New Alienware 18 Config and Order Status Thread

So we can upgrade our GPU's as well I'm ASSUMING ?

 

Theoretically, yes. Though the new GTX 980 desktop version in SLI wouldn't be able to run on a single 330w, which is the only thing currently better at the moment than 980m. Going to have to wait for the mobile version of Pascal next year (1080m?).

I'll be interested in seeing how the GT80 special edition copes with extra wattage of GTX 980 sli, if it does indeed gets released.

 

Far cry 4 on ultra with no effort

 

I've heard that game dips a lot though. I've been interested in picking it up since I love 3 though. Are you confident it stayed above 60? Also, looking at bencmarks of the 980m's it looks like for almost any game currently out, 1440p is very feasible with details still maxed. Unfortunately, I don't have an external monitor, so I was planning on utilizing some of that extra power for DSR. Has any one tried some games with DSR and if so, how well did it work? I'm hoping I can get to 4k with AC:Rogue since that game doesn't have any AA outside of TXAA and is apparently super easy to run maxed, even on old cards.

 

I did not notice any drop in smoothness but will check from rate and get back to you...These laptops really are amazing it was gorgeous. ..just played witcher 3 with DSR and no hiccups at 2k

 

According to this, 2k should go over just fine. I wonder how close these 18's will hold to that. The wait is excruciating....

 

Just ordered a Samsung EVO 950 m.2 PCIe 3.0 4x SSD 512gb.. Pretty excited to see how much faster it is than the normal m.2 EVO 850.

 

In what laptop? 18 has no m.2 support, let alone pcie 4x m.2

 

Upon ordering this computer, i was told by a dell representative that this computer supports m.2 and the new pcie 4x m.2 3.0. Did he lie to me?

 

The alienware 18 has support for three Sata 3, 2.5 inch drives and 1 msata which is just as fast as sata3.

The alienware 18 is the same model as released in 2013.

You are buying an almost 3 year old notebook, but with 1 year old graphics cards.

If the 18 was up to date it would be using a BGA processor.

 

it can also run 4K if you have a 4k moniter...especially if your OC the gpus

 

I could be wrong, but aren't 2 980M in SLI basically having a Titan X? Well with games that have great SLI support anyway. I've watched a few videos and looked at a few other things, and in most games, the 980M SLI outperforms the Titan X on both 1080p and 1440p, hopefully 4k. I want to be able to play a few games at 4k ultra settings. Maybe not Witcher 3, but the Arkham games, Borderlands games, Battlefield 4, Star Wars Battlefront, Doom when it is released and so on. I do realize some settings will have to be dropped down to high and AA will be off at 4K for me. With Overclocked 980M SLI I would assume we could almost max out any game at 4K besides poorly optimized games and ones with little to no SLI support and still have a decent frame rate, playable anyway. I know for some, 60 FPS is absolute lowest they can go, not for me though. I prefer 60, but lower is fine as long as it doesn't lag or dip below 30.

 

Time will tell and DX12 will def ease the load so the future is bright

 

http://www.3dmark.com/fs/5795452

I have a Titan X/5960x. My Titan X is around @ 1450mhz/8ghz when playing games @ native 4k. It scores 1200 GPU points lower than my overclocked 980m sli GT80 I sold. However, framerates are smoother on the Titan X and minimums were higher in most games due to the 384-bit memory bus/faster memory for 4k, except BF4 where SLI is nearly 100% (higher average, but same minimums). 980m SLI does have more ROPS, but the bottleneck will always be the 256-bit bus and slower memory @ 4k. 980m sli overclocked will max out MOST games (excluding Crysis 3) with 50-60+ averages, some minimums dip to 30-35 on certain games. I plan to do a retest comparison @ 4k overclocked vs overclocked Titan X once my new AW 18 arrives with benchmarks to follow.

