m18x to get GTX 560m and 'other exciting GPU options' in June

I agree. Id rather put that cash to one side, wait till Ivy Bridge and upgrade then. For new buyers, its different I guess....if you can afford it, no reason not to get it.

 

AWESOME!!!!

 

Good for you Joker! Now we look forward to your review....finally.

 

I'm eyeing this: Burberry - CERAMIC CHRONOGRAPH BRACELET WATCH and a pair of diesel shoes.

 

I'm just making an observation but I think for people on the fence, a lot of posters are kinda showing some cognitive dissonance over their own purchases which is fine. But I notice most of the people who are thinking its outlandish for the price are:
1. People that have the m18x already
2. Ironically have the 2920xm.

For all intents and purposes, the midrange processor is always the sweet spot. The 2920xm is a e-peen benchmarker. It is completely reasonable to charge a big amount of money for the performance crown; especially at launch. Just because AMD has been more fair with their offerings, doesn't mean that is the normal in CPU/GPU technology and pricing wars.

Just for perspective, that is like saying "just buy the 4870s since the 5870s are only 10% different." MANY People said that. Then those people, bought the "latest and greatest" and then learned to squeeze even more power out of them. Plus the drivers will likely mature and squeeze even more power. The 6990's will likely take precedence over the 58070/6970 when they are released.

So the 10-20% adds up and is a quantifiable difference; especially two of them. That may actually allow you to SKIP an extra generation. For some, that is worth 1K. For other buyers, they could care less because they LOVE bleeding edge.

Lest not forget that the whole forums were crying for "not having a flagship that provided the BEST performance." Now we have it and it's "not worth it." Come on. Not tryin to be rude but calling it like I see it. People on the fence, if you can afford it...get it. It sounds like it supports 3D as well which is a nice bonus and finally a solution that can comfortably handle it...and probably BF3 as well

 

Nvidia didn't learn anything from us. If you go back farther into the m18x forum you will find all of us verbally abusing DELL for charging $800 for the 6970 xfire. After our QQ session the m18x's page went down and in a few days, the price dropped to $400.

Nvidia didn't get the message that no one is willing to spend $1200 for overpriced cards. Heck in the last few years, Intel lowered their prices to compete with AMD's phenom ii x4 that cannibalized the sub $200 bracket. Nvidia is the only gpu/cpu tech company as of right now that doesn't recognize that consumers who buy performance machines actually do their research to make the proper performance/$ decision.

 

Exactly, that's true$$$.
I don't own ati but I love ati or amd!

 

It is so precious to see people defend their purchase.

The 580m SLI is the strongest gpu combination available on the market, true. But it comes at a hefty cost. It is up to each individual to decide if they want to take that plunge, no need for downtalking each side.

Just my .02

 

But you are willing to spend 950 premium over the stock CPU? Come on. Most people will get the cheapest CPU and then upgrade the CPU from an ES on ebay or just a XM when the price decreases. Upgrading CPU's is almost as common as a RAM upgrade these days for someone willing to open the computer to save 500 bucks.

So yes, just as people are WILLING to spend 1K premium on a CPU, some will be willing to pay 1200 for TWO GPU's. The reason/need people buy is irrelevant here. We are talking pricing and therefore people with money to spend on the front end for the CPU are being very hypocritical for people wanting an extra 20% of performance on the front end for GPU performance.

 

Do not get me wrong, if the GTX 580m's were out when I ordered I most likely would have gotten them and a 2820qm or cheaper and then gotten the 2920xm later on.

As it is though, the GTX 580m's are very expensive compared to the next best thing. I think that people are criticizing that more than the CPUs. Intel does not have to compete with themselves on price because AMD is such a poor option right now for CPUs. Nvidia does have to compete with AMD for price on GPUs though as they are direct competitors.

I predict a 6990m with 1120 shaders and bumped clocks not being far out and it will match the GTX 580m and cost much less.

