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

3D requires will cut your FPS roughly in half.

 

Yup, you are essentially doubling the required resources, and that was said of 720p 3D.

1080p 3D requires a desktop level GPU, if you don't want to significantly lower your settings.

If the 485M came out 3D compatible, it would basically have the performance of the 460M during 3D gaming.

 

Having had the Envy 17 3D and having played a few games, the claim that FPS are cute in half by enabling 3D is not true. There is a significant reduction in frames per second but not half...at least not with the amd 5850.

If the 485m comes out and is 3D capable it will more than be adequate to handle most games at more than playable FPS. The 5850 is simply not powerful enough...as I fear the 460m wont be either but the 485 appears to be more than enough

 

There are two r3 systems that are the same in this forum except for the 460m and amd cards, and the 460m best,s the amd slightly in 3d06.

 

3d06 is also worthless. What are the Vantage GPU scores?

Have you recorded any data, regarding 1080p fps with 3D on/off? How hard of a hit did the Mobility 5850 take?

 

also has any r3 owners tried 3d gaming yet???

man i wish real life was 3d

 

There are vids available at:

YouTube - Alienware M17x R3 - 3D Gameplay Test (SC2)

and

YouTube - Alienware M17x R3 - 3D Gameplay Test (COD4)

Unsure how informative these may be, but they may have some curiousity value.

(edit)... Sorry... just saw that Huuy had provided a similar link, a few posts back

 

Sorry, i didnt. I'm hoping other folks like me who owned the Envy 17 3D and returned them will come and speak up on their experiences.

I played L4D2, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light and Street Fighter IV. Noticeable decreases in frame rates on Lara Croft and SFIV but not really on L4D2. Though I didnt see a 50% frame rate deduction in the Lara Croft game I did have to cut a lot of the eye candy down in order to have playable rates.

I'm pretty certain the 460m will be a disappointment in a lot of games while playing in 3D. Only reason I'm keeping my r3 will be to upgrade to the 485 down the line

 

If the 485M never comes out (and don't be surprised if it doesn't), you'll be stuck in the same situation as the Envy 17.

A dangerous proposition, waiting for unconfirmed technology.

The 485M is out, and the unreleased 6970M is getting added first. That provides some serious reason for doubts.

/sarcasm

i hope

 

Just played star wars battlefront 2. In 3d.

The long hallway wit the tall pillars looked cool and hiding behind then as well as the library was unique.

No problem all max settings as expected.

Battlefield 2 bc tomorrow

 

Have you tried Assassin's Creed II yet? I'm going to try it tomorrow.

 

thats sound great! do you guys think that you will lose interest in the 3d stuff over time.

just watching avatar in 3d in the theaters really strained my eyes. does that happen to anyone else.

 

Don't own it. Is it listed in the nvidia recommended for 3d list?

 

Yeah, it was list as "good" or something like that.

Time will tell. Regarding straining of the eyes that happens to me if I'm staring too long anyway.

 

Takes a few seconds to adjust then u forget the glasses are on.

I honestly think all games will go 3D in the years to come.

For the folks that remember early color tv, that's where we are now with 3D...

 

k thanks for your opinion, it just suck we have to choose either 3d vs performance.

 

ok new owners, what is this little loose doodad in the accessories box? looks like a headphone jack on one end?

 

lol, I don't know but I haven't taken a good look at it. To be honest I forgot about it.

 

I believe it is a miniplug to optical toslink (spdif) adaptor for digital audio output.

 

ok that makes sense.

 

A very quick and simple Q to any new R3 owners (from one who may be soon):

Are you genuinely happy with the product? (any let-down feelings at all?)

 

Is Fast Access available for the R3?

 

Thread re-opened.

I am posting this one more time and there will be no more warnings, second chances, etc. There is to be no more of this 'R2 vs R3', 'R3 vs. R2', '460 is a weaker card than my 5870 X-Fire', '3D fps sucks', '3D sucks' or anything along those lines. This thread is the M17xR3 owners lounge and none of these owners appreciates seeing posts stating they made a bad decision or that their system is not 'worthy'. This also applies to the 'mini-review' threads some of the 17xR3 owners have created. Stay away with negative postings and do not derail their threads.

