*OFFICIAL* "All Powerful" M15x Owners Lounge - Part 4

No idea...tried doing a search for you also... found nothing.

My guess is though...that its alot crappier than AS5... hey if your bored.. i'd go ahead and apply it

i've looked at some benchies ( if you wanna call em that lol) and apparently mx-3 takes the top spot for thermal paste. AS5 is solid too ( thats the one i always use) but its only downfall is the 200hr+ cure time...

 

dell uses a generic paste so your AS5 will be much better.

for gaming duo 5870 all the way. if you can that with the i7, it will even be more sweeter.

 

Shoul've posted this in the *Official* M17x-R2 thread ... lol but i'll still help ya out im bored on my lunch break...

8gb is overkill.. stick with 4gb 1333mhz if your not a heavy AutoCad,Photoshop or video encoding user....

i7 720...mind as well not bother if you went for i5... the i7 720 is only better for multi-threaded apps ( very few as of right now)

Dual 5870's??? Now that's something to save up for .. And will give you the biggest performance increase out of all those

One thing you didn't mention... is your harddrive. If you got a standard 7,200rpm hhd, might wanna look into upgrading to an SSD in the future if you haven't alrdy got one. They'll make your laptop run super-fast, and is possibly the best way to increase the overall performance of your computer. Speed comes at a price though... as larger capacities are Friggin' expensive :s

 

hey inap.. i beat you on the first one.. you beat me on the second . that leaves us tied up at 1-1 ...LOL.. ahaha just messin' witcha

 

Thanks guys.. I'll wait a bit, i've heard different in some cases. So just to confirm, has anyone actually re-applied their thermal grease? Just I would hate to do it only to find my machine hotter afterwards..

 

hey inap didn't you say that there was a thermal pad instead of paste on the gpu now that i think of it? i could be mistaken

 

haha thermal pad.. sounds like a female hygiene product for women living in cold countries

 

The M15x driver page lists the DVD drive as a 12.7mm, the same as the M17x. I ordered the one from newmodeus.com that is slot loading and has a sata connector.

EDIT: On second thought. I did a quick measurement and it appears to be a 9.5mm drive. I emailed noewmodeus.com and I swear in literally 5min they updated my order to the 9.5mm caddy. http://newmodeus.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=259

 

your paste will be better, but it also depends on the application of it too. if the temp are acceptable then i wouldn't bother doing it.

on the gpu, there is compound but on the vram there is thermal gap pads, 1mm and 2 mm pads.

man J youve been on fire lately with all the oc stuff, nice work. and look at you post count bro it 420 time.

 

I'll probably go for it. If the temp goes down a few more celcius I could OC further and expect a quieter machine. Will report my results

 

Lmaooo hahahahahahhaa.... thats awesome.

Joke: What did the maxi-pad say to the fart?

-> You're the wind beneath my wings lolll.

friend of mine at work just told me that after i read your post out loud lolll

Wooott 420 .. almost made me wanna never post again! LOL...
Can'y wait for my 5870...thats why i've been pushing my 260 to its limits ( cuz i rly don't care)

That being said.. im a little disappointed with flashing my gpu as i still couldn't achieve 700/1100/1700 .. 680/1100/1680 is rock solid though. i was gaming with those clocks all night last night. first time i've gamed that long in AGES. So i know theyre rlly stable... ohwell i guess its better than 660/1100/1660 without the gpu flashing... not by much though :S... oh ya and temps playing BC2 never went over 73...which is actually.. really surprising.... .. ( with room temp around 22degrees celcius/72 farenheit for all you AMERICANS lolll)

I'm wondering if i can flash it past 1v...hmm gotta do some digging

Hey you gna try flashing your 260? its rlly quick...and it runs cooler than i thought. man m15x's are friggin AWESOME. no other laptop in the universe runs this cool!!! Even when the gpu is flashed to a higher voltage, and is OC''d it still keeps its cool . Man i'm excited just to Oc all over again with the 5870m ... not that it needs it hehehe

 

Quick request: If anyone with an M15x that recently loaded the A05 bios (or if it even came with it from the factory) has had the system become bricked (e.g. flashing lights and won't POST) or start developing random problems, PM me. I'd be interested to hear about it.