 

More of the sit and wait game...sigh

 

I could have easily replaced my cpu but the cheapest on ebay is $799. You also have to factor in the amount you paid for the 2630qm since you can't buy a m18x as a barebones system. You also missed that you don't get next business day replacement if your cpu fries.

The decision to buy a XM cpu also stems from the fact you can barely overclock the 2630qm-2820qm. The extreme cpu has a huge advantage in that regard. Imagine if the 6970's weren't able to be overclocked and then compare them to the 580m in sli. Then you would have a fair comparison.

As it stands the 6970m xfire is a like a 920xm, cheap and powerful. The 580m is a 940xm, expensive and marginally better than a 920xm. It's pretty obvious which gpu you will spend when you simply base decisions on performance/$.

Though I use my 2920xm in Autodesk Inventor and CATIA so there is a reason other than gaming.

 

Word. I agree with that and get that logic. I'm just not a wait and see type of person with technology. My personal philosophy is that when you are talking about a 3k Vs 4k COMPUTER (rich people think thats insane) it really is 6 1/2 dozen or the other so to speak. If you have to quibble over a few hundred bucks (500 upgrade Vs 1k) then it probably isn't completely logical to even get a gaming laptop luxury item to begin with. I dunno.

People just need to get what suits their needs. Most people upgrade every generation anyways so it makes this even more futile. People wanted the bleeding edge; they got it. If it's too expensive and someone wants to wait; awesome.

I bought a Viper in 2009. If I waited until 2010 I would have missed the whole 2009 driving season (Michigan weather). I think that was worth a few grand I could have saved if I waited. But I guess that says a lot about my personality; impulsive. I buy what I can afford and don't second guess too much.

 

When I first saw the announcement today I was a little peeved, even though I'm an ATI guy now after years upon years of Nvidia crap, and I thought to myself "well great." After I saw that it was a $1200 premium I literally laughed and thought "Anyone who jumps for this is a fool". $800 to have a graphics card that will be, my prediction, 10-15% better performance is insane. At a 15% improvement that's $53.50 a % point. Once again Nvidia you never cease to amaze me with your arrogant ego and inflated pricing schemes. I understand that some have their loyalty, Saosin , but come on $800 more? I can't imagine that you really are that crazy to bite on that... if the upgrade was $600 vs $400 I would bite probably, we all have an E-Peen

Here's hoping next year we'll see some competition between Nvidia and ATI with pricing, because right now it feels like ATI is always two steps ahead.

 

Looking over the benchmarks now with Extreme tessellation they aren't eating the 6970's alive. I never took you for a fanboy but seriously with a 10 to 15% increase and a 300% increase in price that is definitely fanboy affair. Good to see that you are spending your $1200 dollars elsewhere.

 

Nvidia should consider their pricing a bit more carefully. This is not a market to charge these kinds of prices.

That said, remember first adopters pay the highest prices. Time cures all things, including prices

 

Alas, with Nvidia the price barely changes till EOL of the card. The 485M is being phased out and that's the only reason Sager dropped the price.

 

Also see the 9800m GTX prices....Nvidia does not ever back down their mobile pricing....

 

You're basing this off the Heaven benchmark alone? Wait until its actually released with some mature drivers. I'm not a fanboy of any vendor, the last nVidia GPU I had was a 260M. However, I do know that these evergreen's on steroids don't have the tessellation performance of an optimized fermi. You'll see some popular titles that show a 20% lead for nVidia--for reference, a 6970M Xfire setup is "only" 25-30% faster than 5870M xfire yet people herald it as the next coming of Jesus. Lastly, how is everyone sure the price is $1200? I don't even see the configuration on Alienware's page yet. Like others mentioned, rather than blowing $1000 on a 2920xm, I'd rather grab a pair of 580M SLi. There is also external 3D support that comes with the 580M.

 

People have been quoted that $1200 by sales reps and judging by the shown pricing for the M17x R3 I would say $1200 is not an impossible number.

