The Official M9750 Owners Lounge

Hello Again

I have played around a bit with the 169.04 driver with crisis and yeah it does let me select 2x and 4x AA. My initial findings with this driver are very good. £D Mark 06 returns scores of 8600 on average. The sound stuttering seems to happen with everyone I know at the moment. This is because the demo is not fully optimized yet and as with you I am using Vista.
Tech guy at AW support says they are about to release a new driver which will be this one (169.04) and will be released as soon as they have tested it with the full retail version of crysis.

M9750
Dual 7950GTX
T7600
Dual 320GD HDD
1920x1200 WUXGA

 

Hey guys, just got my m9750! Looks awesome, I would like to note that it feels very solid; obviously a very well-built computer. I'll give a more detailed report later.

 

phone alienware they will tell you there is a new 17in laptop with overclockable cpu launching soon there will be a 15in one also
and im guessing they will be putting the best gpu they have in it

 

Where did you get the 169.04 driver and when was the release date? I am using the 163.75 driver with Vista32 OS on my 9750 and I get a 3dMark06 score of 7600 with SLI enabled. I thought I might try the 169 out to see if I get any performance boost.

 

I got the 169.04 driver from http://laptopvideo2go.com. You need to go into the forum and then into 160 series topic. When you click on the driver in there you are directed to a link with the driver and the modded inf.

 

Here is the link www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=15825

 

Yeah...but it's not the same card as they now have in the m9750 because the Dell option is 256 MB dedicated per card...

 

Uh...you guys realize that to have a full experience with a DX10 game like Crysis none of the 8000 series cards will do it right??? Because by the time the games are ONLY DX10 and not 9 AND 10 the 8000 series will be WAY underpowered...

 

Guys, this is real sh*t news For some reason the glowing blue alienhead on the back of my brand new 2-week old m9750 doesnt light up anymore. Tried to fix it by...resetting computer really and thats all I can think of :|

It was working thisafternoon, but I just got back from college and turned it on to play bioshock and the alienhead doesnt light up whatsoever. Not like ive damaged it or anything either, all ive been doing is putting it in my bag, taking it to college and bringing it home again. Its probably a short circuit or something but DAMN, i need this fixed and...it doesnt seem like much but if i payed his much for a laptop I cant have the glowing alienware logo randomly not work after 2 weeks.

Only thing I can think of that could have caused this is...pressing F(something) and going into alienrespawn earlier to see what it does (out of curiosity), and putting it into and out of my laptop bag and the slight virbrations of...carrying it around. Oh and BTW its been upside down a few times, but why would this cause anything to not work? I dont know....

 

Fn + F10 turns the AW light on and off.

 

the alienware cards are 512 each

 

Yay thanks loggie, I thought something had seriously messed up, i need my glowing alienhead

PS: do you think im running a risk of not using a laptop cooling pad with games like bioshock? I mean, these computers are designed to handle these sort of things and it kinda takes away the point of the computer being a mobile gaming machine.

 

I play BioShock without a cooling pad without any problems although the gpu temp does run warm (around 95C peak) but this is typical for high end games. As long as your gpu temps stay below 100 C you should be alright but you can use a cooling pad to lower your temp a few degrees if it gives a little peace of mind.

 

If the computer overheats, it should be under alienware's warranty, at least thats my understanding.

 

Is it possible for me to play my wii on my laptop screen? I know its got an S-video input but this output isnt supported on PAL Wii's. Is there any way I can get a VGA to work, or anything else so I can just see my wii on the screen. (audio is no probem since I have surround sound).

My tv is broke and super mario galaxy is out on friday I need to sort this out!

 

Once again:

IF you have the tv tuner, you can input video (COAX or S-Video) into your m9750.

However, lag is introduced between wii output and the TV tuner processing and displaying the image.

Meaning that you would probably have already losy by the time you show up on screen.

