*OFFICIAL* Alienware M17x R3/R4 Owner's Lounge Thread

If the latency etc of the ram is the same yes it's fine, what are the ram chips you bought 4x4gb? Etc. Yes it has 4 ram slots .

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I bought this Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8G) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model CMSX16GX3M2A1600C10
Will I be able to leave the stock ram in with this ram?

 

I can't be 100% sure, leave it in to begin with , if you experience problems, like sluggish etc pull the stock ram, sorry can't really help there because I don't know the specifications of the stock ram.

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Yes, should be fine. Timings will adjust automatically if different; highest will be used. Just hope the voltage requirements are the same or you'll have to tinker.

 

Do you know what the voltage requirements for the stock ram are? Been looking around can't find much on it at all.

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1. If I were you I wouldn't clone. When mine comes in I'm going to install a fresh copy of windows on my SSD and basically do a complete setup. It's going to take a while but I will know its stable and working fine, because Win7 activates services like TRIM support and deactivates disk-defragmentation which are optimized for SSDs. If you clone the drive, you are cloning hard disk settings over... the little things. I'd rather avoid that, just saying. Oh, and the SSD will go in the 1st bay for me, the HDD in the 2nd. But that's just me, depends on how you want to do; but you got it, you just have to change the boot order depending on how you want it!

2. Yes sir, that RAM is actually the same I will be putting in mine (8gb version)

3. Self installing all that shouldn't be a problem (as some sources state) if you run into and issue and put back the stock parts when you're getting it serviced just remember what you need to rollback. * someone please correct me here if I'm wrong *

4. Answer ^

5 & 6. look at SoulWitcher's reply for the gtx675m specs and benchmark 3d performance on crysis 2 should be great imo, but I'm unsure about how smoothly it might run with all the bells and whistles turned on

 

is base+7970m good enough from dell?

 

Upgrade the screen.

 

So it looks like I can get a pair of Crucial M4's for a good price ($250 a piece for 256gb). I think I'm going to do that.

 

On Amazon for $200 and free shipping.

 

They're frequently on sale ~200$ at different etailers, so if you're not in a hurry I'd watch for that.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/not...l-ssd-6gb-s-ct256m4ssd2-price-war-thread.html

 

Canada.... Unfortunately.

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For the $100, I'd rather have them both next week and can setup my laptop

 

This is driving me crazy...

I upgraded my Nvidia 660M to the AMD 7970M (thanks for everyones input and advice!)... I then ran Mafia2 (I've been trying to get this to work properly for some time) and from what I understand I should achieve around 80fps? Unfortunately I'm only achieving an average of 29fps!
I even removed the clothes from the PhysX folder and set it to medium.

In the top left corner it reads my CPU at 2.3ghz even though Turbo is on. This could just be an incorrect reading though?

It also shows my display driver as Intel HD Graphics 4000. Does this mean it's not utilizing the 7970M?
The benchmark ranked my performance at D.

I'm confused and quite sad... can anyone help?
The weird thing is that I run Battlefield3 with everything on Ultra settings, so I should be able to run Mafia2.

 

It sounds like Mafia 2 is running on the iGPU. Try Fn+F7 to switch GPUs reboot and run again, your drivers for the AMD card are installed I assume? And make sure the nvidia drivers are removed.

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It's because the switching technology is still a little young, and it's working for Bf3 but not Mafia2. As others noted, FN+F7 turns off your integrated GPU and solves the problem until more mature drivers come out.

 

Thank you so much.

It now displays the 7970 in game however, the weird thing is that I still have low frame rates (average 30) with an in-game benchmark rating of D... though it seems smoother than before.

I uninstalled the old driver before applying the new one. Would you recommend I download a different driver, like the Beta one?
So I can be sure that I'm using the correct one, can someone link me to the best driver for the 7970M?

Regarding the CPU:
Is there any way to know for sure that the game is activating turbo mode?
Is there a way to switch turbo on from the Desktop?

