*OFFICIAL* M18x Owner's Lounge Thread

Welcome to the Owner's Lounge for the Alienware M18x!

This thread is a place to discuss your new M18x and share information on your system with fellow owners.

Related Launch Media and Web Links:

Launch Video - Desktops Videos | Dell
(Thanks to vikingrinn for the heads-up on the videos)


*UPDATE*
Congrats to Jfbarea for being the first to receive the M18x here on NBR! He has posted a couple of initial benchmark results in the benchmarks thread, shared a booting up video on youtube ( YouTube - Booting m18x) and also a few pictures ( m18 - Imgur. Thanks for sharing!


Product pages -

USA:
Alienware M18x Laptop Details ? Gaming Laptop with Full HD | Dell

United Kingdom:
Alienware M18x Laptop Details ? Gaming Laptop with Full HD | Dell

Canada:
Alienware M18x Laptop Details ? Gaming Laptop with Full HD | Dell Canada

Japan:
Alienware M18x??????PC??? ? ??HD?????????????PC | Dell

India:
Alienware M18x Laptop Details ? Gaming Laptop with Full HD | Dell India

Manuals, Teardown, Drivers, etc.

System Teardown -
*To be added once Dell adds it to their official youtube channel.

Manuals (Owners Manual and Service Manual) -
Documentation

M18x Dell Parts List -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/579752-m18x-part-number-list-reference.html
NVIDIA GPU-Specific Part List - AMD GPU-Specific Parts List

M18x-R2 GPU Parts List - Updated info from DELLChrisM
(subject to availability based on manufacturer supply)

• HXD3N N13E-GS1 GeForce GTX675m
• C0XGT N13E-GS1 GeForce GTX675m Kit (Video card HXD3N + Support Plate 3MHHT)
• M3XJV NV13E-GE GeForce GTX660m
• 5H5NC NV13E-GE GeForce GTX660m Kit (Video card M3XJV + Support Plate 3MHHT)
• 747M2 AMD Wimbledon XT 7970m
• 8DG8P AMD Wimbledon XT 7970m Kit (Video card 747M2 + Support Plate 3PVGK)

M18x Drivers (Drivers RSS Feed Link) -
Dell Drivers and Downloads | Alienware Laptop M18x

Benching, Overclocking

Overclocking -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/578609-m18x-2920xm-cpu-overclocking-discussion.html

**Note to 2920XM owners who did not order the Factory OC version**
Please see this post for the factory OC settings for the 2920XM! You will be able to immediately set these on your system. Use the +/- keys on the NUMPAD to adjust Level 3 OC under the Performance section of the BIOS. If you want to be safe, make a note of the original settings for each before editing. A big thanks to SargeOsis!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/7501507-post12.html


Benchmark Discussion
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/574780-official-alienware-m18x-benchmark-thread.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...920xm-2960xm-cpu-overclocking-discussion.html

Misc. Links

Gaming -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/579434-m18x-gaming-discussion-thread.html


Order Status Discussion -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/575529-m18x-order-status-discussion.html


Bags, Backpacks, Cases & Sleeves -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...eeves-backpacks-would-fit-alienware-m18x.html


Clean Install -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...er-install-order-guide-alienware-systems.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ook-feel-after-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Other
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/624484-m18x-alienfx-theme-sharing.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/575657-m18x-memory-discussion-thread.html


***IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THOSE PERFORMING A CLEAN INSTALL WITH AMD GPU***

•For M18x with AMD, install the AMD Display Driver first. Once done, the Intel Driver must be installed when in Integrated Mode. You will need to use the FN+F7 to switch over to Intel. A reboot may be necessary. Once done, install the Intel HD driver. Once installed, switch back over to your AMD GPU.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A note concerning GPU thermal compound replacement

For those of you looking to replace the TIM on your GPU's, be sure to reference the service manual. What is different with the M18x compared to the good ol' 17xR2 style is you will need to tear down the entire system - this includes removing the display

Documentation

Above all, take your time and don't rush the disassembly.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Be sure to take a moment and stop by this thread once you've had time to play with your new system. Its never to early to start thinking about your next purchase...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/607421-what-users-want-m18x-r2.html

 

Home Sweet Home-

Thanks Bat Boy for setting it up.

I ordered today. My rep is working out some details, so I don't know my EDD just yet.

 

See sig.

