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

yea sounds like the card is getting to hot and throttling. Could be due to a poor paste job or that the heatsink isn't on right. I don't know.

 

Okay, so I received my m17x. Overall it looked good. It had no dead pixels and the body seemed to be cosmetically sounds. This was until I looked closely at the lid cover with the alienware head on it.

With the lid open, I noticed that the black back cover had deep scratches at the top edge in several spots; as if it were previously removed and then reattached onto mine. The second thing I noticed is that there was some lint behind the glass screen.

Just an off topic question, but isn't there supposed to be protective peel off plastic on the alienware head logo on the lid cover?

Anyway, the support line is closed right now so I guess I'll have to call tomorrow.

Does anyone know what they would normally do in a situation like this? I'm just afraid they're gonna try to fix this one and end up scratching it all up in the process since I've read swapping back covers isn't an easy task.

Thanks guys!

 

Ok looks like I have to open the case and doing it again. Hope it will fix.

 

man thats not cool. Swapping the back cover isn't too hard, but I'd just ask for a brand new replacement if its bothering you. If they won't do it, just say you will return the system and take your business else-ware. I'm sure they will fix it after that.

Just take it slow and make sure that you tighten all the screws evenly

 

I am working on it. Seems fine.

The FPS are back to normal. However i will run more tests. Also, I think problems are coming from the drivers. I installed a lot of drivers for the GPU yesterday. This might get the drivers conflict each other and as a result: low performance. So now I only installed the display driver and sdk runtime. That's all of it. Please correct me if I am not on the rite track.

About the set up, I did redo all the installs and it seems there is a contact between the GPU die and the heatsink.

 

is furmark running any better?

 

Thanks for the reply. Is there a tutorial some place on swapping back lid covers? I'm just curious as I would rather do it myself than have a tech carelessly work on it and possibly scratching or scuffing the laptop even further.

nvm, i found a screen disassembly tutorial.

 

I had the tech take mine off when he replaced the screen and the dell assembly manual he was using didn't even have the correct instructions on how to take it off

 

Can you post a link to it? I might need that.

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I think so. the screen starts move smoothly and the temperature are also low. And in every games, FPS are around 90s but I think I will test more with longer period of time.

 

here you go:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/587741-m17x-r3-screen-disassembly-guide.html

 

sounds A LOT better, Now go shred some noobs with your revamped system

 

Haha thanks alot. But hey, when I do the furmark, the FPS are around 9-10. Is that good?

 

depends on what the res is any everything really. If you really wanna know how your system stacks up against other peoples, do a 3dmark vantage run

 

What is benchmark for? Kinda curious about that and i want to know what is a good driver for the AMD Card. The drivers start to conflict each other again =.=".

There are 3 drivers currently installed in. They are :

AMD APP SDK Runtime
Display Driver
HDMI/DP Audi Driver.

 

I don't know much about AMD drivers, I'll see if I can get one of my AMD buddies to anwser that for you as to 3dmark vantage, you can find that here

Edit: Asked one of my buddies about it and he recommended these: AMD Catalyst? 12.1 Preview driver hope this is helpful.

 

so I have to use driversweep to clean all the old drivers of AMD then install this in?

 

I was just doing a quick volume comparison between my G73 and the m17x. I noticed that the volume on the Asus is WAY louder than the Alienware.
Sux.

 

I just got the 580m yesterday for my m17x rd3 and I'm pretty disappointed so far. I've read about the 77c thermal throttle and I'm hitting it within 15 mins of gameplay. I was wondering if anybody had a walkthough of how to repaste a graphics card. I'm also suck at computers so pics would be very helpful lol. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Hi guys. Happy to join the M17xR3 club. Loving this puppy!

Anyway, searched but couldn't find the answers I was looking for.

1st. When connecting a console (ps3 in my case), is there some way to utilize the mic from a headset to work on the console via the notebook's soundcard?

2nd. Can I push the video from the HDMI-in to an external display via the HDMI-out?

Thanks

 

What would be the point of #2...? Just plug the ps3 directly into the external display....why go through the laptop?

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it is really interesting that a bunch of people gets throttling and some don't, no idea whats the difference, can a lazy paste by the dell tech can cause 10C increase?

 

Ok. I have installed the latest drivers for the GPU. The FPS always start with nice 90+ FPS but in the mid game, the FPS starts to drop rapidly when i am in an area where are crowded, heavy explosion such as smoke from fire or grenades, high details area or heavy firing from the guns. After leaving those areas the FPS increases back again unlike my old GTX560M, the FPS always stay the same even Im in those areas. Also, the temperature of the ATI 6990M are quite high when playing games, they are around 104+ Celsius degree even in the furmark. Don't know what problems I am facing rite now. Please help.

 

Because its an external display on my desk with one HDMI port. And switching cables between console and the laptop will become a chore.

 

Oh, if it doesn't work, you could get a hdmi switch or splitter or whatever they're called.

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try propping the back end of the laptop up. It should help alot as to a re-paste guide, I'll see if I can put one together later today. Here is a guide by dangergrclose that might be usefull for you

really sounds like the GPU is getting to hot and throttling. sounds like the GPU die isn't making good contact with the heatsink check out this guide and make sure you are doing it right.

