M17 Low End Benchmark/Review

Ok guys, it looks like I will be the first one with M17, so i am trying to get ready to do review for all you guys.

List the programs/demo/commands/settings you want, and where to get them with links, without detail I don't have the time to find all of them. I will download all of them now and copy to M17 to run all of them.
I will reserve few post.

Please do not hijack or troll this thread. keep it clean and simple.


Here is the list I start with:
1. 3dmark06
2. 3dmark vantage
3. CoD4 <-- any tool?
4. CoH <-- any tool other than the self test in setup?
5. TF2 <-- any tool?
6. Crysis SP demo with benchmark tool
7. wPrime
8. HWMonitor
9. X3 Demo
10. Left 4 Dead
11. Unigine Tropics Benchmark Demo - Not working
12. Nvidia GeoForm - Fraps
...


I will update the list once you post detail where to get the demo and commands to get the benchmark u want.

 

First, I start with service review, then impression, and quality review.

Order placed on the late night 3rd of Nov, I needed to call back to verify with credit card company next day, and went into phase 2.
Phase 9 on Nov 11 which is 5 business days after verified. Not too bad IMO, faster than Dell last time I ordered M1710. But my M17 is the first batch, so there shouldn't be any backorder component.
- I call AW twice a day to check on status, the CSR answers the call within 10 seconds each time. 70% of the time they have ascent, but I can understand them no problem.
- I call AW to adjust the price while waiting for the order since the price has dropped. They willingly adjusted the price for me twice
- Phase page is not accurate.
- Estimated delivery Nov 12, 2008 by 5:00 PM by fedex, that's 1 day shipping if it's true. Wow
- Nov 11, 2008 5:16 PM Picked up MIAMI, FL
- Arrived on the 13th.

That's all I have now. update soon.

 

Impression: Before I start, I want to say I only paid less than $2000CAD including shipping, before tax for this baby.

DESIGN AND OUTLOOK
- Excellent matte paint, not much fingerprints compare to the toshi x300, it gives you the feel of premium soft laptop right from the first moment you unbox it.
- It's heavy, heavier than my m1710 and way heavier than the toshi, probably same weight as the m1730.
- Sturdy chassis, no flex, no shakes when the fan or dvd or hd is used/on. (the toshi is shakes like crazy)
- The USB slots are up side down for some reason, doesn't matter to me.
- It's quiet most of the time. The fan speed seems to be determined by temperature AND the CPU load.
- Hard drive slots are awesome. better than any others. 1 Screw to get it out and they are separate = better cooling. And some of you already know, you don't need to find the case for HD, it's there.


KEYBOARD
- Good backlid keyboard, even though it's not 100% even light distribution, but it's good enough for its purpose and it's way better than the xps m1730 that I have beside me.
- The keyboard arrangement, love and hate. The number pad is not normal, it's thinner which makes the ENTER at the bottom of the pad and decimal at the top. WEIRD. I guess I will have to get used to it, but I am sure it's not data entry friendly.
- The keyboard feeling IS THE BEST EVER. As you know, I used quite a few laptops from different companies, this is the BEST. Smooth solid press from the top to the bottom, and it's so quiet. It's the same style of the matte feel of the laptop. Everything is so sturdy.
- The Home, end, PG UP DOWN keys are double as the arrows keys by HOLD on FN, which I don't like.
- The F-keys at the top can be bigger.
- The touchpad is not small as other reviews mentioned. I don't have chance to use it yet. But 1 thing to notice is that it automatically disable the touchpad when mouse is plugged in just like the Dells XPS, which no OTHER COMPANIES seem to implement that.
- No light for the quick keys, BAD idea.

SCREEN
- Screen is very nice compare to the toshi or gateway, the view angle is large like the XPS.
- Bright.
- No dead pixel.

OTHERS
- The finger security thing works, and it's the BEST out of all the laptops I tried, and I actually will start using it.
- No need to select user during log on, just swipe your finger or face the camera, then you are in.

 

Performance Review.






HIGH


VERY HIGH



Having some problem while doing this, need to investigate.




DirectX 9.0


DirectX 9.0






3dmarks06 with 1 GPU, especially for those who request it.




Here are 3dmarks05,06,vantage from TurbodTalon/M17: VISTA32 / P8600 / DUAL ATI HD 3870 / 2GB 1066 RAM / 7.2K 160GB HDD / 1920x1200
These were all taken at the default settings for the benchmark.

 

Crysis, maxed out settings.

 

How does it work?
I dont have the game, is there demo benchmark?

 

Call of Duty 4/5

3DMark Vantage
PCMark
SuperPi - 1m

 

Another thing people would be most interested to see are the temps of the machine while idle and while under stress.

HWMonitor is a good program for temperature monitoring.

 

RivaTuner is excellent for clock speeds and FPS readings. I'd want to see data on Fallout 3, Far Cry 2, and Crysis/Warhead.

 

None of you post links where to get them, what settings and what command to run them.

i can do HWmonitor
3d vantage
i have call of duty 4, is there a bench mod?

 

RivaTuner and HWMonitor are easily searchable on google. Everything else is a game that you would need to have yourself. You should pick the settings based on your system. Start off with Native resolution then other resolutions (Common ones are 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1920x1200). For settings you want to go from high - max, since we are interested in stressing the system and seeing its limits. If there is no benchmark utility readily available, FPS reports during passive and intense sequences throughout these games work as well.

Don't feel compelled to get the games just for benchmarking purposes though. I'm sure other people will get some of them with their M17's and we can ask them to benchmark for us. Maybe you can put a request list for games you don't currently have or intend on buying so that other users may see it and help out.