I agree though, had these been out when I purchased I would probably have traded the 2920xm for these

 

Yeah I just saw the M17x price. About $350 more than a single 6970M so it could be anywhere from $1000-$1200 I suppose. I hope some of these Clevo resellers get a pair of 580M SLi in hand to provide some real numbers. Well I'm off, be back in a few days once these things have been released.

 

Personally, I cant see it. Dell have a fairly good pricing ethos and this is the ticket to encourage customers to migrate to the new M18 from older models.

No one (or very few) people will pay $1200. They need to shift high volumes not not small quantities. Dell also have the scope and scale to acquire these units at a large discount.

I still dont think the benchmark issue is conclusive as we have only seen results from one source. Its amusing to see all the 6970 fans attack a product with little or no knowledge of its capability.

 

Glad to see top end Nvidia solutions back in Alienware systems. We'll have to wait and see on the pricing for each region though

 

Well, since I've been given the "go ahead" by my significant other, to buy a new M18x and replace my m17x this Christmas...I'm guessing that these will be priced a bit better. Sucks waiting but, all good things...so the saying goes.

 

I personally dont care who makes the gpu's - Nvidia or AMD....performance is the main criteria to look at followed closely by price. You cant look at one without considering the other unless you have endless pots of cash....

There may be SOME 6970 owners who adopt this aproach....for the majority though, I assume (like myself), its more about "comparing" the two options....of course there will be speculations about performance differences and until someone sticks x2 M18x's side by side, one with NV and the other AMD, there is no genuine comparison to take figures from.

As for the financial side, thats personal and down to the individual to warrant it to themselves....I couldnt warrant such a price....when I see that something costs, say FOUR times as much, I want there to be FOUR times the performance increase to warrant it....I dont think the NVidia cards offer that level of increased performance.

At $350 over a single 6970m in the M17x R3, its fairly apparent that dual cards would be $700-ish over dual 6970's....thats $1200 up from base. So for arguments sake, people who want to buy NV are looking at paying an extra $700 for whatever performance gain the 580m's offer.....thats how I would see them listed for the m18x.....$700 more than x/f 6970m.....is it worth it? - who knows...but some will think so and that quite rightly, is their choice.

Some people argue that blowing money on the 2920 is equivalent but lest we forget, there isnt another cpu manufacturer for these systems....its buy with an Intel or dont buy! - there can be no fanboy-ism when it comes down to cpu. You either buy the best available or dont. simple as that really...but in terms of gpu - when there is an option - i think anyone would be foolish not to consider the price to performance ratio of each particular option thats available and select according to your own budget or preference - especially when you can get a Crossfire 6970m setup for $320 atm (likely some $900 cheaper than 580m sli)

Still, Im looking forward to seeing how these 580m's actually do perform in an M18x......lets hope someone with lots of spare dosh orders one soon and puts up some figures, innit?

 

I have owned many ATI and NV cards but I am fairly new to laptop gaming. My current GTX 260 crapped out on me and the box is still in Dell hospital. I'm hoping its DOA.

I want to order a new M18 as a replacement. My preference is 580M. I am prepared to pay for the top of the line card but not at a silly price. If the charges that are being bounded about here are true, I will postpone my purchase until the R2 comes out next year.

Alternatively, I will keep my old laptop, take the £2.5' I would have spent on the M18 and get a killer GTX 590 desktop that will laugh in the face of any GPU configuration with an M after it.

 

Stevie I agree with a lot of what you say but don't get the competitor analogy. If it comes down to "price to performance ratio" then how would that not be applicable with the CPU? Just because there is only one manufacturer option for the CPU has nothing to do with price to performance. Clearly the 2.3ghz 8mb cache CPU is the best from a P/P perspective. The number of competitors is irrelevant for P/P unless you are comparing Intel/AMD and Nvidia/ATI from that same perspective.

For some, getting a high end CPU is worth it. Getting dual 580s will be worth it for some.

