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    M18x R2 HD 7970M Xfire GTX 680M SLI when ?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by Speedy Gonzalez, Apr 30, 2012.

  1. Drizzt93

    Drizzt93 Newbie

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    Isn't 7970m cheaper than 675m in M17x R4? :)

    Anyway i asked polish dell for M18xR2 offer - so we will find out if it is a mistake or not ;)
     
    Drizzt93, May 2, 2012
    #51
  2. WaR

    WaR Notebook Virtuoso

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    Thanks for the heads up. It's very expensive over there.

    The 7970m's are expected to be cheaper. But in Poland they are not in line with what we should expect in the US.

    For example:
    M18x US: 675m $350, 675m SLI $600 (That's less than a 2 fold increase)
    M17x US: 675m $350, 7970m $200
    So the M18x in the US with 7970m's should be between $350 to $400. That's 33% less than 675m SLI.

    Now in Poland:
    M18x: 675m 830PLN, 675m SLI 2090PLN (That's a 2.5 fold increase!)
    M18x: 7970m's 1920PLN (Following US that should be about 1380PLN)

    So I'm hoping that Dell gives it to us between $350 and $400 ($350 would be fair and in line with M17x owners) :)
     
    WaR, May 2, 2012
    #52
  3. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    1920PLN equals ~606USD.
     
    The Revelator, May 2, 2012
    #53
  4. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    That would be very inexpensive for 2 Dell 7970M or 675M modules. I cannot see them offering the parts that cheap for an end user upgrade. Definitely should plan to order what you want up front, because that's not a bad price.
     
    Mr. Fox, May 2, 2012
    #54
  5. Juscallmesteve

    Juscallmesteve Notebook Consultant

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    My computer died and I want the mx18 R2 with the 7970m in xfire. So I really would love an eta on this please.
     
    Juscallmesteve, May 2, 2012
    #55
  6. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    Nobody knows right now, so we cannot provide an ETA. Have you tried calling 1-800-ALIENWARE yet? Maybe they can order it for you that way since it is available in Poland (and maybe other areas).
     
    Mr. Fox, May 2, 2012
    #56
  7. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    That's the upgrade price for dual 7970M's over the base single NV 660M configuration on the Polish site (or configure.euro.dell.com), not an outright purchase price.
     
    The Revelator, May 2, 2012
    #57
  8. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    That's still a good price for such a massive performance upgrade. Single 660M to 7970M CF is like a night and day performance jump. (I cannot imagine that I would ever buy an M18x with only one GPU, but that's a whole different discussion, LOL.) That's why I'm saying to order what you really want up front. I doubt anyone could purchase the hardware (cards, heat sinks, bridge cable, etc.) for the same price difference compared to the new system. I did not do a good job of explaining my thoughts in the previous post.
     
    Mr. Fox, May 2, 2012
    #58
  9. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    Couldn't agree more. Great value.
     
    The Revelator, May 2, 2012
    #59
  10. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    With the results that SlickDude was getting from one 7970M it is going to be awesome to see people hitting the M18x Benchmark Thread with 7970M CF. I'm still tempted, but my better judgment is telling me to wait and see if 680M materializes before spending any cash.
     
    Mr. Fox, May 2, 2012
    #60
  11. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    I'm leaning in the same direction, but the temptation is strong. GeoCake has now taken Vantage up to P25,806 and 3dMark11 to P7,658 with a single 7970M. Makes me want to play.
     
    The Revelator, May 2, 2012
    #61
  12. Juscallmesteve

    Juscallmesteve Notebook Consultant

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    Question 1 : Do you need a special sata cable to use a sataIII connection and to take advantage of it, or will a regular sata cable work just fine with a Sata III connection?
    Question 2 : When i buy my Mx18 R2 i want to buy it with just a 500gb hdd and want to add a SSD that i have as the main Hdd. So how would i go about doing this? On the alienware config website it says the 500gb hdd uses a SataII connection, so does this mean i will have to open up the laptop to put the sata cable to the sataIII port or what?
     