 

It'd be sweet to see some more comparisons between the two. I can imagine the 980m SLI would have higher highs and lower lows, which slightly higher averages. That's what I get from the one video and just knowing how SLI and memory vs GPU usally turns out. When you say "max out" you certainly don't mean 4k, do you??? I think the dips under 60 will be way too frequent for most recent games at 4k for it to be preferable to 2k on anything but Gsync moniters. Damn, I wish I had one of those....

 

The 980m sli oc vs Titan X oc has slightly higher highs/averages/same minimums WHEN sli is utilized on games with more than 90% usage, otherwise it's a whole different ball game. I do mean max out at 4k, 50-60+ average on MOST newer games with good SLI support, with dips to 30-35 on certain games, minimal AA. It makes a huge difference @ 4k for both configurations once overclocked.

Edit: Games like Crysis 3, Witcher 3, GTA V, Assassin Creed Unity (un-optimized piece of crap) won't ever touch 50-60fps average at max settings, but the majority of newer games will once overclocked; Mad Max, Metal Gear Solid, Star Wars Battlefront beta etc.

 

That's what I figured. I knew the 980M SLI has more horsepower, but the memory is just never going to beat that of the Titan X. Thanks for the info!

 

Just contacted them again and they are still saying that it supports
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SM951...45827184&sr=1-4&keywords=samsung+m.2+pcie+3.0

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-850-E...id=1445826913&sr=1-1&keywords=samsung+m.2+ssd

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-XP941...45826488&sr=1-22&keywords=samsung+m.2+2.5+ssd

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-950-5...445826488&sr=1-3&keywords=samsung+m.2+2.5+ssd

I don't really know too much about computers so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Batman5892, some of the 980 GPU's for mobile will support 7ghz memory, and maybe if we are lucky one of the SLI 980 notebooks will have 7ghz memory as well

 

Has anyone else had their order ship? What is everyone's EDD? My order from 9/22 is still listed as in production. Still no EDD listed, but I was told by my rep that it would most likely ship yesterday or today. Although, he's told me something similar multiple times before, so those words are basically meaningless as far as I'm concerned. I'm just hoping they haven't hit another part shortage and they haven't skipped me and started shipping machines for people with layer order dates.

 

I hate to say it but I think you are being mislead or they are misunderstanding the question entirely, below is a link to the MSATA drive that will fit into the AW18, the board does not support the M.2 connection or the length of those drives in any way posted above. The other drives support are 2 x 2.5" 9mm mechanical or SSD HD. You will be able to see the 1 msata slot by removing the back panel.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TGIVVKU?keywords=msata ssd&qid=1445867232&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2

 

Same here. I've been without a computer for over a month. My order was placed, canceled and reordered the next day and haven't had an EDD yet. The specialist told me it was a part shortage early last week, and they'd had their parts in the middle of last week. I've sent a few emails since then and haven't heard back yet.

 

They are lying to you. Also, don't invest in mSATA. It's dead.

I recommend one large SSD 2.5". A 1TB Samsung 850 Evo or Pro/Crucial MX200.

 

Okay. Thank you! Just returned the m.2 to amazon and reordered a 500GB

My order was shipped yesterday and is out for delivery today... as im typing this fedex showed up.. now i have it.. YESS!!!!!

 

Good to hear! When was your order date?

 

My original order date was 8/21. they cancelled me. reordered on 8/24 had issues and reordered on 10/7

 

How do i enable SLI or how do i know its on?

 

Nvidia Control Panel

 

I received my Alienware 18 last Thursday(10/22). WoW this system is awesome. I played with the system for a while and then remembered why I hate win 8/8.1.

I upgraded Windows 8.1 to Window 10 . no problems.
Installed a seconded 1TB hard drive.
Installed a 256gb msata drive and did a fresh install of Windows 10 on the msata. No problems.

I did find to a couple minoir build problems with my system.
The HDD carrier was not screwed down. It was just set in to place. Luckly the hard drive was functional.
The coin battery was just sitting in the msata slot and not is slot.

