-->*OFFICIAL: Dell XPS M1730 Owner's Lounge*<--

You play Eve online I was on for a little bit just starting out before trinity came out. But i didnt really have a comp to run it. Im thinking about getting back on when i get my laptop in.

Has anyone played Frontlines: Fuel of War it looks pretty good so im thinking about getting it.

 

Unfortunately I just don't have the time these days to play EVE. I did the trial, it is a cool game, just need to dedicate time to it.

Pirates of the Burning Sea, I was in the beta for this, very fun. Love the ship combat, not so keen on the land combat. But I advise checking it out! Its nice to see a different MMO.

 

How does it compare to WoW?

 

Yea it does take time but one thing i like is that you level things in real time so you dont have to play the game 24-7 like most games to level

ill have to look in to that one tomorrow when im sittin in class doin nothin

one game im waiting for is stargate worlds. I havent seen to much on it but im a stargate fan so i wanna play it

 

What one are you talking about Pirates or Eve
Eve online is a different enviroment so its kinda hard to compare. If you like space based stuff youd like it better. But its the same principle- Kill people do things to make money and get better equipment- except for eve you start training on something and its so much time till its complete once you start it and you can switch inbetween. And it will continue to train even if your offline.

 

At the risk of sounding like I've had some sort of blunt head trauma and suffering from a profound amount of brain damage, has the Zalman NC2000 been released in the US yet?

I haven't been able to find it on any retail website, even listed as sold out. I've found the NC1000, but it looks much too small for the 1730.

 

I never liked WOW. Played it for about 2 hours using a friends account, didn't enjoy it. Found it boring almost!

EVE Online involves getting a little ship, and then either mining, trading, fighting to get money. As mentioned above, one feature I like is you don't level up by constantly fighting NPC's, instead you select what skill you want to train, and it will do so over time, even when you're logged off. The economy in EVE is one of its strongest points, its completely player run, which I like quite alot. Also EVE's user interface is excellent, I like the way you can open up heaps of boxes and arrange them freely around the screen. One of the few games I can really recommend dual monitors for!

Pirates of the burning seas is kinda the same, you have a sea going ship, instead of a space ship. Its a little less complicated than EVE. Also in POTBS you can actually get out of your ship and walk around ports, board enemy ships to capture them etc.

EVE, in combat you simply click who to target, and what weapons to use, you don't actually control your ship. POTBS you actually have control of your ship in a sea battle. This part is brilliant. You have to constantly think wind, ranges of your cannon and so on. You can get some epic battles, also the group missions against the computer can be awesome fun as well.
Overall I really enjoy POTBS. Pity I don't have the time these days to play it...

 

Sorry, yeah, I can see how that would be confusing. I was talking about Pirates.

 

It must have been mate! If you can get it out here, it has to be available over there in the US. Heaps of people want to get one, just doesn't seem to be in stock anywhere? Ifti is based in England, he's ordered one, but its not due till March. That might be the month when a new large shipment is shipped out to the stores?

On the subject of running multiple monitors on the XPS M1730, I can't seem to find any info! Searches bring up unrelated stuff. I remember it was briefly talked about somewhere on this forum, just can't remember where.

From what I remember, in order to run two external monitors you had to disable SLI. Why, I don't know. The M1730 comes with a DVI port, does it also have a VGA port? If it does, you could use these to run two monitors?

 

Here are the US retailers of Zalman:

http://www.zalman.co.kr/ENG/WTB/usa.asp

 

Thanks for the info! I'll look into them and probably end up with a new game by the end of this week.

As far as external monitors go...i've hooked up with a 55" 1080p HDTV. I have not figured out a workaround though for running 2 external monitors with the SLI enabled. The option is grayed out as soon as you enable SLI.

 

Supreme Commander is written by the guys that did Total Annihilation. I freaking loved that game which was out in about ... erm ... '97ish???

The screenshots of Supreme Commander look pretty, I reckon that it'd be sweet on the m1730.

 

I bought my zalman at http://www.quietpcusa.com/.

Very friendly people, they delivery anywhere in north america.

 

This actally makes sense to me that it would behave this way. With 2 graphics cards you should be able to drive 2 external monitors, but with SLi enabled, you are effectively load-sharing across both cards to make one powerful virtual card.

From the NVidia site:

How many monitors are supported when running in SLI mode?
When in multi-GPU mode, SLI currently supports one monitor. When in single-GPU mode, users have the ability to use all of the connectors on their GPUs to connect to monitors using NVIDIA® nView® multi-display technology and Windows built-in multiple display support.

