Potential of the m11x r3 as a primary gaming rig

Somebody please help me...

I've been pulling my hair out for literally months deciding which AW laptop to get. The m11x is so portable, but then perhaps the m14x is too, plus it's more powerful, but then the m14x isn't THAT powerful, I need the m17x, but if I'm gonna get that I might as well go all out and get the m18x...Arghhh!

Basically I've just started law school and want one computer to use on the train there, and the same computer to game on when I get home. The only thing stopping me from getting the m11x r3 is I'm so worried I'm gonna drop around a grand on the thing and it's gonna struggle playing games like Skyrim, mass effect 2/3 etc, or just as bad, the screens gonna be too small.

So can any m11x owners give me some reassurance? Does the little alien have the potential of being a primary gaming rig? How's the 540m cope driving a HD TV?

Please help people!

 

well i ended up getting both the m11x and m14x. the m14x is much better at playing games at 1080p aka crysis 2. and overclocks 130% but now with the new nvidia driver my m11x can overclock up to 830 mhz in some games. the m11x can play some games at 1080p no prob and can pklay crysis 2 at 1600 by 900 pretty well. to be honest i am using my m11x way more than my m14x because i can carry it anywhere and playing at 720p is no prob with the 540m you will only have an issue with demanding games at 1080p. so really it just comes down to your preference. either way get a ssd for ur notebook you will be pleased and sometimes see a min fps increase for example crysis. good luck hope you find the alienware thats right for you

 

i would say go for the 14 you said you want it on the train and the 17 and 18 are just too damn big for that.. the m11 i have is a dream and so far hasnt found a game it cant play, but i would still go for M14 with an ssd drive it will be quicker and have a better graphics card than the m11 but still be way more portable than your average laptop but still be small enough to be almost ultra portable... just my opinion

 

i have an r1 and ME 2 runs great on high

 

I've survived for the past year with my R2 as my main machine. The portability is awesome and it is deceptively powerful for its size. I'm sure the R3 would be even better.

 

I play WOT (World of Tanks). I have an R3, but I also have a desktop rig that has the following specs:

Asus Maximus IV Gene Z68
LAN Gear MOM mATX case
i7 2600 @ 4.2 Ghz using ThrottleStop
Cocage Arrow
Asus 5850CU 1000/1125
4x4096 Mushkin DDR 1333
Western Digital WD2002FAEX
Corsair Force 3 60 gig as cache
Silverstone SST 75F-P

now my desktop rig is hooked up to my Bravia at 1920x1080, but believe it or not, I actually play better on my R3. Performance is similar, but of course were comparing 1920x1080 to 1376x768. Performance on my R3 does suck if I have to switch to battery, but on AC it rocks.

 

I see a lot of people thinking they can just hook an external display up to their M11x and get the same performance as a M14x or whatever. This is simply false... The reason this little laptop can do what it does is because it's native resolution is 1366x768.

If you play on playing games at 1080p, it will be on a game-by-game basis. Some games it will work, others will be brought to a screeching crawl. It all depends on what you plan to do. Games like Guild Wars will run at 1920x1080 perfectly, whereas other games will not.

I primarily play games at 1366x768, so I can tell you that at this resolution the M11x is a perfectly good primary gaming rig. I got rid of my desktop a long time ago, and have never regretted it. I use an external display and Lycosa keyboard when I'm at my desk, and it works very well.

When I was considering the M11x I had the same worries and fears that you did, but I went onto youtube and found gameplay videos of people playing the games I planned on playing on the M11x. This kinda sealed the deal for me. Figure out what games you plan on playing, and find out if they play or not. Check out the gaming thread in this forum for a good start.

 

you can get maximum power on battery if you switch your power settings, go to "change advanced power settings" on your desired power plan (preferably high performance). scroll down to graphics processor, click it and set "on battery" to "Max performance"

 

I love that game, glad it runs well on the laptop.

 

I know, but I leave it at default as when I do not have AC access, it's important for me to have battery life.

