4850's Finally out for the m17

Oh thanks Mandrake....I see!

cheers Scook9 also, Im still undecided about the processor but thanks for the good advice. I notice that the X9100 is noticeably cheaper which is always a good thing considering it will be better in some situations.

 

Im gunna phone Alienware again on Monday(I phoned today after 5pm, and was told to phone back Monday) purely with the intention of getting a rough date of when this GPU upgrade will be available, if I dont get any joy then I think I will order that X9100 that I was considering initially.

Thanks gents!

 

Ah forget it...Im gunna order a X9100 now! but if I play my cards right I can probably stretch to a cheap SSD as well;
Which X9100 processor would you choose from this page;

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=x9100&_sacat=See-All-Categories
if I get that top one from Shirley for £187 I can probably spend about £150 on a SSD. Which would you get? what about that OEM one for £241(fourth down)
I want about a 120GB SSD but those OCz ones cost about £200 or £300 so will probably have to look at something smaller.

 

bear in mind that the top one(E0) and that one three places down(QS) work out the same in £ after shipping....which is supposedly better E0 or QS?

 

A lot of people here at NBR buy from ShirleyFu on eBay. Also keep in mind that as far as a M17 is concerned the T9900 is the same processor.

Edit: Also don't forget about the lower powered P9700.

 

Ah T9900 is the same processor!! cheers.

just a quick one Mandrake before I buy; QS or E0? which one in your opinion?

 

Either of these QHBQ X9100 will work:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Intel-Core-2-Extreme-Mobile-Processor-X9100-QS-QHBQ_W0QQitemZ180385770666QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item29ffd46caa&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A15|66%3A2|39%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Intel-CORE2-X9100-QHBQ-3-06-6M-1066-E0-stepping_W0QQitemZ260450959668QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ca4164134&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A15|66%3A2|39%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

No reason to buy an OEM off eBay since Intel will not offer a warranty on any CPU sold on an auction site.

 

E0 is the stepping and QS is an ES proc.

 

T9900 is the same speed but consumes 9 watts less power and doesn't have unlocked multipliers.

E0 is the core stepping and usually means the CPU is part of a Quality Sample (QS). A QS doesn't always have E0 stepping though.

Those QHBQ are QS with E0.

 

M17 could take advantage of the unlocked multiplier, so X9100 is probably a better choice. Where as T9900 is more suitable for laptops that doesn't support multiplier OC'ing.

Edit:
Phinagle got there before me.

BTW, anyone got their M17 with 4850 CF yet?

 

The M17 does care about the multipliers....does it?

Edit: Now i see my answer. I know the M17x can take advantage of it but I didn't think the M17 could.

 

Can OC the T9900 on the M17 using SetFSB software so it's not a big deal.

SetFSB is more warranty friendly too.

 

Hi guys,

right...Im half way there, Im gunna order that X9100 from Shirley..thanks for the assistance.
Who make good SSDs and what should I look for? Im looking to spend about £150..something like this looks good;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SAMSUNG-128GB-2-5-SATA-II-SSD-SOLID-STATE-HARDDRIVE-HD_W0QQitemZ200366189194QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_HardDrives_RL?hash=item2ea6c16a8a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65:12|66:2|39:1|72:1690|293:1|294:50
its near the top of my budget though.

 

The Samsung ones are nice. I'm using the 256GB version.

Edit: Find out how much Dell UK sells them for. You might be able to find coupons also.

 

Have you seen these Drake?

http://www.excaliberpc.com/592201/intel-aw80576sh0726mg-core-duo-p9700.html

http://www.automatedwebhosting.net/product_info.php?products_id=70927


Look like retail boxed so they should have full Intel coverage for the same price as the QS on eBay.

 

Unless there's another spec number there are no Retail box versions of the P9700. If there is a retail version I would definitely consider it.
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLGQS

This is still the cheapest I've seen it.
http://atacom.com/program/atacom.cg...&KEYWORDS=P9700&Disp_item2.x=0&Disp_item2.y=0

 

Hi guys,

Just about to order the processor but would also like to order the SSD tonight as well and will keep an eye for the Samsungs and check the Dell site(thanks Mandrake)
As for the processor guys, I dont do overclocking mainly because I dont understand it yet so its important to have a nice stock processor like the X9100.
Thanks guys!

 

X9100 is awesome. I run mine at stock, and it screams. Nice choice.

 

Just a quick one Marvie or whoever..Im rubbish at choosing between two items....shirley guy
or the other one in China....please, Im waiting on your answer..lol

 

its OK, I chose Shirley because its in the US.