You want to debate 3D Gaming, fine - go do it in the Gaming section of NBR. You want to debate the performance difference between the 5870 and the 460, again - fine, go do it in the Graphic Card section of NBR.

If there are any more posts even remotely close to trolling, they will be dealt with. You folks know the forum rules - Moderators should not have to clean up multiple threads over this nonsense.

Learn to disagree.

As with any moderator notice/announcement/action, do not reply to it - if you have questions, PM me or another moderator.

Thanks.

 

I posted in the order status page that my order was canceled by Dell today without any action on my part. I have confirmed that the order was canceled because I ordered a subscription of Dell DataSafe along with my order, by speaking with a resolution expert. Also, when I went into my Dell cart today and looked at my Saved Systems, there was a notice that a change was made to one of the systems in my cart, and sure enough, Dell DataSafe was removed. I'm not sure this will affect many people, but I'm sure I wasn't the only one who added this upgrade. My system was pritorized this morning by a resolution expert, so I think it is hardly a coincidence that it was canceled today, as they were preparing to build it. So:

If you ordered Dell DataSafe with your Alienware M17x R3, contact Customer Care right away. If your order hasn't been canceled yet, it will be canceled soon.

Hopefully this helps some people nip the delay in the bud. I have to place a new order, and actually have to wait for Dell to free up my credit line on my DPA, so this will really set me back.

 

Did the rep say why it was killed? Dell DataSafe (Online) option is for just that, online file backup. IMO, not worth it but I dont see how it could cause a delay in order processing. Odd.

 

No, and I really pushed for an answer. I don't see why they would have to cancel the whole order for such a minor issue. My thought would be to just not install the software, genius I know, but I guess it's not that simple for Dell. Apparently they had to cancel the whole order.

 

My R3 is on the way and I was wondering if I should get a gen2 SSD now or wait for the Gen 3 SSD to be released before upgrading. Do we even know if the R3 is compatible with SATA 3 and a 6gb/s controller?

 

So I had absolutely no notification of delivery and was expecting my system on the 9th. Delivery man shows up today and has my laptop, so I was quite surprised. Here's an unboxing video I did for anybody interested

YouTube - Alienware M17X R3 Unboxing

 

I got a r3 with the 3d bundle and i am NOT sorry! this thing rocks... the 3d is WAY cooler than i thought it was going to be. i may actually use it. I just got it for the 120hz screen to be honest.

my old lappy had a 5870 in it so the vid imo is a side grade.....i will use the 460 and if the 485 ever becomes available and i see that i start having trouble with games, then i may move that way.

i seem to be the only one so far with the 1.5tb raid0 (dual 750gb 7200rpm)...i want to share the performance info..what tool should i use to give you guys the information u desire? it does seem pretty peppy compared to a standard 7200rpm drive.

 

Many thanks for the vid mate... there's a serious lack of moving-image footage of the R3 atm (for those of us not yet lucky enough to have one in our possession). Any further footage would be greatly appreciated… Enjoy

 

overall very happy with the R3. only hiccup i had was when i was playing BFBC2, at 1980x1080, at max settings, 8x AA, 16x anisotrophic. FPS dropped to 12-15 FPS when there where multiple explosions on screen. once the explosions cleared after 3-4 secs, FPS shot back up to 40+ again.

had to set to 4xAA and 8x anisotrophic to remain in the 20-30 FPS range while undergoing bombardment =D

anyone else had this problem?

 

Was that with 3D on?

Edit: Never mind, you have a 6870M

 

Really appreciate the opinion bud. Many thanks. I must say, you give the 3D a good rep, and, having scrolled these posts, you're not alone (that said, others suggest a 6970 ATI purchase, discarding 3D capability, is the better deal... I'm leaning very much towards the 460m & '3D Bundle' myself).

