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    When should the i7 740/840/940 be available?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by spazma7ik, Jun 20, 2010.

  1. spazma7ik

    spazma7ik Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am looking to order the M17x this week with an i7 820Qm, but looking at the tests of the new processors, the new 840QM performs almost as well as the 920xm, so it would be awesome to grab that, but just wondering how long would I be waiting?
     
  2. DaneGRClose

    DaneGRClose Notebook Virtuoso

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    Don't know for sure, a lot of times from everything I see it just kinda pops up unannounced especially on anything Dell or Alienware related. It's all a waiting game, you could always just order the 820qm or even 720qm and when the chips are released buy one off of ebay and sell the old one, most high end chips don't end up being much more money that way, sometimes the whole picture makes it cheaper. I know the 920xm is still cheaper to get that way. You can get the 920xm on ebay for 450-500 and Alienware charges like 1050 for the upgrade.
     
  3. DaneGRClose

    DaneGRClose Notebook Virtuoso

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    Or even just go for the 920xm, oc it in the bios and it would easily outdo the 840qm. I'd definitely say if you're gonna wait for a chip wait for the 940xm or just go with one of the currently available ones.
     
  4. stamatisx

    stamatisx T|I

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    The 920XM outperforms the 840QM as is, no need to OC.
    I suspected that mid july they should be available.
     
  5. Websurfer

    Websurfer Notebook Consultant

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    I would think Dell will be adding these very soon. HP is showing the newer processors on their Envy 17, Pavilion dv7t and dv8t models.
     
  6. Iceman82

    Iceman82 Notebook Consultant

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    Dell started with the x40 on Studio 15 and 17 a couple of weeks ago, today updated the xps 16. I'd say it's pretty soon for the AW range.

    -Australian site that is
     
  7. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    It does but the difference is negligible, IMHO. Also, it run less hot.
     
  8. Joebarchuck

    Joebarchuck Notebook Virtuoso

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    If the benchmark are real and well done than you can see the 840QM is as fast and sometimes faster than the 920XM in many benchmark including PC Mark Vantage.

    I really wonder why that is but definitely it is worth the upgrade.
     
  9. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Since they tested the CPU's on the same system, the results should be pretty real. But keep in mind that every run is slightly different in terms of background processes and services running -> fluctuations in CPU utilization.
    The reason why most benchmarks would show similar scores for 840 and 920 is because the max single core frequency is the same - 3.2ghz and those tests are not optimized for multi-core/thread benching, IMHO.
    For instance, Cinebench Multi-CPU takes that into consideration, hence the bigger difference.
     
  10. Joebarchuck

    Joebarchuck Notebook Virtuoso

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    I agree but that also means that in single threaded apps and there are many still and most games the 840 is about the same as the 920 which is quite good news since we've seen up to 8 FPS difference in certain games in between the two CPU.

    On top of that the 840 runs less hot and with less power than the 920. If they allowed us to OC that CPU it would be a win/win compared to the 920.
     
  11. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    From their tests I see only 1-2 frames difference in games (that's what it should be). 8 would probably be in a few games capable of effectively utilizing all 4 cores (GTA IV).
    Yeah, OC'ing it would totally destroy the sales of the 920XM - that's why it's not gonna happen (and here Intel is to blame, not Dell) ;)
     
  12. Joebarchuck

    Joebarchuck Notebook Virtuoso

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    Oh concerning the 8 frames difference I was referring to the difference in between the 820QM and the 920XM.

    It's a good gain on the 840QM if equals the 920XM. I am going to wait a bit longer for further benchmarks but I will not re-order until the 840 is available on the M17X.
     
  13. 5150Joker

    5150Joker Tech|Inferno

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    Just get a 940xm from ebay like I did and call it a day. I can't wait till the bios update. Once I sell my i520 + my bing CB, my total cost for the CPU will be around 540 dollars.
     
  14. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    That's a heck of a deal, though I'll wait till Lenovo gets the 940XM. I have a huge discount and will probably end-up paying under 2k for a system with a 940XM, then sell it with an i7-720 for the same price ;) and get the OEM 940XM for free.
     
  15. 5150Joker

    5150Joker Tech|Inferno

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    Good plan.
     
  16. Joebarchuck

    Joebarchuck Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yeah these are good plans... Maybe that is what I will do.
     
  17. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Lol, my head's not working well today.
    It will still be equal to the price of my 720QM ~ 350$.
    So in the end you plan is better, Joker. Less hassle and headaches.
     
  18. ZenithNoesis

    ZenithNoesis Notebook Evangelist

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    The difference between the 920 and the 840 absolutely not negligible. The difference between the 740 and the 840 is, perhaps, negligible.

    Also, are you at all aware of how amazing the m17x is at cooling compared to just about every other notebook on the market? No processor should be running hot in it. My 920 never gets hot. My 4870's never even exceed 70 Celsius after hours of gaming.
     
  19. Joebarchuck

    Joebarchuck Notebook Virtuoso

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    That's because you don't live in Miami. Of course if you play hours in Sweden, there is little chance your room temperature will be above 17 degrees celcius therefore greatly reducing the heat generated from the CPU and GPU. Now run the same gaming in a room at 28 to 30 degrees celcius and I guarantee your M17X will run hotter than 70 degrees.

    According to the detailed review linked a few post back, the 840QM is on part with the non-oc 920XM. The only difference is that the 920 can be OC and the 840 cannot.
     
  20. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Have you seen the test results? If not, you should. ;)
    The only time you gonna see a significant boost with a 920XM is when OC'ing.

