M11x now advertised at 1.73Ghz OC

When I first ordered the M11x back on 2/12 the processor was listed as Intel Core2 Duo SU7300 1.3Ghz (3mb cach, 800Mhz FSB). Now today my order changed to Intel Core2 Duo SU7300 (3mb cach, 800Mhz FSB) Overclockable to 1.73Ghz. Also the Ram is listed as 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066Mhz. So if Dell/AW is advertising the processor at 1.73Ghz, it better run at that speed without issues and not 1.6Ghz.

 

Well, depending on what program you run it could be shown as 1.73GHz. Just seems very odd they'd change the multiplier to 6x instead of 6.5x by 266MHz FSB. Nobody has been able to confirm really what it is. But by what you're saying perhaps its actually 1.73GHz.

 

Do you mind taking a screen shot of that section of you order? I just checked the customizing site and it doesn't say anything. Perhaps a new bios is coming out.

 

I just found it interesting that they actualy changed my order to say its Overclockable to 1.73Ghz. I wonder if they changed something? I will find out next week when I get it.

 

It's showing up on my order status page as well.

 

Very nice. Now I'm almost certain a new bios is coming to allow full OC or fix whatever bug that was restricting the 1.73.

 

cool beans. now wheres the update?

 

Come on battery charge disable feature...

 

I don't see that option for the factory OC to 1.73GHZ

 

It's not on the main customization site, only people's order specs so most likely the change is coming.

 

They make you use the blackboard too? * Nelson voice: "Ha..... ha....." *

I suppose the same will go for SU4100?

 

@Joebarchuck
It is not factory OC to 1.73. All they are claiming is that it is overclockable to 1.73.

 

Nobody has been able to confirm if factory OC is actually 1.6 or 1.73 GHz yet anyways. Different reports from different programs, and Dell has been mum on it. If it was 1.6 and we will actually get 1.73 then that will be a nice little boost.

 

Right but that tells me that Dell/AW is saying this machine will go to 1.73ghz when OCed and not the current 1.6Ghz. The 1.6Ghz was never advertised, the 1.73Ghz is.

 

False Advertisment???

 

This just all points to that the current OC everyone is getting with the 6.0x multiplier and lower CPU voltage is a bug.

 

You are missing a point here... before you can positively state it is running at 1.6GHz you have to prove it. Wingnut put it best a post above yours -

I know the argument that CPUz displays this on the ASUS - but, ask yourself this, is it possible that the ASUS or perhaps the version of CPUz they were using is different from the version you are using or the CPU installed in the M11x?

Anandtech's review where you all see the screenshot of CPUz is from 9/14/2009. The version of CPUz they are using is 1.52.2. Now, I am not saying that the M11x SU7300 is at 1.6GHz or 1.73GHz. What I am saying is you have to investigate it further and look at the data.

Windows reports it @ 1.73
Futuremark reports it @ 1.73

The most interesting report - which I have posted in two other threads which are on the same topic -

CPU TrueSpeed reports it @ 1.73

Now the reason why I consider this important/interesting is the author's description of CPU TrueSpeed and his FAQ. See below:

------------------------------------
Product CPU TrueSpeed 1.8
Details Ultra high-precision CPU speed detector (+/- 0.001 MHz)
Created Jun 15, 2000
Last update Feb 23, 2009
OS Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista
Limitations Will not work with I486 and older CPUs.

From the author's FAQ:

So, everyone will make up their own minds on this. At some point I am sure our resident AW Alien will be able to confirm, or perhaps it will be confirmed upon the next update release of CPUz.

If you are interested in seeing the result from CPU TrueSpeed, you can grab it here:
http://www.geocities.com/izenkov/Zip/ts-1.8.zip

 

Thanks BatBoy!

I always wondered if a program like this existed. Seems everything else wasn't actually calculating but just reading system data, which could be right or wrong.

I have near 100% confidence that this thing is running at 1733MHz now. That would make most sense anyhow. The other question though is why the voltage drop, or perhaps thats a mis-reading too!

I think another good way would be to run a CPU benchmark and compare with an Asus known to run at 1733MHz and see if they're quite similar. I know there'd be other factors in the system, but I would think it would be marginal compared to difference between 1.6GHz and 1.73GHz

 

what a silly discussion again on this, it's such a negligible difference between 1.6 or 1.73. Personally, I run at 1.3 any game (Crysis, BC2...) and so far had no issues.

 

It very well could be wing. Again, its just something to consider. I dont believe Windows is reporting it incorrectly and I do not believe Futuremark would be wrong either.

Another thing to consider - was the Anandtech review unit an ES CPU? Perhaps. Would it make a difference? I don't know.

 

Ok something interseting. I have my desktop Q9650 CPU overcloked to 3.8Ghz and windows shows it as 3.6Ghz yet CPUz shows it at 3.8Ghz. So its all in the program I guess. We will see. We still need a BIOS update for the m11x. I bought my XPS m1210 for $720 and have had no problems at all. It has been the best laptop I have ever had. The M11x is actualy the first brand new laptop I have ever bought. I figure it should be good right out of the box.

