*OFFICIAL* "All Powerful" M17x-R2 Edition Owners Lounge!

Just funny that you have not DPC latency and despite that you have not red bars the DPC latency checker still saying "some drivers on this machine behave bad bad . . . ", this should say that your machine will handle everything properly . . .

 

It's interesting what was the max spike on that screenie.
Good eye , Cmagamez

 

Im not a pro on this, and maybe the comparission couldn't be representatiuve, but, just for test i test my machine (desktop pc with nvidia 9400 GT) streaming video and browsing, my max spike was 810 but im still getting the "all is ok2 message there

 

as long as you dont break 1000.

 

Dang, i just close the checker and this show me an spike above 1000 and still nothing bad there, let me try to reproduce this again . . .

Edited:

Even a yellow big bar, no red at all, but over 1000

 

Since we on the topic. Here is a video of the DPC latency running

I think max spike under 500, but there were no yellows or red bars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niIqHVD56tg

 

It's just me or the video looks kinda laggy ?

 

yeah depepnding on the capture program he was using like i know somtimes fraps makes a computer look like it was lagging when it wasnt

 

Hey guys I'm just looking into buying the M17X, 720qm 4g of ram and the atis in xfire. I'm really worried that it's going to have loads of problems after reading up about it, stuttering etc... Does the current model have these issues too? It's just that this is a very expensive purchase for me and I need it to last 3 years. The posts prior to this seem positive for the current model but I really feel the need to make sure.

Edit: are there flickering issues or any other issues with the RGB too?

Many thanks,
Joe

 

I have exactly the config you're looking at and have had no problems. The 920 and a couple of 820s have had issues, but that is being addressed in a BIOS update that Dell will have on the streets in a couple of weeks. No reports of stuttering or DPC latency (several folks have tested for it). The RGB is awesome. The only issue you may run into is long production times and delays (talked about in this thread).

 

Well that's good news thanks. I was wondering though, your Hds aren't raided could that be a reason you're problem free? Considering it too or 2 unraided drives like an ssd for os and hd for storage.

 

I disabled turbo mode to stop flickering but after playing AVP or Crysis for a while I still flicker once in a while. I hope that new BIOS comes out soon

 

That's entirely possible, modern notebook HDDs usually pull an extra 0.5A.

 

I'm a student and thanks to EPP discount can just about afford this laptop but will have to use it for at least its 3 year warranty. That means that if it does indeed have the problems posted here I'll have to live with them for a long time and it defeats the point of this laptop.

It still seems hit and miss but I haven't nearly had as much experience with the laptop as you guys.

If you were me would you buy the current M17x or yell at me to steer clear for my sanity?

I do apologize if this is an annoying question to ask it's just that us students don't really have much money to gamble with

Many thanks in advance,
Joe

 

Hey Joe!
First, welcome to the forums!
As for your question, i personally do not have the laptop yet, i am still waiting for it to arrive. But since you mentioned that you are going to purchase that 3 years warranty, i'd say you have nothing to worry about in case problems arise. The build quality of this machine is superb.
And if you encounter issues, you can always contact tech support and they will resolve those for you. Overall it's an awesome machine, so i say go for it.
There is an issue that is currently affecting the R2 machines with i7-920xm and i7-820qm processors that involves flickering etc, but it is being resolved with a new bios upgrade, so you should not have much to worry about.
Plus, who can guarantee that if you go for another brand you won't have problems ? at least here you have a big community and Dell seem to be attentive to our problems.

 

Thanks ever so much for the reply, you have done a great job of reassuring me

I'll be ordering Monday as soon as the EPP store opens up again.
Joe

 

Hey, just don't come knocking on my door in case problems arise
You've made a good choice, congrats!

 

Lol no I'll be looking for a cliff to jump off instead don't worry

Joe

 

Anyone own M17x R2 with Intel® Core™ i5 520M 2.4GHz ?, i want to know if them are having problems, cause is the config that i will get . . .

 

I have the core i540m. I havnt had any problems at all. I love the laptop. Though Im not a hardcore gamer by any means.I also have the single 4870. If the 5870s ever come I will upgrade then if I am usatisfied with performance. I have played some newer games at highest settings with no problems at all. The RGB panel is the true reason I wanted this. Its an awsome screen.