 

You can download most of the software and drivers from here; http://www.guru3d.com/

 

I have CoH , TF2, GW, CoD4. any benchmark tool for them?

 

not sure, you could just grab the free version if fraps and get it to monitor your fps and log results.

 

crysis demo http://www.fileshack.com/file.x/11333/Crysis+SP+Demo
Crysis benchmark program http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=1791

 

thx downloading.
downloading X3 demo as well, don't even know what is it.

 

Dubya Prime!

 

thx, got that.

 

Got one coming too, ETA 20 November. I can help to provide whatever benchmarks you don't want to, and do some higher resolution benchmarks. Let me know. Wish I could have gotten that free shipping option.

[1] M17

Video/Graphics Card: Dual 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3870 - CrossFireX™ Enabled!
Processor: Intel® Core™2 P8600 2.4GHz (3MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
Chassis: 17-Inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD (1200p) with Clearview Technology
Keyboard Options: Illuminated Keyboard – Alienware Exclusive Design - Astral Blue
Operating System (Office software not included): Windows Vista® Home Premium (32-bit Edition) with Service Pack 1
Notebook Tuners and Remotes: Without Media Center Remote Control or TV Tuner
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR3 SO-DIMM at 1066MHz – 2 x 1024MB
System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 160GB 7,200RPM (8MB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection
Optical Drives : 8x Dual Layer Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® Ultimate N 5300 a/b/g/Draft-N Mini-Card with MIMO Technology
The World's First 450 Mbps Wi-Fi Adapter!
Sound Card : Internal High-Definition Audio with Surround Sound
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Onsite Service and 24/7 Toll-Free Phone Support
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mesh Cap
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mousepad
Alienware Extras: Alienware® Mobile Binder
Alienware Extras: Owner Identification Card
Alienware Extras: M17 Protective Cloth Sleeve
Alienware Extras: M17 Keyboard Diagram Overlay


SubTotal: $1,999.00
Shipping: $76.33
Discount: $0.00
Tax: $0.00
Order Total: $2,075.33

 

still haven't figure out how to do benchies for tf2, coh , cod4.

 

There's no benchmark tools as such. Download FRAPS, and using it you can get it to log FPS whilst you play a level. It's the only way, not going to be the same for everyone, but it works.

 

I used to do a lot of FPS benchmarks over at notebookforums.com, back when the 7950GTX was the top dog. I always had the game I was benchmarking, and then used FRAPS to take several 30 or 60 second benchmarks. Then I'd take an average of those and that's what I'd post.

 

I wish there is a batch file we can run to benchmark.

 

There are some that work that way, but the best way to benchmarks is running the actual game and using FRAPS. I haven't seen anything but relatively useless hardware reviews of the M17. Since it's so new, many people will want information on the performance of the machine from a real user. All some care about are synthetic 3DMark benchmarks, but most will want real-world tests of games that are currently very taxing. The first benchmarks I'll be taking are 3DM'06, Vantage, and Crysis/Warhead at base settings. Then, of course, the CPU/GPU overclocking will begin.

 

I heard FRAPS sometimes lower the fps.

 

thats when u record the video, if u just want to see the fps u should be fine.

 

I bet the FPS on Pong would freakin rock on that lappy.

Also maybe run some prime95 and hwmonitor, lets see some good temps there.

*EDIT, run p95 for atleast 30 min, less cpu hits 70C, than ALT F4.

 

why need alt f4?

 

I ran a cpu so hot, the second I used the mouse I got blue screen, might have better luck with ALT F4. always a handy tool.

 

What are you talking about?
I am running Prime95 and the temp is over 75, i can still surf the net and type this at the same time. Still very responsive.

 

Perhaps mobile cpus can get hotter, I know on my desktop with a Q6700 reaching 70C I started having problems.

 

the fedex has delayed my m17 for 1 more day, guys.

 

Here are some good 3d/cpu benchmarking programs.
I run FRAPS while in the benchmarks.

Nvidia demos are also very good.
http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_downloads_nvidia.html

 

Take lots of pics too please

 

well, i haven't receive reps yet.

 

fusion u got your m17 can u do a review of the build quality ect?

 

Careful Fusion, they catch you rep-beggin and they'll take rep away.

 

That's exactly what I love to do. Build quality is very important. I should receive my m17 tomorrow afternoon.
But I will first defrag it and image the drive, and then install demo's benchies. So it's going to take some time.

 

I would also recommend partitioning off the C: drive with 5gb to spare with just windows, and load/install everything else on the empty partition. That should keep thing organized and it should also help with boot times.

 

Im thinking you will get 12300 in 3DMark06.

If you opted for a better CPu,(T9600+) that score would skyrocket

 

another thing i found out that the 160gb seagate hd comes with the system is most likely going to be 7200.2 version is quite old, so it's kinda slow.

 

this topic hasn't delivered yet?

 

fedex doesn't delivered if the package is not out of the custom by 7:00am, and push till next day.

What can i do?

 

It`s defninitly better and faster than 5400 rpm and that`s good enough for me

 

the problem with 7200.2 is that it doesn't run on new technology with 160gb per platter. (just one platter)

 

the fedex came 30 minutes ago, and I wasn't here to receive it. lol

he will be back later on this afternoon, he said.

 

Well that sucks, hurry up!

Take pics before you do anything, then go do the benchmarks then post benchies, i can sit and wait for them forever

 

im not bashing im just syaing you should have atleast opted or 2.5 ghtz core 2 duo because your cpu really bottlenecks your graphics cards.

 

I picked up the 2.5 and will likely upgrade to the high end quad core in a year... but we'll see what's available then heh

 

True, but I am cheap and think that I will upgrade later on.