This may give you some hope though (source is Wikipedia):

Currently, all SLI configurations work only with a single digital video output. When switching to multi-GPU SLI mode, Dualview gets disabled under Windows, respectively TwinView and multiple screens get disabled under Linux. It is possible, however, to use a wide resolution and split it into multiple monitors using an external device such as the Matrox TripleHead2Go.

Sorry? A Matrox what???

Matrox Graphics eXpansion Module (GXM) supports the use of multiple monitors over a single video source by splitting the output of a video source, providing an enlarged workspace or gaming environment. GXM is not a graphic card itself, and in fact requires a fairly powerful graphic card for playing games on multiple monitors.

While most modern graphic cards have support for dual monitors and can expand a desktop across three screens, 3D games are generally limited to a single monitor. The GXM uses the standard EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) structure to communicate its capabilities to the graphics card just as a monitor does, however the GXM's resolutions include all the pixels in the three monitors. If the TripleHead2Go were hooked up to three monitors with 800x600 resolution, the TripleHead2Go would report itself as a single monitor with 2400x600 resolution. The graphic card then sends out a 2400x600 signal which the TripleHead2Go divides and distributes to the appropriate monitors.

 

Ok a little more research on the Matrox TripleHead2Go.

Here's basically what it does:



Essentially a KVM switch for monitors, very cool.

But what is really cool is what this dude did with it:

 

Thanks for that info Julian intresting to know cuz id like to hook up dual moniters to play on.
Do you think this would work good with Dual 8800 GTX cards or would it make game play bad?

and WOW i just saw the second post take about in game experince imagin playing a FPS on that I wonder if it would give you a 180 view that would be so awsome. When i build my desktop i want one that can handle that.

 

Sheesh, I just got a call from courier booking in delivery for Monday afternoon. So, Friday morning order, this week build and delivery on Monday. Kinda impressive.

However, what is kinda annoying is that its in Australia NOW. The courier confirmed that it was, otherwise they wouldn't be booking it in. So its the local courier that's slowing things down.

Definitely getting excited now.

 

Here is a review from a gaming perspective:

http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/05/04/can_matroxs_triplehead2go_span_fun_across_three_displays/index.html

The summary seems to be that it does work, but it will degrade things a little. A few compromises to be made. I guess its up to you whether you think that its worth it or not.

 

JulianOliver, some good info you posted there about the multiple display issue with SLI. Looks like when you intend on gaming you'll have to turn on the SLI option. When not intending on gaming, turn it off... Still, kinda pointless in getting two monitors... Value for money, you can't beat getting two LG 22" 226WTQ's. The real estate you get for $760AU far outweighs the 24" Dell 2408 for $999AU... Might just have to get the Dell monitor now. Once again, when I receive my machine tomorrow I'll pay my brother a visit. He has two LG 226WTQ's hooked up to a single 8800gts on his desktop machine. Such a nice setup, love having two screens. I'll have to grab them and try plugging them into my dell and have a play around. Will post up any solutions if I find them.

Total Annihilation was awesome! I was addicted to that game for many years. Can't beat it for sheer scope, upgradability (all the new units and mods), realism, and multiplayer. Supreme Commander is incredible, TA with much better graphics and a fully 3D camera. Also it has massive scope. You can play on simply huge maps that take your air units like 5 minutes to fly across (if they have the fuel!) But the best thing about it is the interface. Its simply incredible what you can do with the "shift" key for example. And you can scroll zoom all the way in to see individual detail, and then all the way out to see the grand picture. Love it!

They've released the next one, its called Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance. Basically just Supreme Commander with a couple of minor game changes, and a much more polished GUI. Oh and a new race to play.

It does demand quite high system req's though. I played the game on my original XPS M1730 with dual 8700's. And it ran really well, even with some huge multiplayers with AI involved I do think the game is more centered on your processor and RAM then GPU. Our new machines should find it easy, especially with 4 gig ram.

I thouroughly advise picking Sup. Com. up! Easily the best RTS available now.

 

I've often tossed around the idea of picking up a nice 40" LCD TV and hooking it upto my laptop to use as a screen. How do you find the sharpness/detail in things like reading websites, playing games, watching movies?

 

Well I'm on my 4th reinstallation attempt. Jesus is media direct ever a pain to get right, I really don't understand why dell made this so complicated.

A tip to whoever plans to reinstall, DO NOT test media direct after installing it post OS install. It corrupts your bootfiles and continuously fails to boot media direct. I wasn't even able to repair my vista install, the only option is to reformat the entire drive to get out of the loop.

As far as the raid drivers, no issues whatsoever. Vista actually makes a small partition for you to store your raid drivers, but if you do find you need them it's as simple as highlighting the drive and clicking browse for drivers (with the driver cd in the drive of course).

