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

same exact friggin symptoms ashj. *sigh* I wish there were a way to swap the JBL 2.1 for these lol

 

Mine just arrived! It's fantastic! Setting up everything now Just wondering.... I have a gpu meter gadget and it's not picking up the 7970m's usage + temps. Why not?

 

Congrats! maybe it's not active? Try Fn-F7 and reboot to use the AMD

 

I did fn+f7 then installed the 12.8 drivers. Maybe another restart might fix it. Just got to wait for bf3 + Gta IV : EFLC to finish installing

 

Agreed. The speaker quality on my M17x R4 has steadily degraded over the past couple of months now.. Do you guys really think it's worth complaining about to Dell?

 

The sound card is simply superb. Speakers are also good but aren't loud enough. I mostly use my fantastic Audio Technica M50 headphones. But I would've liked the speakers to be a tad louder.

 

Its been awhile for me but I sent thru the order this afternoon for a m17x and a MSI GT70 from Xoticpc. SO my wife and I will be back to gaming hopefully pretty quickly.

I went for the 7970m, with getting 2 laptops wife wouldnt let them get too out of hand with prices. Also, the 680m seems to be in a delay again.

Went for 3610 cpu, 7970m, 16 gigs ram, 256 Samsung 830, Bigfoot 1103.

Welp, glad to join the Alienware and Gaming Laptop club in one fell swoop.

 

Congratulations and welcome to the community! You guys are definitely in for some serious gaming.

If anything comes up don't hesitate to ask, we'll be more than glad to help you.

 

I do.... I complain about every imperfection, i'm that picky with my laptop. When I had the L702x? I complained about my USB 3.0 ports not working, my keyboard flexing, my mouse enable/disable on the hotkey not working, they replaced everything until the last visit, where a stupid tech destroyed my laptop with his power tool. That's how I got the replacement M17x. I believe it's the R4 as it's the 3rd Gen i7 w/ the soft touch and the GTX 680m w/ 3d. Besides all that, not once did my JBL system on the L702x fail on me, nor did it sound so..... muffled, i think that's how you put it..... I kinda miss the speakers on the old system (not to be a naggy nag).

Speakers are fantastic for you? Are there any specific settings you have yours on? What music do you listen to? I like my high's high and low's low, and I like my beats to BEAT..... I dont expect anything phenomenal, but times have changed, and i'm sure these speakers have to have some better quality to them than how they sound now (that's just me though).

 

Not trying to get all up in your grill, but have you thought about maybe getting a set of external speaks or a Headset? They will fix that sound imperfection in no time.

 

Coming from a VAIO F11, where the speakers were downright awful, and from looking at other lappies, where only Toshiba had any decent sound... the m17x sounds very good.

Granted... I never expect much from laptop onboard speakers and don't understand why someone would want said system to be of audiophile quality. This is what externals are for. I have the Creative T20w speakers and they are fantastic.

 

I can't seem to find this anywhere but does the the M17X R4 (3D if the 2d uses a different system-board) have and allow you to enable a TPM (bit-locker or 2048 RSA encryption) and does the BIOS/UEFI allow you to enable the VT-x/VT-D that the chip-set and CPU supports?

Is the mini slot a PCI-e Intel turbo slot or MSATA? Is it full length so you can use it in raid with something like the ADATA SX300?

Has anyone installed a 4TH (MSATA + 2.5 + 2.5 + 2.5 in the ODD bay with one of those 2.5 to Laptop ODD adapters on Ebay?


Thanks

 

You are most definitely not in my grill. All forms of input or 2c is always appreciated, or should always be appreciated, especially when someone's trying to help you out.

To answer that, I do have external speakers, a set of Bose Companion 2, which by itself sound phenomenal. But sitting next to my ex-laptop (handed over to the wifey after I purchased the L702x), her $600 HP dv7 with beats audio sounds superior to my Alienware M17x with klipsche audio. Once again, my apologies if I sound like a nag... Just figured you pay for what you get . It's okay though, better to have this than the inspiron 17R SE I was offered :thumbsup:

BTW, I don't have external speakers hooked up simply because my laptop sits on a mini laptop table, and no external speakers with quality would fit, it's really down to a spacial reason than anything.

I see your standpoint, but like you, i'm comparing to cheaper tier'd laptops too, and coming from the L702x and the HP dv7 w/ beats, sound is nowhere near amazing compared to those two laptops

I in no way, expect it to sound like a full 6.1 theatre array, but I expected more....