 

Hey guys, I'm about to order this laptop but want to upgrade the RAM to 4 GB myself. I've got this set of RAM modules:
OCZ PC2-6400 SO DIMM 800MHz Mobile Series 4GB RAM Kit 5-5-5-15

But want to make sure they're compatible with m9750, product link here:

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_pc2_6400_ddr2_sodimm

Or does it have to be PC2-5400 667 MHz? Thanks.

 

You do realize that the m9750 can only see 2.5 Gb of that 4Gb of ram due to mother board limitations?

 

it does not have to be 667mhz but thats what your motherboard runs at so get that mhz. if you get the 800mhz it will downclock to 667mhz so you are just wasting money.

you will only see 2.5 gigs of ram if you run in SLI and 3 gigs if you run with one gpu. it is a chipset limitation and nothing you can do about it.

 

@LOGGIE & ARGH
Thanks guys. Yes I know about both limitations but I've got a choice between PC2-5400@667MHz and PC2-6400@800MHz both at the same price. Thought the latter would be a little more future proof but wasn't sure if it was gonna work alright without Santa Rosa. So if there is no problem with using the 800MHz one I might as well have that!?

 

i cannot gaurantee you there will be no problem because as i do not own the m9750 and never tested it as such. you should be fine as the ram will simply downclock to match the speed of the motherboard. thats how these things work, basically.

but, because ram is so cheap, and for 100% assurance sake, why not just get the 667mhz ram and not worry about it? by the time you realistically look for a new laptop something better than santa rosa will be available.

btw, the m9750 is not santa rosa, it is based off the napa platform.

 

Dammit I knew I had to give in lol, kidding. Well I guess you're right, I'll get the 667MHz one then...

 

Don't try these OCZ ! I do and have lot of blue screen...
So, better choice is Corsair or Kingston 2GB 667 !

 

Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Notebook Memory - Model #: KVR667D2S5K2/4G

Anyone tried this? Because I really do want 4GB of memory and I am well aware of 32-Bit limitations, so I would really appreciate it if replies are about compatibility issues and not 32-Bit OS limitations. If Anyone is using 4GB of RAM and has no problems, could you please tell me what you're using? Thanks.

 

can someone with an m9750 download and instal this simple utility? that utility attempts to query only the display unit itself, and not the videocard, BIOS or ancillary EPROM used to support an EDID-less display - if dtuner says that it cannot find any info on your display, it's more likely than not that your display unit is EDID-less).

it is confirmed that nvidia requires EDID-compatible systems in order to operate the 8800m gtx card so lets see if the m9750 is EDID!

http://www.nicomsoft.com/dtuner/download.htm

 

According to http://www.notebookforums.com/thread208406.html the m9750 runs EDID v1.2 which indicates it's 8800 GTX A.OK. Hope that helps. Infact, I'm sure that's you on the other forum

 

Keeping fingers crossed

 

Aria - On your M9750 if you have Dual 7950GTX or Dual 8700GT, if you put 4Gb of ram in there you will only see 2.5GB no matter what.

With this platform it can only see 3.5GB TOTAL memory, so that means that you have 1024 taken up by your GPU's which means that you only have 2.5GB left.

 

Yes I know that thanks, I'm cancelled the order for m9750 anyway, I've decided I'm gonna wait for m17x.

 

can anyone tell me whether this would/wouldn't be compatiable with the m9750?

http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...aster&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All

im getting a 2gb stick to replace one of my 1gb ones, and was wondering whether it would be compatible? its 200 pin and DDR2, DIMM. but its been a while since i built a PC and not sure whether the other things like unbuffered and non-ECC would make a difference

 

Many people have used that particular stick and haven't had any problems so it should work just fine for you.

 

+1
Héhéhéhéhé

 

Hello,, m9750 now in Phase 5.

I have been at CES and seen both the m15x and the m9750 (Intel booth) - and while I could wait for a m17x, I am going to let my m9750 order proceed. The m9750 all black is just pure Alienware and I have confidence an 8800 upgrade option will be forthcoming - I have not heard a 'No' here or from reps and I really cannot see them missing out on revenue from certain upgrades. I can understand them waiting a few months so as not to interfere with the m17x launch. An extreme CPU/Santa Rosa board would be nice, but I am sure such a configuration would far surpass the current $4000 sticker (w/tax and 2-year); I am already allergic to spending so much for something so portable.