    Juscallmesteve, May 2, 2012
    #62
  13. WumpaofDoom

    WumpaofDoom Newbie

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    Sata II and sata III cables is the same. M18x have only sata III connectors, but they are backward compatible with sata II. You can just open it and put in a sata III hd and it will work.
     
    WumpaofDoom, May 2, 2012
    #63
  14. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    That's certainly power like we've never seen in a laptop before. I'm thinking 7970M CF would have around 40k Vanatage and ~11k 3DMark11 score. I don't ever remember seeing the performance gap quite as wide between two successive generations of GPU like what we are seeing with the 6990M and 7970M.

    It sure would be cool to see NVIDIA release a mobile dual proc GPU like the desktop 690 so we could have quad SLI in the next M18x. I'd be willing to put up with a larger or thicker chassis and bigger PSU for that, LOL.
     
    Mr. Fox, May 2, 2012
    #64
  15. sjefferson

    sjefferson Notebook Consultant

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    so there's still no definite answer as to the release date of 7970M CF for M18x?
     
    sjefferson, May 3, 2012
    #65
  16. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    Not yet. It may have to do with availability right now.
     
    Mr. Fox, May 3, 2012
    #66
  17. Joce21

    Joce21 Notebook Consultant

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    Joce21, May 3, 2012
    #67
  18. steviejones133

    steviejones133 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Well, 7970 crossfire was showing as "live" on the Polish website the other day, so it should only be a matter of time before we see it rolled out across the board for all countries....
     
    steviejones133, May 3, 2012
    #68
  19. Peter

    Peter Notebook Evangelist

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    Ahh Dual 7970m already available now, but its just not available UK website (cosz of card shortage). If anyone lookin forward to it then just hit Dell with phone. youve will get quote with in hours.
     
    Peter, May 3, 2012
    #69
  20. bumbo2

    bumbo2 Notebook Deity

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    It sure would be cool to see NVIDIA release a mobile dual proc GPU like the desktop 690 so we could have quad SLI in the next M18x. I'd be willing to put up with a larger or thicker chassis and bigger PSU for that, LOL.

    Wow, can you imagine. I will be the first to order.
     
    bumbo2, May 3, 2012
    #70
  21. BorntoPumpGas

    BorntoPumpGas Notebook Consultant

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    Standing in line with Fox to wait for this as well, Quad SLI..... yes please.
     
    BorntoPumpGas, May 3, 2012
    #71
  22. Virtua

    Virtua Notebook Evangelist

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    Are we sure about those figures, doesn't feel right with that kind of suggested performance gain.
     
    Virtua, May 3, 2012
    #72
  23. Speedy Gonzalez

    Speedy Gonzalez Xtreme Notebook Speeder!

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    yes if the 7970' do 21K vantage 7970's 40K is possible :eek: :D
     
    Speedy Gonzalez, May 3, 2012
    #73
  24. BlackStar2012

    BlackStar2012 Notebook Consultant

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    Yup someone has already benched them for us..don't remember the thread though..
    As for the dual mobile gpu for quad sli.. THERE GOES MY 4 GRAND XD
     
    BlackStar2012, May 3, 2012
    #74
  25. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    The Revelator, May 3, 2012
    #75
  26. bumbo2

    bumbo2 Notebook Deity

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    Wow, wow, y wow...! One 7970M is = to 580M in SLi or 6990M in xfire, that's really great
     
    bumbo2, May 3, 2012
    #76
  27. BlackStar2012

    BlackStar2012 Notebook Consultant

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    Or approx. = to 1 desktop 580
     
