*OFFICIAL* "All Powerful" M17xR2 Edition Owner's Lounge - Part 3

@kanoej - can i ask how much you paid ?

 

Hello everybody
didn't want to open a new thread for a couple of questions so I'll post them here.

i just got a replacement M17xR2 with dual ATI 5870s and some programs i used with my GTX260s do not work, just want to know if there are similar programs for the ATI cards. (this is my first ATI, AMD PC so im lost)

1. HWMonitor. It only shows voltages and not temperatures
2. EVGA Afterburner. Windows crashes the second i open the program. I don't want to overclock, only monitor temps and FPS in-game.

Thanks.


EDIT:
Also i remember reading something about the 5870 Bios upgrade, how do i check if my cards have the correct one?

 

Use HWiNFO32 to monitor your temps on the 5870's & use Radeon Pro to check your fps.For the bios version use Gpu-z.

HWiNFO32 Download

RadeonPro: Radeon Games Profiles Automation Tool

Download TechPowerUp GPU-Z v0.5.3 | techPowerUp

 

Anyone know why my wireless connection would show that looks like it's not connected, yet when you click it it is connected to the network, and works? I havn't messed with it much, but it got my attention this morning.

 

Do you run Intel Proset wireless along with OS drivers could be a conflict .I have seen what your seeing before but it disappeared after a reboot.Took a capture what i see on my R2.

 

Yea I am thinking comflict also, I run just the proset drivers.

 

Yea, I have the Intel stuff installed, and the N6300, but I'm sure the OS stuff is installed as well, just odd because until today, never had an issue. Also getting an error when I check for updates through "windows update."

Lol as soon as I stop benching I get all these issues, and I bench on a completely seperate SSD

 

MSI Afterburner will take care of everything you need.
MSI Afterburner

 

Ehh, I didn't feel like trouble shooting, so I just secure erased/re-imaged my raid setup. That took care of my issues.

Also figured I'd go ahead with the Service Pack one installation since I had put it off until this evening.

So what are everyones thoughts on Service Pack 1? What does it change? When it initally came out I know there were some minor issues, I just didn't feel like dealing with them. Figured by now they were sorted out.

I also installed Internet Explorer 9. Has a bit of a Chrome feel to it. What are thoughts on this? I was just so used to the old IE but I doubt this takes much time getting used to. I guess this is my first step to embracing change, which I tend to stay away from

 

Its interface just sucks , I hate the fact that they moved the favorites button on the right, i just use it so much and now I have to deal with the keyboard shortcuts, i still didn't lose the habit of looking for it on the left. Maybe we'll find a way to customize it and not being forced to use it as they wish

 

Its very customisable......see the screenie

 

I have had SP1 on all my systems since day of release, mostly its a rollup of all the previous security fixes. No issues here with it.

RE: IE9, had it also since release and I am liking it.

 

I know about that, the button adds current page as a favorite, but it's just messy having your favorites (i have like 20) tabbed there, loved the old expandable list.

 

katalin, I think the features you are talking about are still there. Look at the attached screen shots and see if these are the features you are wanting. You can have the favorites menu or access favorites from the menu bar like prior versions, but you cannot see those old (better) features unless you dive into the settings and turn them back on again. I agree that the default UI does suck.

 

SP1 is ok, I haven't really noticed any drastic changes with Windows. The only thing that really stuck out to me was the ability to use Virtual Machine (Windows XP Mode) while using Win7 Home. Remote desktop seems to be easier with my Android (HTC Evo) and has better mobile support for ADB. The only issue I see is older software support. Some of my WinXP 32bit games no longer work with SP1, but work under Virtual Machine. Internet Explorer 9 is pretty cool, seems to work with less bugs than Firefox 4.

 

good morning, Fox, thanks for pointing that out but it's actually what I'm using now till I'll probably lose my 'automatic' habit of pointing my mouse on the left
I was referring to the star button a little lower than the old menu bar.
It's no big deal, was just my opinion as I realised how a small thing like this matters it was like typing on a AZERTY keyboard after using QWERTY all your life.

 

finally got my r2 from dell outlet. i love this machine. overall, i'm happy w/ dell outlet, but my laptop does have few scuff marks on (rough part, not smooth) black part between grilles on front of laptop, but i guess that is dell outlet for you.

anway, what do ya'll do with your battery? this baby will primarily sit on desk. i have cycled the battery from full to right before hibernation several times.
do ya'll take out battery or do ya'll just disable battery via fn+f2?
does fn+f2 really turn off battery?