I can answer a few of your questions. PCI-e can use the mSATA, that is an option on the dell site I believe. People have been complaining about how the ODD drive, is SATA 2.0 (as posted on the previous page), so if you do get a drive period, I'd rather cheap out and get a HDD over an SSD.

Not to be a nosey guy, but is there any reason why you wanted mSATA alongside 3 SATA drives?

Here is further verification for you.... I just googled it real quick

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...l-sata-caddy-what-sata-operational-speed.html

 

QFT, if you're really concerned with the sound. Then one way to fix that issue is to get an external speaker or a headset. That's what I did. But I was happy with the speakers of my M17x. I just needed more

Oh and gokou, try the companion 20. I heard them last week and it blew me off. I mean it's just amazing.

 

I didn't say the speakers were fantastic, I said the sound card was. And I just use the thx surround default settings.

 

I have to say that I was very impressed with the sound (music) from my R4. Way better than I expected from the tiny (20cm?) drivers. Of course I'd like some more volume and bass response but of course this is subjective and I'm no audiophile . I did have an M18x briefly and that did have slightly better sound but I think it had a 2.1 internal speaker layout

I went for the corsair vengeance 1500 headset as I read about Dolby headphone standard and virtual 7.1 and wanted to hear it. Again a subjective opinion but for me the positional audio actually works (of course nothing like as good as a speaker system) and the sound quality is great for me. The 7.1 is very much like 5.1 with music but the 'echo' on voices disappears and they move centre stage for a more natural sound. V. clever however it works! I got them when I had an R3 and the advice was to go for something with it's own sound chip and avoid the on board IDT chip. This creative chip on the R4 sounded better and straight away I could hear the difference on the internal speakers, but who knows if the R3 was working as designed

I try to get a second opinion for any video/sound quality issues, everyone's eyes and ears are different , I love 3D gaming, it really has finally become 'game enhancing' and not just a gimmick, but some people hate it and get headaches

 

I'm thinking about going for an R4 I've seen on eBay which comes with a 675 GPU. It has all the other things in the laptop I want, i.e. Blu-Ray, 1080P, slightly more powerful 3720 CPU, Killer wireless, SSD and is a very reasonable price etc. I know many go on about the 7970 not only being cheaper but far superior to the 675. Is it that much of a difference, like 50% as some say or is the 675 still a very decent GPU which will be capable of playing the latest games for a year or so on high settings? Thanks.

 

Who knows what's coming in a years time but I'm very happy with my config ATM. Crysis2, Batman AC, Mass Effect3, Deus ex HR, Max Payne3, and tons more, all at pretty much max (lower AA setting sometimes without any noticeable quality drop). And the 3D is just superb for me, but that's another bunch of cash!

I can't believe 50% but I'm not going to argue the point YMMV . I admit I became a NV fanboy some time ago after driver woes

 

Thanks again Micky. Think I'll ask the wife and with her blessing and go for it then. Sadly it's not a 3D screen though. Are the GPU's easy enough to change if I wanted to at a later date, say upgrade to the 680 in a year's time or so?

 

Actually, I was going for the Razer Tiamat's 7.1 but I've been hearing lots of things about it so I just went with the AD 700! And oh my goodness, they're probably one of the best decision I made. It's so nice and clear though it lacks bass. But that doesn't mean it lacks bass it already sucks. ( A lot of people are like that )

Anyways, I am very happy with my M17x. I had the M18x before and the speakers were okay. I cant really differentiate between the two tbh as they sound almost the same.

Now for my external speaker, I am very happy with my soundsticks. But when I heard the Bose Companion 20, I wished I would have saved for one. But I am happy with my Soundsticks.

 

Good luck, time to add up the brownie points

Gpu is about as easy as a laptop can get. If you get a new heatsink at the same time you don't have to worry about pads or paste either. You will get a manual that shows you how to dismantle and replace parts but there are plenty of how-to vids. I'm debating a 680m right now. Trying to rationalize the stupidly high price dell want against potential warranty issues

Yeah, I'm a big Bose fan, if you have ever gone into one of their demo cinemas, well, just awesome from such a small package! Now, if there was enough room inside the M17x for one of their mini-systems, that would be a truly spectacular piece of kit

 

o0o I did, they sounded pretty darn nice! I think I saw them at Best Buy. I think I'm content with my Companion 2's though, they're perfect for what it is. It's just the spacial issue, can't fit Bose companion's on those portal laptop tables lol.....