    BlackStar2012, May 3, 2012
    #77
  28. tanderson

    tanderson Notebook Consultant

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    I was looking at drivers for nvidia 675 and there are none in site, so you would be stuck with the dell oem for a while or modified ini till they figure things out. So, my point on this one, sounds like 7970 would smoke a 6990 or 580 cf/sli config but wouldnt it be worth it (if you have patience) to wait for the 7990 or 680 (which would be better) cf/sli to come out? (and hopefully working drivers for either config)
     
    tanderson, May 3, 2012
    #78
  29. BlackStar2012

    BlackStar2012 Notebook Consultant

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    Well you are right that 680m will prob be a very good card ( personally I have doubts about the existence of a 7990m as the 7970m has reached the ceiling TDP of 100 W on the MXM 3.1). most people rather go red team-AMD because even now the 675m is more expensive than the 7970m (even though 7970m beats it up like its a marshmallow bunny) so in general 7970m is a great performance/price.
    But it might just be worth it to see what nVidia brings out..considering this major delay they might just bring out something that smokes 7970m ..who knows. But as above if you're unwilling to wait for a card that will cost 600 dollars or so 7970m will take you FARRRR :)
     
    BlackStar2012, May 3, 2012
    #79
  30. sjefferson

    sjefferson Notebook Consultant

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    i did just that and the person i spoke to said he has no info on 7970m crossfire, therefore cannot provide me with a quote...
     
    sjefferson, May 3, 2012
    #80
  31. BlackStar2012

    BlackStar2012 Notebook Consultant

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    Judging from the price on m17x and as someone mentioned before the price for a crossfire 7970m set up should be somewhere between 350-400 USD
     
    BlackStar2012, May 3, 2012
    #81
  32. Peter

    Peter Notebook Evangelist

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    Ahh seems like youve got wrong person :|
    As per my quote Dual 7970m worth of £430 which is £30 cheaper then Dual 675m.
     
    Peter, May 3, 2012
    #82
  33. sjefferson

    sjefferson Notebook Consultant

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    where i live we use $$$ rather than £££ :) that might have been the reason as to why.

    did he also give u the est. shipping date if the order were placed today?
     
    sjefferson, May 3, 2012
    #83
  34. Peter

    Peter Notebook Evangelist

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    Also Alienware cheaper where you live :p
    Nope they didnt provide me EDD but he did add, it will be within this month.
     
    Peter, May 3, 2012
    #84
  35. BlackStar2012

    BlackStar2012 Notebook Consultant

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    Only reason Alienware is way more expensive here in uk is because of all them bloody taxes :/
     
    BlackStar2012, May 3, 2012
    #85
  36. Peter

    Peter Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeahhh Agreed :D but cant help it tho :(
     
    Peter, May 3, 2012
    #86
  37. solrac13

    solrac13 Notebook Evangelist

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    Do you guys think we may get the chance to see on DELLs site an M18X with a single HD 7970?

    If that hapends i will jump on that
     
    solrac13, May 3, 2012
    #87
  38. BlackStar2012

    BlackStar2012 Notebook Consultant

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    Assuming they follow dell Poland then unfortunately no
    If you don't mind me asking why do you want a single card only?
     
    BlackStar2012, May 3, 2012
    #88
  39. solrac13

    solrac13 Notebook Evangelist

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    Well it seems those 7890 run pretty good I don see the need of going to crossFire, that will add heat

    If each card takes 100w it comes to 200w so am afraid we will be overheating
    Also will made the M18 more attractive in price $
     
    solrac13, May 3, 2012
    #89
  40. BlackStar2012

    BlackStar2012 Notebook Consultant

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    The price added will be around 150ish dollars (or gbp if you're somewhere in EU with all them taxes here).
    In terms of heat they go about 50-60 under load , the m18x has a lot better cooling system due to more space and bigger fans.
    Also if you're aren't using the card at certain times you can pretty much switch 1 card off if you're concerned about say the battery life.
     
    BlackStar2012, May 3, 2012
    #90
  41. WaR

    WaR Notebook Virtuoso

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    If you definitely don't want dual cards, your best bet is the M17x-R4; at a better price too.
     
