Alienware m15x General Information - Post m15x questions here!

My m15x went from phase 4 to 6 today I hope other phase are that fast, I could hope to get it by the end of next week with alot of luck (I so should have pick 2 day shipping). I can't wait to see the 8800m gtx in action for myself

I also hope I'll be able to upgrade my vista to 64bit version without trouble so I can actually use the 4gig ram. Btw any one know if i'll be able to trade my 32 bit oem vista that come pre installed for a copy of the 64bit one? I know it can be done just not sure if it will work with a oem software if not I guess I'll just go buy it.

 

Right; with unlocked multipliers, overclocking is very easy. This article should explain everything to you.

 

Sorry for the noobish question, but since the m15x has an HDMI slot does that mean that I can simply hook up my ps3 via HDMI cable, and play my ps3 on the m15x?

 

No, it's only a HDMI output, meaning it can only output images so you can hook it up to a HDTV or something.

 

Is there any way to do that, though? use the screen for a console?

 

http://www.adaptec.com/en-US/support/Video/prod/AVC-1410/

 

lol what's GAMEBRIDGE?

and I love how Mr.Water ditched this forum for a different one! huff!

( http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=211399&page=2)

 

i dont think with m15x it will be very easy if not impossible

even m1730 struggles to keep over 3ghz at 100% load

 

I should have clarified that I meant for desktops. In a laptop you can only overclock the CPU from the BIOS if the laptop manufacturer allows you to. With the Dell XPS M1730 we tested, it had an X7900 that could be overclocked from the BIOS by changing the multiplier.
We haven't found out yet whether the m15x has BIOS controls that allow for overclocking. They would only work with the Extreme Edition processor.

 

Call them and see if they can change your shipping method to something faster It will cost more of course, but they'd probably be glad to do that for you.

 

When is the right time to get he m15x? im allowed to get it now but im looking for the best model. is the 2699 one the best already?

 

The best time to buy it is when all configuration options are available and the laptop is fully customisable which shouldn't be that far away now anyway... :yes:

 

ooh..the m15x isnt the full configuration right now?

 

I think they will change only santarosa with penryn! not that gain, I think.

a little OT: is penrin's chipset tha same as santarosa or it will support ddr2 800?

 

Right now, the Penryn works with Santa Rosa. It will be updated for Montevina.

 

ok, so ram will work @ 667 too! I think T7700 is the best compromise at this moment

 

Well, maybe for future buyers some pictures of the M15X will help decide

So if you have pictures from the M15X post them here, or if you own a M15X take some pictures to post them here!

 

Soon we'll be able to configure one from $1,499 and we'll also get the choice of the black and Skullcap designs.

 

was there an answer about the noise level of the fan?? and mrwater have you tried the stealth mode thingy yet? if so, how is it?
they need to hurry and and at least put the m17x on display....

 

Yeah, mrwater said it's only slightly noticable and is very low, much lower than he expected.

 

thanks. thats good to know. is there any official tests on the m15x yet? besides the retarded cnet one?

 

Nope, not yet. You should expect some reviews (and benchmarks) by the end of January and then more will carry on through February.

 

I know it says it has 667 mhz ram. Im going to upgrade, Can I put 800 mhz?

 

I find it hard to believe that AW hasn't released this system to Reviewer's. My god search the net and yo ucan't find much info on it at all. So far mrwater has the only hands on pics and comments to date.

And yes we are so jealous mrwater.

 

I want to know if there's a significant graphic difference with the 8800gt cards as compared with the 8600 gt card? I know the higher cards bring better frame rates and performance, but I want to know if the graphics are incredibly enhanced? or will i be looking at the same thing, but just moving faster and more stable lol

 

Take a look:

http://www.unwiredshow.tv/2007/11/19/22-nvidia-notebook-graphics/

 

Nope, sorry. The m15x is based on the Intel Santa Rosa platform and although it has an 800MHz FSB, it only supports 667MHz RAM. Don't worry though - the performance difference between 667 and 800 RAM is not noticeable. The Core 2 Duo is not as dependent on memory bandwidth for its performance as the Pentium 4.

 

Don't get 800MHz (PC2-6400) RAM as your system will not use more than 667MHz (PC2-5300); PC2-6400 RAM tends to have higher CAS latency ( normally 6 as opposed to 5 in PC2-5300, lower is better) and it'll simply downclock itself to 667MHz to match your system anyway, so no point in doing that

 

Hey,

I'm not an avid gamer, but have always been drawn to the cool design and high performance of Alienware notebooks. If I will only be occasionally gaming (if any at all), do you recommend I do not buy the m15x, and if so what's another notebook I may consider?

Thanks.

 

get the 8600 ones when it comes out? maybe?

 

Depends on the game u play. If u play games that demands high graphic power (say new or current games), AND if you are one of those ALL high settings junkie, then look nothing lower than m15x (of coz m17x is better).

But if you play say counter-strike 1.6 or Dota and something, maybe you shouldn't waste your money getting some power than you'll never use.