 

Did a bit more research and here is a "twist" -

Take a look at the attached screenshot (M17x). I currently have my M17x OCd to 3.07GHz. Look at Windows Sys Properties. Windows reports the CPU as:

2.53GHz 3.07GHz

The default speed on the CPU is 2.53GHz. 3.07GHz is its current OC as verified with CPUz and CPU TrueSpeed.

Now, take a look at the other attached screenshot (M11x). Again, windows shows the default/base clock speed for this processor as well as its current rate. Problem though - look at CPU TrueSpeed (in this case, same reporting as Windows) and then look at two different CPUz versions. One is version 1.52 and the other is 1.53. Notice a difference? Something is obviously wrong with the current version.

I am posting this to validate Windows is actually reporting the correct speed of the CPU and that CPU TrueSpeed seems to produce an accurate result as well (as determined with the M17x screenshot). Additionally, it would seem that CPUz is in fact having issues reporting the M11x as visible in the M11x screenshot. The M11x screenshot is @ OC disabled. When enabling OC and performing this same comparison, both CPUz's report 1.6. Given the fact that @ OC Disable we see a discrepancy, I am less inclined to believe CPUz at this point.

This leads me to believe that when OC is enabled on the M11x, it is in fact running @ 1.7GHz.

FWIW. You decide.

 

Excellent research. 800MHz?? Hmm. Nice job

 

The m11x is also posted at a different price now on the website. How do I get it to have all the features as the review, and that price?

* 1.3GHz Intel SU4100 (800MHz FSB, 2MB Cache) or 1.3GHz Intel SU7300 (800MHz FSB, 3MB Cache) both overclockable to 1066MHz FSB (approximately 1.73GHz)
* 4GB PC3-8500 DDR3 (2 x 2GB)
* Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
* 11.6" WXGA WideHD LED Backlit display (1366x768)
* 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
* Nvidia GeForce GT 335M Discrete Graphics (1GB GDDR3) with switchable Intel GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics
* 802.11b/g/n, 10/100 LAN
* 3-in-1 card reader
* 8-Cell Li-ion 64WH battery, 65W Power Supply
* Dimensions: (W x L x H) 11.25" x 9.19" x 1.29"
* Weight: 4.4lbs
* Starting price: $799.99
* Price as configured: $849.99

Or even configured like ChewieTobbacca's:

-Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 1.3 GHz (3MB cache)
-4GB DDR3 Dual Channel Memory at 800 MHz
-11.6-inch 1366x768 WLED
-1GB NVIDIA GT 335M
-250GB SATA II 7,200 RPM HDD
-Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
-Bluetooth Module, 2.1 + Enhanced Data Rate
Total pre-tax was $767. After tax, it came out to $826 shipped.


Cuz when I went to configure it on the dell site today, it came out to like $1100! Outrageous!

 

excuse me but where is this advertisement?

 

@dookie11
When the M11x went up for preorder on 2/2, there were 3 coupons that stacked for 2 days (10% off, $50 off, and either $100 off for $1000 order or $50 off otherwise). Those coupons have been long dead obviously and alot of us ordered in that 2 day time frame for that price.

 

Thanks Batboy for doing that, I am intrigued by the whole situation. But, I'm still not convinced...

The SU7300 CPU in standard form has two P-States, 4.0x (800MHz) and 6.5x (1.3GHz) multipliers. When Speedstep is activated, it lowers the CPU multi and VCore for lower power consumption. But, as Alienware seem to have messed with the CPU multipliers on the OC, there's no reason why they haven't in standard form. Basically, the favor I'm asking is to do the exact same thing as above but with Speedstep disabled in the BIOS.

I understand the CPU TruSpeed is and v1.52 CPU-Z is displaying 1.3GHz, but the v1.53 CPU-Z is also reporting a lower voltage, in addition to the lower clock speed. So that's why I'm looking for clarification with Speedstep disabled.

Also, the CPU-Z screenshot I posted in a previous thread from the Asus SU7300 machine was the current version of CPU-Z (v1.53.1), which reports the SU7300 at 1.73GHz correctly.

 

So...does this mean we can get support from dell if our OC'ing doesn't work correctly? Lol.

 

In short, yes. Only if it's using the BIOS overclock option.

 

Its on the order list after you submit it.

 

I've been hanging around the forums for a while now, but I suppose this is my first post.

I ordered 2 m11x's and they got here 2 days ago. I promptly overclocked in the BIOS, and everything I've checked has said 1.73ghz. Windows indicates the clock speed is 1.73, and every other program I've tried has also said 1.73. I am fairly convinced I'm actually running at it.

Although, this is my first time overclocking a computer, so I may be using inaccurate programs?

I attached a screenshot.

 

Here is an interesting screen shot. I recieved my M11X this morning and have been playing around with it at work. I caught this right before leaving work and so here it is. I'm trying to replicate what it was that got me to this. So far with no luck. I closed down every non essential process in the task manager. Then I opened CPU-Z and got some sort of error prior to it opening up. When it opened it displayed the screen shot below. CPU-Z has the processor (SU7300) running at 1.733. The CPU Speed fluxuated between 1.7333 and up to 1.7336. This is why I believe that it is a CPU-Z related problem. So far I have had no luck replicating the problem due to time constraints. I didn't pay much attention to what the error was, but I should have. I was in a hurry to get out of work. Check out the attached screen shot. Funny thing is that the Rated FSB, Bus Speed, and Multiplier as well as the voltage were all grayed out. Also, check out the codename. The block "Package" is also blank.