Jstarnino- I got your PM, I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can. Been a little tied up recently.

 

Hey everyone i got a 20" NEC MultiSync 2090UXi LCD for sale!

Those who don't know its a Top-of-the-line LCD panel for those who are into graphic design, photo and video editing, or those who just want a Fantastic monitor! Its probably the nicest lcd i've ever seen, and has alot of advanced features such as a Rotating Display Panel, which automatically rotates the image when turned vertically of horizontally! It also has a teloscopic stand, and can be raised higher or lower with ease. It also has the ability to be tiled with other monitors supporting that feature, along with much much more!

I posted it in the marketplace:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/nbr-marketplace/479943-20-nec-multisync-2090uxi-lcd-sale.html

I'm selling it for CHEAP!!

PM me if you're intrested!

 

hey guys if I get a oem ssd do i need anything for my m15x or do I just install, also does it void warranty and is it hard.

and another question,i think my temps are good but the bottom of the lappy get kinda hot and the exit vents aswell, is this normal, I don't see how people play with this on there lap.

hw monitor states:
core 0-4 52c-59c
powers proccesor 15.4 15.4 55.4
gpu 48c
assembly 48-50c

 

Hard drives are user upgradeable, and if you buy it OEM from DELL then you get their warranty on the drive you've purchased through them.

Its easy.

Windows 7 will optimize the drive when you do a fresh install but there are threads that give advice on SSD tweaking for maximum performance.

You might be better off buying an SSD from somewhere else rather than DELL though. Better price and Drive.

 

also my fans are quiet I am waiting for them to kick on and cool it down. hmmm

 

Btw, those temps don't seem high at all, I doubt your fans would really kick in until the temp goes up a little more. My SXPS idles at those temps lol.

 

wow ok just not used to it i guess

 

Mine came with A05 BIOS and it seems to be running perfectly. It's just the dern trackpad that I don't like

 

GO HABS GO!

GO HABS GO!

GO HABS GO!

To all my HABS fans out there!! WHAT A WIN

WE SHUT DOWN OVI BABAYY
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

 

ok guys so I ordered a intel 80gb ssd and I am wondering how hard the install is, and do I just use my windows disk from alienware to reinstall, I am so excited. Also how many screws am I taking out here


oh and to jstarnino your habs are toast when they run into my crosby.

 

Man your avatar is greeeat!
I went to see the game in a movie theater (the one where I work actually) it was crazy, people were screaming like crazies when Moore scored

 

if i didnt have to wake up at 530 in the monring for work... i was gunna go downtown with my friends to flip over some cars, break some windows... you know... like the riots last year when they beat boston hehehe

Only thing that sucks is that wer playin the Pens next...and crosby has been on fire!! What a weapon! *GULP*

Anyways im off to bed... see you guys tomorrow

 

just saw your post lolll

And i know. Trust me. i was skeptical all 7 games against the Capitals...But the sonofaguns pulled through! dont ask me how! Halak really played amazing though. Anyway, i could for days, maybe even weeks about hockey.. so i better go to bed lol...

Just wait till June 11th... MAn oh man in so EXCITED

 

the habs played great tho I hate ove anyways guys actually looking at the intel 80gb and the kingston 128 both are about the sam eprice but performance wise is the intel bette, also is it hard to install, how many screws do I have to unscrew.

 

well you have to take off the plastic plate by first removing the battery then the two screws holding it in place then hard drive caddy underneath where your left hand would typing. i havent done my usual inspection where i completely disassemble the machine then put it back together mainly ram, cpu, gpu, hard drive, dvd drive, and wireless card so i know what to say when this stuff comes up until then my guess would say look in the owners manual for info on this for best results

 

Is there a consensus best set of drivers out for the 260M? I just swapped mine over to the 197.16 WHQL - but figured I would check to see if those are showing decent performance for everyone, or if there is a better one to use for the time being.

