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

6300 with bt, also.

 

Does anyone here have one with a 6870 in it? Shouldn't it be on par with the 460?

 

got 15469 overclocking with EVGA precision, up over 1,000 points higher than stock. clocks set at 748/1496/1250. no real need to go higher, but i'm betting i could get to 16000 if i try.

 

more or less the same performance as a 460. 3dmark06, 460 wins by 100+ point. 3dmark vantage, 6870 wins by around 300 points. no bench mark for 460 3dmark11 yet.

 

Just joined, anyone know if the m17x r2 caddy will fit in the r3? i wanted to add an additional HD.

System Color;Alienware M17x, Soft Touch Stealth Black
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7 2720QM 2.2GHz (3.3GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
Memory: 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz (2DIMMS)
A/C Adapter: Alienware M17x 240W A/C Adapter
Display Panel: 17.3-inch WideFHD 1920x1080 120Hz WLED w/ NVIDIA 3D Vision Bundle
Video Card: 1.5GB GDDR5 Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M
Hard Drive: 320GB 7,200RPM HDD
Nameplate: Personalized Plate (XeroSniper)
AlienFX: Mars Red
Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit
Adobe Reader Acrobat SW: Adobe Acrobat Reader
Optical Drives: Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
Sound: Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
Wireless: Wireless 802.11 g/n
Automatic Updates: Automatic Updates: Off
Service: 1 Year Basic Plan
Datasafe: No DataSafe
Factory Installed Games: Steam and Portal™ Factory Installed
OS Customization: Fast Access Facial Recognition 3.0 Software Application
Standard Nameplate Trigger: Thank you for Purchasing Alienware

 

Does this system have two (2) MXM 3.0b slots for a future upgrade, or it is a single GPU system?

 

R3 is single GPU system but it supports 100watt GPU (like 6970m/GTX485m)

 

HSN21 is right but I don't think it's been confirmed what watt card it can handle yet, the only card that's been confirmed that could indicate a possible 100 watt slot is the 6970m but it's specs are either 75 or 100 watts so there's no guarantees on anything above 75 watts yet.

Mmarchid- no it's a single gpu, this has been covered no less than 100 times, the search bar is your friend

XeroSniper- you shouldn't have to worry about using an R2 HDD cage as everyone has confirmed it comes with both cages/interposers even if you only ordered 1 HDD.

 

another unboxing

YouTube - Alienware M17X R3 Unboxing

 

I’m currently toying with the notion of opting for 16GB of RAM (purely on the basis of the maximum that I can afford/wish to spend.

Is there any justification for such a choice? Is it likely to prove advantageous (over 8GB) in any way?

Opinions appreciated… Cheers

 

Unless you're using multiple VM's and/or a ridiculous amount of Photo/Video editing all at once you won't even need 8gb let alone 16gb. The configs with over 8gb of RAM are currently for users with a high amount of simultaneous VM's running for the most part. If you want to have bragging rights go right ahead, I just don't see anything over 8gb being used any time soon.

 

Fair enough... appreciate the advice... will likely opt for 8GB... my only concern was in terms of 'future-proofing'.

 

What I would do at this point if you want to "future-proof" in the RAM category is buy an 8gb kit that is 2x4gb sticks which allows you the option of adding 2 more 4gb sticks in the other 2 slots in the event you need more RAM

 

I still recommend against this...mixing and matching RAM sticks are never a good idea. Get the system with 4GB then get 2 8GB 2x4GB kits which will be around $150-160.

 

Good advice. Fortunately, regarding dimms, on the Irish site, 2x4GB is the only option for an 8GB setup (as opposed to 4x2GB)... I presume that this means that I'd have two free slots, into which I could build expanded memory...

 

ordered the m17x r3 today, I tried to hold out for the m18x but I think it would be impossible for me to be unhappy with the m17x r3 based on my old system in sig. the hdmi-in was a big selling point for me because my tv for my bed room died so the hdmi-in lets me put off buying another tv for year or 2.