I used a program by CPUID called TMonitor which has an option to select Turbo mode from the desktop. It worked while I had my 660M card but since I did a fresh install of windows, whenever I now try to run it, it says "This processor is not supported".
My cpu is I7-3610QM and I obviously didnt change it. Is that message normal?
I feel my machine is under-performing...

 

Download and install ThrottleStop 4.10. Downloads | Tech|Inferno. On the main screen, assure that Disable Turbo is unchecked and that EIST is checked. Then run the built-in benchmark by clicking on the TS Bench button. Select 8 threads (default) and then click on te 32M button. Observe the FID column on the main ThrottleStop screen. It should show 31.0 if Turbo Mode is operating correctly. If it shows something else, report back.

 

Thanks, I just went to this site (Dell/Alienware): How to check if my Alienware Computer has the CPU overclocked?
And I followed the instructions. I can confirm that Turbo is switched on and is working.

I suppose the system simply can't run Mafia2 very well because the game is badly optimised?

I can live with reduced graphic settings for Mafia2... it just seemed odd to me when Just Cause 2 and Battlefield3 etc run flawlessly on ultra settings.

Thanks anyway for taking the time to answer the question, plus rep to you too

 

hey guys whats the fastest clock rams in the market right now?? and are they compatible with the m17x r4

 

I hear the Corsair Vengeance sticks are widely liked, they're 1600MHz... They are compatible. Not sure if there are 1866Mhz that are also compatible, but I doubt the speed increase makes a huge difference.

 

Has anyone done a detailed walkthrough on how to remove the keyboard safely to get to the RAM slots?

 

Yeah you won't see a difference from 1600mhz to 1866mhz.

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Yeah I'm familiar with that video, but not thorough enough on removing the keyboard

 

use this one...

Alienware M17X R3 Swapping RAM - Easy guide on changing RAM on the M17X R3 - YouTube

 

You'll LOVE it man! It's rapid and I don't even have a boot drive, just standard 750GB HDD at 7,200RPM! >.<

Couldn't you stretch to the 3720QM processor though? It seems widely favoured here on the forums.

 

In other news, it appears it's going to be incredibly easy to use the 500GB HDD from my M17X in my XPS M1530....
Dell XPS M1530 | Hard Drive and Caddy Replacement | How-To-Tutorial - YouTube

That has to be the simplest hard drive replacement of all time.

 

Nice machine, I'm sure it will serve you well.

 

I am currently debating getting the Samsung gamer or the m17x. Should I take it as a point in the m17x's favor that you're on this forum?

 

Oh man, the new Nvidia GeForce GTX 680m was just announced!
NVIDIA details top-tier GeForce GTX 680M Kepler GPU for Ultrabooks, other laptops -- Engadget



You can already order this thing on Origin.
EON17-S Custom Gaming Laptop Product Details and Features | ORIGIN PC



I'm curious how long it will take Dell to get them!!??

 

I would be wary of the Vertex 3 MaxIops as well, had one work perfect for a year then just disappeared from the BIOS one day and had to be RMAed (OCZ RMAed so fast, you know that it's more common than we would like)

I'm in the exact same boat. There is supposed to be a version of the NP700G7C with 3D and the 7970m (shows it as a factory option on the Samsung Canada and UK sites but not US?) but who knows if and when it will actually come out. The reviews about the current version (with the 675m) said it was glossy but that the brightness took care of reflection issues. Interestingly it is actually a 120Hz panel. I wonder if the panels in the NP700G7C and the M17x are actually the same or just have the same rated brightness? Also, maybe the M17x is just extra glossy compared to the Samsung?

WOW, over twice the price of the 7970m to upgrade!

Wow, with taxes and shipping. I would love to get that price.