I can't believe I'm such a dunce though, I have a $4k theatre system in my room sitting in front of me, with a 3.5mm input jack too... I think I've used the theatre system a total of 4-5 times lol...

I will take you to that and try the system on the home theatre later on this evening

I can confirm (as dell has sent me the wrong laptop), that a GTX 675m should be perfect for you, as I've tried Crysis 2, Max Payne 3, and Metro 2033. They all run just fine on 1920x1080 with Max, or close to Max settings I've had my GTX570 for two years (or I think it's been two years, have to check receipts) now (EVGA SSC Edition w/ Lifetime Warranty) and even until today, in 2012, the video card hasn't been outdated yet.... That's just me though

I Agree, next year, maybe another "GTA IV" might be released, where even the most powerful of video cards RIGHT NOW can't take highest settings lol... I've been an NV fanboy for the longest time now.... Had ATI cards before...... honestly, IMO, ATI is like Mercedes & BMW, TOO MANY VARIATIONS OF #s! KISS-Keep It Simple Stupid. (that is seriously why I never went over to ATI (there's too many 5-series 6-series and who knows.... 7-series?) As for Nvidia, I think I made a right choice..... there's the 8-series, then the GT series, then the GTX, they kept it simple and without confusion lol!

I think the GPU is easy enough to change. Last I checked, you literally take out two screws, and you have access to your GPU, correct me if I am wrong here anyone? Coming from a computer technician's perspective, I think some common sense, a bit of reading on thermal paste placement, and you're good to go

Just because something lacks bass doesn't mean it sucks. I've kind of grown out of the 12-year old kid's mindset, where bass (like in a car) is EVERYTHING to a guy..... You have to have a nice balance to everything, and in the current setup on the alienware.... I actually think the distortion comes from TOO MUCH bass in the setup. I will have to sit down and fine tune this thing, then get back to you guys later

I most definitely agree that for a "smaller" package, Bose is the SH*T! But, if price comes down to it,$200 for a Companion system, can get you a full home theatre kit, which would in return be louder, better SQ, and louder output.

The only reason WHY I love Bose speakers? No one in the market (so far as a mainstream brand) has been able to get so much SQ out of a smaller set of speakers. Then again, these things are like 5-10lbs each speaker! They've got to have some hefty drivers behind them lol..

Sorry for the double post, but so far I've rough tuned the speakers, it DOES lack bass, but I don't mind because I have enough rumble in my car.... Sometimes gives me a headache =\

I've been playing with the EQ settings.... Which by the way, to resolve some of volume issue guys, just enable it, and if you don't like to play with EQ settings, leave them on "flat" and just amp up the level knob all the way to the right..... MUCH louder output, and it's somewhat comparable to the JBL now, IMO

I am posting my settings below on the EQ, you can change it and see if you like where it's at

Also note, I tuned this while listening to, I guess smooth jazz? It's Kenny G pretty much. I've been out of hip hop and rap recently, as the market's declined for it and it's all replays for the past few months now on the radio

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/5295/settingsz.png

Please copy/paste or click link above for my settings, as per requested by another forum member, I have taken the picture off.

 

Close . Battery and two screws to get inside. Three screws to remove the fan, and two more to release the card and heatsink as a complete unit. Dell supply the heatsink with the paste (some sort of semi-soft, phase changing compound) and pre applied pads ready to assemble. I've watched an engineer do two

 

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Ahh!! Yeah, I'm still on a learning curve with this laptop, I will master it inside out soon hehe..... Same with with the XPS L702x, I can literally tell you things inside out with that thing as I've watched the tech remove it 4-5 times now.... Some of them did a horrible job though, so I had to take the laptop apart and put it back together...

Can you guys tell me how long it took to receive your laptop? It's been 2-3 weeks now, and I got some weird GTX675m instead of my supposed GTX680m w/ 3d Display.... I'm suppose to have a couple more goodies to come along with it, but we'll see

 

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So you're using that while waiting for your correct config? Sucks but I read earlier today that the 680's are in short supply again. No corroborative info though...

 

I am, yes.... it's been almost 2 months now if i wait for the gtx680m to come.....

