*OFFICIAL* M17x R3 Owner's Lounge Thread - Part 3

Welcome to the Owner's Lounge for the Alienware M17xR3 Part 3!
(part 1 is here and part 2 can be found here)

This thread is a place to discuss your new M17xR3 and share information on your system with fellow owners.

Manuals, Teardown, Drivers, etc.

System Teardown -
*To be added once Dell adds it to their official youtube channel.

Manuals (Owners Manual and Service Manual) -
Documentation

M17xR3 Drivers straight from Dell Support -
Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

Dell Released Parts List for M17xR3 -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/550787-m17xr3-part-number-list-reference-thread.html

Dell GPU-Specific Parts List for M17xR3 - Updated Info from DELLChrisM

• VDV04 N11E-GS GeForce 460m
• 87XRJ N11E-GS GeForce 460m Kit (Video card VDV04 + Thermal Assemblies J9H7X)
• YT99J N12E-GS GeForce 560m
• 8H4G6 N12E-GS GeForce 560m Kit (Video card YT99J + Thermal Assemblies J9H7X)
• 3MF8R N12E-GTX2 GeForce GTX580m
• RFYN9 N12E-GTX2 GeForce GTX580m Kit (Video card 3MF8R + Thermal Assemblies V1K2G) (For the throttling at 78C°)
• V9XKH AMD Blackcomb XT 6970m
• WFWCW AMD Blackcomb XT 6970m (Video card V9XKH + Thermal Assemblies YHP1P)
• V5TGF AMD Granville Pro 6870m
• 5MKH5 AMD Granville Pro 6870m Kit (Video card V5TGF + Thermal Assemblies VH0YK)
• RDRGR AMD Blackcomb XTX 6990m
• CK7HW AMD Blackcomb XTX 6990m Kit (Video Card RDRGR + Thermal Assemblies YHP1P)

Dell GPU-Specific Parts List for M17xR4 - Updated Info from DELLChrisM
(subject to availability based on manufacturer supply)

• HXD3N N13E-GS1 GeForce GTX675m
• C0XGT N13E-GS1 GeForce GTX675m Kit (Video card HXD3N + Support Plate 3MHHT)
• M3XJV NV13E-GE GeForce GTX660m
• 5H5NC NV13E-GE GeForce GTX660m Kit (Video card M3XJV + Support Plate 3MHHT)
• 747M2 AMD Wimbledon XT 7970m
• 8DG8P AMD Wimbledon XT 7970m Kit (Video card 747M2 + Support Plate 3PVGK)

Benching, Overclocking and GPU Related Items

Overclocking -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/560044-m17x-r3-overclocking-sort.html

Benchmarks Discussion and Result Sharing -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/455435-official-m17x-benchmark-thread-part-3-a.html

GPU Related Items -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...idia-geforce-460m-580m-560m-see-post-1-a.html

Other Important Links

Owner Answered FAQ/etc. -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ntly-asked-questions-read-before-posting.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/561599-m17x-r3-cpu-gpu-re-pasting-guide-w-pics.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...alling-new-cpu-m17x-r3-illustrated-guide.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/569484-m17x-r3-6970m-re-pasting-video-guide.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/585805-m17xr2-r3-m18x.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/496156-alienfx-problems-questions-thread.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...are-diagnostics-your-m17xr3-resource-dvd.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/594890-wifi-card-best-m17x-r3.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/559613-best-aftermarket-ram-m17x-r3.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/616590-m17x-r3-ram-questions.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/601701-bios-recovery-case-you-brick-your-m17xr3.html

Order Status Discussion -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/630192-m17x-order-status-discussion-part-4-a.html

3D Capability/Discussion -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...7xr3-3d-discussion-questions-tips-thread.html

Bags, Backpacks, Cases & Sleeves -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ags-backpacks-cases-sleeves-discuss-here.html

Clean Install -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...er-install-order-guide-alienware-systems.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ook-feel-after-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

***IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THOSE PERFORMING A CLEAN INSTALL WITH AMD GPU***

•For M17xR3 with AMD, install the AMD Display Driver first. Once done, the Intel Driver must be installed when in Integrated Mode. You will need to use the FN+F7 to switch over to Intel. A reboot may be necessary. Once done, install the Intel HD driver. Once installed, switch back over to your AMD GPU.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Congrats on your system purchase and have fun!

M17xR3 Launch Videos

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(Thanks to vikingrinn for the heads-up on the videos)

 

well its good to see all these helpful links in on one place, thanks katalin_2003

 

Ive had my M17xR3 for about 2 months now and I really want to upgrade my internal hard drive. Having a ton of Steam games really eats up at my 450GB Hard drive. I was thinking about getting a 1TB HDD and never having to worry about ever filling it up. Does anyone have any recommendations on what would be the best HDD for my M17xR3?

 

Why not just add a secondary HDD? or put two 1TB drives in. Heck if you remove the optical drive you can have 3tb of space.