I guess I will throw a curve ball here. Not one person has mentioned the fact that AMD is about to release a successor to the 6970 a FEW months after the release of their current flagship. THough the pricing is "fair" (whatever fair means) on the 6970....it SHOULD be. Technically it's really just a mid/upper range GPU that never was intended to be the flagship. No one cares? I mean you just spent all that money on a new lappy, tops CPU and your GPU is about to be trumped by a new generation of AMD GPU's months later?

Therefore one could argue (I wouldn't I am just playind devil's advocate as I am all for technology advancement..and will pay for it) that AMD milked their own consumers. See, it's an endless cycle of internet bickering about what is "right." I just suggest people argue less about what is "right" as their is not a thing, and begin to enjoy what they have.

This is very simple, if you want the best price to performance part TODAY, but the 6970. IF you want the BEST today but a 580. If you want the best theoretical GPU WAIT. 3 options. Who cares what one chooses. Personally I think the 580 will, just like the 6970, play every game out there today and tomorrow well. However an extra 20% usually can help skip an extra generation (6 months to a year). The 5870s helped do that to the 4870s and those were very close in performance until you got to the ball busters. Plus driver maturity helped distance the close lead the 5870s had. That's another thing people forget: The 6990 will undoutedly get more performance support than the 6970, just as what happend with 5870/4870. The 580 won't have that problem. There is nothing coming out to trump it for awhile.

Thats just my 30,000 dollars opinion I guess...

 

I think everyone needs to chill. The SAME thing happened when the dual ATI cards dropped. They had a sky high price and it fell after that. These companies know that some people out there will pay that premium so they can can get some profit. Yea, the cards may have released yesterday but for the mainstream, NVIDIA knows that moving a large amount is a few weeks away.

Every now and then, I hear someone say, "Alienware is the Ferrari of computers". Maybe its just the Acura? It might sound silly but Prestige has a price... A ridiculous price. These companies know how to make money and judging by Nvidia's position in the market, its probably safe to say that they know what they ate doing. Not trying to start trouble but its just what I see.

 

OT
Diesel makes some damn nice watches and you can save yourself $850 or more. You can buy a lot of video card for that kind of dough.

On Topic
I was excited to hear about the 580m, but that price is way too rich for my tastes. I hope the 6990 will be priced to way undercut that. I'd hop on board in a heart beat.

 

The prices for 580M in its release is like watching the premier of a movie with celebs.
So, within a week or so, the prices will go down.
After all, there are some people who want things first and don't care about the price.
Anyway, getting a M18X and fighting about the gpu price is like getting a Ferrari and fighting over hoods and rims. If you can afford AW, you can afford additional options. (Most of us)
I still get a crazy look when I use my M17X in public and when they know the price, they are like

So, wait for a week or so after the gpu is added in AW M18X, then this thread can be discussed furthermore about the price. Till then its just speculations.

 

Hi,

Every press release on the GTX 580m says it's now available in the M18x (and in SLI configuration). However, Dell's website still only has 6970m CF and GTX 460m and 460m SLI configurations for the M18x video card. Their sales reps also have no idea when or even whether the GTX 580m SLI configuration will be available for the M18x.

At the same time, I've seen several posts on various websites from people who claim to have ordered this configuration from Dell already. Are they available yet, and if so, where?

Moreover, I've noticed that the websites that do offer the GTX 580m in SLI configuration only allow it with 1st gen i7 processors (i.e. no Sandy Bridge). Is there a compatibility issue here (e.g. GTX 580m SLI requiring six cores)?

Thanks!

 

I am the person who quoted the $1200 dollars, here is the chat, again.


