*OFFICIAL* Alienware 18 Owner's Lounge Thread

Hello, I got an Alienware 17 with 4800QM and a 780M. I am relatively happy with it, but unfortunately the system came scratched. Three on-site repairs later, the system ended in a worse condition than original (UK replacement palm-rests got faulty touchpads). In any case: Dell originally gave me a 10% back, for my troubles. However now they offered me the opportunity to get a full refund.

As I like AW design and build, I decided to stick with the brand if I will go with the full refund option, just will get my refund and upgrade to the new AW18. Question is: do you think it will worth spending £800 over the current price I paid for my AW17, to get the AW18 with 4800QM and 2x 780M? How is the screen compare to the AW17? Any issues with it? How much better is the 780M SLI over the 770M?

 

Do you guys know that Matrix display feature on MSI laptops? I think a variation of that, but wireless, would be very cool for Alienware laptops. Having three monitors hooked up, at the same time, all showing separate things without interference, and the ability to have all three work simultaneously.

Perhaps I'll make a post on IdeaStorm.

 

Well, the main benefit for the extra cash is going to be the 780m Sli upgrade, which will be pretty massive in terms of performance gain. I'd say it would be worth it just for the gpu's. Can't really comment on the screen difference, just that other 18 owners have said the screen is much better than the old R1/R2. I guess it depends on what screen you had in the 17 - the 120hz panel is brighter going off specifications.

 

I had the Matte FullHD 60Hz one. In terms of brightness the screen was great, however it had a bit extra gamma and the red felt muted.

Thanks! I also feel like I wouldn't mind spending them for the long-run performance upgrade and the better cooling system. On Dell's page it appears if I upgrade to the 780m the shipping goes up to 1st Oct! I can't stay a whole month without a PC...

 

I'm pretty much in the same boat. I purchased an MSI GE70 yesterday as a temporary replacement until Alienware gets the 780M's back in stock. I'll probably sell it in the NBR Marketplace in a few weeks.

 

Yep... I will try to negotiate keeping the AW17 until end of Sept. If I can't, I will just ask for a refund and go for a Clevo :/ I hate Clevo's look, but I need a PC for my part-time job.

I know I can keep the AW17, as games-wise performance it is good enough so far; but I can't get it off my mind that it is scratched...

 

What's the underlying technology behind the "Matrix display feature"?

I did some searching and was wondering if this was something built into Haswell:
Intel touts multiscreen flexibility with 'display as a service' | Business Tech - CNET News

New 2013 Intel Haswell CPU
"Haswell does give you the ability to run 3 monitors directly off the motherboard however like previous efforts, this requires a lot of adapters to get working along with the right motherboard."

On the wireless display front, I think you can probably already do this with some higher end broadcast video technology. When I was searching for WirelessHD stuff, it sounds like there are a lot of things people are doing in that market.

I also was considering this which is WirelessHD:
Nyrius | ARIES™ Pro Wireless HD for Laptops | NPCS550

If I had more funds, I'll probably try it out.

 

Matrix display features MSI up to 3 external displays, allowing you to output to 3 displays simultaneously using HDMI 1.4, mini Display-Port 1.2 and VGA port. Users can work with multi-task at the same time. (Overall 4 monitors include notebook's monitor on GT series).

My idea would be similar output, but all wireless. I think it would be a very nice feature for the M18x. Alienware would be the first to do this, and I think it would expand their horizon into the high performance gaming and entertainment industry. It may be too late for this now, but for the AW18 R2 - I see this as being a huge advantage and plausible feature for such a system.

Alienware attempted something similar with the M14x R2, but it only lasted a few months toward the end of its shelf life.

 

Wireless would be cleaner, but not sure how big the demand would be for a desktop replacement considering the cost and limited mobility of the machine. Looking at this article:
How DisplayPort multi-streaming delivers new levels of multi-monitor madness | PCWorld

Displayport 1.2 with higher end displays should be able to do multiple monitors right out of the box...Has anyone given this a go?

 

Demand may not be high for that particular feature, but imagine what they could do with the extra space inside the laptop if a single wireless HD card handled all video input and output, even at higher resolutions. Perhaps it could be one of those optional customizations, like the removal of the ODD for an SSD.

 

Thanks for letting me know.
I hope the shortage won't last too long. I am dying to have this computer. My college semester starts in a few days however I am lucky enough to live outside of college.
I see other vendors have it for sale too, however I am not sure if I purchase it from there that I will have complete alienware coverage. I plan on keeping this beast for at least 4 years.

