M17 Benchmarks

One of the things I enjoy most is benchmarking my computers. I'm Looking to provide a simple reference for folks who are thinking of purchasing an Alienware M17, or other owners who just want to compare benchmarks.

Due to the fact that the performance of these GPUs is dependent on CPU speed, I've ordered the X9100. I will post side-by-side benchmarks once it shows up.

P8600 NO OC

Alienware M17
ATI HD 3870 X2
Intel P8600
2GB RAM
1920x1200
2x160GB RAID0

3DMark'05
15,327 1920x1200
16,109 Default settings

3DMark'06
11,339 Default settings
10,700 1920x1200

3DMark Vantage
5,925 Default settings
Won't provide a score at 1920x1200

Super Pi
21s 1M
49s 2M

CS:S Stress Test
221.31 FPS

Crysis
19fps 1920x1200 @ HIGH settings

Crysis Warhead
23fps 1920x1200 @ MAINSTREAM settings

Call of Duty 5
40fps 1920x1200 @ ALL MAXED settings, NO VSYNC. This game has some major issues rendering some of the water. Glitchy. Looks like a chess board pattern.

[email protected]

3DMark'05
20,576 Default settings

3DMark'06
15,134 Default settings

3DMark Vantage
P7,126 Default settings

Super Pi
14s 1M
34s 2M

CS:S Stress Test
222fps

Call of Duy World at War (FRAPS)
50fps All settings maxed, 1920x1200

Passmark Performance Test
1248.2



Thanks to E-Wrecked for his expert overclocking advice.

 

Could we have a review? (a)

 

Hmm that's pretty low, no?

My M15X got 10700 when it got shipped.

 

Ppl rarely get over 10000 with 1 8800m gtx, right?

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=319635

full review with benchies.

 

Well I got something in that region when everyting was new. Now I'm only getting about 9600.
Maybe it's the CPU that's pulling down the OP's score.

So doesn't the M17 come with 3D Mark06 test scores performed by Alienware?

 

yes it does.

 

Then could the OP tell us if it's different than the one obtained by him?

 

fusion, you're review wasn't as full as I has anticipated .

I like things that I can read for ages, and get loads of details. Have a look at the reviews done by notebookreview (cha etc.).

I'd like one like that (a)

 

i c.... how much would you pay me to do a 6 pages review?

but it's close, I just made it to point-form, which can be extended to 1 paragraph each with all the BS I can put in between.

 

I'm not paying anything. Surely the satisfaction of supplying users without the m17, a fully fledged review that could help/stop people buying it would be good enough?

I'm not being a hypocrite, because I have done a review for the m15x - with apparently some of the best pictures ever, maybe you could do something similiar?

BTW: My review was 3 pages long, Times New Roman, Font 12, in Word - excluding pictures.

 

NapBree no offence but when I get my m17 ill be playing games on it not spending hours writing reviews for nbr.com for basically nothing. XD

 

Alieware's benchmark was at 11,664. I can't achieve that no matter what I disable or optimize.

Also, on Fusion's behalf, there's not a whole lot to say about this notebook that hasn't already been said. It's new to Alienware, but it's not new. Google some pictures of the Whitebook, and imagine the AW skullcap on top.

The benchmarks are mildly disappointing, considering what the M1730 is scoring, and I'm pissed off that there are no OC'ing abilities.

 

When my M17 comes in i'll slap together a nice review for you all

With some comparisons to my Desktop system too.

 

I don't know which part do you want to know more about M17.

 

This laptop isn't new. What the hell is the deal here?

 

how come you got vista 32 bit :X

 

Who cares? It doesn't improve gaming performance.

 

IMO, most reviews rehash pretty much anything marketing can tell you already... if they're not rehashing the pitch of the product they're telling you something you can probably only get from interacting with it... eg. the 'feel' etc.

Beyond that, I find that 90% of reviews are drolling on and on about the same garbage that we already know... then they throw in some benchmarks and think they've done a good job.

this is why I go straight to pictures and benchmarks when I see a review... if I didn't, I'd go crazy. for reading reviews, I only read the ones from customers that are pissed off about something... because they're giving the OTHER half of the picture. the not-marketed aspect of the product... you know it exists, because nothing is perfect...