This is an automated email sent from Dell Chat. The following information is a log of your session. Please save the log for your records.
Your session ID for this incident is 45049258.
Time Details
06/28/2011 10:05:05AM URL Shown: "https://chatadengine.dell.com/chatadsengine/adengine/Default.aspx?queue=b3e893a2-6bce-45a7-bdce-87cc0eef4ee2"
06/28/2011 10:05:09AM Session Started with Agent (Francisca A)
06/28/2011 10:05:44AM Jason: "Hello Francisca A .... I see that today Dell has launched the GTX 580m on the american site in their alienware laptops ...."
06/28/2011 10:05:55AM Jason: "I am wondering when this will be happening in Canada, in Particularly in the m18x ...;"
06/28/2011 10:06:54AM Agent (Francisca A): "Welcome to Dell Canada Chat! My name is Ann and I will be your Dell.ca Sales Chat Expert.
I can be reached at [email protected] or via phone at 1-800-BUY-DELL ext. 4162160. How can I help you today?"
06/28/2011 10:07:05AM Agent (Francisca A) sends page: "http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/topics/reftopic.aspx/gen/en/setrepcode?c=ca&l=en&s=dhs&rep_id=4162160&rep_type=CHAT&redirect_url=http%3A//www.dell.ca"
06/28/2011 10:07:08AM Agent (Francisca A): "Hi Jason"
06/28/2011 10:07:35AM Agent (Francisca A): "A moment while i check if we have the option of doing it manually Jason"
06/28/2011 10:12:03AM Jason: "no problem"
06/28/2011 10:12:24AM Agent (Francisca A): "Jason you can be added manually"
06/28/2011 10:12:45AM Jason: "into the m18x ?"
06/28/2011 10:12:55AM Jason: "and how much is the upgrade from the gtx 460 ?"
06/28/2011 10:13:19AM Agent (Francisca A): "Yes it can be added to the M18X"
06/28/2011 10:15:16AM Jason: "ok then, wondering how much the upgrade is to Dual gtx 580s or gtx 570ms ... or should I call sales ?"
06/28/2011 10:16:06AM Agent (Francisca A): "Jason the upgrade will be the same price"
06/28/2011 10:16:10AM Agent (Francisca A): "It is $525"
06/28/2011 10:16:19AM Agent (Francisca A): "for the 580m"
06/28/2011 10:17:03AM Jason: "what about dual gtx 580m ?"
06/28/2011 10:17:23AM Jason: "in sli"
06/28/2011 10:18:06AM Agent (Francisca A): "Jason we have a dual card option only on that, as we checked again"
06/28/2011 10:18:13AM Agent (Francisca A): "It is for $1200"
06/28/2011 10:18:50AM Jason: "many many thanks."
06/28/2011 10:18:54AM Jason: "that is all I needed to know"
06/28/2011 10:19:00AM Jason: "I just ordered 4 days ago"
06/28/2011 10:19:06AM Agent (Francisca A): "You're welcome"
06/28/2011 10:19:12AM Jason: "I may now have to cancel my order and go through all this again ..."
06/28/2011 10:19:34AM Agent (Francisca A): "Jason you call me directly so that i can place the order for you"
06/28/2011 10:19:38AM Jason: "i have to think about it ... but I am not happy (not with you, you were wonderful)"
06/28/2011 10:19:51AM Agent (Francisca A): "You can call me at 1-800-847-4096 ext. 4162160"
06/28/2011 10:20:01AM Jason: "I am just pissed at dell because I was asking about whether Dell would be getting these cards ... and now poof here they are"
06/28/2011 10:20:13AM Jason: "like I said I have to think about it ..."
06/28/2011 10:20:14AM Jason: "but thank you"
06/28/2011 10:20:46AM Agent (Francisca A): "Sure no problem"
06/28/2011 10:20:48AM Agent (Francisca A): "Is there anything else I can help you with at this time?"
06/28/2011 10:21:02AM Jason: "nope thank you again"
06/28/2011 10:22:03AM Agent (Francisca A): "If you have a minute, we would really appreciate your feedback on a quick survey that will pop up in a new window once you click on "exit". "
06/28/2011 10:22:07AM Agent (Francisca A): "Thank you for Choosing Dell. Have a wonderful day ahead."
06/28/2011 10:22:57AM Agent sent nudge
06/28/2011 10:23:31AM Session Ended - Nudge
06/28/2011 10:23:31AM Session Ended

 

Pearson, read my chat log, you can get the dual 580s in the m18x its just not on the webpage, a sales rep has to configure it for you.