Here is the config, parts to be upgraded -

Area-51® m9750
Dual 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7950 GTX - SLI Enabled
17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD with Clearview Technology
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7600 2.33GHz 4MB Cache 667MHz FSB
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz – 2 x 512MB
I have a 2Gb stick of Patriot Memory on order from NewEgg
Total would be 2.5Gb, assuming this is most workable.
Genuine Windows® XP Professional
Likely upgrade to Vista after service pack releases or 8800 upgrade.
(RAID 0) - 400GB (200GB x 2) 7,200RPM (16MB Cache)
24x DVD-ROM/CD-RW Burner
I'll spend the Blu-Ray upgrade on a real Home Theatre player. Needs Vista anyway.
Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Will be changed to a higher power client card (but not too much to blow the power limits of the bus or surpass 30 dbi ERP so I can remain secure) - I play with Mikrotik and Ubiquiti equipment routinely in 100W ERP (around 50dbi) configurations as a hobby (Ham licensed). Also looking at possible install of a Sierra Wireless MC8781 mini-card - normally its OEM only, but can be found inside an 881u (which is just a USB interface to minicard). But can I snake an external ant cable through the chassis to my 15 dbi Yagi?? - yes, I have done 40 mile cel data hookups.
High-Definition Audio with surround sound
Will be upgraded, just not paying AW's markup.

Looking forward to arrival, then the agony of application installation - VS 2008, Office, Photoshop, blah blah, looking at mice now.

 

Would you mind tell us which looked better in person, the m15x or the m9750? The m9750 looks great, but the m15x and m17x has a cool new look (the keyboard is a lot different than anything else I've seen). I wonder how the black m17x looks in person compared to the m9750.

 

I'm not so sure about the possibility of an 8800M upgrade being made available on the m9750;

1. It’s the hottest feature of the m15x and m17x, therefore I don't think they would want to make it available on the older/cheaper model, as it would damage the sales of the new model for obvious reasons.

2. Putting aside the profitability issues, there could still be some issues; Heat.
Even though the notebook versions of these cards are watered down to help reduce certain factors such as size, power consumption and heat generation, the 8800M is still a big leap from both 8700M and 7950 in terms of performance and all of the above issues. Also Alienware have designed the inside of the chassis of the new models form ground up, most importantly to address the heat issue with the 8800M.

 

They each have their qualities - its going to be a subjective call and I would not mind either. I really do like the stealth black look of the m9750 - its clean and serious. The color striping of the m15x/m17x has certain allure - I especially like having lighted keys when working/playing in the dark.. but yeah it is a high maintenance finish. What would be interesting is learning how the finish or lighting trim survives after a year of wear.

I have not seen a black one. They seem to only have the silver one at the show. The Dell booth is quite small this year and Alienware's spot is just one section of it. By small, its still quite large by most show standards, but when Intel is 20,000 sq ft and Samsung is probably 50,000 sq feet, Dell is just relatively small. I found the m9750 at the Intel booth btw, part of the gaming islands.

I know what you are saying and I am sure there is very lively discussion at Alienware HQ. If the m9750 was an older machine, your reasoning would win out. But the m9750 is a very new model (April, May of 2007??) and nobody can expect customers to buy two $4000 laptops in less than a year. I dont have data, but I suspect the typical laptop investment is around two years. So no, I do not believe upgrades will cannibalize m17x sales. However I do believe they will need to discontinue the m9750 before offering the upgrade so that the machines are not in direct competition. m9750 owners will likely look to the 2009 offering.

The technical issues are given, but it seems believed its capable on a different thread.

The very fact that I did not get a "No" from a well-placed Alienware rep on the CES floor gives me more than enough hope it will happen... not Q1, probably Q2, when they need some pick-up.