 

right, just before I go to the checkout I have to ask you guys whether this SSD is OK for the M17 and whether its decent or not;

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/120Gb-OCZ-SATA300-Solid-Series-Solid-State-Drive

thanks.

 

bear in mind I want to use it as my primary HD with my Windows 7 installation on it. its 120GB
Could I fit my Windows 7 installation and everyday files on a 64GB SSD??

 

Last I heard the Solid series disks still used the old jmicron controller (JMF602). This controller suffers from high random write speeds and latencies, which causes stuttering. I don't know if any of the firmware upgrades fixed it.

 

Ah...Patricia Arquette is using an Alienware notebook on "Medium"

 

sorry missed that Mandrake!

Do you mean all SSDs?

 

You're right they are OEM.

Just called and spoke with ATACOM.com and ExcaliburPC.com regarding coverage and ATACOM confirmed they only offer a 90 day on OEM CPUs but ExcaliburPC said that the 1 year they offer on the P9700 is through them not Intel. They offer a 3 year warranty on retail boxed CPUs.

 

no specifically the one you linked.

 

Will this SSD be OK in the M17?

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/120Gb-OCZ-SATA300-Solid-Series-Solid-State-Drive

if so then Im gunna get it.

I did hear Rob41 talk about this problem you mentioned a while back but he still advised me to invest in one!

 

Did you ask if they were in stock?

 

Oh I see Mandrake!

will have to wait a while longer then for someone to confirm whether a firmware upgrade has been issued.

thanks.

 

I would avoid it unless you find out the issue is fixed. The Samsung one you linked earlier is much better.

 

Excalibur site says 163 are in stock as of Jul 24, 2009 4:04 PM PST.

I think they all get them from the same vendors cause 86 of them are from Fremont, CA where ATACOM is located.

 

what about Corsair? Ive seen a nice one! are these a good company?

 

Good company, yes.

The Corsair P256 IS the Samsung drive I have. They just put their label on it. I'm not sure about the other Corsairs.

 

OK thanks Mandrake, that will do for me, ordering now.
It has Samsung components and 100years life expectancy.

Thanks to you, Phinangle and Marvie for all your assistance tonight.

Sorry for asking a million questions....its just me!

 

I have a Corsair SSD 120GB G1D which I purchased from scan.co.uk a few months back for £180. They no longer sell this model I but have had no problems with the drive in my M17 x9100. The general speed of the laptop is faster but is it worth the money, not really sure.

 

Hi vF3....that OCZ SSD I linked to was from SCAN but I decided to get one of these here(fourth one down for £197;

http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Lukozer-Computers__W0QQ_sidZ179898187?_nkw=corsair+ssd&submit=Search

I suspect its similar to yours! whether or not its really worth that money is something we can associate with most of the things we discuss buying on this forum really.

thanks pal.

 

Damn...the seller of the Corsair SSD has refunded my money; no longer in stock.

this happens too many times! people should remove their listings when not in stock.
I will look at scan.co.uk

 

quick question guys....do you think a 60GB SSD will be big enough for my primary HD(just Windows)??

 

That's more than big enough for Windows, Vista or 7 will only ever take a maximum of about 30GB. It's the programmes you add on afterwards that really steal space!

 

yeah, I think Im using 55GB now! I have a few programmes installed but would not like to think I was restricted and not be able to add new programmes in the future due to HD space.

decisions decisions!

I think I will keep looking for 128GB or even 80GB.

thanks Alex.

I

 

No worries mate; the limitations in size for the cheaper models amongst other reasons is why Im sticking with a good old fashioned 7200RPM drive for now

 

I chose this one;

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/64GB...SSD-SATA-II-Read-220MB-s-Write-135MB-s-Retail

thats me done now.

Hopefully next time someone re-opens this thread the 4850 upgrade will be available....hopefully it will be a month or two now, give me chance to get the money together again!

thanks.

 

any benchmarks yet?

 

nobodies got these 4850s yet Im afraid....its been a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
Someone was sent some by accident and is struggling to find compatible drivers as mentioned in another thread.

 

Didn't Alienware provide the necassary drivers for the 4850's when they sent the cards?

 

As far as I know no one has a new m17 with 4850's

 

Col. Kurtz....no Alienware said that they had sent the cards out by accident and asked him to return them at first. Since then it appears they have let him(Marshall) get on with it...unsupported of course!

 

Cool man. Thanks for the info! Just curious what other people's experience is with this situation.

 

Actually Marshall has them... but they aren't working.. and now I see you already said that lol