 

If you get 2x4gb that is what you want it means you'll have 2-4gb sticks leaving 2 free slots to add to later. You don't want to mix and match specs but as long as you're not mixing and matching those specs(cas, speed, etc) you should be just fine.

 

Sounds like a good deal where you are. Likely to cost a whole lot more here (we get screwed, royally, on pretty much everything). Additionally, as I’ve little experience of component replacement, and would wish to preserve my warranty, I reckon I’ll probably stick with my ordered specs, in the short-term at least.

 

Yep... that'll have to be my choice I reckon... thanks bud

BTW... what's ypur opinion of:
A. the WLED display
B. the 3D performance

Thanks again

 

I understand...just realize this does not void your warranty. You would replace the RAM and the new RAM wouldn't be covered under Dell/AW warranty but whoever the RAM is through. Everything else is still the same

 

^^Exactly, your warranty on your system is only void if you majorly damage it installing something yourself. As far as my opinion I can't say yet my EDD is on Monday

 

Good to know... cheers

I'd posted the following before, but am still a bit torn... between the ‘6970m + 60Hz WLED’ (now available here) and the ‘460m + 120Hz WLED (3D)’. I’m leaning towards the 460m because, although it’s an inferior card, it’s a sibling of the 485, which, if/when it becomes available (should I choose to upgrade), will likely continue to support the 120Hz (3D) screen.

Any thoughts/opinions on this welcome

 

Ah... sorry... thought you had it already... your fingernails must be destroyed at this point

 

If the 485m becomes available I don't see any reason why it would support 3D but again this is Dellienware so who knows what it'll be :S I can say though that if I ever decide to go with a more powerful card I probably won't go with the 485m with how much it's looking to cost, I'm guessing it'll be around $500+ over the 460m which is ridiculous. Now if they find a way for Optimus+3D to click with each other with the 485m then I'll definitely go that way.

Edit: Nope fingernails are still good as my EDD was set back to 2/10 after Dell's screw ups with my original order and DPA so I'm pretty happy.

 

Good to know that you won't be needing a manicure.

So you don’t see any reason to assume that the 485 (IF it becomes available) would support 3D? Interesting.

Very honest opinion here please Dane: Given that I could afford the extra cost, do you reckon I’d be making a poor choice in selecting the 460 + 120Hz 3D over the 6970 + 60Hz? (only an opinion I know… that’s all I’m seeking)

 

I think it's all dependant on what you need/want. The 6970 has more power, lower cost(compared to a 485m), and switchable graphics(better battery life) but the Nvidia cards have 3D. If you're getting a 3D rig I'd recommend what I'm going to do, if you don't fall in love with 3D and don't need CUDA/Physx then return it to go with the AMD setup. The 120hz screen by itself isn't that big of a deal for me so going with battery+power makes sense if you don't want 3D.

 

I think he meant to say wouldn't. As in, the odds are if they released another Nvidia option it would be silly if it didn't support 3D. However Dell has done stranger things, so its not out of the question to release another non 3D card.

Also.....I posed a question earlier in this thread about the customized nameplates on our Alienwares. Are they the same size allowing swaps between different models i.e. M15x and M17x R3?

 

Honestly, I'm not sure what I want . 6 weeks ago, I was about to order an R2 with xfires and a 940XM. Then the R3 came along and made things more complicated than they ought to be. I expect that I'll be ordering in the coming week and at this point, I think it's going to be the 460 + 3D (although I like to get the best that's available... if I can afford it , it's difficult to say no to 3D... may be a gimmick, but if it is, it's an attractive one). Anyway... hope your rig arrives on time and in one piece Enjoy

 

Yep... that was my thought

 

List of system requirements for nVidia 3D stuff

System Requirements

It seems we also get 3DTV Play with the 460M on the R3. This is not a guarantee just because of the 460M, as the previous Sager model offerred a 460M and they would not guarantee this. I was told it also requires support from the notebook mfg besides the nVidia card. I have no way to verify that.