 

That's great by the way, I do play some games buy I think they are enough capable to be played with default config on M17X, i7 could be a waste of money; I will try to get the RGB screen but is way expensive on my country, just add this to the cart means 500 us dollars, and with the shipping and taxes the whole machine being the "lowest" (still being powerfull) could cost 3000 us dollars just wih the rgb [^~^]

 

you might want to consider the guide in my signature for ordering from Dell US

 

Since the M17x has no WLED option, if you're not going to get the RGB LED, then you are better off buying a cheaper Asus G73 which at least has a WLED. But for a notebook of the M17x caliber, anything less than an RGB LED is a waste. This display is easily the best I've seen on any notebook and is probably the most important component. I wouldn't have bought the M17x if it didn't have RGB LED.

 

noob question : what's the difference between rgbled and wled ?

 

Hey Joe just wanted to add my own experience regarding you purchasing an M17x. You see I am a student as well and I totally understand you. I would advice you though to purchase this laptop only if you already own another full functioning laptop and here are the reasons:
As you can see R1 owners do seem to have sound problems which dell seems to ignore them , some people though who argue about this issue seem to be getting replaced their machines with an R2.
R2 machines seem to be having problems again. Never mind the bios thing that everyone is talking about here. The AW softwares need updating as well because they are causing the laptop to freeze etc etc. Many people are having dead pixels on their RGB LED'S. My Blu ray writer couldn't play a blu ray movie, and I could go on..........
The point is that yes you would be covered by a warranty for three years but what if you have to submit a project tomorrow and the damn thing doesnt work.
I am not trying to put you off from buying it btw I mean it is a great piece of gaming machine but it definetly has a lot of problems.

 

WLED uses white LEDs to light up the LCD display

RGB LED uses Red Green and Blue LEDS to produce the colors on the screen.

The result is a much more precise color display than standard LCDs

 

i agree with what you are saying here, but how is it AW specific ?
Lets say he goes and buys an HP, how's to guarantee that it won't fail or won't have dead pixels ?

 

Yes it does worry me, also the sales rep said there was no way I could get the RGB display in the UK which has put me off a bit. Is the other Dual CCFL display really that bad? I mean in comparison to other laptop screens on the market? Becaue I don't see anyone else offering RGB displays

One other thing I'd like to check up on is the fact that he's quoted me 120 pounds on top of the price of the 620m processor to install the 720qm (its not an option available on the uk store atm) Does this sound right? Not that I have a choice if I want it.

Thanks again guys,
Joe

 

Sales reps always like that. My advice is wait 2-3 weeks. At least until end of CeBIT. I'm waiting till end of march

 

Hey Mfractal.
To be honest with you why I made it AW specific is because of the really bad experience with my M17x-R2. Hopefully I have a spare laptop otherwise for me it would be a one month waiting for it to arrive and then 6 days of frustration until i decided to return it back. I would advice him to have a spare cheap and good brand laptop like toshiba, sony etc for spare. I have owned both of these brands in the past and I had no problems at all. Cannot say anything about hp since I never owned one but I hear they are very reliable.

As for Joe again I dont know about the 720qm man, to be honest with you I have seen in other sites that the 720 is exactly the same price or even cheaper than the 620, so we are probably talking about a rippof here. Get the 820qm thats what i would say.
The RGB LED screen is amazing btw if it says there is no option for them just tell them I am sorry I am not interested and order again when it will be available, honestly now

 

My $.02. This is my 3rd Dell machine, and I have dealt with many others at work. I've also owned 2 HPs. I've never had a problem with stuck/burnt-out pixels on any--quality control is generally very good these days, and you're just as likely to have problems with any manufacturer. Realistically, the problems some of these guys are having won't be a big issue for schoolwork or watching movies/TV. If you're doing something that requires max performance out of the crossfire 4870s and you're pushing the processor a lot (i.e. gaming)--you might see the problem. Every computer is going to have issues of some sort or other, especially brand new models. My XPS M1710 had 7 BIOS revisions over its lifetime, mostly to fix minor issues. Luckily, you have a very involved enthusiast community here that identified and helped Dell/AW resolve the issue before most people's machines even arrived in the mail. The patch in question is not out yet, but should be shortly (they are doing additional testing and packaging to make sure there are no regressions with the changes they made). And updating the BIOS is not a difficult or time-consuming process. If you're really worried, wait until the new BIOS comes out and see what people here have to say.

