Few questions regarding the M15x..

Hi,

I currently have a M1530 on order with Dell, but they keep delaying my order - so I've now had time to ponder over the M15x, and it looks like I'll probably order one sometime this week (and of course cancel the M1530!).

I have noticed that the current offerings don't include Penryn CPU's.

If I was to purchase one with say the T7500, can I buy an X9000 when they are released and swap the CPU over without invalidating the warranty? (I'm not too bothered if it does invalidate it ).

I noticed that on the (US) Alienware website, under the FAQs - they have detailed, picture by picture walkthroughs of how to replace / reseat various parts of the M15x (including CPU). So by the looks of that, you are allowed to "reseat" the CPU, so perhaps replacement wouldn't invalidate warranty?, thing is I don't know if things are different here in the UK.

Also is the M15x Penryn ready?, or will it need a BIOS update or new motherboard revision?.

Lastly, do Alienware often offer discounts of any sorts?, should I ring and try to haggle?, or contact an online sales rep and barter for some kind of code?. I noticed that quidco.com offer 3% cashback on Alienware (not coupon related - but affiliate based), but thats all I can find.

Any help / info is greatly appreciated!

 

how do i get to the faqs are to see these instructions?

 

http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/alienware.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_scf_c_language=205&

Just type in the search box - M15x.

 

awesome thanks

 

That is nice - there are lots of pics of the inside of the m15x. Seems pretty easy to upgrade and/or put AS5 on.

N

 

So, if I replace the CPU with a X9000, any idea if that is ok with Alienware?

 

I believe that you do not void your warranty, but you also have to send it back to warranty with the original CPU (in case something happens).
But the real problem is that the X9000 is a Penryn CPU and I am not sure if it is supported.

 

Yeah thats what I want to know, if it's just going to be a case of a bios update for the support of Penryn then that's brill and I will order one. But if its going to require a mobo revision or any hardware change then I will hold out for now.

I guess I could phone and ask tomorrow to try to find out unless someone has some magical information

 

The current gen of Penryn are on the Santa Rosa platform so that shouldn't be a problem.


BTW: Ugrade to X9000? Are you rich? -_- =/

 

No, just mad

 

that is amazing, that is the best online support for notebooks I have ever seen

thanks for the spot flam3h

will be able to confidently upgrade the processor when I can afford it

 

No worries,

I'm going to ring them in the morning regarding Penryn support and I'll post back any info.

If they are unwilling to comply, I will bribe the info out of them with the idea of me putting in their commission reference number on the order

 

lol, I think they will only confirm anything they have fully tested themselves

probably why they dont always put the latest of the latest in their notebooks

yes they have put the latest geforce in there, but at the end of the day it was bound to be a required addition

and considering alienware have survived the big slumps in the market and still hold their own besides being bought out by a company that actively competes against them

 

The only things that you can upgrade yourself without voiding the warranty is the RAM and harddrive, Flam3h. The video card can also be upgraded if you do so through Alienware.

You CANNOT upgrade the CPU on your own, this would VOID the warranty. And only through Alienware you can upgrade your CPU. Which also means that you have to wait until the X9000 is given the ok by Alienware testing.

If you are not sure about something, call their tech support site to be safe. Just a heads up.

 

Thanks for the info.

Im not too worried tbh, I will be purchasing it on a CC, so I should be covered for a year if the worst happens even if Alienware say no .

I expect most issues for warranty will show up within a couple of weeks of ownership anyway - (never had any problems with previous laptops, touch wood!).

I'll keep back the original cpu just in case, but I just need to check I can get a Penryn in there with no problems before I go ahead and order

 

Well,

I spoke to someone at Alienware (sounded like he was using some kind of voice change software lol).

He obviously didn't want to say much on the matter!.

What I gathered is that he doesn't know if the current laptops will accept a Penryn as they might need a different board. He then said that Alienware normally keep to one type of CPU on the laptops, meaning if Penryn is available it would be put in a new designed laptop not a current one.

He then said he doesn't know about BIOS updates to support Penryn as Alienware will only put out BIOS updates (via their hive software to customers), which are 100% needed and stable.

He did say that Alienware offer some kind of upgrade option, I couldn't quite understand what he meant - but mentioned when something has been completely approved Alienware will allow an upgrade of the CPU or GFX for example if the customer buys the part?. On that I didn't know if he meant self install or send it back to Alienware with the purchased part for them to install.

So, I guess - still in Limbo land. Cancelled the M1530 this morning and I am a little baffled on what to do!

 

Am I wrong that the m15x has already been tested with penryn Cpu?

http://www.intel.com/performance/mobile/extreme/mobileXE_config.htm
http://www.spec.org/cgi-bin/osgresults

also BIOS version looks the same

 

Interesting find ubsi!,

How do I use that www.spec.org search, as it's not coming up with the results I presume you tried to link?

Cheers

Wow, if that is true - the current BIOS is Penryn supported, Alienware have my money in a couple of days.

 

open the link and enter "intel" into matches box

 

Ah I see.

Alienware Area-51 M15x-R1 (Intel Core 2 Extreme X9000)

I wonder what the R1 stands for?, Revision 1?.

ubsi, you mentioned the BIOS looks the same, do you mean that the BIOS on the m15x /w X9000 is the same version of the ones that are currently shipping?

 

well in the first link under Bios version it says "Quanta* V.vX27-P3", and its the same for X7900, X9000 and T9500, but I am not sure if this is the version currently shipping, maybe one of the owners can answer this.

 

Has anyone tried a Penryn? The chipset supports it, so there's only the matter of the BIOS.
X7900 is a "Santa Rosa" generation (since it was released with the platform; actually it is a refresh) extreme CPU. The X9000 and T9300 are Penryn CPUs. The latest are not sold by Alienware (maybe because they always want to use the previous generation and not move on to a newer one), but may work. There is no risk in installing a Penryn CPU, other than the system not being able to boot (which can be fixed by putting back the other CPU).

 

Ok people, what is the current BIOS (UK and USA if possible) - hopefully they should be the same!

 

The current one can only be found out by contacting Alienware (since they have the latest BIOS all the time). And yes, they should have the same version for Europe and USA, as only the power connector is different.

 

Got this reply from Alienware regarding if Penryn is currently compatible.

Thank you for contacting Alienware.

According to the specifications of the Penryn processor, it will be supported on current mobile platforms with the Santa Rosa chipsets. As soon as this processor is released and properly tested, we will be offering it for sale on our systems along with any necessary updates.

While we allow our users to upgrade various parts on their systems, certain restrictions apply, such as motherboard, CPU, screen (in the case of mobile systems), heatsink, BIOS upgrades, and power supply changes (on desktop systems) since these changes need to be performed by our technicians at our service facilities in order to have them covered under warranty.

If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.


Best regards,

Milton Sanchez

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So it sounds like Penryn is coming, still no definate answer on is it compatible with their systems right now.

Anyone got the bios info on their current M15x?

 

lol its great how intel list the m15x as tested I wonder what aw want to do
to secure a release on their site, surely they would get more customers, or .... do they get their cpu supply via dell and are restricted so that dell can go first???

just a thought

by the way on an unrelated yet still technical note, does anyone know who manufactures the chassis on the m15x? or have alienware finally designed and built their own?


Noticed the mistake on the INTEL website regarding the processors?
it states that the 8800 is SLI!!!!!