 

3rd , Slot reserved , for future use

 

i got the first slot..sell it to ya

 

awesome, cant wait to take #1 spots

For reference: i7 720QM + 5870M @ 860/1040 Catalyst 11.4

3DMark 2006: 12,830 3DMarks
3DMark 2011: P2595 3DMarks

 

great, thx man

 

Sure hope that beast doesn't blow out Moya's power conduits

 

cool. finally an alienware owners lounge that's stickied

just need to sticky a benchmark thread in a few weeks. after that, the m18x will already be the best organized of the alienware groups

 

I'm an owner (or will be on the 27th!)

Woo-hoo!

 

I wish dell had a retail store at their HQ. Then i could order, walk there from my house, pay and walk home with the darn thing.

 

I love the "north American" phone support option. LOL Hmm, guess that's from overwhelming dissatisfaction from the support from India?? Nice. That's one options I'll GLADLY pay for!!!!

 

Frell that! The ol' girl will hold up.

 

Any thoughts on why the screen isn't 3d? I was quite taken aback thinking it was going to be standard. Also wondering on the screen itself - some other posts are saying it's not as bright. R2 maybe?

 

There a bunch of threads much better than this one to discuss these issues. I suggest checking them out. You'll get much better responses.

 

How far above is 6970M Crossfire compared to 460M SLI on average? ~50% faster?

 

Start here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...deon-hd-6970m-vs-nvidia-geforce-gtx-460m.html

Then poke around for other threads that talk about either card.

 

I hope to soon be a part of this community

 

^^ You are a part of this community regardless of the notebooks you buy, Bro!

 

w00t! just ordered mine! see sig

 

Are There Any Reviews Out On The M18x?

 

hardware heaven had a review of the m18x.

 

Finally pulled the trigger on mine as well. Specs in sig.

 

Not one with the high-end processor and CF 6970. So technically not a real review yet.

 

Waiting for the NVIDIA solution. SLI GTX 485M/580M maybe.

 

That might never happen though, it seems that Dell is not happy with nvidia prices for high end cards when they offer similar performance for the much cheaper ati cards, unless Nvidia release something like GTX570m i wouldn't bet on it, Dual GTX485m + basic config = 3000$~ lately alienware is offering cheaper laptops (m11x/m14x/m17x R3) it seems they want to get rid of the "alienware is overpriced" image.

 

Bummer.

 

It will happen. It's just not happening in the first week the machine is out. If you are chomping at the bit, try the 6970CF. Otherwise relax and wait. I can't wait to see owners pics and good "NR member picking apart" of the M18x that will happen when the machines start rolling in. 6970CF isn't going to be a "bad" setup at all. I suspect that Nvidia is coming with a 580Msli in such a short time period that AW didn't want to offer a pricey 485Msli only to have a 580 right around the corner and frustrate recent purchasers. We know the incidence of buyer remorse is bad enough with the R3. You can well imagine what it would be like if 30 days after you, say paid $800 for your sli 485's that you could get $700 580's. (I say that because the rumour has it that due to economies of scale the 580m's might be a touch cheaper than the 485m's)

So ENJOY the happiness that abounds in this forum from happy owners. Revel in the reviews and pictures. And if you are so inclined, get a 6970CF (it's a potent seutp), or wait patiently for a finished 5xx series to arrive. It's just going to take some time is all.

 

6970s overclock past 6850 desktop speeds, these cards will be quite fast

 

so are you saying that the 580 sli (assuming) will beat the 6970 xfire? or are you just waiting because you want a better nvidia solution?

 

i have a question.
i bought the m18x w 6970 CF.
but i really want 3d either external or internal. well internal is gone because they dont have proper screen for that.
what about external screen like monitor? can i use external monitor and play 3d games or watch 3d movies?
if 6970CF can't, then im thinking of chaning gpu to gtx 485m when its available.
do you think i can just switch the gpu?

 

I guess resistance is futile. All base config except I bumped the processor a notch, added 6970 cf and bumped the wireless to 6300. I thought about adding the WirelessHD. Does anyone know how that works? Is it worth it? Can it be added later?

Intel® Core™ i7 2720QM 2.2GHz (3.3GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache)
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz (2DIMMS)
Dual 2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon HD 6970M - AMD CrossFireX™
320GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s
Intel® Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 a/b/g/n 3x3 MIMO Technology and Bluetooth 3.0
Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)

 

Yes.

