m17x R3 - dookie11's thoughts :)

Be interested to see your benchmarks dookie. That is one heck of a laptop. Maybe try gently applying some auto polish to the scratched surface with a very wet rag.

I think you have the best configuration with the 2720qm and 6970. Too bad about the screen, is it really that bad. Go Lakers

 

After all the waiting and posts... Congrats!

Thank you for sharing your pics and videos.

 

Just saw this haha,

Congrats! now you have the real thing

 

LOL. I remembered the cardboard cut out.

 

Congrats Dookie! Now get to pushing that black beauty!

 

Finally the videos that i was waiting for! Congrats Dookie!

 

Do you think this would work? I'd hate to waste time calling on Monday to figure out what they're gonna do for me (send me a new lid with a dude to fix it/ do a full return n exchange). Does auto polish take out the scratch? Or just cover it up?

Also, does something liek this work: http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/yhst-37393560614816_2058_10911609? <-- don't even know if this product is legit for cars lol. Please advise.

Imma take a pic for you of the cardboard cutout with the lappy Man you guys always make me laugh lolz.

Installed SC2 at 3am last nite before going to sleep at 4am 60fps on EXTREME/max everything during the videos. Also, Mario Kart DD ran at 60fps on an older, non-optimized version of Dolphin. Does anyone know of a good release/revision of Dolphin that is optimized for MKDD?

Can someone show me how to capture screenshots/video like all those folks on YT recording themselves playing games? (FREE solutions only, please )

Also, can someone please advise on my question last nite regarding the screen dimming/brightening when I'm on the IGP and opening new windows while on minimum brightness?

 

Well if you need to videos and photos in game and need free Video Games, Xbox Games, PC Games, Computer Games, PS2 Games, and PS3 Games at WeGame.com

I used wegame in the past before I had Frapps that I paid for. Sartharion 3D Fight 2/26/2009 is a video I did with there stuff not bad and was easy to use.

Fraps is best but cost~

 

How come Fraps doesnt say anything about cost when I dl it?

 

They add a watermark to video and make it so you can only rec 60 seconds at a time I believe. Been doing PC game videos for years I can't wait for my M17x R3 to get here as well haha~

 

K figured out the dimming/brightening thing. It's a setting in the IGP, if you go to Control Panel > Intel Graphics and Media > Advanced mode > Power. At the top, select Power source to "On Battery". Then it shows you diff settings (Power Plans, Power Conservation Features). When I go to Power Conservation Features, there's something called "Display Power Saving Technology, which by default is checked. I can adjust it for maximum quality or maximum battery. By default it was on Maximum Battery. The help bubble says that this feature (Power Saving Technology) "extends battery life by lowering backlight intensity while minimizing impact to display quality. Select Maximum Quality for the best quality or Maximum Battery to prolong battery life. Clear the check box to disable this option." So I cleared the check box, cuz I'm not too concerned about it maxing out the battery, and the dimming/brightening bothers me and also kinda hurts my eyes.

THIS IS PRETTY COOL STUFF, INTEL!

 

Oh dear. Just got BSOD when updating to SP1 via windows update... What's up with that? Then the computer restarted after 60secs.

 

Well, you deserve to be happy after all the wait. I'm at taiwan now. Few more hours, im off to CA.

 

Doesn't sound good, I wish I could tell you, but if someone else hasn't, maybe it is faulty. Either that or if it's a common problem a BIOS fix will be needed to fix the issue.

 

We'll see you soon, then. Will you have your lappy when you arrive??

Already solved it. You're not reading enough of my chatter on this thread It's actually a feature of the IGP, and you can set it in control panel. Pretty cool, but kinda annoying, so I turned it off

Anyway, video coming soon of Dolphin emulator running @ 60fps. I'm SO HAPPY. Gaming, on any map is around there too, with me vs. 3cpu. Mario Kart DD runs a bit slower, but it's okay. F-Zero GX runs at around 40-55fps average. Most maps are 60fps.

BFBC2 ran great, graphics are wickedly good. (This is my first modern day video game, besides SC2, so I was very impressed. But I think I was expecting real-life looking people though. Maybe I should try Crysis or Crysis 2, right?)

Can anyone tell me how to record video? The Fraps I downloaded from their website only recorded 30seconds, and doesn't show the fps thingy in the corner, but luckily Dolphin does.

EDIT: Aw crap. The fraps video is 200something mb, it'll take forever to upload, so nm. I hope you guys believe me though, and try it for yourselves. Very satisfying specs, so far. On the other hand, pic of my cutout is uploaded

 

To take photos in Fraps with FPS on them


Ends up like this


And how to setup the FPS in the videos and photos is here

 

I think it might buff out the scratches if they are very fine scratches. If the scratch is pretty deep, kind of like a gouge, then no. If it's just surface scratches it could work. If you do try just gently apply some and make sure the cloth is real wet. Just don't go to town on it. But if Dell will just send a guy out to replace it go that route and forget about it.

 

What kind of fps are seeing in bc2 and what settings do you use?

 

I have that set already. But the FPS didn't show. Do I record video with the hotkey benchmark tab or the video tab? Also, is there any other free video capture progs that record more than 30secs?

Also, while I'm updating my BFBC2 game, is my core speed in CPU-Z single core mode, or is it running at multi-core mode right now? How do I check this? Also, last nite when I unplugged the computer while on the IGP, min brightness, WLAN on, lights on by default, it showed 4:27 remaining (96%) for batterylife. Not bad actually for windows' estimate!