 

Now thats interesting. I wonder if the M11x has been running at 1.73Ghz all this time and not 1.6.

 

Weiiirrrrddddd...

Just remember that CoreTemp and Intel's PIU also read 1.6GHz, so CPU-Z isn't out on it's own here. It's all sqaure in regards to programs that read 1.73GHz and programs that read 1.6GHz. It's just a case of which side you choose to believe.

Can someone try out this program? Just for the hell of it. Add some more fuel to the fire.

CPU Speed Professional

 

I'm going to be on the side that it's 1.73. But I'm willing to continue the research. But when my CPU-Z popped up with Wolfdale, 1.73, I had to get the screenshot since CPU-Z seems to be a main culprit in this 1.6 rumor. I'll try that program in a while, busy cloning the drive at the moment.

 

My replacement unit also noted the 1.73 O/C

Quantity Item Number Description
1 224-9555 Alienware M11x, Cosmic Black
1 313-9589 Intel Core2 Duo SU7300 1.3GHz (3MB Cache, 800MHz FSB) Overclockable to 1.73GHz
1 317-8954 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
1 421-1592 Alienhead Glow
1 320-9963 11.6-inch WideHD 1366x768 (720p) WLED
1 320-9857 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M
1 342-8743 250GB SATAII 7,200RPM
1 330-9552 Personalized Nameplate
1 330-6106 Personalized Nameplate Trigger
1 313-8792 AlienFX Color, Quasar Blue
1 421-8558 Alienware Command Center Software for Alienware M11x
1 421-1400 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English

 

Batboy asked the moderation team to look into this file. So a couple of us checked with 2 different antivirus and it came up clean.

 

Ok, so I tried CPU Speed Pro. It pegged my T9300 at 2.55-2.6 GHz almost every time. Running on the M11X, it would not keep the CPU pegged at 100% for very long. I had to run it over and over. It would quit at everything from 130MHz to my final result posted below. I trust that while it may shutdown early, it won't go any higher then the CPU will allow it. the one time I was able to keep it at 100% I got 1.784MHz

Let me know if there is any other program you want me to run.

 

I'm telling you guys there is some sort of bug or issue in the stock m11x BIOS. I just ran that whole gamut of CPU tests on my soon to be sold ul30vt and every single one correctly displayed the OC @1.73 GHZ.

I'm not saying the m11x never reaches that speed, just that it seems like, due to a bug, sometimes it downclocks and undervolts itself or something? I find it incredibly strange that different programs report different speeds, which means it must be fluctuating based on usage/type of program, no?

IDK, my best guess is there's a glitch in the BIOS. Knowing AW, this hardly seems like a stretch. R2 owners just got their first batch of functioning BIOS .

 

I'm hoping that the newer BIOS should be on mine.
I ordered it about half an hour ago, so they should hopefully have released the new BIOS by the 22nd, my EDD.

 

Well if it does come on yours then you would know since there would be an update for the bios on the dell support site. Unless you find out here that there did happen to be an update available, you can be sure you will get the same bios version we have.

 

Guys, there is no new BIOS (at least yet). I talked with a Dell/Alienware engineer who worked on the M11x, and he told me that the CPU runs at 1.73 GHz when overclocked.

 

Upon installing Tom Clancys Hawx I came across this. Figured I'd add it to the pile of 1.73GHz files. Havn't had time to run the benchmarks, and I'll do it tommorrow. Just installing a lot of games at the moment.

 

Has anyone tried running CPU-Z while running Prime / Orthos?

 

So is there any way to get it for that cheap now? Or will I have to wait again for coupons?

 

Thanks Padmé! RPG - again, just to clarify, I was not implying you would link a hostile file - I was logging off and it was necessary to post a warning. I sent it to the MOD team for follow up since I was going offline. Thanks for sharing the app.

 

i just went to the bios and enabled overclock, and it shows it as 1.73Ghz..

but when you right click on computer in the startmenu and click on properties.. it still shows one of the cores as 1.3ghz, so im wondering if it only overclocked one of the cores to 1.73 and left the other core at 1.3 and running simultaneously at different core speeds.

 

hanzo, what you see in System Properties is the default speed and the actual speed. Not two core speeds.

 

Well it looks like 1.73GHz is taking the lead! Thanks for testing.

Very possible, with all the discrepancies between the programs used to test the CPU, its looking more and more like the only possibility.

No problem at all BatBoy. I should have realised that on such a large site with hundreds of users online at any one time, each link/file needs to be checked thoroughly for user's safety.

 

Rather then a glitch in the BIOS, I'm going to vote on a glitch with CPU-Z. Although I got it to read 1.73 at one point, can't seem to replicate that. But what other programs are reporting 1.6GHz?