What I am dreading over is the fact that they sent me this laptop before teh 680m, I assume it's a mistake and am not sure if they are going to send teh 2nd one, as the 2nd one is all the specs (improved) over my l702x when i purchased it

 

xxgokouxx - Please edit your post with the photo to size it down to 800x600 or something that fits on a screen. Thanks!

 

I couldn't resize via BB code (I don't think this site allows resizing), so I just converted it into a link altogether.

 

The question regarding PCI-e vs mSATA is because the dell website only listed small Caches for the slot in the size class of Intel's PCI-e Turbo Memory not the RST Cache (40SLC or 64MLC). My sisters R17 X1 only supported the Intel's PCI-e Turbo memory in it's slot it is not mSATA compatible.

The question regarding the ODD was more about size then speed. Laptop SATA ODDs come in three sizes 7mm, 9mm, and 11mm. Adapters only support 9mm and 11mm.

I was thinking to configure it with SX300 256GB in the mSATA, SX900 256GB in HDD bay one set to R0, install a 1 Tb in the 2nd bay and TB in the ODD with R1. The HDD R1 would have the encrypted secure files the OS, apps (like Pro E and vSphere), and WOW (the only game I play) would be on the on the SSD R0).

Thanks for the link the SATA 2 mSATA slot is a major hammer strike against the R4.

I just bought an ENVY I’m quite disappointed in its disabled iGPU, TPM, VT-X and RAID (it physically has the hardware on the system board but you’re locked out in the UEFI and / or the hardware code is missing). It also uses a 7mm ODD so an ODD bay adapter will not fit (not that it would help with the RST broken in the UEFI).

If some one said that VT-X , VT-D and the TPM was supported I would return the HP and buy the R4.

I’m close to finishing fixing the Envy 17 UEFI but I can not find the TPM DXE boot code for the ITE TPM chip it uses.

Thanks

 

Hello All!

Finally registered here, this site and forum is simply awesome, the amount of Alienware knowledge and technical know-how here is incredible! Over the last year and an half of reading through just about ALL the major threads here I have found answers or support for all the issues or problems that have come up regarding my M17XR3.

Just wanted to drop in and say hi and thanks to everybody that make this site such a valuable resource for us Alienware owners. :thumbsup:

 

Sorry, a bit confused. If they sent you the wrong machine, have you called to let them know and ask for a replacement?

 

Hello,

My new m17x arrives tomorrow with the build outlined below. Outside of running windows update and checking on the version of the Nvidia drivers is there anything else I should look at on the system?

I plan on doing some benchmarking immediately as well as install a few steam games to put it through its paces.

Intel i7 3720QM
16GB RAM
2GB Nvidia 680m
2x256GB SSD (RAID 0)
Centrino 6250 Wireless
Blu Ray Drive

 

Hi, Should be good to go, looks nice. The NV driver will be a little out-of-date as Nvidia released a new WHQL driver recently (306.23) but probably a good idea to run some games through their paces before thinking about updating it (IMO). Have fun

 

Wow, that's a lot of techinical jargon! LOL, I had to look up with the VT-X and VT-D was all about.... I hope however, I helped in some way or another

As for the ENVY vs the M17x r4, I'd take an M17x r4, so much prettier when it comes down to it, but that's just me lol.... Sadly, I don't game much. The biggest game i've played on here was Crysis 2, just to pass the time. That probably would have gotten away with max specs on the GT555m on my L702x too.

Well hello there! Always chime in when you get the chance! I'm a new Alienware owner too..... We can be partners in crime

Not yet, I was really confused about why they sent me this model.... I figured though, that it will be way too long before they send the 2nd model, so I got this as a temporary or something.

I will call them this afternoon.

I think with your config, you'd all the steam games with what's currently on the laptop (Last I checked anyways).

Make sure to play Alien Swarm for me! I absolutely LOVED that game when I had steam!!

 

I am about to get delivery on my first alienware laptop an m17x r4 with the amd 7970 card.

I have a question for any owners who may know if I use the fn f7 command to disable graphics
switching do I have to do this every time I turn on the laptop or will it leave it off on future shut down restarts?

 

It will leave it off on future shut down restarts Basically if you switch to the dedicated GPUs, even after you shut down and boot up. It will still be on the dGPUs. Just press FN+F7 to switch the graphics.

Congratulations on the new system too! This thing is a beast!!!

