My R2 vs R3 Results

I've had my R3 for about 2 weeks now and sold my R2 to my GF. My R2 was OC'd to about 2.0 Ghz. I can only enforce maximum turbo boost on my R3, which is also about 2.0 Ghz.

WPrime 32M score for my R2 was about 35s. R3 goes down to 29s

Running a mild OC on my 540m of 750/950, I'm getting about 8800 in 3DMark06.

NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M video card benchmark result - Intel Core i5-NNNN Mobile,Alienware M11xR3 score: 8839 3DMarks

My R2 got about 8000 (I forget how much my 335M was OC'd).

Intel HD Graphics video card benchmark result - Intel Core i5 Mobile, score: 8024 3DMarks

I transferred my existing Seagate Momentus over and simply updated the drivers.
The R3 fan can get loud when gaming, but it doesn't bother me.

Hinge seems solid. Keyboard seems firmer with no bulging in the WSAD area like on the R2. I like the screen better CMO1111, the R2 colors seem washed out, but that's all subjective (I haven't done any color calibration on either unit).

Left is R2, right is R3



Was it worth the extra $350 to upgrade from the R2 to the R3 (sold the R2 for $700 with 8gigs of RAM, bought the R3 for $1000 shipped w/taxes and bought 8 gigs from the Egg for $50). You betcha.

 

Nice review, are both screens set at the same brightness level? The R3 seems to be dimmed compared to the R2.

And how would you compare the fans of the R2 to the R3? You said the R3 was louder when gaming but it did not bother you, does the R2 bother you when gaming?

 

Thanks, yep, I made sure to bump up the brightness to max on both right before I took the picture.

I forgot to add that my R2, I put some standard case feet on the underside to elevate it more for better cooling. I did the same to my R3, but they're not as high, but it's high enough to give the same amount of cooling. In the picture, I elevated both with a CD case in the back so they'd be even. I really don't think you need a laptop cooler if you do this mod.

I'm running LinX as a write this and man, these 2nd gen I series run cool. My max CPU temp is 65C. The fan is quiet, when just stressing the CPU. My idle temps for GPU/CPU are 37\43C.

Playing WOT, my GPU temps don't break 75C. Fermi runs hot, so it doesn't surprise me that the fan ramps up to maximum when the video is stressed. When gaming, it does seem louder than my R2 (which has the latest BIOS).

 

The r3 uses a new lcd. It seems less contrasty than the older samsung. But. Its more neutral color wise. Garfield I have a shot with them next to each other with a color wheel on screen. PM if you want me to email you it.

 

Someone know if the R4 will come soon? cuz maybe I'll buy a m11x, so I dont want get the R3 and in a few days or months see the R4 in the web.. ty guys..

 

@MasiveOverkill: do you feel to small the m11x? I mean, u feel it as mini craptop? cuz the only think that make me doubt about buy it is the size...

 

I would never have owned a laptop had they not evolved into the power/compactness they have today. My desktop rigs should be an indication of my desire of maximum power in minimal space:

My MOM got all wet!!! Now I need a MOP - [H]ard|Forum
I'd like you all to meet my MOM - [H]ard|Forum
I've introduced you to my MOM, now meet a MILF - [H]ard|Forum
Massive's iCore7 SLI GTX 260 rig: - [H]ard|Forum
MassiveOverkill's Micro Fly take...... - [H]ard|Forum

Given the above rigs and the power I'm used to, I use my MX11 95% of the time. This is even after upgrading my mATX rig to a 2600 i7 with 16 gigs of RAM (re-using my Radeon 5850)

Bottom line is: If you don't mind lugging around something that really isn't portable, get something else. I like being able to use my laptop on long flights...........no other gaming laptop is small enough to be able to use in a cramped plane, with the guy in front of you reclining his seat all the way back.

 

ty a lot bro, you was very helpful!

 

Thanks for this. I'm glad to see that my purchase of the R2 a month before the R3 wasn't a big deal performance-wise, especially with overclocking and throttlestop.

 

I might consider getting the r3 if I can figure out how much I can sell my r1 for..though the gpu temps scare me a bit, 75 celcius dude?? thats a bit .___.

 

This babe run CoD Black Ops smoothly? and it can runs RTS?

 

Well clock per clock the 2nd gen is 20% faster, that's a big deal to me, in addition to the GPU upgrade. Just check out Anandtech's page where R2 and R3 benchmarks are compared:

AnandTech - Alienware M11x R3: Portable Powerhouse

Turbo boost on 2nd gen is higher than the 1st gen, so it still is faster clockwise (I've seen mine TB up to 2.2 Ghz)

I'm liking my USB 3.0, which cuts down time when I'm transferring files to my 32 gig USB 3.0 thumb drive. The gigabit LAN may not be a big deal to others, but this laptop will be doing some work duty and now I can experiment with iSCSI at gigabit speeds, plus there are places where I go where there is only ethernet, no wirelsss.

75 really isn't that bad.......85-90 is getting up there. I'd say 700 is a fair price, especially since you can't get the 2nd gen i5 anymore.

See above Anandtech review to get an idea

 

Im thinking about selling my r2 for an r3, whats the best deal with coupons one could get right now on an r3?

 

In the Dell outlet store you can get a good deal on the m11x r3, specially with a coupon!

 

Most impressive thing about this thread to me was "sold to GF" at a decent price.

Gratz.

 

They've been long gone for about a week due to that -15% coupon, unfortunately.

The ebay power-seller vultures spam F5 all day on their keyboards and hog them all once they get posted. They then relist them all, charge 25-50% more and rip off Europeans since it's substantially higher over there for Alienware laptops

If you want an R3 from the outlet, better refresh the page on your computer/smartphone every 15-30 minutes from morning to night for several days until you catch one lol

 

Good info here, thanks for that. Any gaming benchmarks? I am curious on how the R2 and R3 compare side by side as far as 'real world' benchmarks (ie games). Cheers

 

Nice! But those are very...disturbing titles.