Some News for m9750 Owners (8800m GTX and Memory)

I just got off the phone with a Alienware Technical Support Representative named Dwayne. He told me that in two weeks the m9750 will get the 8800m GTX upgrade. All m9750 users will be able to upgrade to it. I then mentioned to him that I was told in February that the m9750 was not going to have the upgrade and in response he said he knows that this was said, but in two weeks time they will offer the upgrade for sure.

I then said that it makes sense as a company to not offer the 8800m GTX on the m9750 before the m17x is released because it would diminish the sales of the new laptop. So is it true that Alienware is going to to offer the upgrade only after the m9750 is discontinued? He said in response that it will happen before and that this is not something that is on their minds. So this is promising, but I don't know wether or not to trust what these employees are saying.

He also stated that it is true right now that if you have SLI (Two 7950s or Two 8700s) on your system that the m9750 will not recognize more then 2.5GB of Memory, but after Vista SP1 it will see all 4GB of Memory. He said its not the motherboard or the Bios of the m9750, but that the 32-Bit OSs are limiting the total since you have 1GB of Video Ram. He also stated that if you have the 64-Bit OS then it will already recognize the full 4GB.

No way to prove this information, but I thought it was interesting none the less.

 

if this is true then I will get a m9750 instead

 

I'm really sorry I double posted this.

VISTA SP1 or 64-bit OSs won't help this issue, SEEING the memory is different than USING the memory. Using this chipset it is technologically impossible for it to use all of the memory. They are actually telling mostly the truth. The chipset uses a 4gb address and blah blah blah, been said before. If it wasn't for the SLI cards you'll get atleast 3gb.

 

if it's true that makes the m9750 a great purchase. But i'd rather not purchase now and upgrade later, i'd rather have the option to purchase it with the 8800gtx's before spending extra money. Hopefully they have the option to upgrade on the "customize now" page before discontinuing the product (for you future buyers).

 

GREAT about the 8800 GTX!!!!!

 

So if I upgrade from 2GB to 4GB then I will actually be using the performance of 3GB? The representative also said you have to have two Memory sticks that are the same size. You cannot have a 1GB and a 2GB, but instead two 2GB or two 1GB.

 

There's a difference between seeing and using. It is true that Vista SP1 will let you see 4gb of ram displayed in the OS, but from my understanding, the m9750 is limited by the motherboard chipset in that it can only use 2.5gb, regardless if you have 4gb installed with SP1.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong

 

Is it worth spending $100 to get 4GB of Ram or should I stick with 2GB on Vista Home Premium on an m9750.

 

sounds like good news, just have to hope the stick with it.

 

They are wrong. You can using 2gb and a 512mb cards, as long as they are the same speed. Theory is that if the cards are not the same size it will run at a lower speed, which is probably true. You'll never experience the drop in preformance.

Also since you have SLI you will only USE 2.5GB, with only one Video Card you'll USE 3GB. 512MB for each card equals 1GB, the other missing 512MB is reserved for use by the other peripherals in your system.

As a side note AW support have general knowledge of computers, they don't actually have experience with the M9750 specifically. Which is no different than any other support department.

 

So for the best stability and performance should I get a 2GB stick and use one of my current 1GB sticks with it or get two 2GB sticks and replace my two old 1GB sticks. Thank you eightd for being so helpful.

 

If this is true, this is fantastic news for 9750 owners, I'm even going to reconsider the 9750 now. How big is the 9750 compared to regular 17" notebooks? And compared to the likes of the Dell 1730, and the Sager 17" single GPU notebook?

 

No problem.

At one time, I thought the 2x2GB was very on stable after having issues. But as long as you have QUALITY memory, you should be fine.

Do I think $100 is worth an extra 512mb. No, especially if your lacking in funds. Save it for the 8800 GTX fund I would go with the $30 single 2GB chip. The performance that you will get from Dual Channel memory (at this clock speed) won't be noticable.

 

This is awesome news for m9750 owners! Good news for us m5550 owners as well. Alienware Warner, from the AW support forum, told me that they are doing testing of the 8-series on the m5550 as well. woo hoo!! Good news for everyone.