 

If it will only be on the desk, unless you need a UPS I would just remove the battery

That or at least unplug the laptop when it is powered off so you do not wear out the battery with continual charging

 

Agree with scook. I pull the battery when i don't need it.

 

so fn+f2 to disable battery doesn't turn off battery?
fn+f2's purpose?

thanks.

 

I just don't trust it. Easy to remove it...

 

Hey guys, I own an Alienware M17x R2 with a Xfire of 5870 and I was wondering if I could plug a 120hz external monitor?
Just to be clear I'm not interested in 3D, I just want a higher refresh rate.

 

I am not aware of any reason you cannot do that. Are you planning to use the HDMI output or display port? Screen size aside, it would take an impressive external monitor to improve upon the visual quality of the 1920x1200 RGB LED display.

 

I believe Mandrake tried this using an Alienware OptX 23" and could not get it to work

 

Thanks guys, my plan is to buy a good 1080p 120hz external monitor, don't get me wrong, I like the RGB led screen very much but it cannot compare with a monitor with a higher refresh rate (for gaming at least).
I think it is possible with a Display Port to Dual Link DVI adapter on an nVidia graphic card, but what about ATI?

 

Cygoris...

Look here for more info... LINK

 

i always had this question in mind,: before i used to think that when they say its a 120hz screen, that means 120FPS , but recently someone corrected me and said 120hz does not mean your top FPS is 120,, its still 60. is this true?

 

I couldn't find anything useful concerning the compatibility of my system with an external 120hz monitor, I'll call Dell tomorrow, thanks for your time.

@3demons: The refresh rate is the number of times in a second that a monitor draws the data. This is distinct from the measure of frame rate in that the refresh rate includes the repeated drawing of identical frames, while frame rate measures how often a video source can feed an entire frame of new data to a display.

Edit: Apparently a Display Port to Dual Link DVI adapter is the only option I have, I just ordered it from Dell and as soon as I receive it I will let you know if it actually works.
Here's all the info you need if you have the same problem: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/477985-need-help-aw2310.html

 

I recently got a m17x r2 with intel i7 740 qm,ati 5870cf,8th ddr3ram nd 500 gb hdd.My laptop doesnt perform as I expect it to.I get only30fps while playing dirt2 at 1280x720 resolution with all settings maxed.I have updated to A10 bios and also upgraded the gpu vbios. I am using the ati drivers from Dell site. I also have the same problem with crisis2 in low settings. How do I check if both my gpus r running and cf is enabled? Please help

 

You should get at least 50fps all maxed out in 1920x1200 in Dirt 2, download GPU Z and tell us what you see, check the temperatures while you're at it.
Give us the vBios and driver version as well, it looks like your driver is not up to date (try downloading the 11.4 directly from AMD) and the crossfire is not activated.
If you do not know how to properly install the drivers just ask.

 

This is what GPUZ shows

Bios version=0.12.020.000.027.037640
driver version=atiumdag 8.763.0.0(catalyst 11.3)
ATi crossfire=disabled(crossfire available)

gpu core clock=100mhz
gpu memory clock=150mhz
gpu temp=42c
gpu temp1=40c
gpu temp2=42c
gpu temp3=39c

 

Or you could check if you are in stealth mode...

 

I just managed to enabled crossfire-x in my system by disabling and renabling both the gpus through device manager. Now GPUZ shows "enabled 2 gpus". I just ran 3d mark vantage and got a 3d score of 6920 , which i think is very low.
I also ran DIRT2 in 1440x900 resolution and got only 40fps while the game was lagging a bit too much.
Please tell me what is wrong with my gpu's.
And aslo how do i check if my system is in stealth mode?
THANKS IN ADVANCE

 

There's a clock-like button in the upper right corner, try it and tell us.

 

I responded to your question about improving performance in this thread: LINK

Your Vantage score is about half what it should be. There are two screen shots attached. The lower score was with my system running stock from AW. The higher score is with some tweaking.

For the best results, try to keep your questions isolated to a single thread. Duplicate posts are against the forum rules. While your posts were not duplicates, they were similar and covered the same subject. It can sometimes be a little bit frustrating for forum members when they take time to provide answers or suggestions to find someone else already took the time to provide the same advice on another thread. If a few days pass by and nobody responds, you can comment on another thread and provide a link to your original question on a different thread.

