What users want in the M18x R2

Works fine bro, thanks!

Well we should strive for low power consumption always, more power means more heat output. ATI and Nvidia are heading in that direction anyway. So 330 Watts is high as we should ideally see, its better if it reduced.

MXM 3.0 and MXM 4.0 standards in future will ensure they wont go wild on power needs thats for sure.

 

@mharidas
You're right, it would reduce consumption, but this is not the role of the PSU (except through the performance of capacitors), now I think but I'm not sure that 330Watts are not sufficient for an OC'ed m18x , it's right or not?

 

ok...given the psu is rated at 330 watts with a max of about 380 to 400 watts..(no one has yet to find out)
cards at 100 watts each and cpu is 45 watts.
245 watts.
when over clocked.
you usually gain about 10 to 15 watts per card or so on mobile gpus
and cpu can be made to pull in about 100+ watts.
320 to 330 watts. (not sure about nvidia yet)
this is still well with in reason.
my clevo psu went from 240 w max up to 320w when seriously over clocked.
remember... this is not going to be a 100 percent time thing...

 

@johnksss
Thank you for this explanation !

 

I'd like to see a tea's made.

 

no one likes my idea for Tri-Fire or 3-way sli

 

@Zero989
I was thinking it's a joke

Perhaps in a 24 inch laptop

 

nope im serious. im ready for that 10mins of battery life . i'd actually be ok with "no battery". itll be a new breed of ultra portable desktop pcs. the m19x 14.5 lbs. .

 

Scaling isn't great even on the desktop yet other than for some benchmarks. AMD's Caymen series cards are offering near 100% scaling when going from single to crossfire on the desktops. We will enjoy this on the 7000Ms soon.

But both SLI and AMD solutions are not scaling well beyond two cards in games. Until this changes it a waste of our money.

 

I like the idea but we barely manage dual GPU issues.
AND definitely YES for all copper heatsinks. Gold > copper > aluminium.

 

Tri-Fire or 3-way SLI would be nice if it would work well, so to mharidas' point I would like to see it only if it was well-engineered and functioned properly. Otherwise, it would be a waste of money unless bragging rights is the primary goal.

As far as PSU is concerned, my personal opinion is having more than enough of anything is always better than adequate. The point on heat is valid, but energy conservation probably is not high on the list of priorities for most M18x power users.

To John's point, I would like to see the PSU capacity bumped up to a minimum of 400W just for overhead. That alone would not increase the heat factor on internal components, but it would provide overclockers and modders with room to do more without PSU limitations needing to be an area of concern as it has been for the M17x R2 owners.

 

we need for some users with 580m's and a kill a watt meter to find out if the system is even coming close to the 330w limit. (probably safe to say the next gen cards will be 100W as well)

scook9 ran occt and still never got above 330W (using 2920xm + dual 6990M's - over clocked - not sure how high)
that 330W is not the psu max power, but we have no idea at this time what it is...and since just over clocking the gpu's is no where near enough to find out...one would have to be running an extreme cpu with a serious over clock on all 4C/8T to push the cpu into the 100 watt category...
this alone will keep that psu at about 300W to 330W's (very extreme conditions - which dell is not concerned about..sorry)...unless some how a new rgb screen draws more power.

the components are 100W + 100W + 45W/85W
just throwing out ideas here....which can always change.

 

I was thinking more along the lines of future mods with more power-hungry components. But, it would be counter-intuitive for Alienware to provide something that would facilitate major component upgrades rather than new system sales.

 

im with you 100 percent!
but im also thinking how they would think...

 

My consumption is as follows:

Stock clocks: Most games:

225 watts max

Overclocked 800/1100 games:

250-257 watts

Furmark: stock clocks

238 watts

Furmark overclocked 800/1100:

267 Watts

 

thank you for the values, but you don't have extreme CPU and 580m GPU's.

 

that would add another 80-100W and the stock PSU will still be enough.

 

with my scores...i was still under 300W
2920xm (es)(4500mhz on all 8T's and dual 6990M at 885/1200) vantage

 

You had both GPUs at 885/1200?

 

yes. i always run sync'd
the funny thing is...i grabbed a 29.5k gpu score with a lower over clock. 880/1178. that one got a 29.1k gpu score.

 

Classic Hysteresis, at such high clocks even if the volts are fine and there are no artifacting, there can be instances when the switching of the transistors get in-consistent. Its called hysteresis.

It is a case of the GPU's freezing up and then getting back to operation mode again. Its different from a regular instability lock up. Its all to do with how holes and electrons flow in the switching cycle in the transistor at certain particular conditions. Wafer's structural robustness also comes into play here.

But nonetheless impressive clocks! Dry ice run? Or stock cooling?

 

click on hwbot to find your answer. im an over clocker.

 

no problem!
keep doing what your doing over here.

 

This is great technical info, bro. I am going to reply to this in the *OFFICIAL* Alienware M18x Benchmark Thread because it's a better fit over there. Let's stay on topic with what we want in the M18x R2.

