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

Guess your only option (if it looks that much better) is to find a way to be on the dGPU always. As long as battery life is not an issue then this might be the way to go. I see a lot of ways of doing this, including unlocked BIOS, but since I do not have access at all to my iGPU anything I say is just what someone else has said

 

I'm going to stick with the iGPU because otherwise my computer would get too hot.. I'm fine with 60Hz for now.

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Excellent! Every case is different, E.G. My machine is never used off the cooling pad

 

I mostly use my machine when I'm on my bed and since I put it on my lap I don't like temperatures being too high . That nameplate really gets hot if you let the dGPU run for a bit...

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Check out the targus lap pad. It has a nice comfy underside and moves easily as a unit with the lappy. Got mine for bed use and it's great!

Targus Lap Chill Mat 17-inch: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

It's a little narrow but that makes it easier to pick wp with the lappy. Perfect for bed or just lap use

 

Thanks for the suggestion~ was planning on getting one.

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Just checking in again. R3 is still chugging along smoothly, probably since I haven't had the time to really add or modify anything.

 

If it aint broke don't fix it right! But I bet you're getting a hankering for upgrading the GPU soon! That'll get some of the interest going again!

 

Yea I know haha. Problem is I need integrated graphics for the battery life for being away from the charger, and I'm lazy and don't wanna have to toggle each card in the bios. Plus I'm really tempted to build a desktop this fall anyway.

 

Ah, see, so you've got some interest going on there, just not necessarily Alienware related. They're all PC's anyway! I've never built a desktop, I have been considering it, using some of the knowledge I've gained from just reading tech sites, but I like the idea of using my computer where I want in the house, so I'm holding off on doing that for now. Have you thought about what components you're gonna be using?

 

yea I already compiled a parts list and such. I could build a pretty nice haswell system with a 770, get a 3d 144hz monitor, and also buy a top of the line keyboard for less than the price of an Alienware M14. Kinda depressing.

 

Excellent, I like the idea of the 144hz for fast paced gaming, I just kind of wish LCD screens could be as crisp during movement as CRT's, maybe the display on my R3 is not brilliant (but it is better than the screen I had in my M1530). Also very nice to get a good quality keyboard for typing well, I love those old school clicky mechanical keyboards.

 

is there a way to fix 6990m or at least detect what is wrong with it ?

 

Going to be interesting to toy around with some newer stuff. Will hopefully add another 770 down the road too for even more power for gaming/folding.

does it at least show up in the bios?

 

Really hoping somebody can help... and let me know if I should post in a different thread or start a new one.

My M17x R3 GTX 580m 120hz 3D won't boot. It powers on, keyboard and alien head lights up, but no video on the screen. The power keeps cycling over and over every few seconds with no video until I do a hard shutdown. I've tried power drains with pulling the CMOS, reseating the GFX card... all to no avail. I'm using Linux Mint Debian Edition and I had just updated the Nvidia driver from 304 to 319(I think) a couple of days before this happened. Not sure if it's just coincidence or has something to do with it. I'm wondering if maybe the BIOS somehow got set to use the IGFX, which won't work on this system. I've been using the unlocked A12 BIOS for the last 6 months with no issue. I'm going to try a blind BIOS flash, but I'm doubtful I'll be that luck. I have a lot of experience repairing computers and I'm led to believe this is either mainboard or GPU failure, but I can't figure out for sure. One thing that is odd is that I don't get any diagnostic beeps at power on, just keeps turning off and on with no video. I can't afford to replace parts at random, or any parts at the moment, and of course I'm not covered under warranty anymore. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Sory to hear man. You obviously have a complete handle on the situation and I can't offer anything else except MB is the most likely.

As you say a GFX failure on your machine will result in beep codes.

Stop press: just remembered, faulty memory reporting a changed speed will cause a constant restart. have you tried a single memory module?

 

hello, quick question.
Will the i7 3840QM work in the M17x R4?

If yes, will the BIOS need flashing?

Thanks!!

 

I see no reason why it wouldn't work

 

3840QM will work and no flashing required, it should be plug and play essentially.

 

Thank you both

Looking to upgrade the CPU and selection is getting thin on the ground.

 

no prob m8t that is what we are here for. And if anyone needs to update their CPU it's me. The lowest end quad core sandy bridge processor is starting to become old school around here.

 

Bigtony have you tried doing what widezu did in this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-2960xm-cpus-m17x-r3-without-modded-bios.html

It will give your CPU a bit more oomph, it'll be able to operate at 56W indefinitely with that easy to do software & BIOS mod. That's what I've done with mine. It's not overclocking, but it just overrides the normal time limited Turbo behaviour & allows it to run at maximum Turbo 'forever'. I'm yet to be CPU limited in games, always GPU limited.

 

planetside 2 is the only game I'm really CPU limited in, but I've yet to really do that because I need to have decent battery life sometimes and that will affect that right?

 

Nope, it shouldn't affect battery life, because with those mods the CPU can still downclock into lower power states as normal. It just gives the benefit to the CPU when all cores are loaded and allows a permanent 2.6Ghz (which is the maximum 4 core Turbo). The CPU won't go beyond 56W though, that's hardcoded into the CPU apparently. But the 56W have never been a factor - it can run Prime95 on 8 threads and the CPU wattage fluctuates between 50-54W, so it's always below the 56W hard limit. (Although I think LinPack made the clocks reduce because I think it wanted to go over 56W). Without the mod that I described P95 would drop the clocks after a 'few' seconds to bring back power consumption to 45W. So, that's quite a bit of performance difference. For example "WPrime 1024M" without the mods takes 330 seconds, and with the mods it only takes 300 seconds, which is in the region of performance of a 2760QM. So, for me it's worth doing, because I know my CPU will always be at 2.6GHz when I'm gaming, giving the max performance that it can.