    I'm aware of that, but have seen better and personally, I think that both the GPU and CPU heatsinks, pipes and fans could be bigger. Even my Lenovo W510 has better HS and according to the extensive benches in its owner's lounge - has similar temps (for 920XM with stock TIM) to those reported in AW section. Now, add to it that M17X is twice as thick and you lost your claim. And I'm not even talking about the Clevo's. Now, I do think that the cooling is very good, but not wanna sound like a fanboy anymore claiming that it's the best (when it's not).
    Also, what's your ambient temp?
    With 28-29C in my apartment even the 520M (M17X) reaches 75C after replacing the paste (it was ~80-85C). The 720QM in my W510 gets to 75-80C, but quads are generally hotter, plus, I didn't replace the paste.

    Second that.
     
  21. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    A06 for R2 is supposed to support the 940XM. Should be out soon since these procs are popping up all over.
     
  22. _Josh

    _Josh Notebook Consultant

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    The i7 X40s were added to AW around lunch today.
     
  23. flippedbinary

    flippedbinary Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hmm. I'm not seeing them as an option in the US store.
     
  24. worx

    worx Notebook Consultant

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    I see it for the m15x configuration page but not on the m17x page.
     
  25. _Josh

    _Josh Notebook Consultant

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    Doh! I haven't checked the M17x page. My apologies. I guess I shouldn't have assumed that if they're available on the m15x they would be as well on the m17x. That's odd, I figured the m17x would get them first.
     
  26. 5150Joker

    5150Joker Tech|Inferno

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    Yeah I've heard next week for the A06. Guess we'll see.

    LOL $1200 for the 940XM. :rolleyes:
     
  27. Joebarchuck

    Joebarchuck Notebook Virtuoso

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    It's crazy they bring the prices up on these CPU since Intel sells them at the same price than the .20 version...

    What a rip off...
     
  28. flippedbinary

    flippedbinary Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm getting ready to buy an M17X so, I'm glad I held off. Just hope they update the M17x page soon. Getting antsy.
     
  29. Joebarchuck

    Joebarchuck Notebook Virtuoso

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    They will within a week or so...
     
  30. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    If it had a max TDP somewhere around 35W I'd be all over it at that price. :D
     
  31. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    You could run 2 of these together then ;)
    I wish Intel could make a mobile mobo supporting two processors. That would make some interesting possibilities. Clevo could rewamp a dual-CPU workstation chipset as well to let us go nuts, hehe.
     
  32. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    The proc and the mobo would have to be capable of it. That's why we have Xeon.
     
  33. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    It's not like Intel will be making 2 completely different CPU lines. Both i7's and Xeon's are the same chips, AFAIK with some features locked/unlocked. Of course they have to be capable. But making a capable mobo/CPU isn't impossible, that's all I'm saying. Not only there are server/workstation mobos supporting multiple Xeon's, there's also at least 1 gaming desktop mobo supporting 2 i7's (up to two i7-990X).
     
  34. vradev

    vradev Notebook Consultant

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    Actually, in the M15x, the 920xm used to cost $1200 to upgrage, so they technically didn't increase the price for the 940xm, it's exactly the same.
    My guess is that the 940xm will still cost $1050 on the M17x.
     
  35. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Dual CPU gaming mobo ;)
     
  36. Ikuto

    Ikuto Notebook Deity

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  37. dave-p

    dave-p Notebook Deity

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  38. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Been looking @ that mobo for the past 4-5 months :rolleyes: :notworthy:
    Wish I could be less mobile... :(
     
  39. Mandrake

    Mandrake Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    That's the Classified SR-2 right? Johnksss pointed that one to me. He said it only supported one i7-980x or two Xeons. It's been 10 years since I played on a desktop.....still don't feel like going that route.
     
  40. Thasee

    Thasee Notebook Consultant

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    well the 40x's are already out on the m15x now replacing the previous 20's.
     
  41. stamatisx

    stamatisx T|I

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    Same here, last desktop I bought was in 1996... I kept upgrading till 1999, after that only laptops...
     
  42. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    ^^ Wow, same here, lol
     
  43. vradev

    vradev Notebook Consultant

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    Do you guys think the M17x will get these new cpu-s soon or would it be a while?
     
  44. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Shortly after the next BIOS update. I guess, 10-15 days from now. Just a guess, of course ;)
     
  45. flippedbinary

    flippedbinary Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've been checking some benchmarks online for the x20 vs x40s and am planning on getting the 7x0 i7. How much of a difference is the 720 vs 740 really going to show? I have a rep who just got back to me with a quote that is quite reasonable and am wondering if I should wait the few extra days to see if these pop up or just go ahead and order it.
     
  46. flippedbinary

    flippedbinary Notebook Enthusiast

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    Any word on these yet?
     
  47. kenichols29

    kenichols29 Notebook Evangelist

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    I heard it might be later this week. Its not guaranteed its just what I heard.
     
  48. flippedbinary

    flippedbinary Notebook Enthusiast

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    Where did you hear that? And are you happy with the 720s gaming performance? I'm supposed to order mine tomorrow and just want to make sure.
     
  49. calvin365

    calvin365 Newbie

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    Neary a month has passed, but dell North America hasn' renewed the 740/840/940 on m17x. In Australia, Japan and some other countries, they have renewed the X40 CPU on m17x... When can we get it? I have waited since early june... :(
     
  50. Websurfer

    Websurfer Notebook Consultant

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    At first I thought Dell was trying to deplete their inventory of the X20s. For a short period of time on the M15x model, Dell listed that model with both X20s and X40s. Now Dell only lists X40s on the M15x. :confused:

    Maybe North America is going to get R3 in August/September with the X40s. :rolleyes:
     
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