 

try saying that to a game that's been built for 64-bit.

ha.

 

Come on now man. There are a whopping 13 games made for a 64 bit OS. Maybe a few more.

 

So, I guess I did pretty good job on both sides of the story. Also, with benchies.

Do I get a cookie?

 

Wow, I don't even know/play 1 game that is for 64bit vista.

 

Guys, please. Post your benchmarks. This isn't a review thread.

 

well some people on here have say... Jobs, family, Friends ... a Million other things (like gaming) to instead of writting a 6 page review of a notebook.

just a thought.

 

Every one to their own tastes. Some people might not give a crap about a review by some pictures, benchmarks or information.

So someone might want a full review or as many full reviews as possible to get a perspective from more people no matter how biased it could be.

Just because you like pictures and couldn't care more for what people have written doesn't mean everyone else does.

Ill give a detailed review that probably wont take a whole lot of time. As i bought this laptop without any reviews except the crap from cnet i wasnt and im still not overly sure on it so i can see otyers mght be in the same point but are willing to wait for someone ro put a decent review up.

It may well be an OCZ rebrand but there isnt a whole lot of useful information on tyat about either.

 

and only a short year ago... there were what? one? two?

the numbers are growing... what do you think it all means?

 

yes. but only an oatmeal one.

Most people aren't aware of the titles... due to the fact that they don't usually advertise that they're 64-bit, even if they're running in 64-bit mode. also, there's nothing really "special" about the 64-bit version of the game, it's usually bundled with the 32-bit version, and installs transparently (aka, the installer is identical, everything about the game is identical).. therefore the changes are all in the background... so even those with 64-bit OSes, running 64-bit games, most likely aren't even aware of it.

The only exception I've seen is that in HL2 (the first one), when running on a 64-bit OS, it will go into "64-Bit mode Enabled" and there will be a visible indication that you're in 64-bit mode... but it's only on the menu. (shows up at the top)

I've never seen it for any other games... despite whether they run in 64-bit or 32-bit modes.

To be totally honest, I like having a 64-bit OS... I think those insistant on 32-bit OSes being faster/better are in for a cold shock when applications and games start going 64-bit ONLY.... since they're slowly starting to eat away at RAM resources and will need the extra room soon enough. (Crysis is 1GB REQUIRED right now... minimum)

soooo yeah. I'd rather jump the gun and get on the 64-bit train sooner, rather than later. If I see an app I normally use with a 64-bit version, I'll grab it, beyond that, most of my apps are still 32-bit.

Also, in all honesty, I couldn't care less about a performance gap between anything... I don't even get bothered over 3D Mark scores. Just doesn't matter to me.

but that's my $.02

 

Updated Benchmarks

 

64 vista is more stable faster and does improve performance. so yah whyd you get 32 bit..

 

I respect your opinions, and I'm all about performance. Do you have some numbers to back up your claims?

 

Also its more future proof

 

I wish I had the time to backup and reinstall my system that much. nevermind do the benches.

IMO, all this "it runs better on 32-bit" garble is borne from the INITIAL implimentation of 64-bit oses. where all games were still 32-bit, and all the games were still running in 32-bit mode under the 64-bit operating system. I don't believe anyone has ever done the comparison between a game that runs in both modes... with 32-bit on 32-bit and running in 64-bit on 64-bit.... equivilant games.

at least, I've never seen it done.

anyways, I'm sure the performance difference isn't HUGE... considering it wasn't huge when they did the 32-bit on 64-bit tests... all they could prove is that playing 32-bit games on a 64-bit OS was "no faster" than playing it on 32-bit, and often was slightly slower due to some of the emulation that was happening.

strip the emulation out and you'd have equivalent games, except they 64-bit version would have more address space. The theory is sound.

I'll maybe work on making my 32-bit Vista Home Premium, boot later, then do a test with the HL2 engine, and make sure it's running in 64-bit on 64-bit when doing testing... I'll even use the same version of graphics drivers from nVidia.