Other than that no problems.

 

just noticed my computer is running 32bit windows. was i supposed to get 64 bit or is that only for 8.1 pro? if so how do i get 64 bit? i'm doing a reinstall once i get my ssd tomorrow.

 

It should be 64 bit. I just emailed my rep and his manager about my free TactX headset and vindicator case. I'm not letting them get away with not sending me what they promised.

 

Yes! sorry was confused because i saw that it was running programs in 32x just saw that it was 64x thanks!

 

Would be nice if we could get an "Official" title for the thread and have it stickied. Other sections have the same thread and it's definitely not the same as the Owner's Lounge. Just a thought. What do you guys think?

 

My rep finally got back with me. Said not EDD yet buy the manufacturing team will touch base in 1 or 2 days and he'll let me know. Not too promising but atleast they responded to my email.

 

Well, considering my machine still had not shipped, I went ahead and changed the shipping address to my house. Even though it is next business day shipping, my school sometimes takes a couple days to process an order and I'm not gonna risk it since my break starts Friday. If I don't get this machine by then, II am going to be extremely frustrated and disappointed. Extra week is the one week I get until Christmas to set up this computer and play some egames, so I will be extremely frustrated if I do not have this machine for thaythat. Considering the fact my case was escalated (replacement approved) over 2 months ago and my order went in over a month ago (practically a week over a month now), thus is getting outright ridiculous. Anyone order around 9/22?

 

My first order was placed the first week of August. Hopefully you have more luck than I have

 

Well I was just told mine is under engineering review and depending on the result it could be ready in a couple of days. I don't know which options or tier yours is, like it matters at this point considering how long you've waited, but mine is the top tier with 4940MX and 980M SLI. So maybe they are waiting on certain parts. Who knows, I haven't been waiting quite as long, I sent my M18X off at the end of August and was told I was getting a replacement in the at the end of September, but a good while. It sure will be nice to sit down and enjoy this thing whenever it gets here.

 

Similar situation here. The case was escalated at the end of August and I was told they'd send a replacement. It took nearly a month then for them to come up with a satisfactory replacement (they kept offering me lesser machines) and get it ordered. So even though my original order date says 9/22, this issue goes back to July. Last week my rep said the system was nearly ready to ship and would do so Sunday. That obviously didn't happen, and it wasn't the first time he'd sent me a similar email.

 

Yeah, that's crazy it's taking this long. That goes for any order. I hate the waiting game.

 

They are taking their time it seems. I have an x51R3 stuck in production for 2 weeks now. I'm waiting to order the 18 for now.

 

They take their sweet time with everything. But if you sent your broken system back one minute over the 10 day window, I bet there would be hell (or a lot of money) to pay. It's hilarious how their automated system always warns you that they are experiencing high call volumes and the estimated wait time is 15 minutes......and then you stay on hold for over an hour. Currently 53 minutes into my 15 minute wait and I have a midterm tomorrow I have to study for. This has hit the limit of ridiculousness. And this probably will change nothing except my midterm grade....

EDIT: I was transferred to the Chile office where my case was being handled and after a 2 hour phone call finally got the address changed on my order (since I won't even be around by the time this thing ships). My rep then followed up with an email to confirm the change and added that the parts have come in and the "estimated ship date" is now 10/31. I asked for clarification if this is the date of departure or arrival, even though I suspect the former. It'll be a bummer not to have it in time for the weekend :/

 

Knowing what I know now, my 4910MQ was actually an improvement from my 4940MX, and if it would have shipped faster with a 4910QM, then I would have just taken that.

There is zero benefit going from 4910MQ to 4940MX.

 

There's not zero benefit. It does usually have about a 10% performance advantage. Given a proper supply of power, it theoretically would be even faster. But for double the price.....

