M17x Rx or M18x

M18x kicks butt at the moment.

The M17x-R3 is ok with 1 card but you'll miss the dual card setup in spite of its flaws (RIP my M17X-R2).

 

Most games cant take advantage of sli/xfire. if the game you play ALOT does then go for dual graphics. Otherwise its a complete waste of $$, extra power draw and weight.

M17x and 18 are both plasticky and flimsy build quality. The aluminum outer shell makes the 18 feel more quality. Both however pale vs the M17x R2.

I sold all my r3s and compared an 18x to my r2 in person and even my friend and brother sold their 18xs and are looking for an R2 w/RGB.

 

Yeh, M18x i hear has better build quality. But this darn thing isn't even a laptop! Just a huge desktop with a tacked on screen and mobile parts lol.

 

M17x Pros
-More portable than M18x
-Cheaper

M17x Cons
-Can only have one GPU
-Lower build quality than M18x

M18x Pros
-High build quality
-Crossfire/SLI
-Bigger screen

M18x Cons
-Less portable than M17x
-More expensive

 

Been carrying it to and from work on a daily basis for the past month and if anything, it could be bigger, IMHO.

Those who think it's too heavy, stop smoking and hit the gym

 

Actually most/all games so use SLI and CF, it just takes about a month after the game releases for ATI and NVIDIA to release proper drivers. Don't know why people keep saying games don't use CF/SLI...if you play a game that doesn't support SLI/CF then it probably doesn't need it to begin with (ex: very very old games).

 

And you can always disable one card manually or by profile.
So with graphics power in mind, I don't see why you shouldn't go for dual cards if you have that option.

 

I have an unusual problem. I can't stand low-res screens, and (almost) no laptops are made with 1920x1200 res these days.

So I am thinking to buy a refurbished M17x R2 just to get 1920x1200.

Of course I feel bad not getting the top performance of the M18x. So can someone tell me how much performance would I actually lose?

I'm comparing the highest end M17x R2 (I assume it's i7-920XM, 2 x 5870, SSD hard drive, 8 GB RAM 1333 MHz) vs some reasonable M18x (say 2820QM, SSD, 2 x 6990M 2GB, 8 GB 1333 MHz).

I'm also concerned about M17x R2 problems with SSD (see this thread). I haven't been able to verify whether it's been fixed.

Any other ideas about what makes M17x R2 better or worse than M18x are appreciated.

And if anyone thinks it's a good idea to just buy a new AW or Clevo and replace the screen to get 1920x1200, let me know. I heard it's hard and unreliable...

Thanks!

 

You can always buy a r2 and then buy two 6970's in crossfire for about another $650 bucks or so (bringing the total to about $2400...saving you about $800-1000 dollars vs the m18x). Then you can also sell your 5870's and help recoup some of the extra cash! That way you kinda get the best of both worlds: RGB 1920x1200 screen with the extreme performance of the 6970's and an intel extreme CPU. You can expect to get a gaming machine that will last for years with those specs.

See here for the 6970's in Xfire price:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/computer-components/596368-fs-2x-6970m-crossfire-kit-640-480-a.html

See here for how to install the 6970's into the m17x r2:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/585064-guide-installing-amd-radeon-6970m-your-m17x-r2-single-gpu-crossfirex.html

 

Go for the M18x.

Its old tech vs new tech. The R2 will be very close to the M18x if it has a XM cpu and 2x 6970M.

The M18x has an advantage of a more powerful PSU which means it can be overclocked further than the R2 (the r2 will run in to problems with the amount of watts the powersupply can deliver).

 

My question:

If you buy a m18x with a single GPU card, could you just "upgrade" to the second GPU card in the future on your own? [assuming you buy a Dell GPU made for the m18x].

I can see where that option might be enticing.

 

Sure why not. Think you need another charger as well, single card come's with 240W if I'm correct.

Is it wise...no...it will cost you alot more in the end.

 

someone please tell me what RGB is and what is RGB LED?

Thanks

 

RGB LED is the screen used by a previous version of M17X, the famed M17X-R2.
It's a little bit better than the current screen found in M17X-R3 and M18X.

If you check out the "Screen" part from this post, you'll notice that the R3 screen is a little bit washed out.

 

I've been offered an M17x, on Dell Australia, with a 2820qm, 6990m, killer wireless card, FHD, and the basic ram and HDD, all for $2900. I'm willing to buy this. But, I realized, I could get an M18x for 100 dollars more, with the same specs, except a 2720 instead of a 2820, and the obvious dual 6990's.

The question is whether the upgrade is necessary. Many variables come into play here. I'm most likely going to sell the laptop after a while, so I'm after the best return. I'm worried that the lower CPU of the M18x not only decreases its value by quite when resale time comes along, but also diminishes the reason for having dual 6990's in crossfire.

