The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
← Previous page

    Alienware New Product Announcements/Speculations: Fall/Winter 2010

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by vikingrinn, Sep 10, 2010.

  1. Phinagle

    Phinagle Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,521
    Messages:
    4,392
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    106
    Discrete HD6300M and HD6500M are rebrands of HD5400 and HD56/700 GPUs which is why they're already being listed on AMD.com. HD6800M/Granville is also likely going to be a rebrand of the Mob. HD5800/Broadway GPU with the same changes to the BIOS. The real AMD GPU to wait for at the top end is HD6900M/Blackcomb which should be based off Barts (desktop HD6800).


    It's possible you'll see an R3 using HD6870M at first with an HD6970M coming as an option later, after CES.
     
  2. Joebarchuck

    Joebarchuck Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    881
    Messages:
    2,246
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Well, it's more than just a re-branded version of the 5xxx series. The architecture has been greatly improved. You are far from the almost pure rebrand that Nvidia did for the past few years...
     
  3. Irrational23

    Irrational23 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    44
    Messages:
    203
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    How long did it take for Alienware to release i5,i7 cores after they were released?

    If it took them a few months... it prolly will take the same amount of time for Sandy bridge.
     
  4. Phinagle

    Phinagle Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,521
    Messages:
    4,392
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    106
    HD6300M, HD6500M and likely HD6800M aren't architecturally different at all from the Mob. HD5000 series...they're just a new VBIOS with added 3D Blu-Ray and Dynamic Switchable Graphics support.

    The only difference between AMD's rebranding and Nvidia's is that there will be three new GPUs to go along with the old ones....Seymour, Whistler, and Blackcomb which should get HD6400M, HD66/700M, and HD6900M model numbers.
     
  5. lewdvig

    lewdvig Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,049
    Messages:
    2,319
    Likes Received:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    66
    These lame new products make it easy to skip upgrade cycles. Even the 280m will be able to hang with the new 6800 series parts.

    When I swap in my 280m there is barely a 20% difference between it and the 5850 (@ 5870+ clocks). The 280m traces all the way back to the 8800 GTX. Yikes.

    Mobility gaming GPUs need a big upgrade!

    I want dual 470m cards in the next M17x.
     
  6. bumbo2

    bumbo2 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    324
    Messages:
    1,612
    Likes Received:
    104
    Trophy Points:
    81
    Agree with you on that
     
  7. Phinagle

    Phinagle Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,521
    Messages:
    4,392
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    106
    If instead the Mob. HD5800 were rebranded with an HD6700M model number would you still want the GTX 470M over a GPU with a HD6800M model number? Consider also that that new HD6800M GPU would cost as much as the GTX 460M to make and should end up cheaper than GTX 470M.

    The hundreds digit in the HD6000 series doesn't hold the same meaning that it did in the HD5000 series.
     
  8. lewdvig

    lewdvig Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,049
    Messages:
    2,319
    Likes Received:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    66
    If that were true I would technically already have the 6750 (5850).

    If it were a 256bit/GDDR5 part that might sway me to upgrade my GPU to a new Radeon.

    More likely is that once someone (else) verifies the 470m works in an M15x I'll get one. The extra memory bandwidth and shader power should help. But if it performs like a 5870 I'll skip it completely.

    I'll keep this rig thorugh 2011 if current trends continue.

    If I was smarter, I would have just kept my M17x R1. Two 4870 or 280m cards and a C2Q would still be more than enough for most games.
     
  9. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

    Reputations:
    3,079
    Messages:
    4,207
    Likes Received:
    168
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Looks I will be the one to test out a 470m. However, I shall not get one until i see whether the M17x R3 will carry them. Then I can just get them from Dell.
     
  10. Natadiem

    Natadiem Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    216
    Messages:
    392
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    31
    In Japan, clevo added a single 470m instead of 460m for the 15inch model.
    I think the 470m would be fine in the M15x...just my 2 cents.
    No news about M17x R3 for weeks...I am starving :(
     
  11. mb67

    mb67 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    101
    Messages:
    458
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    To be honest, I'm still quite content with my 1st-Gen M11X and the M15X I bought back in July. They totally rock, however I'd be tempted to get a revamped M17X and sell the M15X if the rumors are true about an upcoming R3.
     