 

I've had my R1 for over a year now and I've found it to be an excellent machine. It easily handles older, non cpu dependant games without a hitch. It runs things like League of Legends, Starcraft 2, TF2, CS:S, Minecraft, Borderlands, and other normal (non crysis) games without any real trouble.

The main issue I found with the M11x is the CPU bottleneck, which could be worked around with a few registry tweaks, however given the cpu in the R3 is ~50% faster than the C2Duo in the R1, you should't have any troubles.

Whether or not it's a primary gaming rig is good question. If you want to use it as a desktop replacement and hook it up to a 1080p monitor, it won't cope well with new games, the 540M simply doesn't have the grunt. However, it's very easy to get used to the 11 inch screen, and in 1366x768, it will pretty much run any game you throw at it on decent/high settings. So, if your fine with using it as a mid end gaming desktop, its perfect.

In terms of portability, I've been using my M11x for school and it's unbeatable. Small, great battery life and perfect for LAN parties and the such. The m14x on the other hand is quite bulky. I saw one in JB the other day and they're deceptively heavy (almost a challenge to hold in one hand), and pretty thick as well. Not sure if it would be convenient on a train. Check them out in a store if you can before deciding.

Good luck!

 

Coming from the only person who has the U5400 Core 2 Duo M11X R2 model, I can tell you that this laptop (as other's have said) can run almost anything, even if it need be on low settings. I run my laptop at 1024X768, don't know why, I just prefer it more for some odd reason, then again I'm odd for getting the U5400 when I could of gotten the i5 or i7. Anyways, I haven't really had any trouble with any game, most things will run at 30+ FPS and heck... I even have BLACK OPS running at 60+ FPS on this thing, that's quite the acheivement.

All in all, if you're a serious gamer and need to be without any kind of lag at all and really care about your games being in normal-high+ settings all the time, then get the m14X. If you can handle having to sacrifice shadows in game and maybe having to play with some low settings, get the m11x.

Don't read the lies you see on the internet, Alienware is great. And it's worth the money for whichever model you get.

 

1st - determine what is better for your education needs right now. gaming 2nd.

 

I find myself running low resolutions on a 11" screen as the detail is completely lost on the small screen. Don't be thinking the m11x isn't powerfull, I was running 1080p on my 40" over 60fps.

 

what regestry tweaks did you do?

 

In favor of the M14x, I think they are bulky like traditional 15"+ laptops which is to say not THAT bulky. Compared to other 14" systems though it does seem large. Just like our sub 12ers are more like 13" systems.

 

I'm actually really impressed by the M11x-R3 as a gaming laptop. Now, I haven't used it on a higher resolution screen yet, but with the native 1366x768 screen I can play almost all games at highest detail settings and 4x FSAA (with 285.27 beta drivers). I didn't expect this to be the case as I got the laptop mainly for it's portability and work on the move, but now I even like to use it for gaming over my M17x-R2 as at it's native resolution, the performance on the M11x-R3 in games appears to be even better than with the M17x-R2 on the same settings (note that my M17x has two 4870 video cards still). I was impressed that The Witcher 2 runs that well, too.

I suspect the 540M may not be quite enough for the highest settings and 4xFSAA in most games on a 1920x1080 or higher resolution screen, but if you don't give too much about FSAA, it might just work out.

 

Thanks for all of the input folks.

It seems to boil down to two questions for me...

A) Is the screen on the m11x big enough to seriously game on for long periods of time?

B) Is the m14x portable enough?

I've decided to stop using performance and optical drive arguments to sway me either way. Both machines are capable of running the type of games I play (oblivion/fallout/soon to be Skyrim/basically anything Bethesda) and even if I go m14x I'm still gonna crack the games I own or mount iso's so that I don't need to carry CDs. It's all about screen size and portability.
Got about two weeks to decide these two questions. I've seen possibly every video review/gameplay vid on YouTube, as well as reading tons and tons on both machines.

I still can't decide.

 

The 11inch screen is fine for gaming, nice and crisp. And you can't talk about cracking games here dude, it's illegal

 

i had an m11x r1 and recently got a the m14x with the 900p display and I like it much better. i couldnt really game on the m11x too long because of the screen size. the only drawback im portability is that the m14x is heavier but not by too much. but in my opinion it has superior performance

 

For the record, I'm talking about cracking the games I own, which is fine, yeah? I wouldn't pirate games, if thats what you mean. I'm talking about a work around to not having an optical drive, where you still like to buy hard copies.