 

im using the 197.16 drivers they work well in games i don't want to switch to any other drivers until i hear that a new one comes out with better performance until then im pretty happy

 

Has anyone tried upping the voltage in the 260 yet? I'd like to, but I'm a tad scared to mess with the gpu bios

 

Replacing the thermal compound gave pretty good reduction! Especially in GPU temps:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/480075-replacing-thermal-paste-m15x-i7.html

 

Real easy, there's 2 screws on the bottom cover (remove the battery to see them) and 4 screws holding the HDD but these ones stay attached to the mounting bracket so you can't lose them. There's also an adapter for the SATA and power that's easy to swap over.

From the service manual:

 

Allright boys and girls,

Got my AW m15x on Tuesday of this week. From ordering to in my dirty little hands, it was two weeks, ordered on the evening of April 13th, and got it the afternoon of April 27th. It actually left the factory on April 23rd (Friday), so it got stuck on the weekend. Came from the Nashville, TN plant to DC, which is 900 miles, so wasn't too far for it to go.

System specs: Lunar Grey, i7-620, GTX 260m, 4 GB RAM, 350 GB Harddrive, upgraded monitor to HD 1080. Build quality was excellent. I looked it over for a good 5 minutes before turning it on. Everything fit tight, all the seams were perfect.

Overall, very pleased with the machine and think it was worth the cost. The thing is heavy, weighing more than my cheapo HP 17" laptop that I have for general use. It's not much smaller than that computer either. It has a good solid feel to it. Haven't had much time to hit the games though. I installed CoD4:MW on it and it defaulted to all high graphics with all options, ran smooth as butter. I really gotta go out and get some new games to try on it.

Ordered the Orion backpack from Amazon to save some $$. Only took three days from order to receiving it, but it only had to travel two states away. The bag is excellent. One thing I missed when reading the specs for the bag that it is airport screening friendly, meaning you unzip it, lay it flat, and don't have to grab the laptop out of the bag. This helps as I plan on using this for my work and travels which happens a couple of times a month. Bag is big though and can carry a lot, including my instructional manuals, presentation materials, etc.

My wife now has major laptop envy though. She was on the AW website configuring a m11x. She's not a gamer, but likes to surf the web, read, etc. So that would be a perfect machine for her. I think she just likes the fact she could turn the colors to pink on the FX lighting .

Don't know if I will get into modding or overclocking for the games I like to play. I'm not much for online gaming and am fine with single player shooters and such. So have to find some good single player shooters soon.

The advice in these forums have been excellent though, from choosing what to get, to getting the discount, and what to keep an eye out for.

I would sit there and give everyone a +1 rep, but that would take forever, ha.

Thanks again everyone for the advice and tips.

 

Man!, your so lucky. My system still shows as in production and the dell reps haven't had any new information since the 13th. Although my system specs were updated on the 19th so I assume that means my systems delivery is pushed back another week but they all assure me that the 13th is the processing date and that my 3-4week delivery time is based on that date.

Long story short waiting on a replacement system is a pain.

 

wow nice job!!! so cpu temp were only down by alittle. but good work with the gpu. what method did you use to apply the paste?

sweet job putting that together smeggit.


here is something funny for you guys. so dell tech was suppose to come to repair my keyboard and screen, this morning. so i decided to be a nice guy and take everything apart ahead of times. as soon as i'm done taking it apart i get a call from the service tech provider saying it was delayed, maybe till monday. great timing dell. so now i put everything back and wait again.

but it was a good learning lesson, now i'm a pro at taking it apart,lol.

 

that's what i am wanting to do but am wanting to have a good 4 hours of free time without having to do something else so i can completely take it apart and then put it back together, helps me understand if i can do any small diy improvements maybe

 

Hang in there man. I thought it was going to take the full 5 weeks they told me up front. It moved into production the day after I ordered it and hung there. I didn't know it shipped until I logged in later and it showed shipped, had a number, and was already picked up. So it coming was a total surprise. I think it moves from in production to shipped faster than I realized. I remember ordering one before and it sat in shipping state for a couple of days.

It's always worth the wait when they come though. Now just have to find the time to actually enjoy it. Work is so busy and crazy right now.

 

taking it apart is actually not that bad, well i haven't gotten to the point of taking everything apart yet, but with the guide in hand it should be simple.