I've also never had a laptop close to the size of even the M17x, and I'm worried that the M17x might be just right, and the extra 4cm in length of the M18x will just push it over the edge, so to speak. I would love to know what the difference in feel of both of them are, but there is no way of this happening, and I have to make up my choice by tomorrow.

If I were to get the M18x, I would most likely have to keep one of the base 750gb HDD's, instead of getting a 1tb HDD, which is what I would do if I got the M17x. I would also most likely only get a 120gb SSD, instead of the 240gb SSD I would purchase if I were to get the M17x.

Another thing, is that I would not be getting the 120hz screen, or 3D. I wonder, if the extra however many fps would make much of a difference at all. I would still be able to play the best games on the M17x at max. Maybe at 30 or so fps, that is more than playable though.

I really just can't make up my mind. Please, help in any way you can.

 

M18x. 17 is not that much smaller than the 18.. and the 18 has a better build quality and obviously higher potential performance ability than the 17. It's almost a no brainer.

 

If the size and weight increase isn't an issue, then definitely go for the M18x. The power that it has is immense. You could always upgrade the CPU later if you thought it wasn't powerful enough (hint: It is powerful enough).

 

for 100$ more its a no brainer the m18x.. u get dual cards, better build quality, bigger screen.. and is just as upgradable as the m17xr3

 

This is easy given the price difference. M18x. Dual cards/better build/audio.

 

Is the M18x still relatively portable? As in, I won't have any trouble taking it to other houses, LAN parties, etc?

 

the m18x is decently portable.. ull just need an 18inch laptop bag/messangerbag... ive taken mine to a few lan parties ect and it didnt bother me at all..

 

Is it practical for everyday use as well? Obviously this is my desktop replacement, and I only game a fraction of the time, usually only in my holidays or days off.

 

well i use my m18x daily and its always on for extended periods of time.. i mainly game on it and do school work i guess...

 

Heck. I take this thing to work every day in my Orion 18 messenger bag. I just wish I could get my hands on a second power supply from Dell so I can leave one setup at work.

 

An 18.4" laptop isn't designed to be carried around all the time like a 13.3" notebook. The of course target market is for extreme gamers to have the ultimate gaming DTR. Sure people can carry it around but notice how little bags there are for 17"+ size notebooks. I know I had trouble finding a carrying bag for my G71GX, and that is just a 17.1" notebook.

 

I think a single 6970m is enough. M18x is too heavy!

 

I've used both. If you can haggle the price/get enough promotions to bridge the price gap between the two, I'd say to definitely go for the m18x. They are both similar machines (same screen, laptop looks identical except for the extra row of macro keys on the m18x and the outside casing material difference), but the build quality was much higher on my m18x compared to the m17x r3. The r3 I received was missing the second hard drive caddy and had a keyboard bulge because of an overly tightened screw holding the metal plate beneath the keyboard.
The rubber coating of the r3 also began to flake off within 3 months of purchase, so if you're planning on being mobile with it at all (mine went into a backpack a few days a week but was deskbound otherwise), you will probably experience similar wear/tear on the finish.

 

Hey guys, I'm willing to buy my first AW laptop now but facing the trouble to choose btw M17x R3 and M18x R1 . Here are the details:

1. M17x R3: 2760QM+4G DDR3 1600+2G 6990M+1080P

2. M18x R1: 2760QM+4G DDR3 1600+1.5G 560M+1080P

I have no idea which to choose because of my budget line. Planning to update the 560M to 67XXM CF if I go with the M18x R1 then.

 

It's up to you what you want to do..that said the m17x is lighter very nicely built plenty for on the go games. I got the nvidia because i wanted the 120 hz screen I run it on that setting all the time I rarely use the 3D. The 6990 will do you plenty as the up grading of the 560's to 67xx will cost alot even on ebay. I had the m18x but fount it a total desktop replacement a real pain hauling around every day. I'am sure others will advise you on other points those are just some I found good luck on your choice.

 

Thanks, alienwolf. I'm thinking of getting the M17x now but, don't know if it's worth to go with the 120 hz screen/580m.

 

Try the outlet they usually have good deals. Other than that it really is personal preference. I picked up the my M18x because I wanted the bigger screen and dual graphics cards planning to upgrade down the road, but the M17x is more travel friendly but their honestly just about the same thickness and size.

 

It's really hard to get a M18x as an outlet.

 

Ebay sellers just get any system they see in the AW outlet. So, you need to keep on refreshing the page and grab an AW laptop as soon as its seen.

 

get the m18x if you want to go dual vid cards.

