Which M11X should I buy

So I'm looking for guidance. I've always wanted an Alienware laptop, and now I might just get one. I currently have a G73JH (stock clocks) and a HP Mini 311 (OC'd atom at 2.340 and Nvidia Ion at 560/1300). I don't really game too much but would like to play the new assassin's creed when it comes out.

I know there are 3 different versions of the M11X but don't know the benefits and downfalls of each. I know the newest one is the R3, but don't think I really need it since I have the G73. I'm looking for the one that I can do the most Overclocking or modding too.

I am in the Military (discount on newest one, if that is my best option) and may deploy to the middle east again (although I would live in a Villa), and I don't want to have to carry around the G73. I'm in the Coast Guard so I might be on a ship. The G73 would be a PITA to lug around.

 

Go for the r3 with the 540 nvidia chip, if you get the 700 dollar r2 thinking you will sav money you will regret not paying for the extra horsepower. If money isn't an issue get the i7 model and if you REALLY don't care about money get the 2 gb version of the 540m ( and lend me 20 bucks)

 

Well unfortunately 2GB on the 540m is a selling ploy. The 540m simply doesn't have the bandwidth (only a 128 bit bus) so it can't use 1GB let alone 2GB. It maintains around 750MB but in certain circumstances it may go higher... 1GB is perfect. 2GB will perform exactly the same. nVidia says the card accepts 1GB, but through OEM discretion 2GB can be put on it (hint hint... nVidia won't be the ones to say 2GB and then be called on it... but gives the means for the OEM folks to do it and put $ in their pockets).

To use 2GB vram you need a 256 bit bus, extreme resolutions (like 1600+), and a high-end card (the 540m is medium range).

I would do a search for m11x coupon codes. When I did it, I eventually came across ones that the first gave me the i7, 6GB memory, 540M, and 500GB hard drive for $1,049 and then another code gave me $50 off for a total of $999 which is about the same price as the entry level M11x r3. I don't think you'll find the same deal but maybe you will. I purchased mine about 2 months ago.

FYI the bigger cache of the i7 helps overclocking compared to the i5, it allows the CPU to have an overall lower thermal density while being able to keep more of the commonly used instructions in faster memory. I suspect the lower thermal density of the bigger cache is the reason for the improved Ghz and turbo boost from the i7 from the factory (i5 is 1.4GHz - 2.3GHz while i7 is 1.5GHz to 2.6GHz) but don't quote me on that.

 

If you get an R2 i7, you can overclock ridiculously, get one for cheap, and still be pretty powerful.

 

At this point I would not recommend an R1 unless you are only spending about $500. If you are looking at a used one or only want to spend around $700 I would go for an R2, this may be a good choice since you already have a gaming laptop. If you are buying new I would go for the R3 hands down. Faster cpu, faster gpu, usb 3.0, new hinges already (hate to be deployed and then the hinge break on you), wireless display tech if you want. Save your money and get the 1gb gpu unless you really need the faster cpu that its coupled with.

Reading your original post if you really want to tweak and mod then the R2 would probably suit you fine. I know it and the R1 both allow cpu and gpu overclocking.

 

In regards to overclockability and tweaking, the R2 seems to be the way to go. The R3 can't be that heavily tweaked except for GPU overclocking, whereas it seems people are getting some insane overclocking from both GPU and CPU on R2s.

 

I have an M11xR1 and while I'm happy with mine I would recommend the M11xR2 i7 for all the above reasons.

M11xR1 would only be a consideration if you found one mega cheap and even then I'd question the purchase.

 

I know the 2 gb 540 is useless but if you just don't give a crap, why not? Granted, you won't catch me getting it but I'm sure some dumb rich kids have already got it.

 

You can only get the 2GB card if you get the i7. There is no separate video card option that lets you choose either the 1GB or 2GB 540m. If you get the i5, you get 1GB. If you get the i7, you get the 2GB card.

 

I've had all three models and would recommend the R2 for the average gamer. The R3 can crank up the dial where the R2 can't but its more for the enthusiast that likes to see that 60fps. Let's put it this way.

The R1 to R2 boost is the most significant leap between each step (your FPS will double or triple in games).

The R2 to R3 will give you a boost where the R2 lacks (you will get maybe 10-20fps).

Just a point of view: The R2 plays Medium Settings in Bad Company 2 at about 30-40fps while the R3 plays High at the same settings.

The choice is very dependent on how much you like the "eye candy."

Considering I've had all three models I was considering creating a "guide" or comparison on my experiences of all three models.

 

Sounds like an awesome idea man!

 

That would be a great idea man, it would help out alot of people trying to decide which revision M11x would suit their needs best.

