with that approach. Tell him, if you disable the secondary, everything is perfect and also the problem is different now. It's not exactly the same. They should realize they replaced your GPU with another faulty one.

 

I agree, after 2 major part replacements (gpu and motherboard) you should have no trouble getting a new machine as a whole sent from the factory

 

That's a wise idea. If you are within the return policy, get a new system. Every time they replace your hardware components, they do it from used parts!
So you'll end up with a used mobo and both GPUs when they fix it.

 

He is getting a second opinion to see if they can just replace it with another GPU instead of a whole board replacement.

 

As long as it's not the master GPU.

 

If the next fix doesn't resolve the problem, ask for a replacement system. You will be allowed to keep the current one while the replacement is built.

 

Hey Joker

What settings did you use in Metro, DX9 or DX10, what resolution etc?

I saw a couple of posts that it will tax the system pretty hard - i'm going to compare it to my desktop with DX11

 

Just got off the phone with dell. They are sending a tech to replace the secondary gpu, hopefully it will fix my problem.

 

Good Luck!

 

Odd thing just started happening here with mine. I have the new BIOS and am useing the 10.3 drivers. When I play a game windowed, all is well, but when I play full screen every now any then I see some flickering, not sure how to describe, but its like the whole screen moves, like a old reel to reel movie, from top to bottom.

It will do it for several seconds then stop......its just odd. Doesnt happen in windowed and just started happening in full screen, thinking, ok might be drivers, I went back to the dell origional ones...same issue.

This dident start happening untill recently.

I am not comfortable opening the system to get to the GPU's myself...so what ya all thinking ?

The game is STO if that matters. I would be more than willing to run any tests anyone can suggest.

 

If it isn't bothering you too much (which it doesn't seem like it is) then don't worry about it.

If you want to get it fixed you will have to call Dell (as you said you are not comfortable working on it yourself).

 

Well, like I said, it only happens in fullscreen mode, which I dont use THAT often, but when I do........it has made the game almost unplayable at times in full screen

 

Then call Dell....

 

Is your flickering similar to this?
Don't waste your time and call for replacement (secondary GPU+CF cable)

 

If you order from dell with only one hard drive selected does it still come with the second hard drive caddy?

 

It's still hit-or-miss. You might get the second caddy, or not.

 

That's kinda weird on Dells part. I may as well just order it in raid 1 so i get the second caddy for sure.

 

My score is 0 extra caddies out of 2 orders, so don't really count on it. But it's free to call and order one afterwards.

 

Oh well if it's free then I won't bother.
I've seen threads on google about i7 720qm vs i7 620m and it's a pretty 50/50 argument. I'm thinking of the 620m since most games don't utilize 4 cores. What would you recommened?

 

For games only I would go with 620m. But if you murder your PC with other things besides gaming I would go with 720QM. I have the latter one and it is flawless on apps and games.

 

Same. 620M is my favourite CPU at the moment. I'm getting a new thinkpad this week with a 720m and will run some benches (games).

 

Well i don't think i'll be running an image processing software or analyzing data, unless my dad steals it, so unless i can murder it with Word music and a million chrome windows i think i should be safe.

Luckily they are both the same price on the website so I don't feel any pressure to swing one way or another. i'll do somemore googlehunting

 

Actually I felt more pressure because they were the same price... In any case, either one will be perfect. Google Chrome user too? Good man. The extensions made it the perfect browser.

 

Well there is many arguments on this.My own personal experience i prefer what i currently have.I had a T9800 c2 on my R1 which was good but the i7620M rips it a new one.I got a QX6800 on my desktop & for the games i play they perform better on i7620M.With the i7620M you have quadcore performance with the hyperthreading, lower Tdp 35 watts,.i7 720QM is a quad, but the clock speed with Turbo Mode goes like following.

1.60GHz Base
1.73GHz Quad Core Turbo
2.40GHz Dual Core Turbo
2.80GHz Single Core Turbo

i7 620M is like this:

2.66GHz Base
3.06GHz Dual Core Turbo
3.33GHz Single Core Turbo
Link below of a review on i7 620M.

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/pc-components/processors/intel-core-i7-620m-664628/review

Bottom line it all depends what your needs are i certainly dont need a quadcore right now & if i do i will get a ES from Shirleyfu.

 

I should probably give Chrome another try, as didn't really like it from the first shot.

 

+1 for chrome here.
Now with extensions it rox!

 

I was looking for that info, thanks for the link.
+1 rep.