 

Which modded BIOS is better for use with the Extreme CPU's. A08 or A10

 

Thanks for the reply but from all I have read it seems it will be better off only using dedicated gpu.

I am going to game with it and should have access to a plug even when traveling.

Luckily most of the games I play are not to demanding wow, swtor, d3, lotro, etc (you get the idea) but this will be my first system that from what I understand will let me max all those games.

I was wanting to buy the 680m but it was out of my budget and I have read good things about the amd 7970. Do any amd reviewers think its worth updating to the newest beta drivers or is dell's stock driver best?

 

Anyone know if it's a bad idea to plug my laptop into a two prong electrical outlet with one of those adapters? I'm guessing that it just makes it more vulnerable if there is a surge or lightning strike but it isn't a fire hazard or anything when I have the 680m humming is it?

 

You'll be fine. The earth is not carried through on low voltage DC equipment (uses a transformer). In fact, the three pin plug on my UK AC adaptor has only two core wire...

 

Great, thanks for the info. :thumbsup: +rep

Whoops got to spread the rep around first, sorry

 

You're welcome. NP, I'm always bumping into that limitation - next time

Edit: For future reference, you'll see a bunch of symbols and international type-approval marks on equipment. If you see two boxes, one inside the other it indicates 'double insulated' and does not require an earth.

 

I'd go with the A10 unlocked/Modded bios If you can find a link for it.

 

Good information to know MickeyD

On my XPS M1330, if the laptop doesn't get proper grounding (the third prong) it gets fuzzy.... As in if you touch metal, you'll shock yourself with that light fuzzy feeling

 

There is a crapload of symbols of this power supply!

 

Does anybody know whether Windows will detect an mSata drive connected to the WirelessHD port of an M17x R4?

When I installed my mSata drive, I initially put it in the WirelessHD port under the keyboard. Then I found out there is no hole for the screw to hold the mSata card in place. That shows you always have to RTFM. In the manual it said the mSata port is under the palm rest. And yes, to remove that sucker, you'll have to remove even the screen! All went well an I now have 4 SSDs in my M17x R4. I want a fifth SSD in the M17x R4! Crazy? Perhaps. But is it possible? I know I could even have a sixth SSD connected through the eSata-p port, but that would be external.

I know I could disassemble the thing again and put the mSata in the WirelessHD port myself, but I don't want to go though that ordeal again. So if anybody knows, please let me know.

 

I don't think so, a WWAN port is for wifi cards or whatnot, a PCI-E port is for SATA controllers and etc.

Correct me if I'm wrong here anyone? I know for the L702x (previous XPS laptop) and my M1330 (XPS laptop before that), the WWAN port does NOT work with mSATA chips.

 

You're correct about the WWAN port, but that one is filled up with my Killer Wirless N card.

However, the WirelessHD port is right next to it, and has a mini PCIe port which fits the mSata card perfectly. The WirlessHD port is normally used for a Wireless Display connection. Next to this WirelessHD mini PCIe port is another smaller port which would be used by the WirelessHD card for something else, power probably, I don't know. If I would put an mSata in the mini PCIe part of the WirelessHD port the other smaller port would remain empty.

Anybody tried this already? I'll wait a few days hoping for an answer. After that I'll buy a cheap small mSata and test it.

A similar question was asked here, I just found out, for the M18x R1: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/660657-can-msata-ssd-installed-m18x-r1s-slot.html

No answer there though.

And here is a picture of the Wireless HD port in the M17x R4: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...r3-r4-owners-lounge-thread-2.html#post8535625

A picture of a Wireless HD card for Alienware: Dell Alienware M18x M17x r3 M14x WirelessHD WiHD Transmitter Card - 5HT44 | eBay

And my 256GB mSata that's running fine and dandy in my mSata port and that is pin compatible with the Wireless HD port: Amazon.com: Crucial m4 256GB mSATA Solid State Drive CT256M4SSD3: Computers & Accessories

You'll count both 8 and 18 pins on both cards. The Wireless HD card has a third set of pins.

 

I remember Mr. Fox mentioning something about it and saying that it won't work, but don't quote me on that though.

 

I have ordered my M17x r4 with below specs and waiting for delivery tomorrow. I have the 3 year warranty but want to see if people think the advanced warranty is worth it? How much does the advanced warranty cost? Thanks
3740qm, amd 7970, 12gb memory, 500gb 7200rpm, killer n wireless