 

So the M17xR3 does have a second HDD bay so I wouldnt have to replace the current one? Sorry Im totally new at all of this, probably a dumb question, tried using google couldnt find an answer.

 

this is our place thanks katalin!!

 

Wait.. why the lounge is empty?

BTW need help.

Can't get windows 8 Dev Preview work using dual boot. Virtualbox can.

Is it related to my 120Hz screen or what?

 

hmm worked fine for me when I had it installed. Do you get a blue-screen or something?

 

Thats right, the M17x R3 has a second hard drive bay. My guess is it only fits 9.5mm height drives. If you took out the optical drive and put in a HDD caddy, you could get a 12.5mm drive in there. Thats what I did. It's in my sig (linked 1TB) where I did the swap from a blu-ray burner, to a 1TB HDD. I have dual SSDs. Right now not in raid and I don't think I'll raid them again, but one is a dedicated OS/Apps drive, the other SSD is a dedicated gaming drive. It's full of games. 160GB SSD with about 140GB of games on it. I also have a 1TB internal drive for pics, vids, music, documents, records ect.

 

No BSOD.
It says something like "The setup cannot complete" and some other things, maybe about hardware..

Did you use 3D-Enabled display or what?

 

nope I don't ill have to do some research and see if I can find why it won't install.

 

Dell have slashed the price of the 580m by over £100, a few days after I ordered my m17x, I've not received it yet, due on Friday.

What should I do?

 

You could either ask for the discount back, making sure to quote the day you ordered it

OR

You can return it back, and re-order to get the discount. Dell/Alienware don't charge a restocking fee if you return the item soon after you buy it and re-order another product from them (well, another similar product).

 

Thanks for the prompt response. I'll call Dell tomorrow.. I just checked it's £200 down

 

I did the same, just call them and demand a refund otherwise say you will cancel, the agent will provide some refund, not the exact amount but you will survive with it

 

Let us know how you get on....

I have an order in pre production at the moment... Given how many issues I have had when a person gets involved I am loathe to disturb the order....

I called, they would not do anything......

So I joined topcash and placed a new order through them and cancelled my existing order....I saved £170 and hopefully should get topcash as well....

 

Yes.. I got the same response from Dell, so cancelled at a cost of £20+vat so £24 and I will order a new one once my Credit Card gets paid off (3 Workin days ),

It's a PITA to have to receive it before I send it back.. but hey what can you do.

But I should save £176 overall, only downside is the extra days before I get a new LT.

 

Mine was in pre production so no charge to cancel....

I assume you are using at least a 15% voucher etc...

 

Oh yeah and the 10% cashback, if it tracks, that's another reason I was thinking of cancelling, 1st system did not track and the £200 drop in Gfx card broke the camels back.

 

Does anybody now when there will be some new gpus ? Maybe this is the reason why they cut the price on that one. This card is just amazing, it's able to run nearly all game at the moment on ultra settings (BF3, Crysis 2, stracraft 2) the only one that can not pass on ultra so far i s SKYRIM, but with very high settings, the game is just amazing.

 

but isnt the 6990m still better than the 580 ??

 

On the Dell UK site the 6990M now costs £10 more

@turbocat They are more or less the same. Nvidia tends to give better driver support and therefore optimize the card for more games, and sometimes they work closely with developers for better compatibility. However the 6990M is still slightly better at some games.. so it just boils down to a choice between the green team, 3D, or the red team.

Your question has been answered a stupid amout of times but I thought I'd just get a +1

 

I always had issues with ATI drivers... I found Nvidia do a better job maintaining and keeping drivers current. I running the machine in my sig and playing skyrim and it is still a nice experience... That is why I chose the 580....

 

Ha Ha no worries im just in the what do i buy boat !! i have narrowed it down to m17x r3 6990m and then they go and drop the price of the 580 on me and now have to make yet another hard decision !! lol

 

This is worth a read....

Notebookchek.net 580mpage

 

I am running skyrim at ultra with stock clocks... at +40 fps (except for a few spots in the game)

on the contrary, I cannot max crysis 2 (with HD textures pack and directx11, I don't think any stock clocked 580m can max crysis 2)

 

New mobile parts quietly announced...

anandtech article

Mid range mobile parts, looks like there will be a 680 at some point....

 

I don't think there will be a 680m before 680, and these are pretty much renamed versions of 500m series.. I guess we must wait for at least Q3 to see 680m

 

so your off the hook for now. continue to have fun with your flashship card

 

but I do want the 680m!! hardware greed

 

My experience has been the same. I finally tried an ATI card on my last desktop and found that the drivers were just not up to the quality of Nvidia. Neither company's drivers are perfect, but I've had less trouble with Nvidia over the years. At this point in time I won't buy ATI.

It's why I went with the 460M over the ATI back in March when I got my R3. I was willing to sacrifice some performance for stability. Other than a lack of support for Optimus over a period several months I've been quite happy, and now the Optimus support is there too.