 

what software did u use
GPU throttling (at least this we can totally fix with a custom vbios flash)

 

Tuesday or Wednesday I'm buying my 18! AHHHH! So excited!

 

Congrats! It is one helluva machine. AW hit a home run with this new design IMO. I am loving mine.

 

You have 780's or 770's? I'm on my phone so I can't see sigs

 

Is there someone can help me out? I failed in flashing my vbios of 6990m on m15x. It turns into brick. And it can't be detected. So I'm looking for someone who has m18x with 6990m can help to reflash my vbios. My email [email protected]

 

Questions:
A) GTX 770M SLI, will that create less fan noise than GTX 780M configuration? Im thinking less heat, less fan RPM.
B) GTX 770M SLI, will that be enough to max out all existing games in 1080p?
C) GTX 770M SLI, how is that compared to a single GTX 780M?

Thanks for your help.

Decisions decisions...

 

hi. the m18xr1/r2 or m18 are very or Extrenly silence!

 

Hey, I do not own an AW18 (hopefully will do so), but I own an AW17 with the 780M. Judging from the performance of the 780M, I would say it could max-out all games. I am getting 60FPS constantly on BF3, with v-sync on. Now between the 770M SLI vs 780M: The 770M SLI configuration is performing better than a single 780M, but then again that is subject to drivers and the game.
3D Marks comparison: Nvidia geforce GTX 770M vs 780M vs 770M SLI vs 780M SLI - YouTube

Personally I will pay the extra 300 pounds and go with the dual 780M as there is significant amount of performance (almost the same as GTX Titan) and will most likely last a bit longer...

 

Its just that Im buying a new notebook in June/July next year anyway, or upgrading the 770Ms to the new Maxwell GPUs from Nvidia. I just want a notebook that can max out all exisiting games now, and run cool and quiet.

If 770M SLI can do that, I think will pick the middle ground this time

The 780Ms tend to run on the hotter side, and since Maxwell will double the performance from 680M SLI while run cooler than 780M, it sounds like the most tempting route to do

But I will not do that if 770M SLI is slow in the newest titles with the details vramped up

 

The new Clevo's with Haswell can do it as we'll in the link I'm providing it shows Aftershock PC's x15s which is the Clevo P150SM doing Triple monitor setup. Sager has also confirmed that there models do the same it is a feature that they are able to do now because of Haswell, last years models could only do 2 external monitors and the main units monitor.

http://youtu.be/yGNZA0Y9lEc

 

780's... I need to update my sig, it's empty right now.

 

Well, if you really mean max, as in details all the way up with maxed antialiasing and physics, there are already a handful of games the 780M SLI set up can't handle. Metro LL is the worst offender, though anything with max SSAA is incredibly tough to run.

 

i finally got a unlocked vbios for my 765m sli, check out some scores i have got so far, over 10k GPU!

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/7056796?

 

Hi, I'm thinking of buying the new Alienware 18. But I'm not sure if I should get the overclocked version. Help pls. Thanks

 

Has anyone come across a parts reference list for the m18? Similar to Mr Fox's list here http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/579752-m18x-part-number-list-reference.html

 

I don't think one has been released just yet...

 

Am I really seeing this correctly? The lowest priced 780m SLI is 5,100 dollars, and the next step down from that is a 3,000 dollars 770m sli? Wow.

 

If you don't know how to do it yourself, yes... pay extra for the overclocked version. If you are able or willing to learn on your own, just get a 4930MX CPU and do it yourself.

770M is about the same performance level as 7970M, so it's not too shabby. It's just not the best. There seems to be a shortage due to high demand for 780M. It looks like the approach is to reserve availability of the top shelf GPU for those willing to purchase the top shelf Alienware 18 configuration. Makes good business sense, and I am sure those that want to pay extra for the über beast configuration are grateful to find the 780M SLI setup is being reserved for them as top shelf customers... I know I would be sort of ticked about being all fired up and ready to order a maxed out 18 only to find that the 780M GPUs were all gobbled up by low-budget value shoppers. That might change later on, once the 780M "feeding frenzy" simmers down and stock is more plentiful.

If you want a cheap lower-spec $3000 18 you can always upgrade to 780M SLI using Clevo GPUs and save a few bucks. But, they won't be covered under your Alienware warranty.

 

GeForce GTX 770 SLI review - DX11: Battlefield 3
this might help

 

Yeah that definitely what I am thinking is going on, supply shortages. It's just a little unfortunate by they are still very early in their product life cycles. I know this isn't indicative of any sort of new direction, but it was just a little shocking to see this when I went on their site.

