M17x Rx or M18x

I'm about to replace my Precision M6400 with a new rig. I primarily game on laptops and haven't had a desktop in quite a while.

The 6970m seems rather strong on the 17x, but crossfire is tempting just to have a little more legs on it as I replace my laptops around every 2-3 years.

Anybody have any advice between the two? A single 6970m enough for the future over the hassle and weight of the crossfire 18x and the extra $520?

I travel international about every 12 months, so weight is a concern (particuarly as some international airlines make you weigh your carry on) which I'm really trying to justify to myself the 18x.

 

What games are you playing exactly?
I find the 6970m (M17x-R3) enough for the current best titles.
So of course, a crossfire of that in M18X is definitely more future proof.

However, if weight is a primary/serious concern, I don't think you should be looking in the DTR category.

 

Dragon Age 1, 2

Fall Out Vegas

Rift

Flight Sims etc. I've toted around my 17" M6400, but it's the life style I'm in which means it's neccessary burden to keep on playing PC games.

I'm particuarly wanting to play BF3 when it comes out. I was leaning towards the 18X, but I've been leaning back towards the 17R3 now. I'm going to pull the trigger on which ever item this week. (and order memory and a SSD)

 

I'd say M17x R3. Never been a fan of multiple GPUs, and the M17x can come with a 3D screen as well

 

yeah m17xr3..with the 6970......although the 18's future proof but remember ppl. have trouble with dual GFX setups....it's like optimus.....some apps like it most don't.....

and then there's the weight (where you should technically consider the combined weight of the power brick as well as a laptop) cuz' obviously neither will exist for 3 days of gaming in a hotel room...on battery power alone.....will they....

 

I wouldn't recommend dual 6970 in this case. Thanks to consoles the games we get are all pretty easy to run for the most part even on my 460. So the 6970 is more than enough.

 

It sounds like most of you don't have xfire so you don't recommend it. Well I can tell you as an m18x owner the difference between 1 6970m and 2 is HUGE and I've yet to find a game that is unplayable in xfire. Yes you deal with CAP's to get the best out of both worlds with xfire but if you have a game that misbehaves just use radeon pro and turn off xfire for that particular game.

Case in point: Crysis 2 1.8: Everything on EXTREME

1 6970m = anywhere from 30 to 50 fps.

xfire I'm running 60 to 105 fps with fraps. The difference in smooth scenes where large explosions happen and there are tons of enemy's on screen is choppy at times on 1 gpu but smooth as butter with both.

If you are wanting to run Battlefield 3 with some pretty high settings a single 6970m is not going to cut it. Head over to the m18x forum and read up some because honestly you are not going to keep a single 6970 for 2 to 3 years and run new games > 30fps on highest settings.

 

True, I got a M18x with CF 6970M and have no CF issues in games. I also like the anodized aluminum shell it adds quite a bit to the sturdiness of the system. Battery life is about 4-5hrs on browsing with reduced brightness. All in all the machine rocks.

 

Another vote for the M18x. Yeah, read some of the posts on the M18x forum for more ideas.

I went through this decision myself and am saving up $$ for it. Lastly, if you check some of my old posts, the price difference is a lot less than the $520 for identical configs (It's more like $275 or so I think). The M18x comes with the higher resolution screen and better "basic" video card right off the bat. If something doesn't work in Crossfire, just turn if off. I think the default wireless is better to.

I think both machines are huge and DTR so I'd opt for the M18x if you game. In a backpack, both will feel heavy/bulky.

 

Dual Gpus All The Way Baby!!!

 

I would go for the M18x just based on the simple fact that it has metal instead of plastic everywhere. I am nowhere near being one of those supermega-ultra-hyper-"more mobile than you are"-needs to be lightweight due to space shuttle weight restrictions for launch and re-entry...type of people. lol

 

I pulled the trigger on a M18x. I move back from Africa the day it should get delivered to my friends house who will then next day ship it to my hotel (along with a SSD and 8gigs ram)

 

Dual GPU issues suck...badly...but the improved FPS in the titles that do have great support was enough to win me over.

Just know what you're getting into before going dual GPU's (micro stutter, constant driver updates, no games in windowed mode...etc)

 

I am a Crossfire/SLI hater, too. I have a ton of games on my computer and so far the only one that I have had to tone down the settings in is Metro 2033, understandably. The M18X really sucks to carry around, as well; I would just get the M17X.