 

I certainly don't want a THUNDERBOLT port completely replacing the Displayport port. I might be in favor of them dropping off the legacy VGA port in favor of thunderbolt, though. I'm surprised something like the M18x or any gaming laptop has an old VGA port at all, seems like something that would only still be on business notebooks for use with a broad range of projectors for presentations. Those of us with gaming laptops who ever needed a VGA port could probably spring for an adapter.

 

im incline to agree..since if you really want a vga port..usb 3.0 to vga would do fine.
High Resolution Adapters, USB to HDMI, USB to VGA, USB to DVI Adapters | Aluratek

pretty sure they have cheaper ones..but you all get the idea.

 

@Alienwhere
THUNDERBOLT port is compatible Displayport, there's no problem to replace it.

I think that the GPUs in the m18x actually cannot display more than 2 outputs, so Mini-Display, HDMI and THUNDERBOLT is sufficient no need for one displayport and THUNDERBOLT no ?

But like you i think it's time for the VGA to go back in the nothingness !

 

vga is GREAT!......for the netbook and low end laptops...lol.
since they can not run hdmi well to a 1080p screen.

 

Custom Colors Like Yellow!!! Also a Camera on the On the cover (like where the alien head is)

 

@MAITAI
I can not find at what would serve a camera on the external surface of the screen?

@All
I read in "Hardware magazine" that ASUS & ACER would integrate the THUNDERBOLT port while Apple and many other manufacturers were going to integrate the USB3.
This means that the THUNDERBOLT and USB3 will walk together in the future.
It's good that D/AW know that

 

now this should be in red.
10/10 gbps
but i only have one problem with this...it would need to have an on board chip so it's self detected and can be booted from it. with speeds of over 850mb you can run a ssd raid or re image or load games just as fast as being an on board drive.
now that i think about it...it can run multiple video streams...wonder if one port can run eyefinity 3 or 6 screens?(provided the gpus can handle the bandwidth.. )

dell, make sure you get on board with this tech here! which im sure your looking into...

 

Well i think THUNDERBOLT it's a very very good stuff, but not absolutely needed.

But like you I will be extremely happy with a THUNDERBOLT port !

Johnkss you can post a comment on the thread that is in my signature to fight for the THUNDERBOLT

 

personal opinion only:
but 1 TB port is worth 4 usb 3.0 ports / dvi-vga-hdmi-componet-composet /raid 0-1 or 5 /

downside

you have to daisy chain everything and buy all the added adapters to make all that stuff work..

 

I'd like to see these have their own color code in the original post:

2) RGB-LED or IPS RGB-LED @ 120Hz 3D screen
3) Bigger screen that fit 16:10 natural résolution with more PPI at 1920x1200 resolution

I think this is the top priority for the strong majority of users for the m18x R2 - and maybe for the vast majority as well. The screen is literally the only reason I do not own this machine right now. We know from Aikimox's research that better panels are being made. It would be nice if Dell used one of them.

I understand the current screen is pretty solid, but, at this price point, I don't believe that's good enough.

 

Hello MartinReyes,

The two line you talk about are already in red, that's mean "Absolutely Needed"

Please take a look at my signature, there's many DEll rep that follow us with big interest ! Vote and comment it

 

I realize they're already in red, but I would rate the screen at a different level of importance to everything else in red, and I suspect many others do as well. That's why I would prefer they be differentiated ... so it's obvious that the screen is THE key change we want. Everything else is miles behind and not on the same level.

 

How much more PPI is it the screen needs to have? The current 16:9 is 120ppi at 1920x1080, the earlier M17x R2 screen was 133ppi at 1920x1200. A 18" screen with 16:10 aspect ratio and 1920x1200 resolution will have around the same 120ppi density as the current 18.4" screen.

You can't get more ppi without increasing screen resolution, and come on, 1920x1080 or 1920x1200 is already pushing it for a notebook screen. The 15" and smaller screens with 1080p are just silly, the text is so small on them it's not even readable and people are using zoom for everything, which defeats the whole purpose of having a high res screen if you zoom and make everything bigger but blurry so you can read it.

The only argument for higher res screens would be to watch hi-def movies and games, but then you're back to needing a 1080p screen for that, making the argument for 16:10 a moot point since that's for more vertical area for viewing web pages and content creation programs and the like.

I'm happy with the 16:9 ratio, but would like to see a better screen, either RGB LED, or just a higher quality screen with more gamut and perhaps 3D/120Hz capability.

Now when it comes to 17" notebooks, yeah, I'd agree those would benefit from going back to the 16:10 screens.

 

@MartinReyes
For me everything in red needs to be done.
I do not want to create a too thin granularity as it would become hell with the opinion of each others, so I just separate what must absolutely done from what would be a real plus for the m18x R2.

