M17x Too Finicky

Let me start by saying I'm a 48 yr old Architect that knows computer basics but not programming and troubleshooting computers. I have reasonable intelligence at IQ 136 but just never have taken any course in computer stuff.

Last Thursday Jan 07th received my Alienware 17x spec's are:
Intel Core2 Quad Q9000 2.0GHz (6MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz 2 x 2048MB
17.0in. WXGA+,LCD,ANW,M17X
1GB Dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M - SLI Enabled (NB10E-GT1)
500GB 7,200RPM (xMB Cache) w/ Free Fall Protection
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive,QuickSilver
Internal 300Mbps Dual-Band a/g/n 2x2 MIMO
(most of this is like a foriegn language to me - I understand snippets)

Out of the box the thing roared to life and drank all the software I put into it. Some programs that take 2 hrs to load took minutes. Then I ran Rivet (A computer based drafting system) and bogged. Tried running LOTRO (Lord of the Rings Online - a MMO game) and it wouldn't even load.

I notice the desktop imagery is in a format the game didn't like - no biggie shut it off. Fire it up and the game is bogging like crazy. Went to the forums for the game saw nothing to help. Spent time adjusting in game settings - nothing. Through a chat group found out that graphics settings could cause the issue I'm having. So contacted Dell - got Costa Rica. Guy told me that was a user setting and "When you buy a car you are expected to know how to drive" to which I replied: "WHen I ask for and am promised a V12 enginee, it's frustrated to have a v6 delivered without the manual as to how to turn on the other 6 cylinders." He helped me to turn on the dual video processor (seems that it's turned off for delivery as "Using it will drain your battery in a matter of minutes" - but how would a client know that?

Hours later after adjusting the BIOS - mainly toggling the on/ off hybrid and intergrated graphics 2 button = 4 combos of on/ off and 4x of turning the computer on trying it and then off again - I got it to where it worked well.
CAD is working = to my desktop and LOTRO as well. My desktop is
Intel Core 2 CPU 6420 @2.13 GHz with 3.25 GB Ram Disk Drive ST380815AS
I thought the laptop would smoke the old bugger. Someone said even a new laptop still will never out perform even a moderate desktop - is this true?

Since then came across this forum. And have just one really big question.
I only use the laptop for CAD, LOTRO and MS office products with some emailing and web browsing. I want and enjoy a high performance machine but someone said the M17x is a computer geeks computer. Does that mean it is like a fancy car that requires constant tuning to make it run right? If so then this machine may be too finicky for a simple Architect / gamer like myself. SHould I return it and go with something more user friendly?

Thoughts? Suggestions? (Yeah I know I know a number of you sassy folks will take it off my hands - but seriously is it feasible that they made a computer that only computer people should use? - this just seems wrong!) Sorry for the wall of text but sometimes knowing where someone is coming from takes more than a soundbyte.

 

The advice the tech gave is was rude but correct. The m17x is very techy with many different feature sets. It is not finicky, complicated is a better word. I don't know of a single high powered laptop that is turnkey for the computer noob. Desktops are far more turnkey. IMO give it time and get it setup to exactly what you want.

 

This thing is a beast, but it does require some fine tuning, give yourself a few days to become more familiar with it.

The Hybrid Vs intigrated GPU can cause some confusion at first when it comes to performance

 

That is true.
Also I understand that you are into CAD more than gaming.
That's why I'd suggest a Clevo D900F instead of AW as the first has a desktop CPU (up to Intel Xeon 3.3GHz) and will handle all your demands with very minimal "tweaking". Also, you probably need a QuadroFX card and not 2XXM.
If you stick to AW, consider upgrading your CPU to QX9300 and OC'ing it to 3GHz+.

 

Hi Anurwhoa,
After taking a while to get reasonably aquainted with it, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. As with all gaming computers, it is hard to design a system that simply works for all the needs of the gaming community. A moderate level of adjustment will always be needed, and not every game will always run flawlessly. Programmers face a great challenge when they develop for PCs. They have to design with the intent of keeping software/games general enough to work on most PCs, while avoiding performance decrease with higher end PCs. It's a rather fine line of results, as you'll find that it's often a tradeoff system for the PC industry.
The M17X will more than satisfy the needs of cad and most productivity software.

Thanks,
Gabe

 

With his desktop specs (without info about video card) I think his lappy can easily smoke his desktop, no?

 

We need to define moderate then. Because to me a moderate desktop doesn't game at 1920x1200 like the m17x does. I would agree a high end desktop is faster than any laptop but moderate? No.

 

The M17x is designed for people who have a very in-depth knowledge of technology.

I don't care what your IQ is, that's irrelevant. If you aren't well versed in computers, and don't care to become so, then you will be much happier with another machine.

 

By moderate desktop I mean:
CPU : i7-920 stock min.
GPU : GTX260 SLI min.
22-24" monitor with a rez of 1600+

That's a moderate for me.

As for the high-end:
CPU Xeon 3.33@5+GHZ
GPU 2xATI-5890
Eyefinity Monitors setup.

And just for records.
I did some comparative testing against an older desktop machine:
CPU E8xxx C2D stock
GPU single ATI 4870 stock
and my M17X OC'ed to 3.06Ghz got beaten in every game and every bechmark.

 

^^ Ouch

But hell yeah, current record for Vantage is about 45,000

 

So overall it seems the opinion I'm seeing on this and another forum that I posted the same question to is:

1. I have got a laptop that is a very high level of performance. (Good - it is always good to try to reach a bit higher in tech than you are so you push yourself to learn and do more. Besides it will not be obsolete so fast).

2. Like all computers it will take some tweaking to get it to run right. (Ok)

3. The system is fairly stable and well manufactured so no worries there (Great!)

Thanks for the comments and WHEW I'm glad I don't have to go through the hassle of sending back, restocking fees, etc. etc.