 

All of the fanboy owners have chimed in... hopefully

The m18x is only about ~2-3 lbs heavier, and the 330watt brick is maybe ~.5-1lb over the 240watt of the m17x r3.

Honestly, these both are big systems. If you travel internationally, getting a case to carry these in would seem to be a bigger hassle. The m17x r3 seems like an innocent 17in, but it dwarfs other 17in laptops. It will feel much larger than your precision. If you don't have a problem with that, and prefer stronger build quality in anodized aluminum, then I would go m18x.

6970CF is going to be more future proof. But one 6970 is already very powerful. It will max out the majority of those games on your list, with the exception of DA2 with AA on (I think). If you plan on playing more demanding games, and absolutely refuse to lower the settings, then the m18x is the only option.

Just choose whatever option seems best for you. Keep in mind these systems are very big, much larger than the typical 17/18in laptop.

 

If you require battery life for work/lectures, then get 17x (if the 18x doesn't have switchable gpus). The 17x is larger than most consumer grade lappies, but it's not like you're lugging around a ps3 or something. Since the 18x is only a bit bigger, it shouldn't be that bad.

 

I have never had any issues with my crossfire setup.

I would still go with the m18x even if it had only one gpu because of it is aluminium. I have never liked the rubber coating of the r3.

 

Go for the M18x!! Dual 2GB 6970M & waaaaay better build quality FTW!!!

 

Good PoV.
The M18x with 6970M CF has switchable graphics.

 

m17x, just because i can actually fit it in my backpack.

 

I'd say m18x , it looks much cooler then m17xR3.

m18x wins in graphic performance due m17xR3 lack of one gpu.

m18x has build in subwoofer & m17xR3 doesn't have it.

m18x has the awesome look shortcut key for gaming , (really useful when playing games like dota/lol/hon)

Weight is not much different compare to m17xR3 vs m18x , but the PSU is a bit heavier for m18x.

m17xR3 & m18x both can have same CPU , nothing to compare , but m18x with 2920 has 2 heatpipe , I'm not sure about m17xR3.

m18x with 2920 in idle mode could last 6 hours and 16 minutes base on Review Alienware M18x Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

Idle (without WLAN, min brightness) 6h 16min
Surfing with WLAN 3h 46min
DVD 3h 28min
Load (maximum brightness) 0h 57min

Overall , I like the m18x's look/build more then m17xR3.

 

yeah...but i was of the view that weight might be a concerning point.... if you can buy the M18X..heck since it has switchable GPU's and a bigger battery you could run longer on that than the M17X.....however...weight and Xfire issues.

look personally speaking the only thing that worries me is a multi-GPU setup (SLI/Xfire) i would rather have a hybrid system (meaning low power GPU and a d-GPU) than a SLI/Xfire system (drivers,compatibility etc etc...)

IAH...i liked the M18X when i was thinking to re-order the M17..cuz of all the woofer,and stuff...but thinking of an SLI system ...that was what i'd like and could afford (NV fan-boi) but the fear of a multi-gpu system and recent experiences with optimus...i just balked

 

Hm, so convincing that I want an 18x now lolz. Too bad they don't have the aafes 30% deal anymore

 

but m18x with 2920 has 2 heatpipe , I'm not sure about m17xR3.

 

M17x-R3 with i7 2630 QM has two heatpipes~
how come M18X with 2720QM only has 1 heatpipe????

 

Or..get a M17xr2 and throw 2 6970's in there. Then it's lighter, aluminum, RGB. Should easily keep you set for 2-3 years with quality visuals and maxxed res/options.
The only reason to even consider the r3 over the r2 is if battery life is mega important, or you do extremely cpu intensive tasks(even then cpu isnt much better).

 

M18x weighs the same as r2; it is just an inch wider. Also, Akimox is working on getting an RGB 110% gamut screen in there, and then it will rival/surpass the r2 in all aspects.

r3 is good if you need really good battery life, and don't need bleeding edge. OR have a budget.

 

Not sure what you're not sure about since the R3 doesnt get the 2920XM. No precessor therefore no heatpipes...

 

surprised the m17x doesnt have the 2920xm...the 15x had the XM processor, has anyone tried to have rep manually put in the 2920?