 

Man o' man I hope this is true. Just bought my wife a new laptop so I believe I can spend a little cash on me now

 

well if this is true i know what laptop im getting. again if this is true then the m17x fans will be waiting a long time because i dont think they will offer 2 17inch notebooks. maybe due to the problems with the m15x they decided to upgrade a proven laptop that they know alrdy have a reputation as good.

you gotta figure their in a hard spot.. im sure their m15x sales have gone down because of the unsolved problems and their m9750 is a little out of date

good decision on AW part imo

 

Honestly, I probably will upgrade to a single 8800GTX when it comes out. The 8800GTX should give me more power than the Dual 7950GTX (some games hate SLi). The 8800GTX also requires much less power, and runs cooler. I'm thinking that with the 8800GTX this notebook will run pretty damn cool

The upgrades that I am thinking of are...
8800GTX (I don't really like SLi)
2GB + 1GB ram (for 3GB)
500GB Hard Drive (have a 160GB for just stationary stuff, and have the 500GB for stuff that I know will be moved around a lot (video editing).)

Will Alienware cover the 8800GTX as part of your current warrenty though?

 

If they have it, I'm definitely going the SLI route. With that I should be able to run any game MAXED for the next few years.

I would check the Hive every once and a while, they will probably release a bios update before the card is available.

 

I sure hope it's true but i'm a bit cautious about getting my hopes up. They've insinuated to me that it would be possible in the future but they've also insuated that the m17x was going to be released end of february (both over the phone).

But let's stay positive! Good news, this would make the m9750 the best looking AND one of the more powerful beasts out there!!! I'd start with one 8800GTX and upgrade to a second one when my finances allow it.

 

ya i mean it depends on the price. I would love to go sli but i have a feeling you going to have to dish it out. i most likely will go solo 8800 gtx then once i get another student load get the 2nd one!...maybe

 

Have any of you besides the OP even called in to try and get the same answer?
This sounds a lot of like the same thing thats been said again and again, from alienwares excellent customer support. "thats a joke"

 

i personal perfer the m9750 over the m17x

 

I would love for this to be legit, but for some reason I just have a gut feeling that it's not going to happen. It just doesn't seem to make sense from a business standpoint. Why would people shell out 4 grand for the shiny brand new m17x when alienware offers a comparative product 1000 dollars cheaper, and much more reliable. I dont know, I guess maybe with the penryn processor, but realistically, I can't see there being a huge performance jump from the merom processors and the new penryn brand speaking strictly from a gaming standpoint, which is the main customer base of alienware. I really hope i'm wrong on this, but I just dont see it happening. Not with alienware at least.

 

I dunno if the 8800M Ultra rumor is true or not, but if it is this could answer why they are allowing the 8800m GTX upgrade to m9750 owners.

 

if true, would i be able to use 8800m sli?
i hope so, if true then 100% gonna get the m9750, if it hasnt sold out by then
i hope they offer this when purchasing the laptop

would most likely add about £500 to the cost?

 

omg...gogo upgrade it

 

i hope that when i buy mine they offer dual 8800m's as i would go right for that but with the same setting and just the cards changed it would cost about £1900-£2000 as the current set up im looking at comes to £1600'ish with dual 7950's

but i guess i could go for one and buy the second later?

 

It can't be possible... Seems like another joke...
How many time the alienware customers Service talk about events which doesn't happen ????

But ! If it's true !!!!! I'll try SLI between 8800 an 7950... Mouaaaaaaaaaahahahahahaha !

 

Well to the person who said it wouldn't make sense from a business perspective. Since there have been SLI 8800m gtx notebooks out there from other brands now it wouldn't be such an exclusive feature for the m17x. If they really want bleeding edge technology and be ahead of the competition i expect them to come with something brand new and stronger when it comes to the m17x. This is of course wishful thinking from my part, i have nothing to back that statement up. Fingers crossed.

 

i just phoned to them.... they confirm that 8800GTX is comming for the m9750

 

:d :d :d :d :d :d

 

how much do you think they will sell the 8800m's for is it worth getting 2 7950's if im going to upgrade to dual 8800m's

 

given that the m9750 has been a good performer till date, will slappin on a new 8800GTX bring about a new bunch of threads about working out the kinks of a new gpu on a 9750?