 

The 6990M is my first entry into AMD/ATI. Though i got a brief moment with 6870M. Personally i struggled with the driver at first but then i grow to it and the interface now seems somewhat a bit more slick to me, with built in overclock tool. YMMV.

 

Hey guys, My order just got cancelled by Dell because my card payment got declined. After sorting it out, I am going to reorder again. Before purchasing again, I would like to know whether I should stick with i7 2630 and upgrade the GPU to the 580m or should I upgrade my 2630 and stick with the nvidia 560??
I would be using it for a variety of stuff but I just started to do more hardcore gaming(I use to only play FIFA 12) like COD and stuff but I would also need to use it for CAD for my university course. Thanks.

 

I very recently ordered an M17x (R2 I beleive) and look forward to receiveing it on the 15th next week. That said, as this is a Dell machine I expect it to be loaded with trial and support software that I really dont want. So I think I will want to do a clean install of Win7 Ultimate.

Aside from that, what else can I expect to do first when I get it? I read the guide on the Owners Lounge amd will make a Recoverable Media disc prior to doing the new Win7 install. After a clean install I will problably look for new drivers. But what else should I plan on doing or know of?

Sorry for the vauge/simple questions but this is my first real laptop purchese and I dont want to do anything dumb or not do somthing smart.

Thanks, (I hope there is not an existing thread out there that adresses these concerns)

Here is te unit details:
Alienware M17x Soft-Touch, Stealth Black
Intel Core i7 2670QM 2.2GHz (3.1GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache)
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz (4DIMMS)
Alienware M17x 240W A/C Adapter
17.3-inch WideFHD1920 x 1080 60Hz WLED
2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M
500GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s
Custom Nameplate
Personalized Nameplate Trigger
AlienFX Color, Plasma Purple
Alienware Command Center Software, M17X
DataSafe Local BackUp
PC Restore
DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit Service Pack 1, English, w/Media
Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.0 Multi-Language
Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
Roxio Creator Starter,No Media
Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
Killer Wireless-N 1103 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO for Gaming and Video
Anti-Virus included With Dell Advantage Care
Dell Hardware Limited Warranty, Initial Year
Dell Limited Hardware Warranty Plus In-Home Service After Remote Diagnosis, Initial Year
1 Year Limited Warranty
No Warranty, Year 2 and 3
Soft Contracts Service Hardware Agreement for Alienware
Warranty Support, Initial Year
S and P Drop-in-Box Marcom forDHS Notebooks

 

of those choices, go with the 2630 and 580m. For gaming the 2630 is plenty. Then in the future, if you want more CPU, they are easily found on ebay for a fraction of what you would get charged at Dell. GPUs are alot more expensive away from Dell

You can use my CPU guide in my sig as a reference

that's an R3

The first thing i'd do? install your favorite game and give it a whirl. If you suffer any performance throttling which is common with the 580m, you'll need to employ a fix easily found here

 

yup the base quad-core is more than enough for gaming and such. 580m would be the best upgrade you can get for this laptop minus getting the 1080p screen. That should be the last thing that you sacrifice on this laptop.

 

Alienware computers are blessedly free of the bloatware common to Dell consumer models, so there is no need to do a clean Windows 7 install. Just do Windows update (there will be a lot) and then at your convenience check the Dell Support board for updated drivers; in too many instances, AW continues to use older drivers for factory installations long after newer drivers are released. Then add your favorite programs, games and utilities and play.

 

LOVE AND CHERISH IT,

And you will probably love playing with the keyboard!

 

Ok cool - So dont worry about the OS being loaded with pre-loaded junk that would be easier to reformat vs deleting?
How did you know it was a R3 btw?
Finally, what would the symptoms of throttling look like with the GPU issue?

 

one thing about alienware is that they don't put any bloatware on their laptops. As to symptoms of throttling, you will see frame-rates suddenly drop at random. If you think you have it do a furmark run to double check.

 

Personally I would disable Windows Update completely. I have done so since the feature was introduced and it has always kept performance at peak levels. Driver updates are important and must be kept updated as well as a good anti-virus that does not mess with performance or gaming - ESET NOD32.

 

The R2 is the older chassis. You're getting what looks like a new computer with very new hardware specs...so its an R3

 

how can you get a R2 from dell now anyway, even on outlet I hardly ever see any :-?

 

ya bro, the outlet, ebay, kijiji, craiglists are common places, but you can't get the R2 new from dell

 

not an R2, this is an R3

 

exactly and btw +rep for being such a good help around here all the time

 

thanks man I really like this forum, it is a really nice place to spend some quite time, do some reading

 

agreed my friend, I also learn a ton of stuff as well, we can't forget that part

 

The learning part is my favorite part. The collective intelligence in this community is simply staggering.

 

definitely, the amount of information in this forum is overwhelming