 

In my ASUS Notebook i did a upgrade with 4GB ddr2-800 CL5 Ram. The Notebook simply downclock itself to 667MHz but runs faster at CL4. For the 4GB i payed only 110$, so i would never ever buy the ram upgrade from Alienware.

 

do you think its more worth it to get it now and get it delivered before 21 feb(my spring break) rather than waiting till the end of this month and get it possibly after my break?

 

Personally I would wait it out, but thats because my preference is a black(maybe) ripley design with a 2.0 or 2.2 ghz processor, if you like the silver ripley and you like the specs i would say go for it! Basically they aren't letting us downgrade our items for a cheaper price and cosmetic options arent fully available. Just consider the options and if it will affect your use of it after break considerably. Good Luck!

 

I recommend that you complete the FAQ in the What Should I Buy forum (not in this forum) for notebook recommendations. It's the best way to get help.

 

well i want a black skullcap if possible. the options are fine..im goin for the xtreme processor..worth it??

 

Depends on what you're doing with it.. I've heard that processor upgrades don't significantly increase gaming performance, but they certainly would help with more CPU-intensive applications like pro-level graphic design.

 

Thanks Chaz, will do.

 

Has anyone noticed that upgrading to the Blu-ray burner now adds 29 days to the order??? I'm bummed about that because I wanted a Blu-ray drive on my laptop. Also the 1920 x 1200 screen will now delay your order as well. I'm waiting on a black ripley M15x and to me it seems that they don't even have enough supply to handle the current silver ripley's...because of this I'm really worried/wondering when we will be able to order the M15x in black? And when in the world will Penryn be available??? And don't forget we haven't even heard a peep about the M17x yet!

They announced all this back in Nov 2007 and we were supposed to see everything in the "Q1 2008 time frame" (by the way, February is a week from today). I'm not sure what is taking so long and why they haven't gotten their act together since November, but to me it seems more and more likely that we are going to slip past that time frame in regards to the color choices and launch of the M17x.

 

I said that long back in my Post
I know I will get my m17x in June when there Price will drop & all will be availabe
Theres Nothing we can do about it
Alienware is making aBad name for themselves

 

I have been doing some testing with stealth mode.

I'm not sure what it does besides turn the fans off, or slow them down, but the gpu temps rise up to around 62 degrees (just on desktop) in stealth mode. The processor is 55.

With the fans on, my resting temp is 50 for the cpu and 55 for the gpu.

Gaming, I have not gone over 65 since the first day. No idea why it got to be 74 degrees, but after an hour session of crysis, only warmed up to 65.
The cooling system in the m15x is pretty damn good

 

Those temps are a little worrisome with the 8700M (supposedly, the thermal envelope is only a bit larger for the 8800M GTX, but...)...those are internal temps in celsius, correct?

I know this is much more subjective (but it's much more meaningful to me), but how warm is the laptop base? the keyboard? the fan exhaust? If the base and keyboard are comfortable during gaming, then they'll definitely be comfortable for DVD viewing...

 

Just checked Alienware's support page for the m15x for the 100th time over the last two weeks...it's finally there...driver downloads (suggesting that the integrated graphics solution is indeed the X3100 with the Intel PM965 chipset...graphics driver for Intel PM965 version 7.14.10.1350...of course, take it with a grain of salt since they also list a Raid driver) and, more importantly, the Users' Manual...

Here's the link...

http://support.alienware.com/Suppor...ds_processed.aspx?os=&cat=32&manu=8&item=1050

 

Great news (at least for me)...it appears that the Audio Out jack is indeed SPDIF...

It even says that the Audio In is actually an auto-sensing out-ee or in-ee...and it also has SPDIF...

 

Manual says that Stealth Mode limits the total power draw of the laptop to 65W...so, in addition to turning off the fans, it probably severely limits the graphics chip (maybe even switches to the integrated chip) and CPU...the manual mentions that not all functionalities (is that a real word?) will be present in Stealth Mode...

 

only 65w ?!?!? wow... I would guess that it even shuts down one of the cores on the processor....

 

just for comparisons sake how much total power would the old alienware 15 inch laptops be drawing ?? or if it wasn't on stealth mode.?

 

I have no idea about comparisons with the older Alienwares...

But a T7500 draws a max of 35W and an 8800M GTX draws a max of 37W...for a total of 72W and you still have the LCD screen and HDD among other things to deal with...if Stealth Mode is effective for Office type software or, better yet, DVD viewing then this laptop will be a true gem...

DX10 gaming when plugged in...and enough battery life to get through at least one (if not two) DVDs when away from an outlet...WOW!!!

 

From looking at the pics mrwater has posted the power brick looks similar to the power supply of the XPS m1710. It has a 130 watt power supply. Although the 9300/9400 has a 90 watt power supply at teh same size. I am thinking if you buy an aftermarket power supply you can reduce the weight even more if it only draws 90 watts.

 

Of course! It turns the video card off and switches to the integrated graphics chip. That's the whole point of it :yes: