New M6500 Discussion Thread

I ordered 2 4GB G.Skill DDR3 1333mhz memory chips so and they just came in today so after I install them and the 128GB SSD, I'll redo the WEI and 3DMark06 when I get home.

 

And what did you have originally?

Would you mind reposting you machines spec?

 

Core i7 1.73ghz / Quadro 3800M / 2x2GB DDR3 1333 / 320GB 7200rpm / RGBLED

 

Well I've re-ordered mine today... i7 820qm / Quadro 3800M / 4gb 1333 / 2 x 250 gb / RGBLED -due to arrive 7th Jan (or so they say)

 

Thanks for the response. I was shooting for "best performance per dollar" in my configuration, and went with:

i7-820QM
8.0GB, DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM, 4 DIMMS
ATI® FirePro® M7740 Graphics
320GB 7200rpm Hard Drive
WUXGA RGBLED LCD Panel
Windows® 7 Professional, 64-bit
Dell Wireless Bluetooth Module
USB Modem
210W 3P, A/C Adapter
8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load
Intel WiFi Link 5300 802.11a/g/n

I suppose the goal is to spec a well balanced system where no single component will drag down the performance of the overall system. In this case, I recognize that the biggest "drag" on the system is probably the hard drive, and plan to update the drive with the next generation Intel SSD when it ships later in 2010. (I don't like the fact that Dell won't reveal exactly what SSDs the system will ship with, which could mean the system ships with an SSD with outdated firmware that can't be updated for TRIM, etc.)

I'll use the system primarily for digital photography. This system was on my "short list" because of the RGB LED LCD that displays 100% of adobe RGB, and is a "true" 8-bit display, unlike most of the 6-bit laptop displays on the market.

If any other photographers are interested, I'll post my assessment of the display after I receive my system. (Ship date is 15 January.)

Keith

 

How do I upgrade the HDD? I don't know how to pop out the HDD from bay 1?

How do I get access to the other 2 memory slots?

How do I open the top?

Also, the memory that came with it was Samsung PC3 10600S 2x2GB.

 

OK, So I finally got the HD out from bay 1. It's a very tight fit and you basically need to pull it out at the right angle after removing the screws. It also has this plastic spacer that secures the HD in place so that it doesn't move.

Anyhow, HDD bay 2 is a problem. It seems like they didn't give me the caddy to insert the HDD to? See the link for a screenshot:

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/2425/photo2wt.jpg

Also, the HDD was a WD Scorpio Black.

Once I reinstall Windows 7 Ultimate I will redo the WEI test.

 

M6500
Core i7 820
Quadro 3800M
Crucial CT128M225 (Previously WD Scorpio Black WD3200BJKT 7200rpm)
G.Skill DDR3 PC1333 10600 2x4GB (Previously 2x2GB DDR3 1333mhz from PC3 Samsung 10600S)
Windows 7 Ultimate

New Windows Experience Index:

Processor: 7.1
Memory: 7.4
Graphics: 6.9
Gaming Graphics: 6.9
Primary Hard Disk: 7.3

Gotta run some errands but I'll redo the 3DMark06 test when I come back.

 

I am at a loss as to how the Windows benchmark for the ram went from
4.x to 7.x. I think something else was skewing the results. How
can two sets of 1333 ram be that far apart?

 

Not sure, I ran the test twice both before and after the swap. Before were identical results.

The second after upgrade WEI result is:

Processor: 7.0
Memory: 7.4
Graphics: 6.9
Gaming Graphics: 6.9
Primary Hard Disk: 7.3


Nevermind the quesiton about the 2nd HDD bay, apparently Dell doesn't ship the mounting bracket unless you ordered a 2nd HDD from the factory. I'll have to order this along with a few other parts (Intel Wifi 5300, 8x DVDRW, Slim 210/240w Switchable, port replicator/docking station and a bluetooth module (not sure of which one yet, what's the diff between the 365/2.1+420 vs 420?).


How do I get access to the other 2 memory slots? I think I need to remove the face/keyboard but I'm not sure how to do it. <-- answered it myself by looking at the m6400 manual. I have 4GB each in seats A & B, 2GB each in C & D. I now show 12 in Windows 7, hurray. WEI stayed the same, Memory was a 7.4

Btw, the stock adapter is a huge brick. I estimate about 3.5in x 9in x 1.5in