 

You just need the Orion 18 backpack is all.

 

M18x FTW!!!

Aero Bug, BIOS USB hanging & sleep brightness bug(R1/R2, R3 & M18x) FTL!!!!

 

Does it have a bigger fan??

 

I wish they would fix the aero bug! Every AW system with switchable graphics suffers! But I will note the last few times I have switched to the intel and back my to the ATI, my aero scheme was not messed with?

I have the m17r3. I love this system! Although I have the 6870m (dell won't send me the 6970!) and not the 6970, I still get decent FPS on most games. Cyrsis 2, 1080p everything on high... runs pretty smooth, no issues. Can't image what the 6970 would be like. sigh.

 

Get the M17x R3 with the 6990 or 580m GTX if you don't mind the performance it offers which should be 35fps minimum with everything maxed on most games. (Crysis 2 and Dirt 3 will be the ones around 35fps). Otherwise get the M18x with dual 6990s or 580M GTXs. They won't be available for several days to a few weeks. XFire or SLI will be at least as fast a single GPU solution despite people saying bad things about it. Dual GPUs will probably offer around a 50% performance increase on avg w/ most games.

I am a college student and needed the M17x for the portability but since the M18x gets just about the same battery life, is aluminum, and has dual GPUs it seems like the better buy.

 

Im planning to get an Alienware but im not sure which one give optimal cost-benefit. M18x seems to be overpriced buti like the dual graphic cards on it. Which one do you guys think is worth buying?

 

If I had the money, I would always go with dual graphic cards.

 

Depends on what you do. The M18x has the ability to go to 2 graphics cards, but the cheapest SLI, 460M offered would be 1999 + 200 unless you already have the card. Also realize the M18x is "18.4" but Alienware sizes typically are the rated screen size + 1.5 inches, so you are really talking about a near 20" laptop. Also with 2 GPU and the brick (I doubt you are gonna be running battery with an 18.4" gaming laptop), I calculated the weight to be 15.8 pounds. Now you probably won't be carrying it around, but it is something worth mentioning.

If you do NOT plan on going to dual GPU's later, then get the M17x. It's a good 500 bucks cheaper which you could put towards the 580M or 6990M and still have a great laptop.

 

There's very few backpacks for the R3, so I'd imagine it's hard to find a backpack/case for the 18x, LOLZ. Dunno if that's enough to influence your decision though

 

It comes down to if you are willing to carry a 18 inch laptop around. If not get a custom desktop with much better specs.

 

I think alienware will have cases for 18inch laptops

 

I'd go with an M17x R3 and max out the graphics.

 

I would go for M18x, for the build quality.

 

If the 25% discount applies (see other thread(s)), now is the time to buy a m18x.. If mobility isn't a huge issue and gaming/future-proofing is..

 

M18X, any day. Bigger. But battery life is useless, why not just call the M18X a LAPtop type of desktop, sell the battery differently, however if you knocked the power cable out by mistake, your system would go kaboom.

 

You can switch to CPU to gain battery life.
M18 has better build quality, sound and of course dual graphics.


However, if you want a little portability and cheaper price then M17x.

 

What is the different build quality between m17x and m18x?

 

If you want dual graphics now, get the m18. If you plan to wait--and upgrade later--get the m17x. By the time you're ready for dual gfx on the m18, the current crop of single cards will be even better and still work in the m17x. Nor to mention cheaper since to best the single cards you'd probably have to buy two new graphics cards for your m18.

 

As mentioned in a few of my other posts (click my name for old posts), the price is not exactly $500 since the base barebones M18x gives you a higher priced gfx card, screen (1920x1080), wireless (2 antennas?), the aluminum case, a sub-woofer as well so the difference is more around 275 not factoring the cost of the subwoofer and the aluminum shell.

I think both machines are too heavy to carry all over, but would probably feel similar in a backpack...and ok for occasional trips.

Depends on your overall needs, but I'd lean towards the M18x myself based on the reasons above. Finding a backpack is even harder than for the M17x.

 

That only applies if you want to wait until 2020. MGPUs are never even going to reach a 6990 non MGPUs performance rate (or even a 5850 non Mobilitys ) And usually after 4 - 5 years a certain piece of hardware's socket is decommissioned. An E or Q series Intel CPU is slowly becoming an example, Pentium3s/4s are an example