 

OK So I have a few of 'em, listed below:

• What speakers does it use? Is it any good?
• How about the sound card? Which is it? How is the quality/clarity?
• What % NTSC Gamut screen is it?
• Without a separately purchased bag, will I be provided with a basic one (like with Sager) ?
• How is the touchpad? Is it rough or glossy, or somewhere in between?
• If I order it without the custom nameplate laser etching, will the nameplate be provided at all?
• What is the weight of the unit?
• Is there a control software for the keyboard lights on Linux distributions?
• Can the fans be controlled with only keyboard shortcuts?
• Finally, what if the AW AMD 7970M cards suffer from the same problem that was in the case of the Sager laptops, which Clevo QC happened to notice, but what if Dell did not?

 

The speakers are Kliptsch if I'm not mistaken and I've heard good things about them (which i take it to mean the sound card is also of good quality).

I believe it's a 72% screen but don't quote me on that.

No, you don't get a carrying bag like with Sager. You do get a cloth bag though (but it's not really a suitable case on its own).

I'd say it's pretty glossy, not so much as my MacBook Pros touch pad (which feels like glass) but still very very good.

It's ~9 pounds.

No idea about Linux.

I'm sure you could configure the fans to keyboard shortcuts somehow. If not with the default software then with a third party application.

I'm not exactly sure what that problem is. With the exception of a few isolated instances I haven't seen any large scale problems with the 7970m.

 

Thanks. That helps a lot! Oh, that sucks on the account that you don't get a decent bag after spending a bnttload of $$$ on a high-performance laptop as such! And I hope the screen is standard for everyone, and not luck of the draw?

 

Imretty sure everyone gets the same thing. I havent read anything about some screens being better/worse than others.

 

Well, that's a relief! +rep when I can.

 

Hey guys, just a couple of quick questions, now I've ordered my shiny new AW M17x:

Firstly, having ordered it with an AMD 7970m, will I be able to flip between green and red as the card takes me?

Secondly, I'll be looking to get a newegg SSD in the near to middling future. Firstly, how easy are they to install myself, and secondly would I need to stick with an Intel 520, or could I go for a different (read cheaper) brand such as a Kingston?

I know I'll have more questions in the future. So please be patient!!

 

Hi everyone !!

I purchased an r3 over 8 months ago but after 8 months of use there are still some things that annoy me and can't seem to fix it!

Here's hope you guys can help me

1 I have it plugged to a 5.1 system through spdfi most of the time but i often wanna use the inner speakers so each time i have to unplug the cable go to sound control playback devices click on speakers and set as default and then when i wanna use the 5.1 system again i have to go trough the same process again with the exception of setting spdfi as default. My question is isn't there a way of having this process automated like when I unplug the cable inner speakers when i plug the cable 5.1 system ?

2 My numlock often changes from numbers to arrows without a reason how do i set up to have numbers all the time ( btw this only started happening recently )

3 How often do you clean your laptop and how do you do it ? ( air spray, dissemble it etc etc )

4 What are the differences beetween DirectSound: SPDIF- (IDT High defenition codec and WASAPI DIgital output device (IDT High defenition codec)

5 Why can't my laptop output more than 60fps to my projector ?

I probably had more questions but i can't remember i really hope you guys can help me !!!

Concerning my specs:

M17x r3 3d - i7 2960XM - 2GB GTX 580M - Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 - Internal WirelessHD - SSD Crucial M4 256 Gb + 750GB 7200RPM - 16GB DDR3 - Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Burner

 

Another question: Is there any keyboard ghosting problem on this model?

 

andy, yes you can switch vid cards...and when you do, i'll buy your 7970m for $100

You can put a second different ssd in there, there is no need to put in the same

 

At last the mothership has arrived

 

Looks like someone is going to be locked in their home for days now lol

Congratz on your new toy!

 

congrats soulwitcher!

If anyone is interested, the R4 uses the same CPU heatsink as the R3 while having a newer GPU heatsink for AMD RADEON HD 7970M.

 

"Cough, Cough"
Home sick Haha
Thanks

 

1.) I'm not sure it can be auto-mated, but if you go to Start > Control Panel > Sound, you can select your playback device without needing to constantly plug and un-plug cables. You can do it by clicking on the speaker icon on the bottom right, clicking Mixer and clicking on the picture icons to get to that same window as well.

