*OFFICIAL* Alienware M17x R1/R2 Owner's Lounge Thread - Part 1

Don't fry another card dude

 

Oh my. Well i'm relieved with what you said guys. Thank you Well i am having a good time with my laptop too, i'm just concerned about the others having major problems with their Alienware.

 

Anybody undervolt their GPU? Looking for guides.

 

Was just playing portal on my m17x R2 and I had some green dots flash on the screen so I minimized the game as it seemed a bit strange, when I went back in to portal my computer bsod and since then when I turn the computer on will bsod within a minute computer has also ran a hard disk scan twice inbetween bsod's

I have been having problems with a bugcode usb driver bsod as well
Im not running any overclocks just an undervolt on my 6990s and temps have been fine as well

I've up loaded the dmp files just wondering if some one could have a look and give me some pointers cheers

Edit: I found the cause of bsod, one of my graphic cards has pretty much died

 

Sorry to hear that Kenny. Too many 69xx cards have gone this way.

What are you going to do? Are you going to run with one or replace it?

Regards,

Paul.

Edit to add: Perhaps you should consider giving the new cards (7xxx) a try

 

Probably just run with one 6990m for now (its the second card to fail on me) and see how the 7970s go before I jump or get m18x r2 that way I get warranty

 

i am a network guru so i am confused as to the setting on my laptop for wifi

i know all about my routers, ive set most of my routers up with ddwrt and i don't know why it keeps giving me limited connection after a few minutes

 

Which model do you have, Dellienware?

 

Hey, dude.

Actually, I've got the cards -- SLi 280m GTX -- undervolted on the R1, and over clocked by a small margin in lieu of achieving the most energy efficient and stable over clock.

The cards are undervolted to 0.95 volts, with the following clocks.

Core: 625 MHz
Memory: 1025 MHz
Shader: 1625 MHz

Works fine in the case of the cards I'm using, but results will vary on an individual basis. I didn't require this modification, but just put it in place to get the ideal performance out of them along with longevity.

On the side:
Even with an over volt and gross over clocking, the bloody things never die, so that's one hell of a step up from the days of the XPS M1730. Hah.

 

It's official peeps! I am joining your ranks!

Took a LOT of conversing with myself but I managed to bite the bullet and snag a used model off another member for a fair price. I've bought an M17x R2 off the NBR member by the name of makwu.

I think it'll be a nice upgrade from what I'm currently using... but there's already a thread about that subject so I won't go into that schpeel.

 

Welcome aboard! Now change your sig.

 

Welcome! Did you get the RBG Screen? What specs did you get?

 

I have a 4870 in my R2. How does one go about installing the latest catalyst drivers for it? Do I have to flash it with a custom bios?

The drivers on dells site are old and I would like to update them.

Thanks.

 

Hey guys I just got a refurbished Alienware m17x. I got it because it replaced my XPS m1730. I'm trying to see if i got a good value switch or not, from what it seems it does not look like it, but I'm not too hardware savvy. Please help if I should fight for a better machine!
XPS--->Alienware
Processor: X9000 2.8GHz(overclock at 3.4GHz) --> i7 2720QM 2.2GHz
RAM: 4GB-->8GB
Video Card: 2x Nvidia GeForce 8700M GT(ran in SLI)--> AMD Radeon HD 6970M
Disk Drive: TSSTCorp DVD+-RW TS-L632H --> HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GA31N
Screen resolution: 1920x1200 --> 1920x1080
32bit -->64bit

 

I'd say it's a fair trade. That old system for a new R3. Not bad

 

-Does any of the Alienware go to 1920x1200? or is it max at 1980x1080
-Is the processor much better than previous before? I spent about 4,000ish back in 2008 for the XPS, and I am hoping this would be a fair trade. Dell is covering this under warranty because of my XPS failing. They said they would replace/slightly upgrade it. If it is a slight upgrade then I'll be fine with what they sent out to me. Thanks for all the help!

 

Representin' the last dual GPU M17. R2!!! lol

....also the last aluminum casing M17x....

lol, am I the only one that clicks on page "33" in this forum and still get sent to page 32? Too funny

 

*flails arms around like a maniac* Ooo oo oo oo oo! Add meeeee!

Got mine working again. ^_^

 

Hi

I currently have 5870 in crossfire and im thinking of upgrading to one 6990. I have seen the guide posted here on how to upgrade and im not really a hardware guy, so I still have a couple of questions just to make sure Ive understood everything correctly

The guide states the differences between card manufacturers, will the 6990 have the same issues as the 6970 cards according to the guide? I have only seen the 6990 MXM version available for purchase.

Will the system generate more/less/equal amount of heat after upgrading to 6990?

Is it correct that I can reuse screws and heatsink from one of my 5870 cards, so I only really need to buy thermal paste in addition to the card?