I prefer to use single vid cards because you don't have to rely on drivers and profiles. I'll be upgrading to the amd 7900's when they come out which hopefully will be as good as 6990m xfire (just like how a single 6990m is about as good as 5870xfire), so there is always an upgrade path in the m17x.

i've already upgraded the CPU, RAM and installed an SSD in my m17x...wow, what an expensive hobby this is

 

If i were you i would save a little more and go for the m18x.

m17X is good for almost every game out there (except for games like metro,crysis or any other high end game). If you don't mind those games go for the m17x

 

^^ This guy doesn't know what he's talkin bout. R3 plays C1, CW, C2, and Metro just fine.

 

Is it really a Hobby? or a Sickness? can you tell.

 

I have a vid up for Crysis and Metro (6970m on R3). It's not that smooth but if I tone it down a bit from maximum settings, then it's definitely playable.

But of course, gievn the choice, I'd take M8X dual cards in a heartbeat.
Sucks to not have this unit in our country.

 

6970 is a beast so far. Oh btw, does the 18x have optimus/switchable gpus too?

 

I still like my R2 over the R3 I never really liked my R3, I just handed to my younger brother while I used the R2 to play my games. I'll go with a metal Body RGB LED anyday of the week over Rubber... I only got my R3 cause I was able to get it for 1400, new which was too cheap to pass up, I doubt I can score a deal like that on a m18x so I'll just wait another 2 years or 1.5 before I shell out some more funds to pick up a new elite system.

 

What kind of cooler or prop up (I forget what it's called, the thing that makes it setup like a desktop) do you guys recommend for the bigger 17"/18" alienware? Possibly to hookup an external keyboard as well. I've had experience with zalman coolers before and they didn't do anything for the XPS.

 

I am waiting on the M18XR2 to be released then i will be converting over. I have always like the sli format and if need be for some reason the game does not like Sli you can always choose single card in the Nvidia control panel for that game.

 

Grab your favorite textbook and put your computer on top of it...that's all you really need. These computers never get hot.

 

SLI is the way to go. Most games uses SLI right off the bat and if they don't Nvidia fixes it with a quickness. I was complainning that MW3 isn't supported by SLI. 2 days later Nvidia releases an update that fixes SLI support in MW3.

 

So, my budget is no more than $2300 (don't forget 7% sales tax). This computer is hardly ever going to leave the desk. I would love the M18x's giant screen - especially for watching movies - but I have heard it has some issues because it is brand new. I have also heard that the M18x case isn't as nice as the M17x case. I need to decide quickly before Black Friday. Which one should I get and what configuration? (by the way, a 1080p screen is an absolute must).

 

I've had em both. If I had to have 1-and had the choice of either-I would go with the M18.
But, with that said, the 17 is real nice. A lot lighter, has all the same features (minus dual GPU's). The M18 is really big-and I mean big. The 17 is very portable for a 17 incher IMO.
I loved em both, but again, if I had the money and was gonna get one for a DTR, it would be the M18.

And if you go with the 17, look HERE

 

I have $2300 to waste (don't forget 7% sales tax).

I would like to play Microsoft Flight Simulator X, Dirt 2/3, and Need for Speed Shift at maximum possible settings at 1080p.

I would love to get the M18x for the extra screen size but I have heard it is brand new and is having some problems.

I have also heard that the M18x case isn't as nice as the M17x. Is this true?

 

I cannot imagine who might have said that. The M18x has an anodized aluminum alloy chassis and it's incredibly awesome. The M17x R3 has a plastic shell with soft-touch rubberized coating. Other than the style lines in the lid on the R3, their appearance (silhouette) is remarkably similar. The R3 is a good machine, but that statement is not accurate. The aluminum chassis and dual GPU configuration distinguishes the M18x from the R3.

Otherwise, much about their configuration is very similar. The difference in display size is not gigantic and the resolutions are the same. If you plan to use either system as a desktop replacement with a larger external display or dual displays, that part would be largely irrelevant.

There is a current issue with the AMD-based M18x that only affects those recently shipped. Those purchased earlier than the last 60 days or so, and those with NVIDIA, are not affected. Dell/Alienware is actively working on a fix for the AMD issues. You can find out more about that here: LINK.

Good advice... totally agree with all you said.

 

It has an integrated Intel HD 3000 GPU you can switch to yes.

----
Alienware M18x | i7 2860QM | 2x6990m CF | 1.5 TB Raid 0 | 12 GB RAM | WirelessHD

 

Yes, by pressing FN+F7, followed by a reboot. The M18x does not switch from the dual-GPU discreet graphics to the Intel HD 3000 IGP on-the-fly within Windows. The graphics system that is not in use become "invisible" to the system.