 

thanx wow very helpful, plus rep. one more queston though u speak of an adapter where is this do I have to buy it. Thanx sorry for the noob questions

 

Most of my games played well with the 197.16, but DCS Blackshark went from completely smooth with everything maxed out to unplayable fps. I switched back to the 195.xx and everything is working well now.

 

I used full spread on the CPU and the rice-grain on the GPU. I did put more than minimal on the CPU, apparently you can get away with very little..

The CPU just doesn't get as hot anymore even at full pelt (maximum now is only 62C). The GPU hasn't been over 67C in this last test and I've been playing several games for at least 30mins each. Definitely used to be around 76C Max

Can certainly recommend doing it if you're fine with removing your heatsinks etc. Not recommended if you cringe at the idea of taking the battery out

 

just use you existing adapter from your original hard drive.

 

my gpu never gets above 65 ever even oced 650/1100/1625 and thats with the stock paste

i do use the zalnam nc-2000 which is great

 

do you play borderlands because i would like to know if there is a difference using the 195 drivers compared to the 197 drivers

 

anyone one of u guys have ssd what u guys think of the intel 80gb and 40gb or kingston 64gb. Do u guys notice a difference? was it worth it.


also anyone use cooling pads thinking of getting one.

 

Honestly my 7200rpm 500GB is pretty darn fast and has a lot of space, so I don't really see the point of paying a premium for SSD any time soon.

 

yeah oem harddrive with win 7 is pretty quick. i think minimum ssd size should be 160gb if you do get one. if just gaming and regular use then ssd is overkill, but if you do stuff like photoshop, you will see alot of benefits from it, especially opening and saving big files.

 

wow u have have one too hmm see I game do school and internet, u saying its not worth it. See I have a free 230 from amazon cause they messed up on too orders so they gave me free 230 credit.

 

with your daily uses i don't really see a need for it, but if you have the credit then may as well use it, but i really recommend 160gb and up or otherwise you will have to carry an external hdd with you. i have 160gb and still would like to have more room.

 

wow how much stuff u have i use 40gb on mine

 

Been busy lately... how about i catch up

you know what... 197.16 were good....but man i just downloaded the 197.45 drivers a coulpe of days ago and they're AWESOME. Can OC even higher, and they're VERY stable. Better in game performance...and good in benchies also... probably the best drivers since 186.86 .. which were friggin amazing. Download them ASAP!!

the 197.45 drivers dont have notebook GPU support with WHQL certification though..But thats no biggy... All you gotta do is Delete the "nv_disp.inf" file
when you unpack the driver.... scroll down.. its there somewhere. Once you delete that.. which is the list of support desktop gpus... it installs perfect and works even more perfectly.

Don't worry, its safe

Here are the links :

http://forum.notebookreview.com/6186316-post9.html

Yup... flashed mine to 1v. Mad Easy...as long as you do it right ( and you don't brick your lappy). Took me no more than 5 mins.. That being said it didn't give me the performance boost i was hoping for. as it only gave me stable gpu clocks of 680/1120/1680 whereas before i could only achieve 660/1100/1660 .. ( im talking about rock solid stable, put through hours of gaming and benching and furmark). Also it didn't run much hotter either.. which was surprising...maybe only a couple degrees more? like 2-3 maybe? topping out at like 74~75 playing BC2. 5150Joker's guide is awesome on the first page of the throttling thread. just follow those steps. Here's the link for that:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...e-investigation-stock-clocks-overclocked.html

Damn thats awesomeness! i think ima crack this thing open sooner than i thought and give it a go... i wanna get me some mx-3 as its apprently the best with no curing time. i have some AS5 left though.. but i wanna try something new.

Everything plays amazing with the 197.45 drivers. hands down best drivers. Solved alot of issues with BC2 apparently... even though i never experienced any. Borderlands always played well for me also. But i never heard of DCS Blackshark?? dont even know what game that is lol sorry... cant help you out with that. but im sure it'll run smoother than ever.

230$ credit? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!! get minimum a 160gb... a nice intel They are the best out right now...so they say