 

Hmm sweet might as well give it a shot then. thanks!!

 

Well sorry for the double post, but I applied the bios and XTU settings outlined in Widezu's guide and apparently it looks like Folding@home draws more power than prime95. I keep getting shutdowns with the settings shown in the screenshot below.

 

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Hi, what do you mean by 'shutdowns'? There's no reason why that mod would cause shutdown of the computer if it tries to exceed the maximum Watts of the CPU, because the CPU will just downclock in response, not cause a shutdown. I literally just followed that first part of widezu's guide and it worked fine for me. Are you using Throttlestop as well, and following all the steps in his guide?

You want to be using Version 2.1 of XTU as well, as I heard that that is the only one that works properly. Also, I think I set the Watts to 99 on XTU (is that what is says in the guide?), so you could try that as well. It doesn't matter if you set it to 99W because the CPU won't go over 56W anyway, but perhaps if you set it at 56W you get the problems you're describing? Did you change the BIOS settings as the guide outlines?

Hmm, can't think of what else to suggest, the widezu's guide is pretty comprehensive. Let me know if you want to ask me anything after you give it another try.

 

Gonna restart and go back through it. Hope I missed something easy.

 

Yep, I hope it works out for you, because it's just a little bit of free performance right there on the table to be had!

From memory the process was something like:

1) Windows Power Options: set min & max performance to 100% for CPU (Intel Speed Step still works anyway).
2) Change BIOS settings.
3) Apply XTU settings - Reboot
4) Open Throttlestop - check Power limits unlocked to 99W, if not use Throttlestop to manually write in 99W for power limits. Apply correct Throttlestop settings, turn on Throttlestop so it's settings are activated, set Throttestop to run on startup with admin rights.
5) Bob's Your Uncle! (Or rather Unclewebb is!!) Haha. That's just from memory, but go from what the guide says.

 

Thanks for the help, it appears my machine was shutting off due to getting to hot. Just took the time to clean the fans and apply new thermal paste and things are looking much much better now.

 

Excellent, glad you sorted it! So I take it you managed to get the mod to work then? E.g. Prime95 at 2.6GHz for an unlimited time? (Yes, keep an eye on the temps, but if the fans are clean and the paste is good you shouldn't get too far above 85degC for indefinite P95 running at 2.6Ghz.

 

going to let it run maxxed out for a while and see what happens.

 

Cool, you're aware of the temperature now anyway. Have you checked the CPU is sticking at 2.6Ghz when it's maxed out?

 

yea it runs at like 2.58ghz, but I think that is because I messed with the BCLK when I was troubleshooting. Thanks again for the help man!!

 

Yep, no problem, you're welcome. Yep, spot on, it's showing 2.58Ghz due to the BCLK being slightly below 100Mhz by default, although I upped by BCLK so it was reporting 100Mhz exactly - but that's just because I wanted to see a whole number!! Excellent, so the mod worked, I'm glad I could help you with it. A little more CPU performance for you there at full load now!

 

Great advice +rep (when I can, seems I need to find some other good posters!)

BCLK is the OC equivalent of a sledghammer. Everything gets overclocked and as soon as memory gives up (or the PCi bus) it may brick, and since recovery from that is often not easy, just get it to spec. 100mhz, and leave it alone!

 

Hey, thanks MickyD, good to get some positive feedback. Yep, good points you made about BCLK overclocking, I agree!

 

Looks like I need to rep some additional people as well. I'm maxed out for both of you at the moment.

Edit: Well gave out some rep and now I need to wait 24hrs.

 

Hello,

I would like to ask what I need to do in order run an external 120hz screen from the Alienware 17 @ 120hz in 2D.
I.e Asus VG248QE

Thx

 

You'll need a mini-port connector (dual link DVI with audio), crapple standard, and an adaptor for the monitor end. . I use one to a HDMI 3D TV but the refresh rate on one of those is all but useless for gaming in 3D

 

have you had a chance to play with that specific monitor? I was actually looking at that same one for a desktop build.

 

Yes it's better than the BenQ XL2420T. Only the two worth looking at.

 

Doh, thought I spread enough but still, 'you must spread...' after the 24 hour bit. I will not give up!

 

does it at least show up in the bios?[/QUOTE]

it shows up in the bios and on device manager

 

I would want to fix it .. 6990 or better cost so much and shipping and taxes would make it much worse ..
Egypt

 

than its not a hardware issue. Its gotta be something with your drivers.

 

I didn't know quite where to post this. I reside in India and purchased an M17x R3. It has complete cover till some tie in 2014. Now I gave this computer to my girlfriend, who is currently in Switzerland. This computer now has an issue (8 beeps, no post. simple enough solution). I am wondering how the warranty process should proceed, as Alienware Switzerland seem to be non existent.

Any pointers/ customer care number would be helpful.
Thanks.

 

WiHD worth it or not?
I have been thinking of picking up the parts from ebay and installing them all... but I want to make sure my 200$ is going to a good cause.... unlike my wwan card upgrade I did in my m11x.

 

Haven't really heard much about it to say one way or the other.

 

Yeah that seems to be the problem.... alienware took away the option, but left the slot in the computers... so I would love to be able to use the slot.

I cant seem to find many people who have the WiHD, I did find a nice video showing off how it works and how you can play games on the laptop while streaming a blueray to the tv.