*OFFICIAL* M17xR3 Owner's Lounge Thread - Part 1

I always regarded the weight of my M17X as something very pleasant, adding extra comfort and confidence, lol. Like Boris the Blade said- "Heavy is good. Heavy is reliable.."
Almost felt like a soldier again, - same feeling of cold and powerful heavy metal, lol. Too bad the R3 is not metal though...

 

wow, what the hell is dell doing, my edd is 2/8/11?

i ordered on 1/14/11.. the shipping dates are going to be very scattered apearently and perhaps based heavely on hardware config?

 

I ordered one day earlier than you. Very odd that only one shipped....

 

well i am glad to see that dell may be running ahead of schedule.....i have a feeling that we should start seeing an influx of lappies comming our way
bad news is i am out of town this week and begining of next week. i have to try to convince my wife to work from home to sign for my laptop lol... this is not going to be easy lol

 

I am really think about ordering an R3. The only think holding me back is that I just ordered two R2 in December.

 

i thought tridef did well with certain games. i also bought the iz3d which creates 3d with direct x8 games (morrowind and some emulators), which is awesome. Should work with NVIDIA as well I think.

Also bought this for my Envy 17 3d and recommend it to fellow 17 3d users, at least to demo, Arcsoft TotalMedia Theater 5. Will play different format videos in 3d, including side by side. I've ripped my 3d blu ray collection into side by side .mkv files and can watch them in 3d off the hard drive later. i'll install this program right off the bat and let you know how it works on the Alienware. I don't anticipate any problems.

 

Just waiting on that 6970...tap tap tap.

 

... and then the gun fizzled when he fired it.

 

I've got you all beat. My estimated ship date is 1/1/0001.

 

Pics or it didn't happen!

 

Imagine extending the warranty to 1/1/2013...

 

Looks like they changed my order # because I didnt pay for my initial order until nearly a week after ordering. On my original invoice it still says 1/1/0001. New one is 2/11/2011

 

"...If it doesn't work, you can always hit with it..."

 

I assume one of u guys will get ur R3 either tomorrow or on Wednesday .. Would u tell me if the 3d bundle include pair of glasses or not? I asked Dell before and the rep said it didnt , however I saw in Dell website it said it included in the bundle , thanks
Can't wait till get mine
Odered 1/18/11
Edd 2/9/11
Nbd free lol

 

It includes the pair of glasses:

120Hz WLED w/ NVIDIA 3D Vision Bundle

 

Well since i found out i'm getting mine tomorrow, i would do an unboxing video for those of you that wanted one...but this is my first alienware and i know next to nothing about computers so it would be a waste. all you'd get out of it is visual. i wouldnt be able to provide any useful commentary or know what to look for.

 

Do the video!

Simply record you opening up the box. Its that simple! You don't have to provide commentary.

"This is the box"

"This is the packing foam"

"This is a smaller box full of accessories and crap"

"This is the laptop"

Simple!

 

So I was going through my house and found a coupon that i have and i get 10% off which is 309 bucks here in aus im hoping i can get 15% if my parents are eligible

 

Alright, assuming all goes well and Fedex delivers tomorrow like promised, i will record my unboxing.

Edit: by tomorrow, i mean january 25th.

 

Looking forward to it, what's your config?

 

2720, GTX 460m, stock display and hard drive, Black.

Nothing exciting. Well, it is exciting for me.

 

We will be waiting your unboxing video and i hope you can confirm all questions about Optimus with 120Hz 3D. Thanks!

Edit: no 120Hz 3D monitor?

 

No 120 hz sorry. Don't worry im sure others will get theirs tomorrow and there will probably be other unboxing videos too. I can't imagine why i'd be the first to get it since i didnt order on release day, so i have a feeling something will go wrong.

 

Mine will be here tuesday now it'seems. Very happy.

 

It's not speculation, I posted about this several pages back (but should have been clearer I guess.)

Also Sibeams implimentation is notthe same as Intel's current WiDi or WHDI. It is proprietary and it's called WirelessHD. It's an implementation proposed in the Wireless HD working group but has not been adopted as a final standard. In spite of this SIBEAM moved forward with the 60hz implemetation and has won numerous integration wins as a result (as stated in the link in my post link above.)

As for a single card solution for processing the wireless signal and gaming... I have to assume you mean processing graphics instructions. Well, that's really what these guys, especially Intel and AMD, are experts at. Their goal in life is to integrate the various bits of microcode they have floating around that perform any number of different operations. Actually one of the kings of this is Broadcom. They have a "library" of capabilities they can mix and match to build custom chips for their customers, including the integration of core processing, wireless, TPM, DAC, etc etc. You'd be suprised how many devices use a single Broadcom chip to do a variety of different functions. Generally though companies that have dedicated discrete chips are better than the integrated solutions due to economies of scale and the overal goal of the integrated solutions (which is power, space and cost reduction.)