Considering that I am not directly paying for this, I would rather wait a bit longer and get a slight improvement for all the time I'll be using this machine. I'm not sure that's what is holding the machines up either.

 

Once configured properly they will both max out at ~4.3Ghz. The 4910QM will likely need less voltage.

They use around 110W fully stressed at that clock. Besides, any higher and you wouldn't be able to cool it.

 

Clock speed isn't everything. The extra cache makes a lot of difference. Just look at some benchmarks. I'm sure rendering times for me will be significantly less than with a 4910QM or my current 4900QM, especially for CPU only loads when the graphics cards are disabled (what I use my machine most for).

 

There is no extra cache. All of those processors have 8MB L3.

 

Oooops, my bad. For some reason, I thought the MX processors had a tiny bit more cache. It's been so long since I've looked into all this I suppose. Yeah, I wonder exactly where that extra performance comes from then. I would have to read deeper into the architecture and what's locked on the MQ processors I suppose. But I definitely agree, the MX processor is worth nothing to anyone except the most hardcore overclockers with exorbitant amounts of money. That's why I didn't go for one in the first place. Still, I'd be a fool to pass one up for no added cost.

 

I went with the 4910 due to the price increase versus the severely slight increase in performance of the 4940.

 

Hey Guys! I'm extremly happy with my system and i have been doing some tests with temperatures.

I purchased Both the Cool Master U3 Plus with Movable Fans for up to 19" laptops and the Targus Chill Pad for 18" laptops.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ED3WMTC?keywords=cooler master plus U3&qid=1446041915&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Targus-Gaming-18-Inch-Laptop-AWE57US/dp/B003ZSHKJ8/ref=pd_sim_147_7?ie=UTF8&dpID=4114g2wghHL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=1ZMP0JDG7AFWJYC7YVS0

i enjoyed the Cool Master because it puts my computer to an angle which makes it easier, especially for such a big laptop, for me to lean back on my chair and type.. I'm lazy. I Know. I also placed the fans exactly where the GPU and CPU fans are. Two on the right side and one on the left.These fans only spin up to 1800RPM and the speed IS adjustable. This cooler is incredibly quiet. I'm constantly checking to see if it's actually on!

The Targus Chill mat uses two USB's to draw FULL power of 3000 RPM's. It also has an LED indicator on it to let you know that it's on. It is somewhat loud but if you use a headset, you should be fine.

I downloaded open hardware monitor to monitor the temperatures.

Without any cooling pad, i was sitting at 120 F for the first GPU and 109F for the second GPU at Idle.
179 and 149 F after playing GTV Full Graphics for 30 minutes

With the Cool Master it lowered my first GPU to 114 F and the second GPU to 100 F at idle.
170 F and 140F after playing GTA V Full graphics for 30 Minutes.

With the Targus Chill Mat it lowered my first GPU to 109.4F and the second GPU to 93F at idle.
159 F and 132.3F after playing GTA V full graphics for 30 minutes.

I tried both the Targus Chill Mat under the Cool Master TOGETHER and achieved the same results as the Cool Master alone. (Probably due to high turbulence of so many fans.

To conclude, the Targus Chill Mat cools my laptop better even though i don't really enjoy the flat "angle" that it puts my laptop at. The air channels really do help. I tried both putting the laptop square on the pad and also putting the vents exactly where the fans blow out with only a 1-2 Degree F Difference.

Please keep in mind that i DID NOT use my laptop USB ports to draw power for these pads, i used an external USB HUB that is NOT connected to my laptop.

I'm also debating on removing my battery since it's going to be sitting on my desk semi-permanently. Any Ideas?

I don't have a program to record performance, or at least one that i know of, so if anyone has any advice on which to use, i can post graphs and charts on these changes.


TLDR: Cool Master sits better but Targus Chill Mat keeps laptop significantly cooler

 

I went with the 4910 because i was trying to stay around $3000 as much as possible seeing as Squaretrade only covers laptops up to $2999.99.