The R2 is, by far, the best looking, best built, best performing machine I've ever owned. And the RGBLED really is all that. When I go to work, I'm disappointed by the dual 22" viewsonic monitors on my desk--they look like crap compared to this screen.

 

Here's another interesting question for everyone.

Now I'm competent at taking laptops apart and maintaining them. I've done that with my Toshiba and various other brands when my friends ask me to clean their laptops.

For a senior about to go off to college who knows enough to repair laptops, is the warranty worth the money? That's also in consideration the time of sending it away and getting it back during the semester. Should I have the ability to send it away (I'd go with the accidental warranty) and get it back repaired, or save my time and money by doing repairs myself?

I'm very careful with laptops and around them so I'm not worried about things like spills and such.

(edit) One more question, I searched this but I want recent opinions Is the i7 920 worth the extra expenditure vs the 820 and 720? I'm using this for gaming, CAD work, graphics, media. Basically everything. Just wondering if spending the extra money will yield substantial results.

 

You are only one of many owners. Personally I have had no problems at all with my R2. I have the specs in my sig and am very hapy with what I got. I know you are going off your own personal experience, but to tell someone to stay away from it due to your issues is jumping the gun.

What were your specific problems? Just curious because if it was only the flickering, well that problem is fixed by the BIOS coming out in the next week or two. If it was more than just that, then you are an isolated case. Most owners of the R2 are happy and excited about owning this wonderful piece of machinery. I have had other brands of laptops that had more problems than the M17x. It's not the only one with issues and when you are at the leading edge of technology it happens. But, Dell seems very interested in fixing any problems that come up and I am happy with that.

As far as the 620 vs. 720 CPU, yes the price isn't different but the CPU is. The 720 performs better and if it doesn't cost more than the 620 it's a no-brainer if you ask me: get the 720. The only reason I went with the 820 is because I play WoW and it is more CPU intensive than GPU. I would have got the 920 but couldn't see paying the big jump in price for it. I had to save money some where.

 

Just wanna second that opinion about the RGB screen, watched a Blue Ray movie on it yesterday..OMG was all I can say

 

Thanks, i just did it and i left some noob questions there

No way for me to get an Asus laptop, i know RGB led rules the world now, but, my world can be ruled with a normal screen but into an M17x, nothing else, is a waste of power but i just cant go beyond because of the money; maybe getting an Dell coupons or disscount by talking with them but is unlikely; i will research in deep about to get this on USA, indeed, was the first thing that came to my head days ago, but, i talk with a rep for Latin america and he said there is no way that Dell will warranty my system out of USA if i get this there, he never mentioned to me that if i get complete care by 3 years they will suck my () wherever i am, and how the things are running now with Dell customer service i preffer to be cheat paying an over price machine than get this and no support around . . .

 

I know I have a basic system but I have had absolutely no problems with my M17X R2. The sound is great. Touch controls work perfectly. I had a stuck red pixel on my first one I got. I called Dell and they built me a replacement and I had the replacement in 9 days. So I have absolutely no probblems with Dells customer service. Even this i540m cpu has handled anything we have thrown at it. I had an Asus G51 prior to this. It was trouble free as well but the screen cant hold a candle to this one. This is just my .02 on this.

 

Hey guys was wondering if anyone was having an issue with the GPUs not running properly? I have had to disable crossfire to be able to run games without any glitching or flickering. Disabling the turbo mode for the CPU in bios actually made the problem even worse. I have been in contact with customer and technical support and they are "working" on the problem.

 

Hey guys, this is a post I just put up on the M15x owners lounge, as we've been discussing the M17x I figured you'd also be able to comment on this if you wouldn't mind =)

"Hey guys,

I'm considering buying the M15X after encountering problems ordering the M17x in the UK (Rep over pricing the 720qm option cause its not available on the store and the RGB screen not being available anytime soon in the UK).