Sorry for the lecture ;D

 

Hey guys.

I'm on that list now as well.

Estimated Delivery Date: 02/17/2011

Little backstory here:

I literally just ordered and received my Dell L701X from Outlet <2 weeks ago. Last night it locked up. Today I have to try and start it 4-5 times before it actually starts. I am 100% sure the GPU just went out (I own a Laptop/Electronic repair shop). Not willing to wait to get it repaired and the fact I've only had it a few weeks makes me that much more PO'd about this whole thing. So of course I do the extreme and order the next major upgrade. Tomorrow I will be attempting to get this returned. Ironically the day I received it and attempted to download drivers the system said my Service Tag wasn't valid, I called in and they said my Service Tag was reported for not sending in replacement equipment. Obviously, I RECEIVED IT THAT DAY! They didn't care and said I had to email some department. Hopefully all that is fixed by now. I Just spent ~$1500 on that and now need to await a refund and just dropped $2500 on this.


Quantity Item Number Description Unit Price

1 225-0536 Alienware M17x Soft-Touch, Stealth Black $2268.00
1 317-6115 Intel Core i7 2820QM 2.3GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Mode, 8MB Cache)
1 317-6116 MOD,DIMM,4GB,1333MHZ,DDR3,2X2G
1 331-1347 Alienware M17x 240W A/C Adapter
1 320-1932 17.3-inch WideFHD 1920x1080 120Hz WLED w/ NVIDIA 3D Vision Bundle
1 320-1938 1.5GB GDDR5 Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M
1 342-2218 320GB 7,200RPM SATA-II HDD
1 331-1350 Custom Nameplate
1 330-6106 Personalized Nameplate Trigger
1 313-8792 AlienFX Color, Quasar Blue
1 421-4655 Alienware Command Center Software, M17X
1 421-1400 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
1 420-9691 DataSafe Local BackUp
1 420-9956 Vista PC Restore
1 421-0092 DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG
1 410-1883 Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.0 Multi-Language
1 318-0396 Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
1 421-4541 Roxio Creator Starter,No Media
1 421-4550 Power DVD 9.6, 3D
1 318-0424 Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
1 430-4019 Wireless 802.11 g/n
1 330-6348 Automatic Updates: On
1 410-9452 McAfee Platinum, 30 Day, MUI
1 939-0320 Dell Hardware Limited Warranty, Initial Year
1 939-0340 Dell Limited Hardware Warranty Plus In-Home Service After Remote Diagnosis, Initial Year
1 994-3700 Accidental Damage Service, 1 Year
1 950-9797 No Warranty, Year 2 and 3
1 421-1721 Soft Contracts Service Hardware Agreement for Alienware
1 421-1719 Soft Contracts Consumer Accidental Damage Agreement for Alienware
1 994-3730 Warranty Support, Initial Year
1 330-0171 S and P Drop-in-Box Marcom forDHS Notebooks
1 421-1360 Steam and Portal Factory Installed $0.00
1 421-2611 AlienGUIse Theme Manager with Breed Theme $0.00
1 330-5090 Thank You for Purchasing AlienWare $0.00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Sub-Total : $2268.00
Shipping : $69.00
Tax : $189.29
Order Total : $2526.29


I already have a 4x4GB kit ready to install when it gets here (was planned for my XPS) as well as 2x 750GB to put in it. My sales rep said the extra caddy is included and all models have 4 DIMMS. The rep the other guy talked to must have seen "2 DIMMS" and assumed the board only had 2 of them.

1 420-9956 Vista PC Restore <- Anyone notice this LOL.

Also, I recommend anyone to get that Accidental coverage, that stuff can be a lifesaver especially since we won't be seeing these LCD panels manufactured for stand-alone sale for QUITE awhile. None of the 120hz panels are available anywhere right now. It's like an extra $100~ or so for 1 year.





EDIT: !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRM4P7SvLtM&feature=player_detailpage#t=105s

HDMI INPUT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

This should be the #1 feature. This is GREAT! Why is this mentioned NOWHERE?

EDIT 2:

I see it mentioned on a few websites but noone is emphasizing on it. This is freaking awesome

I asked sales and they said the HDMI-In works with the 3D as well so looks like that 3D PS3 content will be able to be played as well, which is good.

 

That would be super epic if true can not wait for someone to confirm this

 

Cool! first review with a 2720qm. can you please post prime 95 temps and throttling levels? also if the bios allows any turbo manipulation. Im really anxious to find out those things.

