Just called Dell for GPU upgrades...

Nope. I've had/have serious issues with my system's motherboard, AlienFX(recently) and 6970M to 6990M CF(BSOD) and OSD Aero bug even with the new OSD. It really has been one heck of a ride. I have replaced parts and had an on-site tech present to no avail. Earlier last month a Level III authorized a complementary exchange of 6990M's for new 580M's.

Thank the Maker!!!

Recently I've had problems with AlienFX requiring a reset/reflashing of the bios. I've also had random shutdowns and problems getting past post with 5 consecutive beeps requiring a reseting of the bios.

 

well congrats on the exchange. heck of a replacement! youll enjoy that for a long time (until fermi 28nm is out ).

 

Thanks. I really like Nvidia for Cuda, Badaboom, PhysX and Verde Drivers. I won't fully enjoy it until they(Dell) get the throttling under control
I just looked up the 5 beeps. Here is what it says. This is probably why the tech authorized the replacement.
5 Beeps: Processor failure

Explanation: The system processor is generating an error condition indicating a problem with it.

Diagnosis: There is a problem related to the processor or motherboard. Note that this doesn't mean that the processor is necessarily dead; with a dead processor the system won't boot at all (it runs the BIOS code that is used to start up the PC.)

I know that I did an awesome paste job. When I got the unit there was barely any paste on the CPU.

 

yup thats why i want nvidia too, and also the better driver support. right now im waiting because amd uploaded the wrong opengl driver package .

oh and also because its looking like nvidia is faster in bf3.

 

Rage is unplayable for 69x0M CF users. But on 580M SLI it runs smooth at max settings. The way it's meant to be played

 

actually there's supposed to be issues with both camps in regards to SLI/Xfire setups. however single gpu support seems to be fine for nvidia. amd side is getting bad performance.

right now nvidia is working on giving the sli profile + driver. amd is also working on it.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/615545-m18x-rage-3.html

Here ya go. Straight from the keys of a fellow NBR members 580M SLI M18x.

 

sorry to go off topic, i never did clean installs of the drivers, how important is that. i did do a clean install of my system and went with the nvidia drivers instead of the dell ones. should i uninstall my current ones and then reinstall??

 

Yeeouch. Looks like I'm gonna have to wait and save until I make a GPU upgrade then.

 

I would install the Verde drivers. Run ccleaner. Run driver sweeper and reinstall the Verde driver.

Those badboys are expensive. I'd sure hate one to fail and be out of warranty.

 

have fun with that upgrade my friend!

 

Thanks.

What's strange is that I just checked my order status to see if my M18x replacement has shipped(still in production) and it says that the 580M's are on the Fedex truck for delivery. I guess I'll upgrade my current M18x so that some lucky outlet sniper can get a sweet rig after the motherboard has been replaced.

Maybe I'll take pics of the 580M's and their heatsinks.


http://i.imgur.com/H10rZ.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/F8viYl.jpg

The SLI kit showed up. The cards are still on the truck. I will post pics as soon as they arrive. Fedex has until 4:30P Alaska time to deliver the cards.

 

I know a lot disagree, but i am personally happy with the upgrade of my 6970s to the 6990s. Priced after taxes just over 900 bucks with free installation and CC warranty. I can sell my 6970s to mitigate most cost and my 6970s are GOOD OC'ers so they will go fast. I'm sure I will get a lot of interest on the forums. It makes a lot of sense for people with 5870s to upgrade to them. I just want the 6990s for Crysis 2 Ultra and BF3. I notice Crysis 2 gets about 50% more FPS (probably due to the shaders) and BF3 is noticeably slower as well. No point in waiting until the 7 series when there are games out now that I would like to tweak a bit more without going crazy on the OC of the 6970s. Only problem seems to be endless delays of shipment:/

 

To be honest with you I've owned 6970M CF & 6990M CF. The 6970M's trade blows with the 6990M's at stock clocks for some reason. Sometimes the 6970M's exceed the 6990M's at stock clocks. The 6970M's are a solid performer at the right price & right temps. Your purchase is justified.

If you don't believe me see for yourself.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Computer-Games-on-Laptop-Graphic-Cards.13849.0.html

 

LOL..now I am starting to doubt if I should upgrade?! I really like the Crysis franchise and there is definitely a tangible difference between my 6970s and what I read people post on the 6990 at Ultra. BF3 seems to be similar with the Beta. i get about 35FPS outside Metro to the 6990 45. But you are right, a lot of games seem very very similar. At 200 dollar difference I really think it is worth it; but that is pending me selling my 6970s at about 350 a piece which i think is fair.

However, I could probably just cancel my order and go against my theory of "waiting" for the 7 series as there are a few games that don't play well with my 6970 (Crysis 2, probably bf3). Argh...just don't know what to do. Maybe I am being greedy...

 

You've obviously given this alot of thought and continue to think about it. Because you hold Crysis 2 & BF3 in high regards, I say go for the upgrade. So you can game happily right now. I know that a fellow M17x R2 owner would appreciate your 6970M's.