 

My stock R3 happily runs at 2.2 Ghz and blows away my R2 OC'd to 2.2 Ghz. Wprime times for my R3 is 29s. My R2 took 35s.

Then there's USB3 and gigabit LAN (yes I actually use it).

 

Alright I'll try to do a quick but informative one before I head back to University.

 

Thanks for all the responses. I still have to wait and see if I will receive the deployment (I'm USCG so I volunteer for it). I'm testing my OC now on my HP mini to see if it will suffice for what I need it for. If not, I will keep an eye out for an R2. Is there any processor that OC's better than the other on the R2? Is there anything else I need to look out for?

Thans again.

 

Are you asking which processors OC better on the R2?
The i5 typically overclocks lower than the i7

Or is there a CPU that OC better than the CPU on the R2?
The R3 has a better CPU than the R2. Most gaming laptops or laptops in general that are larger OC better.

 

No I was asking the first one. So I guess I'll be looking for an R2 i7. Thanks.

 

The highest bus overclocks have been achieved by i5 processors. If there are i7 processors that have a higher overall speed, it is because the cpu multiplier is higher with the i7 than it is with the i5 (14 vs. 17).

 

Estimation of when that guide will be done? Will be useful for a lot of people, my hands are cramping from writing out comparisons for people on youtube comments.

 

I have them all. R1, R2 and R3...
I recommend u a cheap R1, because it will cost u almost a half, and the difference in power is not too much...

Or wait for a R4...

ImageShack Album - 3 images

I am waiting for the m14x r2, that would be a beast...

 

What order are they in, in those pictures? You can change the color of the vents too?

 

R1, R2 and R3... cooler light colour is just the one of the keyboard......

 

in which games is this true?

 

Being honest to you guys, the r1 is a better and smarter choice than r2...

r1 (vga port, better battery life, cheaper, constant OC hz...)
r2 (a little better CPU, nothing else)
r3 (USB 3.0, better gpu and cpu, modern hardware...)

so my podium is:
r3
r1
r2

 

Really only in very new games that take advantage of multiple cores/hyper threading/all the other advanced features which arent many.

 

I've just bought a new R1 i3 on impulse - and am repenting at leisure, as they say. In my ignorance I thought that gaming specs would be great for video editing but they're not. I'd be grateful for advice on optimising my M11X because I adore the keyboard (though not the spaces between the keys, I'm a crumby devil) and the general comfort of it.

If this is not the place to ask, please point me to a more appropriate thread

 

use throttlestop, it lets you get the most out of your CPU on the r2's by making he CPU stay on constant overclock (and that is an r2 that you have the r1's have the C2D processor)

 

Wow, thank you for the instant reply but I'm worried now that I've made an even worse mistake - this is what I have:

Dell Alienware M11X 11.6 Inch Notebook (Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300,1.3GHz,4GB RAM,320GB HDD,WLAN,Webcam,Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Oh heck! I've amended my sig, removed the "i3" misinformation.

 

Editing software that leverages the GPU might do the trick and make you feel better about the i3. Thats theory though based on what I read. Havent done any testing. Ditto for the R1 C2D

 

I shall Google that

 

Sorry. Had a moment free just now... found some discussion. Maybe not that promising but perhaps you can explore. Be sure to report back!

Video Editor software using GPU? - Audio/Video Chat | DSLReports Forums

If curious I had done some nonproper unscientific testing when unboxing (scroll down)
http://www.notebookforums.com/t/232964/m11x-review-gnandgs

 

GnG (for short ), I'm tangled up in the ongoing task that caused me to splash out on an M11x in the first place! But later today I shall follow up on the leads you've kindly dug up for me. Thank you very much, I appreciate it.

 

Ah well throttlestop doesn't work on the C2D r1 sorry

 

S'OK - I had a look on YouTube and discovered that merely enabling overclocking in bios gives 1.73, and it does feel nippier.

My video editing is very basic, I've been recording a webcam stream and need to cut it up into manageable sections for uploading to a website. But I couldn't keep many video files on my hard drive because file handling slowed down and Windows Explorer kept hanging, "not responding", every time I right-clicked on a file - I couldn't even delete them to relieve the pressure. And the video is only low resolution so I was not impressed.

It's really unforgivable that I didn't check out this M11X more thoroughly before I hit the buy button but I was desperate and thought it was a bargain I'm very restricted, needing a true laptop to do desktop work, I can't afford £1000+.

Thanks for your responses

 

Folks were doing more complex with less so it's not the hardware. How can I dupe your results to test?

 

Well, you can fill up WinExplorer with double this amount and see how it handles

 

The guide is done
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/606025-deevus-quick-guide-buying-your-m11x.html