Thanks for taking the time to answer

 

I think I am finally going to do some upgrades to my R2

Hopefully I will get:

-SSD (thinking about the new Samsung 830 or Crucial M4) - probably a 256gb or 512gb
-GFX cards (maybe a pair of 6990M?)
-cd drive (blu-ray/dvd burner)

Any advice?

I am a little skeptical on upgrading the GFX cards though. because: 1)Dunno where the best place to get them (eurocom? ebay?) and 2)never did a laptop GFX card upgrade before >.>

I was thinking this for the blu-ray drive: here

if I have some money left over, I may do the RAM too.

 

Hello, all of them are good choices. Can't go wrong with either the Samsung or Crucial, the latter is cheaper for almost the same performance.

As for the GPUs, aim for a pair of Clevo cards and read the dedicated thread. It has everything you need to know, thanks to our brothers.

 

I would wait a little for the 7970's....unless you can score a pair of 6990's for cheap.

That is of course depending on if they work in the R2's...

 

I've been going back and forth between the SSDs. I hear that the toolbox included in the Samsung SSD is excellent. Of course, its about $100 more than the M4 (if I go for a 512gb)

Hmmm I think I will wait. I hear the 7970 are supposed to be more power efficient.

How is everyone getting a 480w ac adapter? :O

 

Yeah good call, they do appear to draw less power so it should reduce throttling issues.

The 480 watt PSU is two 240 watt PSU's put together.

 

Is there a thread on how to do that?

 

If you don't mind not being able to charge your battery, and loosing the ability to dim your screen, I think a 330W M18x adaptor will work. Though not with the battery in the system. Much easier then messing with soldering, diodes, slicing, ect. But to answer your questions, there isn't really a thread. There are a few post buried in the 6970/6990 R2 thread though.

 

You can search within a thread using google like this:

I took the 6970/6990 in the M17x R2 as an example:

Code:

site:forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/585064 480 watt

You'll have to set your posts per page layout as forum's default in User CP though. This way, when you click a google link, you'll be taken to the exact location of the post. I know it's a pain as i use the 50ppp layout, luckily i don't search a lot.

 

Ok, I have a disappoint and need some advice.

I have M17x R2 with dual 4870's and it is no longer stable graphically. I have opened the laptop up and given it a good cleaning and this helped, but didn't fix the problem. I am guessing that the fans are not functioning as well as they used too. The laptop won't even surf the internet for more than a few minutes before screen gets checkerboard like with yellow blocks, then blue and black blocks. Fans speed up and screen comes back (sorta) but never recovers. Forget running Diablo 3 on it. Ran for about 5 -10 min and went black.

It is making me frustrated.

OK FINE!! I'll upgrade the graphic cards.
...ooo this is not going to be cheap or easy as I thought. I think should check out a reliable source of good information. And thus, why I am here.

I have a couple of questions that I haven't seen the answers too.

Does anybody know when the 7990 cards will become available? I do not want to upgrade it to the 6990 cards only 3 weeks later have newer cards available.

Are there any companies that makes superior cooling solutions than what came stock. Not too long ago Gizmodo.com ran an article about a company (Asetec) that was going to make liquid cooling for the Alienware laptops. But it is not out on the marketplace yet.

Thank you in advance for any advice. I appreciate it.

Just to let everybody know I contacted Asetek about the possibility of producing coolers for the M17x R1 / R2 and various graphic cards. While I wasn't expecting a lot of information from them, I did get a reply that was kind of a non-answer, but I give them props for at least answering my question.

Here is what they said:
"I can't make any comments about future products, but I would suggest contacting Alienware to make your desire for liquid cooling in your next laptop known. Thanks for your interest! -Zack"

So there you have it. I know that the company isn't really interested in any type of retail outlet and exclusively works with business partners. I just thought that I would share their response with the community.

 

I think I'm happy with my "new" R2.

New vs Old. Result

 

Well, My black R2 is ready for some sanding, go grit paper of 320, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, and a 3000 cloth Metallic gunmetal grey with a clear coat and white primer are going to be applied, lot's of wet sanding too

Spoiler

Since this is my actual stock purchased chasis, I took a pic of the COA sticker. No real good way to take this off so I think I'm going to be sanding it off

Now that I'm looking at my can of gunmetal metallic spray, it's not looking much lighter then the black I wonder if being on a white base coat will make it lighter.

 

Before you start, take a razor blade and slide it under the COA sticker to take it off, make your way slowly between the sticker and the chassis and you'll eventually detach it.
I reapplied mine using double sided sticky tape.

You can do the same for the other stickers, they're easier to be removed too.

 

Thanks. I'll give that a shot. I have a few blades.

Right now since the Gunmetal gray I chose is soon close to the black and I have a silver chasis, I'm trying to consider another color. Don't know what would look good. Trying to think of something classy.