 

You can probably order the maxed out setup for a lot less than $5,100 by calling and negotiating with phone sales. You may have to try several different people to get a good deal, but I bet you can get anywhere from 10-25% off and maybe something extra like a gift card or backpack if you get a rep that engaged and interested in achieving high volume. Some of them are kind of lame, but others are awesome.

If you are ready to buy, maybe someone that negotiated a killer deal can PM you the name/email/phone number of the rep that helped them out.

 

Yeah this is also something I was thinking. Thank you for the advice, I'm not quite ready to buy yet, I think I will be keeping my m18x r2 for quite a while longer, but I love the Alienware brand and was just kind of doing a check-up on it's health. haha

 

running my 765m's at 1200 core 5.6ghz mem...7.1k firestrike gpu score

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 765M video card benchmark result - Intel Core i7-4700MQ,Alienware 01W2J2

 

Finally! Something REALLY good to see. Makes me feel like appreciative when buying my 770 SLI. Thanks for posting!


EDIT: upon farthing reading, I don't think those are laptop cards.

 

Unfortunately not mobile cards.

 

Any FPS #'s?

 

im about to try out crysis 3, metro last light, and grid 2. Being that my 765m sli stock had great performance at max setting in these games, im expecting amazing fps. Will post later

 

Got my AW rig set up at home now.

 

0.o DAMN! nice setup

 

Very nice Audioengine A5+ speakers there.

 

Yea, those things are great. Been using the LCD-2s more recently, but I'm looking for a new headphone amp and they haven't gotten a ton of use as a result. That FIIO portable amp next to them is far from ideal for orthos, even the LCD-2s.

 

I once had the LCD-3, but orthodynamic cans are too heavy for my liking. I then sold it and got the Omega Mk1, and I sold that too eventually. Nevertheless I am forever an electrostat can man now. Very few cans come close to how electrostatic headphones' ability to handle the transients in sound. The Staxes would make most of the dynamic cans out there sound slow and dull.

The last SR-009 that was in stock here ( Amazon.co.jpF STAX(ƒXƒ^ƒbƒNƒX) Ã“dŒ^ƒCƒ„[ƒXƒs[ƒJ[@SR-009: ‰Æ“dEƒJƒƒ‰) was bought.

If I didn't spend all the money on the 4930MX and the 2 1TB SSD, I could have bought the headphones...sometimes when I think back, I feel like I should have gone for the 009. Amp will take another 1.5k at least, so like 5.5k, which is how much I have spent on the AW....

Orthodynamic/planar magnetic headphones need amps that can push some current. Schiit Audio makes some very good amps at very reasonable price.

Have your AW 18 arrived yet?

 

Hello Mr. Fox

I have been meaning to buy the alienware 18, and I pretty much got no choice other than buying the maxed out one because I want the dual 780's.
I already have a 17% discount code valid until Sept 1st. k
I am hoping I can find a good agent to speak with in order to get a good deal. If you can be kind enough to PM me the agent that hooked you up, I'd be greatly appreciated.

 

Excited to hear brother!

 

Nice K70, there.

 

ditto, I'm just hoping to get it around $4k


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

 

Yea, I had an Asgard 2, but it didn't really have enough power to bring the dynamics out anymore than the Fiio. Using a Bifrost DAC at the moment, and I think I'll go for a Lyr if I can't find a Burson Soloist for a good price. I still haven't gotten to try out a pair of electrostats, and I'm not huge on ordering any audio gear without trying it first, at least not unless I can get it for less than the average used price. Heard a ton of great things about them though, especially the SR-009s. $4k is a little steep for me ATM. None of my gear I actually make music with is even worth that, at least not since I sold my last PRS. :lol: I also don't get the chance to sit down and really listen to music as much as I'd like these days either, and probably won't until I'm done with my degree and master's, so I'm trying not to pump a whole lot of money into it for a while.

And yea, I got my 18 two weeks ago.

 

To make a direct comparison, I added upgrades in the third tier selection to match what comes as default in the fourth tier selection. I then made them both use Windows 8 Pro, and added the Vindicator briefcase and an extra battery. The new price for the third tier was about $4250 and the the fourth tier was $5450.

So it boils down to you paying $1200 extra dollars to get 780 SLI, an increased size mSATA and 3 SSDs instead of 2 HDDs. Yeah it's crazy, but it doesn't sound like as much of a jump in price that way.

 

Before there stock in the 780m went downhill you could configure a Alienware 18 with the 780m sli for $3600-$3700 wish that option would come back