I reckon I'll be in the same situation as yourself quite shortly (owning a 460 but living with the hope that a 485 may become available – and that this would be 3D compatible also – nvidia also, so I’d hope so).

 

Cheers for the reply. Would you consider this fps dip (I know computers but not gaming ) a rare event, or one that is likely to occur regularly on current games?

 

^^^ graphic intensive moments result in lower fps dips... this is normal... games are like rollercoasters... the fps isn't static and is constantly changing...

Lets consider a First-person shooter like Bad Company 2 ...

If you're staring at a wall in a game, your gpu doesn't have much to render/process, besides the wall.... this is why FPS are highest indoors/staring at a wall/floor (try it out

If you're in an outdoor environment... theres much much more to render (logically, as outdoors is much more vast than an indoor room) .. and much more can be going on in an outdoor battlefield than an indoor close-quarters one.

Then obviously.... the more people/explosions/chaos going on.. the lower the fps as once again, your gpu has to work harder to render it all at once... and uses much more resources...

There... i tried to give the simplest explanation for you sir

 

Cheers mate... very clear... Thanks for taking the time to post this reply. However, with specific regard to the 460m (with a 2820 CPU), have you any knowledge as to whether fps would be likely to drop below acceptable (noticable) levels on current games at max settings? (As regards gaming, I'd consider myself a novice)

 

nice vid. I appreciate you showing the keyboard flex

 

Regarding this 'flex'... was this an issue with the R2 also?

 

kudos to mandrake for tips on correcting BSOD issues for fresh installs. at the hospital tonight with the wife about to deliver, playing black ops in 3d! fun stuff.

 

i would consider this a rather rare event. FPS dip was due to explosion taking up more then 3/4 of the screen. might have been due to the rendering of all the fire/dust/smoke and what not might have caused it to stutter for the 3-4 seconds.

in other games, like black ops, FPS have yet to drop below 50-55FPS.
ops flashpoint, dragon rising, fps is constant at 40. dipping down to low 30's when theres smoke/explosion/fire going on nearby.
would love to test crysis. but cant seem to find my disc...

 

Can anyone tell me if the Alienware nameplate is the same on all the models. Specifically M15x vs M17x R3? I'm about to configure an R3 and will want to know if I can swap the nameplates between the 2. Since my M15x is being sold to my buddy, I'll just have his name printed on the R3 nameplate and send it to him and keep the one from my M15x. Anyone know?

 

Dont know if I'm late with news. In the uk online store they have the 2gb amd 6970 for sale. Am I seeing things wrong ? I'm waiting to confirm with relatives in the states to see if they can ship me an R3. So should I spend it on the CPU or the GPU.

 

Yea there was a thread about this but it got ridiculous and off-topic so it got locked... As far as I know it seems the 6970 on the UK site isnt a mistake as it is still there. Though I havnt heard anyone confirm they ordered it yet. I'm still waiting for the US website to show it as well, so if your planning to get it from the US site then have someone ship it your going to have to wait till its there. Hopefully it will be in the next couple days.

 

Yeah that's exactly what I'm going to do. I can get my lappy in the US dollar for dollar so im saving lots. I saw benches and battery life with the 2720 CPU and not sure if I sure get the better CPU now

 

Thanks for the reply... Good info

 

Much discussion over various threads regarding ' Optimus'...
2 questions:

• Does this tech relate solely to battery life?
• Is it certain that this tech is unavailable on 3D-enabled R3 models?

Cheers

 

1) Basically...allows the dedicated GPU to turn off and intel gpu to turn on thus saving battery life, as well as the nvidia life

2) Yes, for now.

 

Thanks for the info bud

 

Can any R3 users confirm if they have bluetooth on it? and what wireless chip did you order? i just did read that ordering intel 6300 or 6250 lack bluetooth only the standard cheap wireless chip got built in bluetooth.

 

6300 with bt