  12. kingp1ng

    kingp1ng Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    12
    Messages:
    411
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    From those M17x R3 pictures, it looks like Alienware has made it thinner. Maybe they'll also make the M15x thinner for the SB update.

    Sandy Bridge + thinner chassis + optimus + quad core = EPIC M15x
     
  13. nobodyshero

    nobodyshero Notebook Speculator

    Reputations:
    511
    Messages:
    879
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    QFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Sandy Bridge + thinner chassis + ATI 6870 (6970 if it can handle the heat) + 15' RGBLED option?! + better trackpad = finally goodbye to my dusty $3000. I don't see any realistic reason why it can't be made thinner with sandybridge and a 6870.
     
  14. DboogieC

    DboogieC Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    580
    Messages:
    1,010
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    ^ it wouldn't be an alienware without it being at least 2in thick ;) jk. but fro real id say it has to do with the heat it produces, and air flow.
     
  15. svl7

    svl7 T|I

    Reputations:
    4,719
    Messages:
    3,758
    Likes Received:
    134
    Trophy Points:
    131
    ^ still thin compared to bricks like clevo ^^
     
  16. ibraveheart

    ibraveheart Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    35
    Messages:
    593
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
  17. Phinagle

    Phinagle Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,521
    Messages:
    4,392
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    106
  18. kingp1ng

    kingp1ng Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    12
    Messages:
    411
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    ^ Going in a circle haha
     
  19. Santoku87

    Santoku87 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    85
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Hey guys. Been lurking around this forum for info on m17x r3. It will be my second laptop purchase following a 5'sh year old macbook with intel core duo. not core 2 duo. I've been rather torn with whether or not to wait for r3, but I took the plunge and got the r2 in the end because I think I got a good deal. For $2400 shipped at a lil less than $900 off. I got i7 840, 6GB ram, CF 5870, 1200p RGB, intel 6300 wireless. Didn't bother with HDD upgrade, and the 6GB was starting option for this model. Anyway. I just got notice that the system shipped, but I was wondering what you guys think about me taking it back since r3 is just around the corner. On one hand it'll still be an unheard of upgrade from my macbook. And if I did get that good of a deal out of it, maybe I should just keep it and wait for r3 to be refined later on. Which by then, newer technology will have come up and make me want to wait. However, in this case, we're maybe talking usb 3.0, sata III, 120Hz monitor, and more refined chassis. I think I can wait, but if it means this newer technology will have a $500 + price increase from my own, maybe not wait. I really want sata III, and usb 3.0 Although, I might be able to get usb 3.0 via express slot. If I could still get a similarly spec'd r3 with usb 3.0 and sata III, I'll wait. But I'm still torn all over! Please help.
     
  20. nobodyshero

    nobodyshero Notebook Speculator

    Reputations:
    511
    Messages:
    879
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    You got 30 days to return it the day it hits your doorstep. By the time 30 days elapses I can almost guarantee most of the valuable information and pricing on the R3 will be out by then to make your decision easier.

    On the bright side I don't exactly see the R3 in terms of gaming as a huge upgrade, the R3 is more about refinement and efficiency. The other bright side is if Alienware is stupid enough to discontinue RGBLED on the R3 you'll have the second best screen on the market on your hands if you keep it.
     
  21. Santoku87

    Santoku87 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    85
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    What about the 15% restocking fee? The 30 days to return it is great, even if it's only the 21 days after it leaves the warehouse. I would at least get to test drive it, as well as have *some time to get more info on the r3. I too was afraid that they would drop the RGBLED :). Still, if someone could confirm whether or not I would get hit the 15% restocking fee, or if I would have to pay return shipping, that would be very much appreciated.
     
  22. lewdvig

    lewdvig Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,049
    Messages:
    2,319
    Likes Received:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    66
    IMO architectural updates (SB new GPUS) and making it thinner are the only ways it can be made better. M15x is the perfect non DTR gaming notebook IMO.
     
  23. Tazalanche

    Tazalanche Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    105
    Messages:
    258
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Since 2004, it is a 21 day return policy for consumer product lines. 30 days is for enterprise equipment. Anyone that reads this forum could find something in these threads that is also wrong with their new system, which would cause Dell to waive the restocking fee (& send a return shipping label) within those 21 days.
     
  24. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    7,395
    Messages:
    7,964
    Likes Received:
    25
    Trophy Points:
    206
← Previous page