 

Kermit, thanks for the info. Next week I will take delivery of my beast, I would really love a "what to do with your new m1730" guide. Covering exactly what you're talking about in doing a reinstall, configuring raid, getting media direct going, best drivers for GPU's, etc.

 

Kermit, would you recommend a re-install? I seem to remember there not really being much bloatware on my last machine? Correct me if im wrong.

 

tbh when i got mine the bloatware was just norton and aol and crap. Thats about it. Uninstalled it. 2 or 3 programs.

 

I thought about doing this first, since I could mount the fans exactly where I wanted - just below the laptop vents, and the RAM & HDD panels etc. However, I decided to go for the Zalman cooler instead and seehow things go with that first....

Im really hoping this is the case with the 8800's as well. Cant wait to get my cooler and try it out! Thanks for the info though, gives me high hopes

I think drilling holes at the top of the cooler is probably the best idea. It seems strange that Zalman would make this cooler and only have the bottom 2/3 of the laptop properly cooled..... The air probably does spread along the entire base of the laptop, but, as you said, moving the laptop down a little so that the laptop intake is directly above the cooler's holes does make a big difference....

You guys may want to check out my video guides here......

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=206068

Should show you everything you need to do to set up RAID0 etc. Its not a difficult task and doesnt take very long to get it set up.

After installing the hardware and changing the BIOs and RAID Manager settings, you just need to remember to install the drivers during the OS installation. Remember if its XP you need to press F6 when it prompts you (before disc partitioning), or if its Vista you install the drivers when you partition the disc......

Will a BIOs update enable support for 800MHz RAM? Or is it hardware limited? I dont understand the reasoning as to why Dell would make a gaming machine and not whack teh RAM speed up to 800 - I mean, its not as though its not an important component when gaming!

A lot of places seem to be getting stock around mid-March. I think Zalman underestimated the possible demand for these larger sized coolers!

TBH there is less bloatware on this system then normal. Its only like 2 or 3 things to remove and you have a pretty clean system. You then need to go into the startup items and remove any programs that you dont need to run during startup, via msconfig etc.
I still prefer to do a clean install though, since I know Ive not left anything behind by doing a clean install. I also set up RAID0, which destroys anything on your HDDs anyways, so didnt have a choice really!
Personally, Id still recommend a clean install Also get whichever drivers you want to use downloaded etc beforehand, since you can then install them on a clean build, rather then having to remove a driver and tidy up any keys left behind in the registry etc.

 

Hmm yeah, what I thought. I remembered the machine being relatively bloatware free, which was a pleasant suprise.

Bring on tomorrow afternoon!

 

just looking at me old card in the box. God its a huge card. We did however find when we swapped the cards over the 8800m GTX is slightly more thicker on the heatsinks. Think they need it tbh.

 

Think im going to keep this 8700M GT sli card for a spare incase this 8800M gtx sli card breaks. I reckon could sell this 8700m for £150 on ebay for those that chose the single 8700m gt and wanna spend on a budget,dont get me wrong the 8700M SLI is fast but is a turtle compared to the 8800M gtx. Its like the 8700m is a turtle and the 8800M gtx a cheetah.

 

just seeing if the speedtest graphic shows up

 

Good news!

I found the Zalman NC2000 in stock at another site! Hence I cancelled my current order and re-ordered at the new place. They had one silver, and one black in stock - naturally I went for the black

Just paid for it via PayPal by using the money I got from selling the backpack. Hopefully they will dispatch it today and delivery is within 2-3 days

 

Yes it shows up.......you jammy git!!!! lol
Nice speeds

 

ok, i feel like I'm in the stone ages with my 8700s and 9918 score, seeing y'all with 8800s in ur sigs !

If i can't have fast GPUs, at least I can have big bandwidth LOL !

 

Has there been any more word on the upgrade program or when its starting??

 

i just installed gears of war and the game looks amazing on this laptop......the occasional stuttering is still there but i think thats mostly epic

anyway, I am still debating on whether to keep this laptop or not

the pros:
great screen
games plays fairly well
the resolution makes it easier for me to manage my websites

the cons:
the notebook isn't portable at all
m17x could be lighter and have the 8800GTX card with similar specs and price
i was also satisfied with the m1530 because of the size, but only returned it because it didn't have the high resolution screens available when I purchased it....oh, and the m1530 was cheaper

this is going to be tough

 

Mate, for work purposes i'll say you're better off sending the M1730 back and ordering another XPS 1530 with the high res screen. Then just grab a 22" or 24" LCD monitor for where ever you do your website work stuff. You then have a nice laptop which is reasonably portable.