 

Btw people just found out that 6970m cost 66$ more only than GTX460m in the sager/Clevo forums or at least that's how much they are charged (Keep in mind GTX460m already cost more than 6870M looks like ati will charge about 150$ more than 6870 for the 6970)

Looks like prices will be like that 6870->GTX460M->6970->GTX485

I expect Nvidia to slash 485m prices very soon or introduce GTX580m or so.

I think what is really funny that 6970 cost less than gtx470m

For those wondering about 6970m performance


Keep in mind in the benchmark 6970m got a weaker cpu than GTX485m

Edit: Another site listing 6970m cheaper than GTX470m
http://www.goldmax.cz/goldmax_notebook_konfigurace_cougar_gaming/

 

As did everything else in that comparison. Any idea where we can find a comparison that uses same CPU for all GPU brand/model testing? It would seem to me more relevant to test all these cards against each other with all else involved being exactly equal. Only then would we truly know where each cards performance stands in relation to the others...

 

The picture i posted was GPU test not CPU test..... CPU will make tiny difference or close to none in that exact benchmark (GPU test), i only mentioned CPU difference as a note, So yes these tests are relevant
Plus all computers on the test were using the same exact CPU (there is almost no difference between 720/740) the only GPU with better CPU is the 485m on that picture

 

Reminder, please use the Order Status thread for order status posts.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/487300-m17x-order-status-discussion-part-3-a.html

Look forward to seeing the first systems arrive. Have fun guys!

 

Did you, by chance, customize your Alienware plate "Time Warp"?

 

Where can we order the 480M by itself without going through Dell if I wanted to upgrade?

 

RJTech will sell seperate high end cards, you can also check out eBay. Just keep in mind aside from the 460m and 6870 there's no guarantee that any other card will work in this rig right now.

 

Ebay... The problem is that you might not be able to upgrade. If the BIOS does not mention the 480M, it is going to be tough to install it as the system won't recognize the card.

 

Not always true on the system recognizing the card, inap did a 470m swap in his m15x and it would read the card but the clocks didn't function correctly. There are a lot of reasons it might not work though and the 480m isn't exactly a cheap card.

 

I meant when it is actually supported

I have never owned an "upgradeable" laptop before so this is kind of new to me. I saw someone mention Dell offers upgrade pricing on cards, I assume they take the old one back?

 

Vantage is mostly GPU draining. The CPU counts in the equation but not as much as previous benchmark such as 3D Mark06.

From different benchmark I saw, I would say add about 1000 point to make up for the CPU difference in between those 2 CPUs in Vantage and that should be very close to the score of a 6970M and 2630M making the 6970M faster in this case.

 

LVNeptune- No not typically if you upgrade after receiving the computer, the upgrade price is usually if you upgrade from the factory if not you pay full Dell retail and keep your old card. Also keep in mind that you mentioned the 480m, the 480m likely won't see support in this rig as it runs hot and wasn't that great performance wise in comparison to some of the other cards. You're more than likely going to see either the 485m or a 5XXm series card as a Nvidia upgrade over the 460m.

 

Yes I meant the 485M, sorry

 

Ah that's a different story. That card MIGHT be available later on on the M17X R3 and IF that's the case then yes it would be very easy to upgrade.

 

Very different story lol, but again as most people have said this is Alienware only time will tell. There's bound to be upgrades no one knows what yet though.

 

I was trying to get the sales rep to answer how difficult/easy it might be to upgrade from 460 to, say, 6970 and the only thing i got was that in order to be able to upgrade to 6970 i need to start from 6870 (as in ati-to-ati, no nvidia-to-ati). The same rep also stated that optimus is not supported at all as it's not listed as a part of the configurable options, though, so i'm taking even the first statement with fistful of salt.

edit: What do you guys think about nvidia-to-ati path?

 

Optimus wasn't supported on the i7 because there was no built-in GPU. The Sandy's might support GPU in which case yes, Optimus technically is supported but might not be enabled in the BIOS.

 

The rep is obviously wrong about upgrading from ATI to ATI or Nvidia to Nvidia. In all of my Dell laptops that had the possibility to upgrade video cards, I've almost always done it and you can upgrade to any card manufacturer that is supported by the system meaning if the M17X R3 supports in the future, 6870M, 460M, 6970M, 485M and let's say for fun 6990M (Does not exist, only made up by me for the intended example).

So in my example, let say you ordered the PC with ANY of those cards, then you can upgrade or downgrade to ANY of those cards.

 

I might pick up an ATI card for when I need faster non-3D gaming

 

Thanks Joe, i felt my leg being pulled even back then

 

Just an FYI:

Just called Dell to start the return on the XPS 17 and I told them the GPU card died and I ordered a new laptop already and they asked for the new order ID and that was it No hassle or anything.

Just letting anyone know who might be interested in returning their products.

 

I assume your GPU card actually died then ? Or did you just tell them so you could get the return ?