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    Alienware in need of help

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by deejay4488, Jun 16, 2011.

  1. deejay4488

    deejay4488 Newbie

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    Hello all.
    As you can see im new here, and joined specifically to ask this great and very intelligent forum a few questions.
    Last September i got an Alienware M11xR2 for my 18th birthday. It has the core i5 processor, and 4gb of ram. (There were a few other minor upgrades on the purchase, but nothing involving the performance aspect of the computer.)
    I have to say I've been honestly disappointed in my computer's performance. On WoW (a 6 or 7 year old game), i cant run settings above good, and when i do "push" them to good my FPS drops into the 15-25 fps range. Also Oblivion wont run over 18ish FPS.
    Is the low FPS caused by my i5 processor, mere 4gb of ram, or is there something wrong with the computer? My friend got an m11xr2 as well about2 months later with the i7 and 8 gb of ram, and WoW on his computer offers every setting and with the settings maxed he still gets 45 FPS.
    Please let me know how i can make my alienware do work like i was expecting when i got it!
    thank you, DJ
     
    deejay4488, Jun 16, 2011
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  2. Stradevarius

    Stradevarius Notebook Consultant

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    Wow is a very CPU intensive game, even if it is super old, and the m11x, while it has a great processor for the size, cannot handle it. That would be my best guess. Regarding Oblivion, I would reason the same thing, but as I don't game on computers as much as some others, I would await their replies.

    Stradevarius
     
    Stradevarius, Jun 16, 2011
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  3. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    you mean that a basically 13'' pc cant support a full blown cpu.... yeah the m11x was craptastic as always, and no there isnt anything you can do improve the performance, you cant swap the cpu, nor the gpu
     
    Karamazovmm, Jun 17, 2011
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  4. richierichdollar

    richierichdollar Notebook Geek

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    This is not true I can run wow very well on my pc with core i3. To the poster Have you tried updating video drivers etc. I am pretty sure I have lower specs then the mx11r2 and I have played wow without a problem and looks great with great fps.
     
    richierichdollar, Jun 17, 2011
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  5. pengy_666

    pengy_666 Notebook Evangelist

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    IMHO, you cannot compare game playing on a laptop to a desktop. End.
     
    pengy_666, Jun 17, 2011
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  6. richierichdollar

    richierichdollar Notebook Geek

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    I am talking about my laptop you see in my avatar, I dont have an up to date desktop atm.
     
    richierichdollar, Jun 17, 2011
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  7. deejay4488

    deejay4488 Newbie

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    no, i know nothing of video drivers. where/how do i update them?
     
    deejay4488, Jun 17, 2011
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  8. richierichdollar

    richierichdollar Notebook Geek

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    You can check alienware site for you model laptop and or you can find out what video card you have ati,nvidia etc and go to there website and download them. Also make sure you are in performance mode when you are trying to play games it may help on you laptop. Make sure you have all of windows 7 updates (assuming this is what os you are using) sometime they have updates to help performance issues.
     
    richierichdollar, Jun 17, 2011
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  9. pengy_666

    pengy_666 Notebook Evangelist

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    This is why I assumed you was referring to a desktop. not a laptop
     
    pengy_666, Jun 17, 2011
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  10. richierichdollar

    richierichdollar Notebook Geek

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    richierichdollar, Jun 17, 2011
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  11. deejay4488

    deejay4488 Newbie

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    @richierrichdollar
    im downloading nvidia drivers now, ill let you know what the verdict is.
    thanks for everyone to this point.
     
    deejay4488, Jun 17, 2011
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  12. richierichdollar

    richierichdollar Notebook Geek

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    No harm done. I will have to watch my wording next time.
     
    richierichdollar, Jun 17, 2011
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  13. pengy_666

    pengy_666 Notebook Evangelist

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    wow I didn't realise it was 11" that would be tiny to play games. And nearly a £1000!!

    I would be pleased to play any games on my laptop :(

    Half life1 will do. Probably still has one of the best gameplay in a game for over 12+ years old
     
    pengy_666, Jun 17, 2011
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  14. deejay4488

    deejay4488 Newbie

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    yeah, its expensive, but they are supposed to be able to put up with alot of desktop level gaming. 11" isnt huge or tiny, but when im at home i use an hdmi and play on my 32" tv, so its all good. i just want it to perform like its meant to.
     
    deejay4488, Jun 17, 2011
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  15. Stradevarius

    Stradevarius Notebook Consultant

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    The mx11r2 has a ULV processor, which while it might be an i5, it wouldn't be as powerful as a regular i3. Still, it is odd that wow doesn't play well with the m11xr2, probably as you said a video driver problem.
     
    Stradevarius, Jun 17, 2011
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  16. deejay4488

    deejay4488 Newbie

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    yes, my drivers were both at v 0.0
    they are currently downloading, albeit slowly....i wont miss living in the country...
     
    deejay4488, Jun 17, 2011
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  17. deejay4488

    deejay4488 Newbie

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    Much much thanks @richierrichdollar.
    I updated my nvidia software and now i can run WoW on Ultra settings with 55 fps.
    youre my hero \m/
     
    deejay4488, Jun 17, 2011
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  18. trvelbug

    trvelbug Notebook Prophet

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    be sure to rep him
     
    trvelbug, Jun 17, 2011
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  19. kent1146

    kent1146 Notebook Prophet

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    Welcome.

    Just as an FYI - there is a forum dedicated specifically to the Alienware M11x. It is worth checking out. You are more likely to get information & answers that apply specifically to Alienware M11x's, from owners of that laptop.
     
    kent1146, Jun 17, 2011
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  20. richierichdollar

    richierichdollar Notebook Geek

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    Np man just glad i can help someone for a change.
     
    richierichdollar, Jun 17, 2011
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  21. TraptPatriot

    TraptPatriot Notebook Consultant

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    Glad it is working better for you deejay! Sometimes even simple things like drivers can make a world of difference. =)
     
    TraptPatriot, Jun 18, 2011
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