5.) It's limited to your screen's refresh rate, which if you don't have 3D (120hz), it would be 60hz and that's what your max frame rate would be on your laptop's display.

If you connected it to a separate display that had a higher refresh rate and shut your laptop lid, it would be able to hit higher frame rates.

Summary: Frame rates are limited by refresh rate, which is limited by your monitor/display

 

you have to flash the bios to one that has higher voltage.

The sweet spot on these cards is 1.075v

AMD 7970m - modified VBIOS

 

Looks like I will be spending way more than I originally planned when I started researching getting a gaming laptop a few months back but if I'm going to do it, I want to try to do it right! GTX 680m with 3D Vision bundle is calling out to me! Hope it will be available before the end of the month.

 

Thankx for your help !

But even if i go to control panel > sound> speakers> i need to unplug the cable otherwise no sound. It's really weird that you can't configure the laptop to understand spdfi plugged spdfi sound spdfi unplug inner speaker sound

As for the refresh rate my projector works on 420Hz
and even with the lid close i only get 60 fps

If anyone can help me it's much appreciated !

 

are you kidding?

which model is it? id kill for a 420Hz native input on a projector

Im going to hazzard a guess that you have a Panasonic projector which takes a 60hz image and internally refreshes the physical draw rate x7 60FPS, hence its max FPS in reality is 60.

its is even now extremely rare to find a LED-LCD / Plasma or Projector that can accept a pure 120 frames a second from DVI/DP/HDMi , many just upsample if you excuse the phrase the amount of frames from 60 (hz) to x2 @ 120hz

In the Panasonic case it is using a technique to improve motion visibility (due to the way in which projectors work so the image appears more Solid. It doesnt remove motion artifacts and it actually increases input lag for games as the internal video DAC has to process the information 7 times each second just to get the "420hz" to display in front of your eyes before you get to see your last input, yet no more information is added or captured with this process so motion blur recorded on movies is still there and the extra frames a genuine 120FPS is pushing out is also not visible to you only the stock 60 frames.

(The processing can usually be turned off but im not sure if its the Panasonic, i think its known for its high input lag.. i.e not great for fast action first person shooters if your a competitive gamer you might want to read up on the options)

Again i could be wrong and maybe your projector is a pure 420hz input but the video bandwidth required at 1080p would be fairly insane


hope this helps.

 

I'm not sure if im understanding your issue but this might help figuring it out.

When you are using SPDIF you are using a different driver (even though they both will say IDT). Once you set the output to SPDIf windows will use that driver, with the output that is wired to it on the laptop irrespective of what is plugged in. You have to tell it every time you want to change. It could detect via the socket but as SPDif is an optical signal they probably never connected the socket-detect to this part of the circuitry.

you are using an SpDif - Toslink cable?. If not then I'm completely off-base

Edit: Thought I'd add, there are some strange things that can happen when you are using multiple output drivers. I have some surround headphones with their own driver. Some games I can plug and unplug them with no problem, sound moves. Others refuse to 'see' any change, and the weirdest ones is when the game carries on using the speakers but windows system sounds come through the headphones!

 

You are probably right thanks for you help specially for the lag advice I though putting it on game mode would do the trick i guess i'll look deeper into that as for the projector it's the Panasonic PT AE 7000u great projector btw 3d is amazing on it

I get it, makes sense i guess there's no solution for it then thanks for your help


I do have another question I installed alienrespawn and at the end it said failed no space on hard drive so i just closed it and though i'll deal with it later but now 2 weird things happened

1 I saw my ssd has less space than usual so i wen to disk management and saw this


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

and I now have 2 cd rom BD RE (drive E) and BD ROM (drive f)


How can i add those 68gb do the ssd again ? do i need a partioning tool or can i do it from windows and what's up with the 2nd drive ?

Hope you guys can help me out