--------

was just reminded that one of the other requirements (for 3DTV play) was to have HDMI 1.4 - which the R3 has.

 

Well as I posted in another thread,

Hi according to your site alienware laptop - Dell - Search - Home & Home Office
15:31:26 Customer stan
the m17x should have a 485m gtx gfx card
15:31:39 Customer stan
but I cant seem to configure with it to complete my purchaise
15:32:12 Customer stan
would you clear this up for me please
15:32:54 Agent Marnel L
I am glad that you chatted in today, I will be more than happy to help you.
15:33:24 Agent Marnel L
for this video card, it can support that one however we don't have option yet for it online, we don't have info when exactly it will be offered but hopefully soon/



Looks like the 485m is a go for the m17x r3, the only question is when....

Also its nice to now know that it is in fact supported

 

StZu just a recommendation, as you're new here, take whatever the sales reps tell you and throw it away until we actually see it in a system. The sales reps at dell are as crooked as used car salesmen, they will tell you the R3 will sprout wings and fly you to Narnia if it means they have better chances at selling you the system. Welcome to the forum!

 

^^^ YES! Most Definately! ... Dell reps, ESPECIALLY DELL SALES REPS, don't know sqwat... and will make up ALOT of things... when i first called to buy an AW laptop over a year ago.... the rep gave me a list of like 8 cards to choose from... none of which wer actually offered... lol.. i'll never forget that because i was all excited about the amazing graphic card options available... n then when i called back... the next rep told me.. what the hell are you talking about? like i was crazy...

 

If I buy the R3, I will definately get 16G, because of the ammount on VM's I run. I am probably the odd one out here in the forums where that is a huge selling point , as I would use it for work also, and 16G to me would be very easily used.

But I am the rare case, whould would actually USE almost all the 16G, most people will never use that much to be honest, not gaming anyway.

 

Does anyone know if the 1200p lcd from the older R2 system is compatible with the R3?

 

It wouldn't fit since they are different sizes (17" 16:10 vs 17.3" 16:9).

 

Wait, is our R3 16:9 or :10 ? Widescreen, right?

 

Darn. Just got my R3 and now I'm bummed I didn't get at least the 1080p lcd. I can't find the R3 lcd's by themselves anywhere. Hmmm...maybe I should send it back.

 

R3 is 16:9, 17.3". They're both widescreen except the 16:10 gives you more vertical room (1200 pixels vs 1080 pixels).

 

Actually, the tech specs on the Alienware website do say the screen is 17.3 inches...my resolution is 1600x900.

 

Does that mean that it would be possible to swap the screen for a 1200p?

 

Be aware of copypasta on the specs pages. It looks much more cleaned up than on roll out, but there are still some inaccuracies.

 

Ah. Plenty of space then. My 20" desktop monitor is 1600x900, and I don't use the right portion of the screen. The monitor is less than 1 year old. Prior to using this, I was using a 15" CRT monitor, which last me for like 10 years. *tear* And my laptop's 14" screen is only 1280x800 or something.

NO worries at all then, woohoo!

 

Hmmm...are the connections the same for both screens?

 

@Everyone,

Would it be appropriate for me to start a new thread which concerns only 460M+60hz questions? How about one for 460M+3D questions?

 

It's been posted you can not retrofit rgb screen because the r3 is 16:9 where as the r2 is 16:10. Guys in my opinion it's great rgb. But if you hvent had it and you have never had 1080p you will be more than happy. The screen looks brilliant on an m15x. If your really concerned. Buy youraelf an external monitor. Its worth while investment.

 

Does anyone have an idea whether the R3 supports the i7 2920XM?

 

Not to our knowledge yet, someone will either have to try one out or Dell will have to add it to the support and/or available parts list.

 

Can someone comment on the capability of the 2720QM that I will be getting? The most cpu intensive things I'll be using are SC2 on ultra, PCSX2 and Dolphin, all of which are CPU hungry... What's the approximate speed that the cpu will run in dual-core mode?

TYIA!

 

there is another boxing video one thats way better. the guys opens the back up too.