[EDIT] I really enjoin you to going to post a comment on IdeaStorm, it is regularly read by the rep of Dell who are very interested. (Thanks to them)

@Alienwhere
I agree with you for the PPI, but my knoledge about this subject is too low, I prefer let specialist discuss this point with you before remove it from the wish list.

I not agree with you for the 1920x1200 resolution, i think there's enough places in the panel for a bigger screen 16:10 ratio. Also there's no problem to view a 16:9 movie on a 16:10 screen.

I'm a dev' and the 16:9 ratio on an 18.4" screen is not enough for me.

 

Hi all, update BLUETOOTH to new 4.0 and keep compatibility with the older bluetooth standards (they use different chip) would be a very cheap and nice update for the m18x.

 

@wacamole
Is that the Bluetooth chip embedded on the motherboard or on other stuff like network card ?

 

Hi Anentropik, yes, it's just an internal removable card. Latest smartphones, pads and other comunication devices are coming with bluetooth 4.0 already, and it's a completely new chip. I like to buy a system that ensures future compatiblity for the longest time possible... that's why I also want thunderbolt...
Anyway, as everybody is saying (hope that Dell is doing something about it) the only reason I didn't buy the m18x yet is because of the lack of RGB 120Hz display.

Dell presently only offer (as an option) Bluetooth 3.0 for the m18x

This is just an example of how it is the hardware:
DELL Wireless 355 Bluetooth Card for Windows Vista : Networking - Wireless & Wired | Dell

 

Ok, thank you wacamole for the nice precision.

I remove the PPI in the screen line.
I add "4.0 bluetooth"
I modify "THUNDERBOLT port replacing the display port and the very OLD VGA ouput"

 

I'd still rather have the Thunderbolt port AND the Displayport, and HDMI as well. Maybe even DVI-D (but probably as a mini DVI-D with adapter).

I was saying they should remove the VGA port and put the Thunderbolt in it's place, basically keeping everything else the same. I still want 6 USB 3.0 ports too. Having 2 USB 3.0 and 2 USB 2.0 just isn't cutting it. I also find it highly annoying to have the USB ports on the right side, right in the middle. Left handed people probably find the USB 3.0 port location equally annoying if they plug in external hard drives or anything else besides a wireless mouse adapter.

Disagree on the screen though, I like the whole 18.4" area in a 16:9 ratio. When you watch HD 1080p content on a 1920 x 1200 screen, it gets letterboxed, and it isn't a full 18.4", it's more like a 16" screen. I doubt they'd do something like offer both a 16:9 and 16:10 screen, even though that's what would make most people happy, and is more than possible given that half the laptops with 16:9 screens still have the area for a 16:10 screen, just without the huge filler bezels on top and bottom.

 

Hello Alienwhere,

We have already discussed about the screen, on this point I refer to others, so I'll let you try to convince them. (I vote for 16:10)

Regarding the Thunderbolt, someone here tell me that it was compatible with the "Display Port", so no longer needs the "Display Port".

If we ask only USB3 port then they will also be located on the left side but I still changed the line:
9) Only USB3 port and at least 6 port, and Located on the left side (Because of the problem using the mouse).

 

I would like the IR & AlienFX Color LED Logo(back of screen/Alienhead) re-added to the entire AW lineup.

 

Dont know if this one has been mentioned BUT.....

The HDMI out is rather "sloppy" - could do with a bit more "firmness" when plugged in (my HDMI cable is a good quality one but is by no means "solid" in the port when plugged in)

Also, I appreciate Dell putting a Displayport out on the 18x but why oh why a mini DP port - anyone tried buying a Mini DP to Full Size DP cable from Dell would find that they dont do one and that an adpator is required. As I hate clutter and unnecessary boxes on or around my desk, this is a no-no for me...either go back to full size DP or get a cable that will hook up my DELL laptop to my DELL monitor via DP without gadgetry.

(And yeah, I know that you can buy a mini Dp to DP elsewhere - my point being that its an oversight by Dell regarding connectivity)

 

OK I have ask IdeaStorm to wait more.

please everyone on the forum, come to tell what you think about thes point:
1) Displayport replacing the mini-Displayport
2) THUNDERBOLT replacing or not the (mini) displayport ?
3) THUNDERBOLT replacing the (mini) displayport
4) THUNDERBOLT replacing the VGA port
5) HSMI should be a bit more "firmness"

or other point evidently

I have now to make the thread to be definitive for IdeaStorm, and let DEll work on it.

Feel free to rewrite the line you want modify in the first thread, like that you be sure that I do what you want.

 

Mini DP are more tolerant to constant connect/disconnects, hence they would last much longer. I actually think it's a great idea on a laptop.

 

Une bonne proposition serait :
1) THUNDERBOLT replacing VGA (THB is compatible with full DP, no?)
2) Keep mini Displayport


right ?

 

What about HDMI input 1.4a supporting 3d input so if they offer 120hz screen we can use our xbox/PS3 3d games and 3d movies.

Currently the hdmi input is 1.3