Sent from my Samsung Captivate/ICS using Tapatalk 2

Well I'm about to start the sanding. I have decided to go with a Sonic Blue Pearl paint. We'll see how it turns out If I don't like the looks of it I'm going to try go with a Candy white.

 

If you don't like the result, submerge the lids in acetone and the paint will go off by itself.
Just watch for dust.

Good luck

 

Thanks, I got it sanded all the way up to 2K, so now I'm going to allow it to dry and clean with acetone. Maybe even throw on a few coats of primer and sand that today as well. All depends on the wife. I'll definitely keep the acetone idea in mind if it doesn't come out well. Thanks for the help!

 

No problem, DR. If it's not properly degreased you'll see creases in the paint coat.

 

Right now I have the chassis prepped and primed and I gotta say, it looks good primed in white. Right now I'm at a turning point. Gotta decided if I want to do it in a dark blue pearl, or a gloss white. White looks sharp. Not sure how the pearl blue will look. I think I'm going to stick with the white.

Now I just need to let it dry for a few hours before I wet sand the primer.

 

Well, It looked pretty decent with the white. I then submerged it in a tub on a towel in water. Took a 3000 grit sanding cloth to it and it looked really good. Now I just applied a few coats of clear on it. Got some auto wax that I will use to wax it to get it nice and slick. It sticks to my desk so not much fear of dropping it. It's also kensington locked to the desk with very little slack. Once the clear is done drying, I may use some polishing compound on it to get it that extra shine. Gotta say, for rattle can, it looks pretty darn good and I'm impressed with myself. Especially since I'm spraying on my APT patio. Luckily i have an over hang and it's been raining all day so dust is down to a minimum. I should have some pics up tomorrow or the day after.

 

Very nice but are you sure about waxing it :/ ?

 

Lol, Well I don't let anyone touch it, and it'll give it a nice sheen. Maybe even make it a little bit easier to wipe dust and fingerprints off it. Was my thinking anyhow. As it stands, it's going to be a huge fingerprint magnet. I just want to me able to wipe it down in the case dirt or anything gets on it to prevent it from staining since it's white.

 

So I just bought an i7 920 xm to put in my Alienware m17x r2 and was looking for some suggestions / advice from you veterans out there

Firstly, what thermal paste should I use? Arctic Silver 5 seems like a popular one, any ideas?

Also, what is a stable / popular overclock configuration for the 920xm?? Thanks in advance

 

PK-1.

Loads of threads about 920XM overclocking and settings already, search around and read, best you can do.

 

Ya, i'd go with Pk-1 too

 

I am tired of people asking THE SAME questions all the time, use search option, or google the problem followed by writing ....notebookreview LOL THE #### !!

 

The search problem is prevalent in many forums, but at the same time, while there's nothing wrong with declining to answer (or just saying you can search for it and find it), I never understood the attitude... It's not like the post takes up that much space or interferes with your enjoyment of the site.

 

I'm sorry for asking something that seems to have been asked lots of times before, but when I tried searching I got every post where the i7 920xm was talked about in one way or the other. Searched again with i7 920xm overclocking and I got 3 posts which didn't really answer the q :O Now I did a google search "i7 920xm notebookreview" and this is the #1 post on google lol, and no, there were no other links to this forum from google's first pages. What am I doing wrong exactly???

Anyways, thanks to those who bother answering, and to those who just wanna flame, spare yourself the time and don't read a thread that specifies what is coming in the topic No1 is forced to answer or read I guess...

 

Search google for "m17x R2 repaste" then click on the "show more results from forums.notebookreview.com". That should give you the results you want. I agree that the search function is all forked up. I can't use the forums' search function at all, it just crashed internet explorer.

 

Thanks Found the thread

 

Alright, if I decided to add a second 6970M to the R2 I've got, would I need to do anything in particular to keep the power consumption down?

And would any of you believe it to be worth the price of the cards as they are now, given the performance increase I'd see?

 

Search functionality is indeed broken and for new people it is hard for them to find things.

Glindin, depends on how much you can pick up a 6970 for.

Unless you can get a good deal now, I would wait till the 79XX are properly released and circulating so you can pick up a cheep cheep 6970.

Other than that, there are no other real options for you if you are looking for a performance boost without spending 500 to 1k on a single or pair of 7970s (I would not bother with a 6990 upgrade). Saying that though.....purchasing a single 7970 would out perform 2 x 6970s... So you could sell your 6970 and add it to your 7970 fund

Power consumption should not been an issue as the 6970's draw less then the 6990's and you can always undervolt them. Even less of an issue with a 7970. Alas we are still waiting for someone to test them in an R2.

 

i have had it, this is the second time my webcam stopped working

it was recently replace alienware it was working earlier this week what gives nooooooooooooo f9 does not do anything

i am sooooooooooooooo mad


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