Is the only problem with it the throttling issue that can now be stopped by throttle stopper? Will that void my warranty? Is it like overclocking in as much as it will be saved on the logs if anything goes wrong and they'll write off the warranty?

Also how future proof is the M15X? Its weak point is obviously the graphics card I was just wondering if a new one would be out soon or if the GTX 260m will see me through my 3 year warranty.

I would buy a clevo and have the nice gtx 285m but I really need the 3 year accidental damage cover Dell offers cause I'm extremely clumsy (I seem to destroy laptops in a drunken haze lol)."

Many thanks,
Joe

 

Really, no such thing as a "basic system" with an Alienware

Currently I have an M15x i7 720QM, 260m, 340 Gig, 1920x1080,... if it weren't for the RGB LED I would have been content, and at my age I just need a slightly bigger desktop for my eyes.

I can say this about the M15x... once I got the right driver for my games, it simply rocks! And I am not running the throttling fix either, but no laptop is going to be as future proof as a desktop. You can put an 280m in it from what I understand, and I am sure others down the line. The only real limitation is one discrete GFX card and the stock 150w psu as far as I know. Considering you can put a 920qm in it later, and a better card, it's a pretty solid proposition for say three years if you don't have to have a larger screen or need to run 60 fps at full resolution. With even high settings minus one or two key settings at the highest setting, you can run 30 fps at 1920x1080 for almost every game consistently, often higher, with only a few tips into the 20s (on a 720qm NOT a 920).

You WILL like an M15x _a lot_; you will like an M17x better. If the M15x had an RGB LED option I doubt I would even have worried about finally getting my M17x order going. This is a bit like comparing a V6 BMW to a V8 BMW; they both rock and are sweet rides, one is just a step over the other, but you could easily live with either!

 

I had a similar problem, they sent out a replacement crossfire cable and slave card and it fixed the problems, been running flawlessly for about a week now.

 

I have searched the thread and saw that some people were having problems with the blu ray reader not being able to play movies. Is this really the case with the $150 upgrade one?

 

No livetaswim I was having problems playing movies witht the blu ray writer which is probably a $300 option. I havent heard anybody having problems with the blu ray rom which is the $150 option. Ofcourse no one else said anything about this and I havent got a clue if they fixed it, if I got a faulty rom, or if its still a problem.

As I have written again in an old quote Luigo my problems where.
Dead pixels on my RGB LED, Flickering, the blu ray writer would not play a blue ray movie without lagging every 2 minutes, sometimes the laptop when I turn it on just didn't want to start I could only hear the fans spinning very fast and the screen was blank, sometimes it kept telling me that my charger is not a dell one so it cannot continue loading windows, I remember turning it off from the power button like 3 times a day because some of the AW programms were lagging the pc when I was using them ( they probably just transferred them from Vista to Windows Seven without any checks ). Thats all I can remember at the moment

 

Hey everyone i know this is a off subject but I have a question for you all.
What cooler do you all recomend for my m17x r2. I am having alot of trouble geting strait answers form other sites. thatnks for the help.

 

@Stupified, this is simply the best cooler for the M17X. Here is the thread discussing it. Just follow the links. It has great build quality. I have one sitting under my bed awaiting an M17X

 

Just ordered this myself:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014GVZS0/ref=oss_product

 

Ahhh, then you had more problems than anyone else. Definitely an isolated case as far as I can tell. Sorry to hear anyone having that many problems but it isn't the norm thankfully. The majority of owners that have any problems at all only have the flickering which the BIOS update will fix. Some had problems with freezing when the power supply was unplugged, but I think that was narrowed down to them using the 9.12 modded drivers rather than the stock drivers.

 

Man i tekk you I cant stand that Amizon will not send Electronics to APOs pisses me off beyond belief. also Neweg is giving me problems today.

 

Use tiger direct.

 

I use a targus chill pad with my M17x-R2. It's light weight and easy on the legs when you want to use it in bed or while sitting on the softa. It has enough holes in it to allow good ventilation and is angled for easy typing.

 

i dont see that cooler on tiger.