As Cygoris mentioned, press the icon in your touch panel on the far right. When you do that, a pop-up with say "Stealth Mode access detected. Chose Yes to enable or No to Cancel?" Answer No. The touch panel icon looks sort of like a tachometer or a speedometer.

 

when u sayrunning stock from AW, do you mean dell stock drivers only?

 

Hey I was wondering if I bought an external monitor, could that be hooked up to my m17x and the lid be closed? Basically I want to get a wireless keyboard and mouse and monitor and keep the laptop shut. Will that work or would it hurt the laptop?

 

So does CF (5870s) work yet in Crysis 2? I am thinking of purchasing it off steam. Are the kinks worked out? I don't want to run it on only one 5870. How are the visuals compared to Warhead?

On a side note; has anyone noticed with Vsync OFF, L4D2 has HORRIBLE spikes in FPS? I go from 299 FPS to 60 if I turn on the flashlight. I am running 11.4 beta.

Specs: i7 920xm 5% OC, 5870CF and 4gig ram on win 7.

edit: I am not overheating or anything. I run HWmonitor and everything is fine there...it's either driver related or some problem with CF. My 3dmark Vantage is normal for stock GPU (15700).

 

Hi there xhero,

No worries at all. You can go ahead and do that. All you have to do is hit Windows key + P then select projector only and it will show the laptop screen on your external monitor only. Then you can enjoy gaming wirelessly or using the notebook as you so please.


Cheers.

 

Hi there daveh98,

Check out this thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/564042-crysis-2-m17x-discussion-26.html

It would seem that for the most part crysis 2's flickering has been fixed for most using the new CAP3. It has fixed my flickering as well so yeah by all means get the game if you like and enjoy. The visuals are very nice.

11.3 CAP3 http://www.rage3d.com/cap/

I just saw a trailer for BF3 and wow I want to play it now lol!
Full Length Battlefield 3 Reveal TrailerGamer Brief : Gaming News and Reviews

Cheers.

 

No, stock clock speeds. I don't use Dell video drivers. They are too old and do not provide the best performance.

 

Don't forget to change your power profile to "do nothing" when closing the lid. Otherwise, closing the lid will put your computer into sleep mode.

 

Thanks for the info. Now I'm off to find a huge monitor.

 

I dont want to get rid of my r2.. it was so hard to get in the first place.. but m18x is slowly changing my mind.
For now I'll stick withit tho

 

i guess i'm a stickler on details and i believe the next generation should really be a total step-up. i'm very sad to hear about 1080p screen at max resolution on the m18x. i'm looking forward to sticking w/ my r2 for a long while.

 

The M18x is huge, it's not only larger than the M17x, it is bigger in every way.
I already own a 18", a Clevo M980NU, although it is a bit smaller than New Zealand, it weighs about the same as my smaller M17x, so the M18x will weigh a ton and this just doesn't float my boat.
I want to be able to carry my laptop around without generating earthquakes.
The R3 is so disappointing and the M18x is for someone who will never leave his house because once this beast sits on your desk it's over, it will stay there.
I'll stick with my R2, just too bad the new Clevos look like war wounds.

 

Please compare the size and weight of the R1/R2 with the m18x and you'll see there's only a very small difference. With that said there are a lot of people taking the m17x R1/R2s with them every day so the m18x won't be a problem from that POV.

 

I did compare, and IMHO an M18x with its power supply in a back pack will be a tad too much, but that's just my POV.
I was being a bit sarcastic in my previous post, I thought it was, you know, kinda obvious...

 

I think you're exaggerating too much. The M18x is nearly the same size and weight as an R2. Yeah the PSU will be bigger but so what? Can't power dual 6970M's without it. Would you rather Dell have underpowered the M18x with a 240W PSU? When my M18x arrives I'll take side by side photos of it next to an R2 but I already know they'll almost be identical. M17x-R2 was good for it's time but it's time to move on now.

 

You think? Try this
A laptop bigger than New Zealand? Hello?

And yes I know the R3 is actually very close to the M15x in size and I know the M18x is just few grams heavier than the M17x, there I said it.
I was very wrong to be anything but factual, I hereby renounce sarcasm and humor.
For starters, I'm pretty sure "exaggerating too much" is a pleonasm.