 

Well I did tell you about wegame.com It does free video record but no FPS from what I've ever seen but it does all right now you can't do full screen rec with out buying there crap but half size is good and makes video file size much less

 

Dookie,

Regarding the scratch -- you say that the outer finish is spray applied, and the scratch goes completely through it? If that's the case, do NOT use polish.

Polish is a very fine abrasive. If you're all the way through the finish to the base material, it will only make the scratch bigger.

 

I got BSOD when updating...so stupid. This is the 2nd BSOD I've gotten so far, while updating something. The first was last nite while trying to update to SP1, which never went through, cuz it stopped dling...

Yah, the lid appears to be sprayed on, cuz you can feel its "grainy-ness." The palmrest and sides of the computer appear to be "bonded" onto the plastic, which is alot more durable. The scratch on my lid is a small one and not deep, so not a gouge btw. So what would you suggest?

 

I upgraded to SP1 today along with several other updates, never had a BSOD.

 

Did you update through Windows Update?

 

You should download the stand-alone .EXE installer, WU messed up sometimes.

 

Nice vids, would like to see some PS3 gameplay vids though.

 

Sure I can do some---remind me tomorrow via PM. I really wish that the HDMI-In would work a little better in detecting the input source though

 

What do you mean?

 

Hey dookie! Finally saw my beast! It's awesome.

 

Well, I wished that it'd act like a TV, and actually go to a black screen, rather than wait for the HDMI input to load up.

What do you mean?

 

Some gameplay videos would be more than appreciated, or some 3DMARK benches ...

 

Well, ignoring my usual do-it-yourself'er attitude, since you got the machine less than a week ago, I'd call Dell and pitch a fit!

If that fails, and the scratch is big enough that it annoys you (which, given your other posts, I believe to be the case), then you have two choices -- touch up the scratch with a like material (would require research) and remove the finish on the entire top and re-apply something else.

Clearly, whining at Dell is the easiest

 

Called this morning. Will be getting a replacement sent to me. EDD is 4/1. THAT'S WAYYY FASTER THAN ALL OF OUR ORIGINAL PURCHASES!?! Amazing!

So before I send my old one back in, I will do all the benchmarks and stuff that you folks request. But afterward, can someone tell me how to reformat it? I'm not gonna swap out the hdd, because I've already gotten 2 BSOD's since I received this computer, so I'd rather take my chances with a new one.

Thx!

 

Dookie, can you see your EDD online, or is that what they quoted you? When I checked online, the EDD says "temporarily unavailable". Although the rep called me back today and said 3/30.

 

Mine says the same too, for EDD. The guy told me 4/1 though. I'll check again tonight for ya.

 

Mine now says "canceled". What is up with that?

 

Just checked mine. Still says "Information temporarily available" for the EDD part.

 

Hey dookie, Are speaker mesh wires somewhat messed up?

 

Doookie What you getting mang?

 

Do you mean the grills on the front? The mesh is perfect (both the black metal ones, and the white mesh behind it).

Replacement R3 coming to replace this one, which has a scratch on the lid, and got 2 BSODs.

 

Yeap, Those tiny chicken wires. Mine is a little bit messed up. Also a little scratch on the lid and also experienced 2 bsod's while gaming. Do you think they would give me a replacement?

 

Yup. You have basically the same problems as I do. If you call for the scratch, I'm sure they'll give you a replacement. If you like, you can add in the part about BSODs, and just say you got two BSODs (without telling them about it happening during gaming). I called the Dell EPP dept 866-535-3578, btw.

Also, just opened all the documentation and stuff (finally). There's a really thin booklet that has some good info, but nothing about how to take apart this monster, which is a bit of a disappointment, cuz now we have to go online to find it (i.e. what if my computer was broken and I needed to get into it, how the heck can I view pdfs if my comp is turned off?). Also, the mouse pad is the best I've ever used (I have always used cheapy ones, or a clip board, or a sheet of printer paper taped to my desk). It's really smooth and the optical mouse doesn't "skip" like on shiny paper/newspapers.

Please advise on my earlier question for your requests for benchmarks, etc. Thx!

 

Thanks, I should probably give the a call about this tomorrow. That number would work even if you ordered thru aafes right?

 

Yup. I ordered to aafes. Technically, aafes is an epp account.

 

Sounds like they're sending out previously returned systems.
Here's hoping no one gets mine!

 

Wait what? This one appears almost brand new, besides the 1inch scratch on the lid and the BSODs. I'm actually mostly satisfied with my purchase thus far. But if your statement is true--then shame on them!

Anyway, ppl! Gimme a list of things you want me to benchmark/test/video cuz I'm sending this thing back when the replacement gets here, remember? Also, plz provide instructions on anything specific, cuz I'm nub.

 

3D mark Vantage and 3D mark 11

Crysis benchie
Just Cause 2 benchie
GTA 4 gameplay

That´s an interesting list, if you ask me. If you are able to test these games/benchies that would be awsome !

 

Sounds like a lot of problems dook. Hopefully the replacement will be better. I'm kind of glad I canceled mine. Just too long of a wait and considering the other issues, I don't think I could live with it. I hope your replacement is perfect however.

 

Dookie, The reason I was given for canceling my replacement order was the customized name plate. For whatever reason that is what the factory told Dell.

 

Dang right that's a lot faster. Your EDD for your replacement is before my original EDD.

Whats up with that Dell? LOL