 

i called in canada and they have no idea what a 580 is lol

 

580m SLI is $800 in canada

 

As for US, I've tried for last 36 hours to get a dell rep in USA (chat online only) with any clue about the 580m. All they suggested is it will be a option in 3-4 weeks. No pre-order no manual order adjustment. Am I getting the truth? Is there a USA rep that can handle a 580m sli order for the m18x now?

 

All i have is the chat log I posted, and I just finished a chat with another rep who said, "its not an option" ...

I am confused as well...

 

im getting a quote on the 580 sli, 4 year cc, 2720qm + epp. ill post it up as soon as i get it.

 

Yup this rep just told me the upgrade is only $800

 

so only double the cost of the 6970, now considering cancelling my order and reordering ... urg...

 

225-0887
1 Alienware M18x Space Black Anodized Aluminum
313-8792
1 AlienFX Color, Quasar Blue
421-5099
1 Alienware Command Center, M18X
317-6851
1 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz (2DIMMS)
317-6855
1 Intel Core i7 2720QM 2.2GHz (3.3GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache)
318-0770
1 Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
318-0842
1 Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner, DVD+-RW, CD-RW
421-1305
1 Roxio Creator Starter
320-2269
1 18.4-inch WideFHD 1920 x 1080 WLED
320-2318
1 Dual 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M NVIDIA SLI Enabled
320-2320
1 Intel Advanced-N 6200 a/g/n 2x2 MIMO Technology
469-0549
1 Bluetooth 3.0
331-2427
1 Alienware M18x 240W A/C Adapter
342-2626
1 320GB 7,200RPM HDD
410-0548
1 Adobe Acrobat Reader
410-9452
1 McAfee Platinum, 30 Day, MUI
420-9691
1 DataSafe Local BackUp
420-9956
1 PC Restore
421-0092
1 DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG
421-1400
1 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
953-8910
1 Dell Hardware Warranty Plus On-Site Service, Initial Year
953-8930
1 In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis, Parts and Labor On-Site Response, Initial Year
993-8552
1 Accidental Damage Service, 3 Years
994-3730
1 Warranty Support, Initial Year
953-8920
1 Dell Hardware Warranty Plus On-Site Service, Extended Year(s)
953-8950
1 In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis, Parts and Labor On-Site Response, 2 Year Extended
993-8582
1 Warranty Support, 2 Year Extended
009-6800
1 Shipping Fee
600-0043 1 Ontario $2.75 Environmental Handling Fee for Notebook Computers
331-2425 1 Standard Nameplate


After taxes and my discounts $3,900 even.

GTX 580m SLI is actually $1200. with EPP its $800. strangely a large discount with EPP.

I paid $2,990 for the lappy in my sig -_-. i dont think im gonna go ahead with it.

 

yea thats ... crazy.

 

I paid 2600 for the lappy in my sig with 2 year cc.

 

the thing is in 1-2 years time when theres only one mobile gpu available we could end up with nvidia or dead 580m sli users could end up with amd gpus as a replacement. its not worth the 1K increase for me JUST to get these cards now. in the future i could end up with the exact same replacement as everyone else gets even though they paid 1000+ more.

 

How did you get that quote? Call ? Chat online? online configuration?

 

i called. with epp and 3 year cc, and 2720QM as the only upgrades he said its 3974 after taxes. i asked for more discounts and he made it 3900 with the supervisors permission.


i was one of the lucky ones that got my 6970m CF for $150. ><....

 

Same here.

 

Yeah, as much as the bleeding edge goes, I find it hard to justify the 1000$+ for 15% performance increase especially since the 6990M is supposed to cost same as the 6970M and perform similarly to the 580M. I'd much rather upgrade the CPU (only if it's confirmed that there's no chance to get Ivy upgrade).

 

we have H67M so ivy bridge should work completely fine. i just want my double pipped heatsink.

 

We will get it soon, Bro. Stay tuned!