Thanks for advice folks on screen size btw.

 

I myself didn't think the screen was big enough for long-winded gaming sessions (especially since I'm used to 32" screens on my desktop), but actually using it has proven me wrong. The 11" screen has pleasantly surprised me and I can game on it for hours without problems.
Note that this is a subjective matter, however, what's good for one person may not be good for others.

 

to get an idea, its about the size of a magazine

 

The panel assembly is mag sized... the actual screen is a bit smaller.

To me, this all depends on your seating arrangement and how close you are. FOV and all that.

 

Yes this awesome little machine could definitely replace a desktop, depending on what resolution you wish to game that is like has already been stated. The built in screen is excellent and displays beautifully at 1366x768 but if you must have a bigger screen/higher res heres a playlist i made on youtube because im a nerd showing some videos of the M11x in action. The ones with HDMI test in the title are of the uploader hooking their M11x R1 (SU7300 1.6ghz) to a 720p HDTV via the HDMI port and gaming at 1280x720 with most of the games being on highest settings M11x - YouTube. If you hook it to a 1080p it will upscale it and perform the same. Also you should note that your going to have a better M11x than the one in those videos so it will have better performance.

 

Right, dudes, you've virtually convinced me. I'm this close to telling my girlfriend that we must buy it with i7 and aftermarket ssd and ram, for my educational needs.

3 more questions:

you guys find the dual core ULV processor fine? Not too much of a bottleneck? I don't even think games properly utilise the quad cores you get in m14x, do they?

Really really stupid question, but can someone confirm the actual screen (not panel) is 11.6" across the diagonal? I checked with someone's notebook how it would feel to game on something that small (without actually gaming) and thought it would be ok, and then was pleasantly surprised to measure the ACTUAL screen across the diagonal to see it was only 10". So if the actual screen on m11x is 11.6", that be cool.

Does it get too hot to sit on your lap when gaming full whack? That's one thing that puts me off m14x.

Cheers everyone, you're helping me out big time here.

And thanks for putting those videos together, ThwartAbyss! Seeing commander shepherd in the mass effect test was the highlight I think, ha!

 

1. The Ulv processor does handle most anything you throw at it but sometimes I do wish it was A quad core, but then I realize I'm playing mass effect 2 maxed out at 30 fps, and that's on an r1! At the same settings you will be getting +25fps so that's nothing complain about
2. I took a measure and it is 11.6 inches
3.I have an r1 which runs the coolest of the three and while it's fine sitting on my lap for long gaming sessions, I wouldn't recommend it on bare skin. (so no naked gaming for you!) but the r3 is the second coolest so you should be fine on you lap provided you regularly wear pants

 

Lol no naked gaming, oh! It used to turn my geeky girlfriend on so much as well. Why you think I want an m11x? Fit nicely between us in bed...

Can anyone kill the "dual core ain't good enuf" argument by agreeing that games don't even utilise four? I know Skyrim in particular is only optimised for two.

 

So, here's how I take it for current games, as of now, our technology for gaming is only a standard level in which we are upgrading engines from say 2000, back when Dual Cores where the shiz nit. Even the PS3 and XBOX still have lower end 3 Core Processors which are weaker than the M11X. Therefore, I believe that it won't be until next year when the new consoles are out that we will be seeing the M11X dual cores as obsolete (well not that far, but just less amazing than they are now).
Because let's face it, companies focus on consoles because that's where 85% of their profit comes from. And if the next generation consoles blow you right out of your shoes, then games will also start being crazy and complete resource hogs, therefore probably requiring Quad+ Cores.

So I guess my point here is YES you are correct, a Dual Core is perfectly fine for 99.99% of Games. I'd love to see the arguement against this, besides the fact that you may get just a few more FPS on a Quad Core.

 

I concur. The bottleneck is the console market. Most games are designed for the consoles, then ported to PC, whether the PR teams tell you that or not.

