how will the i7 ulv improve Alienware M11x's gaming performance

The M11X can hit 7000 in 3DMark06, I've done it, and for an 11" notebook, thats not bad at all.

 

If they can make a m13x that's the same weight as the m11x but thinner due to the extra width to cool it, i'm all ears and my wallet would be yours alienware

 

To be fair DR650SE, you had to overlock both your gpu and cpu to get that 3dmark score. The Sony did not overlock at all.

The Sony only does well in 3dmark only because of how cpu oriented it is however.

 

Very true. I have a feeling with a better processor, this thing could have a lot of potential. Not to take away from it, I love it, but a better CPU would be a nice addition. It already has a strong GPU. Although with giving up a more powerful CPU, you get better battery life, which I love.

 

We don't know if they'll ever release a refresh of the M11x. If they do, it will likely contain an i5/i7 ULV OR a next-generation Sandy Bridge processor, if they choose to wait that long.

But, don't expect an i5/i7 processor in the machine anytime soon.

In terms of gaming improvement, it'd actually be very very little. The only games that'd see any noticeable improvement are very processor intensive games-and even they run very well already on the M11x, I thought Dragon Age: Origins would really bottleneck it seeming as it's a very processor intense game, however it runs perfect on the M11x as a youtube video demonstrates.

Not to mention giving up a better CPU also improves heat management, and brings down the cost. And at the end of the day, the ULV i5/i7 processors really aren't a massive improvement.

They would have been nice, but not really a significant difference.

 

No 1 seems to mention that while the i series ulv has 18 watts of power, 8 watts over the su7300 the i series has no front side bus its built into it the su7300 uses 10 watts for the chip + x amount fo watts for the northbridge fsb this is all combined in the i series so power consumption should be about the same.

 

the heatsink on m11x looks underweighted for i5+gt335m. what do you guys think.

 

Because it's still ultra-portable?

 

Firstly
Intel Launches Ultra-Low Voltage Core i3, i5 and i7 CPUs - PCWorld

And

Alienware M11x getting Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 upgrade next month, says Dell rep -- Engadget

So the new core-i-ULV series are supposedly around 32% quicker than the equivalent C2Duo-ULV chips, while being 15% more efficient power wise.

makes sense seeing as the Core I5-520UM runs at a stock speed of 1.066Ghz compared to the Su7300's 1.3Ghz, so theoretically they should have the same performance while the Core-i should improve on power savings.

Ofc the Core-i's have a max TDP of 18w vs the Su7300 having 10w but im guessing this is while the Core-i is in turbo mode, which in this cpu's case is a maximum of 1.866Ghz and should bring a nice 50%?¿ increase in performance at these speeds. (with the 32% clock for clock performance gain), although less if the Su7300 is overclocked to 1.6Ghz.

On the down side the chip costs $241 (trade) so with alienware / dell's pricing policy flick that upto around the $300 mark at least, which for me brings it far too close to M15x pricing, and tbh thats only the mid range of these chips.

Imagine the price markup on the Core-i7um's.

 

Yeah I agree with waht Nomad2k3 is saying. I dont think the new ULVs will consume more watts at lower clocks.

 

Both SU4100 and SU7300 cost $289 at release (Sept '09).

 

Ahh I see, well hopefully Dell wont place too much of a premium on the price of the refitted M11x.

Still I guess the i7um's will have an optional premium attached.

Also I see from some early benchmarks that the i5-520m overclocks very nicely, I have misplaced the bookmark of the site that tested it inside an ASUS ultra light notebook, but it showed an actual ASUS overclocking program bundled with the machine allowing the cpu to reach 2.4Ghz, which im also guessing will be under warranty for the machine.

Hopefully Dell / Alienware will also have something similar whether it's an actual program or a bios setting will have to remain to be seen.

Myself, I have been waiting for this rumoured cpu upgrade for the M11x before taking the plunge on this nice little machine as I have also been considering an M15x, and although I am in need of a nice portable machine im allways near a power outlet, and my gaming needs are mostly restricted to MMORPG's.
Well see in a few months what the prices are like (and if the M15x gets its nice GPU update by then) and then ill prolly plump for one or the other.

Edit* Found link

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Just wanted to post this link in case no one have done so yet;

Intel Ultra Thin: CULV Arrandale Boosts Performance and Reduces Size - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

The CPU list there shows new models, like Core i7-660UM. In any case, the base speed of all models there are >= 1.2 GHz.

 

i didn't even realise t but computex is tomorrow. if alienware want to release anything, i hope they do it at computex where people will notice, and not at e3 where people will just walk by it and ignore it.

mine went for repair - i think they'll end up replacing it. a little bit of me is secretly hoping they slip me a core i version, just so i can see a performance difference (if any). and also as a sorry present for making me send it for repairs 3 times.