You will suffer alot in the games department. The 1530 with the 8600 GPU option isn't a dog, but it won't even compare to the 8700's, let alone the 8800's! You'll just have to except that you won't be able to run the latest games at high settings, and will have to do a fair amount of settings tweaking to get solid performance.

Your other option is the Alienware M15x. It is a "large" 15" notebook, with a single 8800 gtx. Seems to be a really good mix between performance and portability.
You don't get the Dell support though, which includes the NBD onsite tech service and there replacement warranty, but that might be what you're looking for?

I hate that feeling you're having right now, choices suck

 

...KEEP IT MAN.. !!!!

Gears of War - the stuttering is in the game. The port over is buggy - its nothing to do with the laptop. I had exactly the same. The stuttering does get worse as you go through the game though, it doesnt start off so bad, but it gets a little more regular, and the freezes are longer (2-3 seconds at some places) as you go through the game.

 

Hmmm, having issues finding a bag for this machine. There are heaps online, but I don't know if the M1730 will fit them! Im not keen on lugging it around the stores, asking for it to get damaged. Plus in my experience, stores out here have crap all selection when it comes to laptop bag's, especially 17" ones. Online there is large choice, just don't know how big etc. they are...

 

...its becoming a bit of a zoo with all these different species of gpu's! lol

 

^^^
Unfortunately I just sold my M1730 backpack. Gotta go send it off today.
I know that Dell sell a Kensington Roller case thats pretty big and fits the M1730 in it pretty well. I cant remember the model number though!

It looks like this (actually has the M1730 inside).......

 

Hmmm, not really a fan of the design of that case. Also don't want roller wheels. Want the smallest possible bag I can find that will fit the M1730 and its massive power adaptor. Needs to be small, not a fan of these big bags with heaps of pockets and compartements.

Still looking... If anyone has any suggestions, please let us know!

 

With the size of the laptop and the power supply, 'small' is not the word!
It will need to be at least around the size of the bag above, since M1730 fits just about in that case, pretty snug, and the power supply fits in the pocket next to it. Fair enough it has a few extra pockets, so could be very slightly slimmer, but otherwise thats roughly the size you are looking at.

With the weight of the beast, I would probably recommend a backpack though.

 

I did the above this morning, and my cooler has already been despatched!!!!

I should receive it in 2-3 days, so hopefully towards the end of this week!!

Glad I cancelled from the other place now. It was a bit more expensive from where I got it now, but at least I get it quicker

 

The beast has arrived!!

Gonna check which LCD it is, can you guys tell what the different ID's are for them, Gonna stick on some games, put in my 4gb ram, and Voila!

Oh not to mention, delete all that crap bloatware off, which will run throughout the whole day, lol.

 

the lcd is SEC5443, Please don't tell me thats the Sharp :S?

 

I think it is you know!

I cant remember which code is which, but thats either a Sharp or a Samsung. The LG code started with a 'L'.

Anyways congrats on your system!

What RAM you putting in??

 

Sulzero, what specs did you get?
Also what games you sticking on??

At the mo I have, BioShock, NFS Prostreet, and Company of Heroes installed, Havent played any of em! Just tested em at max settings etc. Ive been playing Gears and finished that yesterday - and sold it as well! Got Doom 3 as well, but havent installed that yet.

 

Wish I didn't know about the quality of Dell LCDs, Now its the first thing I'm gonna check when I get it =/
Unless it has bad light leakage I'll probably not send it back.

 

You have a Sammy...

SECxxxx from Samsung (worst)
SHPxxxx from Sharp (ok)
LPLxxxx from LG (best)

The SEC5443 has the light leaking at the bottem (particularly on a dark background) and irregular color brightness across the screen surface, most visible on a dark, single color background - I had this screen before I got the LG. I was completely happy with it - until I saw the LG and saw how much brighter etc it was!

 

Anyone installed XP on there M1730?
Vista looks cool but I know Win XP inside out and know it will work with some of my questionable apps

Never used Raid before but I've seen the "Press F6" when you install Windows.So I guess its as easy as following the prompts?

 

Like I said, I was completely happy with the Samsung. Even though I could clearly see the light leakage on a dark background, it didnt bother me too much at all. The screen was still bright and sharp and I was very much impressed. Unless you actually see the difference in quality between that and the LG, you dont know what you are missing anyways. Yes, the LG is better, its colours are more vivid, and theres no light leakage etc, but the Sammy was also good IMO.
It it wasnt for the fact that the LG landed in my lap with the second unit, I wouldnt have bothered chasing a replacement screen TBH.