I only have enough time or resource to do one game which is hardly comprehensive... so....

 

Well, I do have the time. Installed Vista 64. The performance difference in 3DMark '06 was 9 extra points. I realize it will be more apparent in x64 applications and games in the future. Thanks anyhow for the advice.

 

You could write a review to say your thanks to the NBR Community that helped you choose your notebook...

That's what I did.

 

Exactly qaz, it's not always about you benefiting.

 

I just read your review on m15x, is the first post all of your review?

If it is, then you probably were too lazy to write a full 6 pages review that you were talking about, because I see no real review there. No benchies? no temperature test? I am probably too newbie at this, but does ppl want to read how you got home and how you open box, how you look out the window to confirm it's not christmas?

On the other hand, I did miss quite a bit of stuff that I didn't test before writing review, because I finished my first review within 2 hrs I got the notebook for there were many ppl waiting for my review to make purchase, then I got the heat issues i have to deal with. So I missed some minor stuff that I didn't even get to use before the first day.

 

Benchmarks and temperature tests are not everything.

I'll take crystal clear pictures and a good write up anyday of the week. I like reading about the whole process when able. It personalizes the review and lets you connect with the writer. I want to know exactly what it looks like, crystal clear from every angle. I want a general impression of the unit.

Don't get me wrong; I appreciate benchmarks and temps and they help round out a good review, but If I want benchmarks, I can go google reviews on the GPU (shocker, usually Nvidia and ATI) and CPU (Some derivative of Intel most times with the C2D/Q having its way with AMD atm) since they're going to end up in numerous models and makes. Laptops are so clone like these days (outside of not going with Intel's stock chipset, even Apple's new notebooks are more about ergonomics and build quality than the actual clone like hardware in them) that the look, build, weight, size and comfort become defining criteria, not just "What's your 3DMark06 score? How many fps in X game?"

All the specs and stats in the world mean nothing if the screen is terrible, the keyboard is atrocious or the unit causes ergonomic issues. I know as soon as I spend a few minutes typing on a notebook and looking at the screen whether it is viable, regardless of the specs which become follow up criteria after the screen, keyboard and ergonomics pass the litmus test.

And there's something to be said for taking a few days to present a complete, comprehensive, polished review.

 

That's all fine and good.

but what you're missing is that 3D Mark '06 is a 32-bit application.

It would be entirely and completely immune to any 64-bit optimization. Therefore, your 9 point difference is completely irrelevant.

I'm actually surprised the 64-bit OS scored better than the 32-bit OS when running a 32-bit program.

 

i think im a little confused...
seems like people dont think the M17 performs really well...is this what im gathering?
or is this just to a "hardcore" gamer critique?

 

Not missing anything. Read the fourth sentence of the post you quoted of mine.

 

I didn't gather you were aware of 3D Mark's shortcomings from that sentence.

And you actually think that 3D Mark, being a 32 bit application would be a sufficient test of the power of a 64 bit operating system?

 

Fusionsenses, you miss the point. When I got my m15x there were plenty of reviews with statistics and benchmarks. But hardly any with abit of photography. So I thought I'd do a little review and a few clear pictures (hi res).
I'm not a great writer, big deal... I still shared my opinions, and directed the review at other people, tried to make it light hearted etc.

 

I still think I should get a cookie.

 

By all means, you do!
I'm not saying you've failed miserably , you've done well with supplying us with information we previously didn't know. But the fact is, I was supplying you with some structured criticism

 

Updated with CS:S Stress Test. Got an X9100 CPU on the way. I'll redo all of the benchmarks after that.

 

where do you get x9100 and how much?

 

Ebay, $480.

 

ES version?

From China or TW?

 

If ES stands for Engineering Sample, then yes. If not, then I don't know. The guy I bought it from resides in these forums. Name is Electrosoft. He was also selling a 9000. I don't buy anything from overseas, ESPECIALLY electronics. I have a PSP, and I've gotten too many fake memory sticks for it. Too many horror stories.