 

Since they don't generate more heat or use more power i don't expect there to be any mayor complications(correct me if i'm wrong). Especially not when running one 8800MGTX in a 17" notebook, it should be cool as a breeze. And as far as i know it's heat that has brought most of the 8800MGTX related problems to the m15x(and ofc lack of drivers).

 

I called them just now and the guy told me : "We're working on it, it's in the testing phase now so i can't tell you if the upgrade will be possible in the future or not."

More people should call and ask so we can mb get a general idea of what we can expect.

 

So I wonder if we want to upgrade if we have to send our laptops in or they send the part to us cause I remember someone saying we would send the laptops in then they keep the old vid card

 

It's quite interesting if it's true.

If it IS true, I can only presume it is because so many people x are jumping ship and ordering M1730's or Clevo's instead of Alienwares. They are trying to get a good laptop with 8800MGTX onto the market asap - nobody want's to buy a M15x until that problem is clarified, and if the same guy(s) who designed the M15x designed the M17x, presumeably they made the same underestimation of the thermal output of the 8800MGTX and that is the reason we haven't seen the M17x yet. i.e. it is currently being re-designed.

I won't believe anything til I see it, but anyway, it is interesting to say the least.

 

When the D901C owners upgraded from their 7950's and 8700's to the 8800's, a motherboard replacement was required. It will be interesting to see if the 8800's come for the m9750 if a similar situation develops. Glad to hear that it may be a possibility though! More options = better for end consumers.

 

Sorry to break the bad new, but don't get too excited yet guys

This is what I asked Alienware-Warner on the AW support site:

Re: GPU upgrade question
Posted: 03-14-2008 08:49 AM
I hear that the 8800m GTX is coming to the m9750 pretty soon, Warner.
I read this here...http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=229277
And got to ask you this. Is this really true? Will we, m5550 owners, be seeing 8-series GPU's as an upgrade too? Thanks a lot.

And this is what hold told me two hours later after checking:

Re: GPU upgrade question
Posted: 03-14-2008 11:23 AM
I've checked on this, Spartan-117, and so far there are no plans for this upgrade. As for the m5550, no word yet.

 

I was just digging through the customer support forums on AW's site and there is a quote from warner there saying that the motherboard and power supply for the m9750 are not compatable with the 8800....bummer

 

Good thing i didn't get my hopes up too high, AGAIN.

 

So should i buy the m9750 now or wait for the 8800m?->Will it be dicontinued?

 

and so goes on... the alienware m9750 roller coaster ride...

 

i really dont see why they wont put it in... i mean its obvious theres a buyers market for it so why not?

 

Yes, there is a buyers market for 8800m in the M9750, but there will also be a buyers market for the m17x, and a huge market of the m17x would be those who already own the m9750, and if you already own an m9750, why would you spend the 4 grand it will cost to buy a whole new laptop, when you could just pay the 1200 dollars it will cost to buy SLI 8800ms? Also, if you own an older laptop and are looking to upgrade? Why would you buy the m17x that is going to cost probably around 1000 dollars more than the M9750, and have a huge amount of issues associated with a brand new laptop, when you could just buy the cheaper, yet just as powerful, and time tested M9750? It's possible that Alienware will decide to cater to the customers rather than their own wallets, but knowing Alienware, I doubt it.

 

The M17x is a newer laptop that will outperform the M9750 (even if it were to have 8800M) just because it has Penryn CPUs and support for more than 2.5GB of RAM.

 

I guess we'll see what alienware does then. I dont think it's going to happen though to be honest.

 

Unless you get an official statement from Alienware I would go forward under the assumption that there will be no M9750 8800M-GTX upgrade. All we can do right now is guess.

 

I dont think either .In term of business ,they might release that rumour in order to sell all M9750 left because now someone is considering about buying M9750 or waiting for m17x release.Another thing is that price of M9750 decreased so some guys have no clue which kinds r suitable for them .But when they hear that rumour ,i think they probably order ^^ . U guys can see how it works .After all , AW can say we would not say that and etc ....

 

It's a tough choice. If you have the budget, get the m15x or wait for the m17x. If not, the M9750 is a decent choice for less than $2k with dual Go7950GTXs.