 

Did again with thermal paste. Add external fans for the laptop. Did the furmark test and the results are around 90 celsiuse degree in 30 mins. Better than 14.

 

something is still not right though I don't know why its getting that hot.

 

104C?!!! that cannot be right...

 

104c? even 90c? That's way too hot. Kirajoker, what are the specs of your laptop.

Two things...you can try to check and make sure that your Gpu fan is running at rated speeds (i.e., 30%). You can increase the fan speed using HWINFO64. Also, i've seen blocked heatpipes that will cause huge temps like this

Just for a comparison, my 6990m hovers @ 67c after 4 mins of Furmark

Spoiler

 

My specs are:

Spoiler

My furmark test in 4 mins:

Spoiler

Ok. Now the temperature is around 64-67 degree but the fps is around 6 with 715/900. What's wrong with this =.=? The reason i have the temperature so high is because i put 740/1000 performance of the GPU which are high performance gpu clock settings/high performancce memory clock settings.

 

your temps are amazing because you're only getting 6 fps...means your vid card isn't working at all...interesting

Reset everything to stock and try again.

BTW, 740/1000 isn't high. i assume you are using the built in OC provided by AMD. I use Sapphire trixx and for benching i go to 835/1250. For gaming, I often run at 800/1100 for everyday and my temps never get as high as you stated before. I hit about mid 70's but not 90. Something is still not right

 

Ok. I did re-install the drivers from dell websites. As a result the FPS is back up again with 715/900. The FPS is around 38-40. I will add the screenshot later. Im on phone rite now.

 

temps are stable now I hope

 

@ kirajoker, same bug as mine: you have to enable powerplay in CCC, the card remains stuck at 100/150 in freq.
My 17x has just been sent back to Dell for this issue.
Oh, and you'll encounter a screen flickering when enabling powerplay.

 

Oh wow =_=. I don't know what to do now. Repaste and did everything. Still the same stuffs....high temperature....

 

Spoiler

did you make sure the fan is plugged into the mobo?

 

Yea. I can feel it running rite now when im typing.

 

hmmm I have no idea at this point why its running so hot

On another note, I'm getting tired of dells crap. They asked me to send pictures of the damage to them so they send the parts to fix my cosmetic issues. I took the pictures and sent them in. What I got in return is they are only sending certain parts(another media bar and screen assembly), and not a new mobo or chassis. Considering they scorched the mobo and that my chassis is cracked(do to when I dropped it). Accidental warranty should at least cover the chassis replacement right? Come on dell get your act together.

 

To be honest, the temperature of the GPU is really annoying and i haven't fixed it nicely done. However, i decreased 14 degree down, that is the only best part ive done so far. I will give up =.=. Btw, are there any possibility that the temperature of the environment can cause high temp of GPU as well?

Another thing, while running CoD Mw3 or other games, the GPU's temperature is also around 70-80.

 

Thats because MW3 is not a demanding game. Try witcher 2, skyrim or bf3 instead. Crysis 2 with full patches would do as well.

 

man, maybe some problem with your heatsink? or the fan? somethings not right for sure, 80C is MW3 is too much! yes it is nowhere near demanding...

 

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So after weeks of planning on buying a souped up sager, I stopped on ebay tonight and couldn't pass up the deal on a used M17x R3. So once it arrives here next week I will officially be part of the club.

I do have a few questions..

How does the HDMI input work? Is it fast enough to use with a console (ps3)?

How hard would it be to change out the optical drive for a blu ray drive? Anyone know any part numbers so I can start shopping for one?

These machines can take two hard drives right? Is raid 0 a possibility?

Do these get pretty hot? Mine will be a i7-2630, with 6990m.
Can anyone recommend a good laptop cooler?

Can I add a second video card??

 

How does the HDMI input work? Is it fast enough to use with a console (ps3)?

yes just plug and play like a monitor, but you need to turn on the M17x.

How hard would it be to change out the optical drive for a blu ray drive? Anyone know any part numbers so I can start shopping for one?

Dont know much but a 12.7mm should do.

These machines can take two hard drives right? Is raid 0 a possibility?

yes but theres some hic cup with port 0 which may or may not prevent you to gain SATA 3 speed.

Do these get pretty hot? Mine will be a i7-2630, with 6990m.
Can anyone recommend a good laptop cooler?

not really, this depend but you can try lift the back up a bit

Can I add a second video card??

no, we have the new M18x or the old M17x R2 for that

 

Hi i have just brought an Alienware M17x R3 with the following spec

Intel Core i7 2630QM 2.0GHz Quad Core Processor
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M
4GB DDR3 RAM
320GB 7200RPM HDD
17 Inch 1920x1080 (1080p) Display

I have paid $1300, its only 4 months old and still has remaining Dell warranty. Have i got a really good deal or is this about what these tend to go for when used?

 

Well, seems to me to be a good deal. The fact that it is used drops the "new" value immediately so don't expect it to be similarly priced like a new one. It's still worth what you paid-easily, IMO.

Also, max the warranty out after you transfer ownership ASAP. Worth every penny.

 

$1300, ya, that's a pretty good deal for that

 

not a bad deal at all. I paid about the same price for mine brand new back in march and yours has the better video card and screen

 

Yeah im really pleased with the price i got it for, is it worth me extending the warranty do you think and is it exspensive?