    WaR, May 3, 2012
    #91
  42. solrac13

    solrac13 Notebook Evangelist

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    So you are saying that the fans are bigger than the M17 R4?
    I was reading that the cooling for the CPU was not so good on the M18X
     
    solrac13, May 3, 2012
    #92
  43. solrac13

    solrac13 Notebook Evangelist

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    solrac13, May 3, 2012
    #93
  44. BlackStar2012

    BlackStar2012 Notebook Consultant

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    But like War pointed out if you don't want to have the dual gfx you might wanna consider the m17x instead
    Cooling:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...oming-speculation-thread-188.html#post8486562

    In reference to the above post , you gotta remember that the newer cpus and gpus will run a lot cooler than last gen due to new manufacturing processes
    Edit: also remember than some cooling pads actually increase the temperature because of the bad positioning there was thread here on NBR for the best coolers remember reading about it a while back might wanna look that up
     
    BlackStar2012, May 3, 2012
    #94
  45. StonkBad

    StonkBad Notebook Enthusiast

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    So my login attempts have been failing multiple times until I realized that the account name I signed up with is not my usual one.. lol. Anywho I'm back now and have a few further questions, I got my GTX 675ms upgraded for 350$ CAD for the SLI config when purchasing my laptop, but next Xmas I'll probably get some money from my spouse.. I'm thinking of going for the 7970m in Xfire then.. does anyone realistically see them dropping in price by then? I'll just pull out the 675s and stick em on eBay.

    Now one more thing, I've been reading a lot on this forum that people have already got their aftermarket 7970m XMX cards frpm 'upgradeyourlaptop',
    Is this just the ebay seller of the same name or is there an actual URL for this; because the one on eBay only has last seasons GPUs.

    PS- pertaining to recent posts in this thread, I've also heard mixed stories of CPU cooling in the newer Alienware laptops.. my recommendation would be to wait for your laptop to arrive, download realtemp and run it while playing your most graphics intensive games for a while, then exit out. Real temp will show you how hard your CPU and GPU worked on average and at max, and also what temperatures they were on average and at max. If it looks too hot on mine I'll just put some diamond paste on it.. in any case its definitely not something that I'm worried about :D
     
    StonkBad, May 3, 2012
    #95
  46. solrac13

    solrac13 Notebook Evangelist

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    solrac13, May 3, 2012
    #96
  47. blink_c

    blink_c Notebook Consultant

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    blink_c, May 3, 2012
    #97
  48. solrac13

    solrac13 Notebook Evangelist

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    Yea they are Crazy

    Well HEvolution is the way to go for me im set now!
     
    solrac13, May 3, 2012
    #98
  49. solrac13

    solrac13 Notebook Evangelist

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    China is thre too 3100 euros for m18x R2 wit NVIDIA ® SLI ® - 2GB GDDR5 Nvidia GeForce GTX 675M NO HD 7970 no options only one model

    ?????????????


    Processor The third generation of intelligent Intel ® Core ™ i7 - 3720QM processor (2.6GHz Turbo Boost technology 2.0 up to 3.6GHz, 6MB cache)

    Memory 16GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM (4x4GB)

    Built-in optical drive Fixed slot-loading Blu-ray BD-ROM / the DVD + /-RW integration of CD-ROM

    Hard disk 2TB 5400RPM hard drive (1TBx2) (Raid 0)

    Dell Services: Hardware warranty 2-year consumer-oriented site service, including Software Smart Call and 2-year comprehensive accident protection

    Add peripherals & services
    Wireless LAN Intel ® Centrino ® Wireless-N 2230 including Bluetooth 4.0

    Graphics NVIDIA ® SLI ® - 2GB GDDR5 Nvidia GeForce GTX 675M

    The main battery 12 - cell battery
     
    solrac13, May 3, 2012
    #99
  50. StonkBad

    StonkBad Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi solrac, same situation everywhere as of right now. It looks like May 10th is the estimated date when you can add the AMD cards to your order, something about finishing up the official drivers for Dell.
     
    StonkBad, May 3, 2012
    #100
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