So basically, I don't see a problem with the dual core in the m11x (listen to me trying to convince myself). Really it's down to the individual clock speed of each core, right?

So all this quad core business is kinda overkill until the next consoles come out, unless:
A)crysis
B) you play the very few games (if any) that use quad
C) you're doing things other than gaming that require it

 

Hell you don't even need a quad core for crysis, the r3 should be able to run it maxed out considering I managed to get 16-17 fps maxed out on my r1. Oh yea, were quad cores even out in 2007?

 

It's not a good PC for your primary rig. My R1 is my primary and it cannot run games that have came out in 2011/2010/Crysis.

Tad' bit disappointed.

 

Yep Yep i love his buttface lol he looks worse than what my 6800GS did to him plus it was awesome seeing that it could handle ME1/2 on high.
The i7 wont be bottleneck for years (even as a dual) the 540m should give out before it. Youll be playing maxed on most games for years.
@AlienTroll I think your doing as your name suggests lol. Crysis is perfectly playable (i concede this is my perspective on playable you might not count playable as anything but on ultra high maxed at 2560x1440 running 120fps+ good god thats an expensive computer but hey your set until you die) to me on the R1 everything on high except shadows outputting to a HDTV at 1280x720 via HDMI. If you need more fps you can turn down settings and as we all know this game will still be beautiful. It handles Crysis 2 even better (granted this is the i3 not SU7300 but they have about same performance i can post one with SU7300 if want), Deus Ex HR on R1, Portal 2 (outputting to HDTV). Heres playlist most are of the R1. All the ones with HDMI test are of it outputting to HDTV. Of course the most important one is at the bottom. Ive gotta have my Kotor

 

Ok the processor in the R3 is fine. I'm convinced that this machine is good for a primary gaming rig. If anything, the 540m isn't going to completely max crysis out, but I don't know why I keep talking about that game anyway because I don't even like shooters anymore...! All about single player RPGs for me.

I'm definitely sticking with the m11x r3 now as my primary gaming rig. Stuff the m14x. I want to be able to game on battery easily, and I think the m14x will be too chunky. I'll end up not taking it with me.

If there's any lurkers out there (like i was) who want to ask any questions about the m11x, feel free to use this thread.

So going back to using it as a primary gaming rig, anyone got feedback on the WiDi?

 

Woot for RPGs! Thats what i use my laptop for RPGs and RTSs i leave most of the shooters for consoles (except the occasional counter strike Killtastrophe or l4d). Anyway made a terrific choice you have you wont be disappointed

 

Cool, so do you have any problem with the screen being lame? Lots of reviews talk about the screen being "below par"

E.G.

Alienware M11x R3 review | Laptops | Reviews | PC Pro

 

It is below par. It's a glossy netbook panel lottery that Dell also uses for their 11" netbooks, and there is a plastic glossy sheet ontop of all that.

BUT, it is what it is.

 

I have had quite a fair few trips away from home for weeks at a time this year, and my m11x makes it seem like I never left home. This thing is a beast for what it is. With a SSD it whips the pants off any laptop on the market in my opinion. Perfect blend of portability and power. Screen size would be the only 'complaint' but I'm cool with it for the most part

 

Thanks for the feedback on screen guys.

The screen does get some bad press, mainly for the reflectiveness. I think i'm just gonna gamble, i absolutely need the gaming on battery aspect of the m11x, and imo the m14x really isnt that portable ie. ya cant game on battery.

As for the machine as my primary gaming rig at home, Im just gonna use my TV on a low resolution and hope it plays well.

 

well if your TV is 720p it will work fine with everything it would work without the TV. Though it does have HDMI hiccups.

It works fine (not great) as a primary gaming rig for me. Got the I5 and since i am a fan of huge armies RTS, i do max it out often. But really, you can play most games at medium settings, just beat Deus Ex at medium setting (plus some AA) with some minor sub 20fps intervals. Completely playable, so if you aren't extremely picky about your graphics settings being at MAX you will be more than fine.