Here's hoping another Stealth Black is available in 2009 - they could play both looks well.

BTW, I'll take a look at m15x pricing on Friday to guestimate m17x... that will nail it,,, not expected to ship until Monday so I have that much room left I seriously dont want to spend $5000 on a laptop - I could do a bunch with the extra $1000 - a skidplate for the thing on the left, an L-series Canon lens, so on..

 

I never said the m9750 is an old machine, but older than m17x; but anyways lets wait and see...

 

My m9750 arrived today - 7600, Dual 7950, Raid 0 200's, blah blah Windows XP.

Something new, I got BIOS 0F04.

...this was figured out after a long ongoing support call - that started at around 4:30 and just finished at 8! Machine was build 1/9/08.

All worked fine until I upgraded memory (changed hardware config), then my BIOS forgot about RAID, so on,, got to a point where it *would not POST*. During the phone call we have essentially rebuilt the machine, including pulling the hard drives, CDRom, memory, and secondary 7950 card! It finally POSTed. On the rebuild I redid the thermal with Artic Silver 5 paste I had handy in my desktop/carPC cpu kit.

I am up and all is working well. I have to definitely commend Alienware's Support line. No idea yet on what 0F04 does, or if BIOS crap-outs are common with memory upgrades.. Just keeping tabs.

Off to try some other memory, since this Patriot PSD22G6672S seems out of sorts. Could be timings? It reports a 4-4-...

Incidently, I learned during the call that the m9750 is a much more user-serviceable box than the new m15x/m17x. Owners will need to send the box more often for upgrades or changes. I also kept tabs on the 8800 - nothing confirmatory, but since no water is being poured on it from Alienware Reps both at CES and on support, I am positive it will happen once they clear the m17x launch. But of course they could always change their minds.

 

Ok, stuck a couple sticks of 2Gb in. Hated doing it, but with memory this cheap the cost for the extra 512 was negligible. Thought I could get away with 2 + 512 and such is difficult.

No problems this time with BIOS. I was a bit deliberate to default to net boot and be deliberate with the F2 to walk the BIOS through the change. Once good, I reactived RAID boot.

All is buttoned up.

I am tempted to Artic Silver my primary card now. I was somewhat displeased by the paste application by AW's builders - a good 20% of the secondary GPU was not even covered by paste and the rest was fairly uneven. Looked like someone dabbed and stuffed, didnt actually smooth it out. Yikes. I'll watch the heat ratings and build up the workouts slowly so that the paste flows right.. if primary looks out of whack, its pulled and redone for sure.

 

Sorry guys !
I have a bad news from french customers service : no upgrade for our M9750... Alienware *ù!:ù^%$¤ùm^m !!!!
You can read more here ( http://portables4gamers.wordpress.c...-verra-pas-la-geforce-8800m-gtx/#comment-3243 ), in french, but it's possible to translate with google...
French owners of this M9750 are very sad today...

Hope they change after M17X launch...

 

That doesn't surprise me. I always doubted that AW would let 9750 owners upgrade to 8800M GTX.

 

This is just in France right?

 

I posted this on the Alienware Tech support Forum, Warner from AW replied. He is going to look into it, he knows nothing about it.

Roor, maybe able to help, since he works there.

 

There is no AW France or Germany etc., it's all based in Ireland (like Dell).
Support comes in different languages, AW websites come in different languages, but the content is all the same here in Europe.

 

The information has been going back and forth since the card's origin. We'll just have to wait and see.

 

as far as i think if theyre not offering it in europe then they wont be offering it in states too..otherwise that would be so unfair

 

I think be patient.

 

I hope you're right...

 

If they don't offer it simply to promote a newer model, they are being ridiculous. If there is a technical reason, I could see it.

But If it works with the 8700, and the 8800 has lower power consumption/heat emission than the 7950GTX, there should not be a problem.

 

But 8800M GTX is the first card in PCI Express 2
I think that's the problem...