It's exactly what it sounds like. Allows you to to use an external screen in 1080p wirelessly as long as the screen has an HDMI input. You also need a wireless receiver which is why they are selling the kit along with it.

It can be added later but I imagine you'll have to use an external transmitter as opposed to having one come with the unit internally.

If you don't plan on hooking it up to a separate screen it's totally useless.

 

I just ordered mine check sig.
the dell rep i spoke to said it would come next week, but i ordered in uk
will it really come then?

 

From what I've read so far, you can not add the internal wirelessHD transmitter later. Why? No idea, but technically, you should be able to put in the card/antenna according to the manual. Dell just isn't selling them separately...yet perhaps.

There is a general wirelessHD tread on the top Alienware forum here (1st sticky thread):
Alienware Laptop Forums and Notebook Computer Discussions

 

Yup, there shouldn't be a problem adding the WHD later on, for less money

 

Waiting for a Nvidia solution. In this day and age I don't think 2-5fps matters unless you are benchmarking, so I think the 6970 is superbly fast. Arguing whether it's #1 or not seems like a waste of time to me but hey, we do a lot of that here so no worries. But I'm not going to argue that, but rather only state what may be faster at any given time if someone asks, no more, and also give the caution I give everyone who asks about what is #1. The difference between #1 and #2 is not enough to worry about.

Given that I want this machine to last 4-5 years without dropping settings too much, is why I'm not leaping on the 460sli. In the current option set I'd choose the 6970cf (speed over drivers) just because the 6970's are 2x the speed or thereabouts. But I've waited 5 years since my last upgrade and I'm really wanting to get something close to ideal, so I'll wait for the 580/485sli to arrive. But I don't think that someone who gets 6970cf is getting a bad or slow machine by any means. It's actually gloriously fast and I can't wait to see folks who get them see just how fast they are in real life. It's going to be stunning, imo.

 

I have been on this fence and nearly went with this option. I'm really not sure it won't be possible nor am I sure it will. I'll cross my fingers for you, because you have an excellent machine and I nearly followed in the your footsteps and ordered with an upgrade to do later.
If AW (and they have never done this so this is nothing more than a wishlist item) had offered the 460sli with an "upgrade coupon" where you pay for the 580sli now and just get it delivered and installed in a few months time, I'd have leaped and purchased. Again though, they have never done this and I'm sure it carries too many issues to be worthwhile. I simply mention it to say that I was close, very close, to buy now and fix what you want in the machine later down the road.

 

^^ I think the next consoles refresh will render the current GPU gen obsolete.

 

I am also curious about HD options. Typically I order Alienware laptops with the minimum harddrive. When I get it, do some minimal stuff (uninstall bloat, change view to detail view, get updates, add ms security essentials), then ghost it, then shelve it (warranty and backup purposes). I am looking at the Crucial m4, thinking about either 256 or 512 GB (yes, expensive). Also putting in a 750 GB or 1TB (if i can fit it). I know I asked this in another thread, but it seems like more experts are looking at this one. Has anyone ever fooled with mountpoints on Win7 or Vista? For instance setting up the normal harddrive as C:, then setting up the SSD to be mountpoints as C:\Windows\System32, C:\Winows\SysWOW64, or C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\Common to increase boottimes and loadtimes.

 

Guys, can someone please start the following thread - M18x expresscard slot options/choices. I'm not allowed to start threads in this section.

Thanks

 

Just made the thread. It's something I wanted some input about as well.

 

Thank you!

 

Doesn't the m18 support ssd caching? Or is that only for desktops

 

that is desktops only with the Z68 chipset

 

Just wondering where you are ordering it from?!

 

i called up dell uk, the rep i got gave me 300 pound discount and said that i could get my system by next monday latest

 

Sounds good - Ive found it on the dell website now, but oddly not on the Alienware website. How did you manage to get 300 quid off?!

 

what i did was maxed out the processor and graphics card, then i told them that i was only willing to spend round 2400 for the lot without VAT, they lowered the price for me, 300 quid was a good deal so i didnt push much more.

 

If you order with dual ssd 2 x 256gb in raid 0 stripe does that mean that only 256gb is avIla le to use or 512gb. Are there 2 hdd bays in the m18x.

Sorry to sound so basic! Would really appreciate some learning.