(170FPS in HL2 FTW)

 

Yeah, I'm not expecting super high settings, but I would want to play games like mass effect 2/fallout 3 on high(est?) settings.

Mainly, It's all about SKYRIM. I have literally been waiting for the past 4 years for it, and if it doesn't look great on the m11x r3 I'll be disappointed. Seeing the mountain peaks and big open tundra might be a little lame on an 11" screen, so I'm hoping it will look as good on a TV as it would if I was running it on a console.

Anyone provide an opinion as to whether this is likely?

 

well mass effect 2 worked fine on max on my gaming desktop so i am sure it will work on the R3 just as well, as this does get better FPS in games (it is an old gaming rig) same with fallout 3.

On my desktop most issues were on fallout 3 that i had 2gig ram and it constantly couldn't shove all the stuff i see in there so it would suffer performance wise.

and after googling SKYRIM and reading "Skyrim Will Have Decaptitations, Personal Slaves, and Drinking ..." i am officially as of 2 minutes ago waiting for that game as well.

Also wasn't elder scrolls that use same engine as fallout 3? then it will work fine at at very least between medium to high settings.

And as i said its if your TV is 720P if its 1080P playing at full resolution with same settings will have 30%ish less FPS, depends on game.

 

I am not joking, the R1 even on low settings cannot keep a stable 30FPS at native resolution.
You must get 18FPS all round if you run the game on high with low shadows. I'm picky when it comes to the FPS rate If you somehow run Crysis on High/low shadows with a FPS that stays over 30FPS. Please, please, please share!

 

Crysis should run fine at medium to high settings... if my 6300E with 2gig ram and 9600GT would run it fine at medium, RAM bottlenecks it all. i don't see how it can be unplayable on an M11x, considering you did upgrade RAM form 2gig and don't have a mountain of back ground apps running with all the widgetry and witchcraft.

I was playing on mint install of windows 7. I would recommend to run a registry clean as well, registry mechanic does wonders, especially when i was running win xp. Clean registry really helps a lot.

 

I think a 9600GT is stronger then a 335m. It's bad to compare a Desktop's parts to a Laptop's parts.
I have 4gigs of RAM. And I have even tried game-booster which closes mostly everything. But no, unstable FPS.

 

benchmark wise it is fairly close, plus 9600gt is a quite older card. tried it on 7900gs, would barely run at medium.

for comparison i get almost twice the FPS on my 540M in Half-life 2 than 9600gt. Same resolution all max settings. Them newer cards do perform quite a lot better.

Anyways ill try crysis on my 540m now and let u know how it goes.

EDIT: why would you want to play Crysis anyways? its crap

 

So thanks to the encouragement of some m11x owners in here I finally pulled the triggerand ordered...

M11xr3
I7 2617m
2gb gt 540m
2gb ram
250gb hdd
Killer card

So all I've gotta do now is figure out exactly how to install aftermarket ram (thinking 8gb) and ssd (thinking crucial m4 256gb) so that I can give the lil beast as much chance as poss to be my primary gaming rig

Can't wait!

 

LOL. alientroll, fits nicely. your doing something wrong with your m11x, because iv always got very good fps on crysis.

 

Just unscrew the bottom panel and pop em out, new ones in, all done. No trickery of clips etc. Lovely.
I found the I7 upgrade unnecessary, same with the video ram, as the card wont really be able to utilize all of it. Unless you rock some hardcore RTS... Those can max out any CPU.

C&C tiberium wars 3 + infinite resources = killer

FPS don't really require CPU for the AI etc. as all that is fairly simple compared to RTS.

Either that or you will be doing some serious video encoding for which a desktop is really more appropriate.

Anyways hope you'll love it as much as we all do great machine this one

 

Yeah I've read about the i7 v i5 stuff til my eyes got sore, went for the i7 purely for the extra 300mhz really, and the extra gig on the card came with it, but yeah I agree the card ain't gonna use that extra storage.

It's not so much the installing of the ram or ssd, it's the installing windows and drivers I've never done before. can't wait to get some Skyrim going on this baby, Literally clocked over 1000 hours with mods on Oblivion, TES powns all that cod malarky