On a side note.....
I just received this email from Nvidia. I really like how Nvidia keeps their gamers in the know about specific performance driver updates and new game releases.


Battlefield 3 Beta
The Battlefield 3 Beta was released to gamers worldwide on September 29th and already it’s one of the most played games online. With jaw-dropping graphics, 64-player multiplayer, and an intricate single-player campaign, this is the game PC gamers have been waiting for, and they wont have to wait much longer as the full game arrives October 25th. Before you try out the beta, be sure to download our new GeForce 285.38 Battlefield 3 optimized beta drivers; if you want to know if your PC is ready to handle Battlefield 3’s intense graphics, try our one-click GPU analyzer; and if you want to get detailed performance information, check out our Battlefield 3 Performance Guide.

Batman: Arkham City
A direct sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum, one of the top-rated and best-selling games of 2009, Batman: Arkham City puts you in the shoes of Batman as he chases down escaped convicts in the titular Arkham City, a hotspot for crime and villainy. In response to Arkham Asylum feedback, developer Rocksteady Studios has included an even longer single-player campaign, more leaderboard challenge missions and innumerable hidden extras that unlock all kinds of goodies. Technologically, Arkham City is loaded with PC-exclusive upgrades that make full use of the latest NVIDIA video cards, just as Arkham Asylum was. PhysX effects enliven the experience to an extent previously unseen and DirectX 11 tessellation adds even greater detail to surrounding objects. In addition, Arkham City is fully optimized for 3D Vision, giving you a flawless, multi-layered, eye-popping experience when using NVIDIA’s stereoscopic 3D technology.

 

BF3? It should play just fine really on stock clocks and with overclocks it is running prefectly smooth.

Crysis 2, yes thats one rubbish conspiracy of a game, but the extra texture units on the 6990M will show its benefits. But then again you will find some scenes with extensive water shading dipping below 30fps.

 

OMG they sent me 4 580M's!! Bios Version:70.24.2B.00.06






http://i.imgur.com/wp2Uvl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mzNUDl.jpg

 

you could sell that to canadian AW m18x users and make $7200

 

how could a 6990m more expensive than a 580m? you sure your price is correct? I always think 580M is way more expensive than 6990m.

 

Who are you talking to? That makes no sense from what is being discussed?

On another note, Mharidas, think the upgrade I am doing is worth it? 900 for the GPUS installed and then sell my 6970s for about 700; hopefully upgrading at a cost of 200? Obviously there is a risk selling which needs to be accounted for. I just have a gut feeling the extra shaders and slightly higher clocks may provide a smoother experience. I can swing the upgrade. Or do you think i am just going overkill?

 

I am looking for a new one on the outlets too because I will never game at stock clocks with the 6990Ms. The gains on overclocks are bigger because that is gain on two cards having extra SPs, shaders, TUs. Not just a single card.

So its not a wasted investment should you demand the extra frames on games like Crysis 2.

Crytek is claiming they have got engine design wins from other studios so Cryengine 3 based games should all behave somewhere similar in their Texture Unit demands.


If you should sell them 6970Ms do it the moment you get your 6990Ms. Don't wait.

 

Does Dell send out new GPUs? In my cart besides the GPU's is this disclaimer:
11725 Warranty Longer of 90 Days or Remainder of System Warranty/ Svc Contract. 21 Day Return. Parts may be Reconditioned. $0.00.

Could I be getting refurbished 6990s? I would find that incredibly shady. Not only would they be potentially used, they could be an older stepping "stepped out" from the "stepper."

 

That's odd, you should probably recheck with them, you are buying a new set of cards they cant send you a pulled card from another system.

 

Well I just confirmed with my rep....they sell used cards as, by his words, "thats the only way to get cards." I'm now on the fence on this upgrade. It does have 4 year CC he stated but still. Shaden you had both 6970 and 6990...think its worth it?

 

If it clocks well then its a great upgrade. Even if its only good upto 800/1000 its still 10% or more quicker than a dual 6970M setup on similar clocks depending on the title.

 

Holy Zombie Vitzliputzli! Now that would be a reason for me to exchange my 6990's for the 580m's. I'd immediately sell one pair and buy a pair of 6990's back and use them as the main cards and keep the greens boxed just in case a game pop-ups that absolutely favours Nvidia

 

wouldnt you go green if dell fixed the throttle and people ended up with 800mhz core of their 580s : p

 

Nah, not good enough for me. I'm not into heavy OC'ing (and even there it's not gonna make a huge difference @800mhz for the 580Ms and 870-900 for the 6990's ). cuda and physx are 2 the most useless features for me. But I do care about latency which is still there (after testing a dozen SLI equipped M18x's up to date). And last but not least, I'm from Calgary and Flames are the RED team not Green

 

Flames should just trade Iginla already. Their season's already over.

I'll buy 2 for $5.

 

haha! same thing here.