*OFFICIAL* M14x R2 Owner's Lounge Thread - READ BEFORE POSTING

What is a good notebook cooler for the r2?

 

I use the cooler master u2, works like a charm!
Its the perfect size for the r2 and has two fans that can be moved where you lkike, ive got them under the 2 vents on the bottom of the laptop! (Where else would you put them?) It also has a female usb so you dont waste a usb! =)

 

check out the NZXT coolers, theyre pretty neat

 

hey everyone,

my m14x is coming tomorrow

would you guys recommend doing a full format before starting to use it?

I also ordered a coolermaster U2 and was wondering where to place its fans to get the maximum performance..

Thanks for the help!

 

Received my M14x r2 earlier today! I overclocked it using MSI afterburner to 850MHz core and 1304MHz memory speed. My min temp was 54 degrees Celsius and the max was 65 degrees Celsius. I saw a rough increase of 7-10 FPS in BF3, LotRO and Rift.

I've never overclocked a GPU before however and was wondering if the temps were okay? Am I pushing the card to hard? I don't want it to fry!

 

hi Eroze,

Yes. I think it is better to do a clean install. You can regain 10-20gb back and it will perform way more better. At least for me.

 

Gettiny my M14x R2 in a couple of weeks. Want to make it into a Hackintosh asap, but realise it might take a while for the drivers.

Anyone else gonna make their M14x into a Hackintosh? Folks have done it to the R1 so it should be possible.

 

my first alienware ever.. just unboxed, turned on.. now what? what do I do to make it run at it's best? it uses 1.6gb ram on start up which I think is a bit high and CPU usually idles at around 1-3% .. I'm just wondering what y'all do other then the updates to make things run more "smoothly" thx for the help everyone

 

Seconded. Got my Coolermaster U2 a few days ago and it knocked 5 degress off GPU temp whilst playing BF3.

 

Windows 7 itself uses about 2gb of ram, so 1.6 sounds about normal.

 

Does anyone elses R2 screen look extremely pixelated? I can see the individual pixels clear as day on mine, and it really makes the screen look like crap.

 

My screen looks great! Comparing side-by-side with my M17x screen, the M14x R2 screen is so much brighter and clear! The M17x actually looks washed out in comparison. Just got my M14x and setting it up...

 

Did you get the 900p screen? I can't really see the individual pixels.

 

Hey guys, Im new here but not new to computers. This is my first laptop so I have a few things I want to ask. First of all I got mine with the i7 and the better screen. I added a 120 gb ssd myself and will be upgrading the ram from 6 to 8 gb. The first set of ram I tried was making the laptop crash while watching videos. Work fine right now. I would like to know what ram to get if I upgrade. I like gskill and never had a problem with it, if you upgraded yours let me know what brand u used plz.
Now the m-sata is the other thing. I did ask about it in another post but I just want to know where the hell does it go lol.
And if you guys want more out of your battery go into the power setting and put your cpu to 80% power. I think 99% shuts off turbo but I dont see any slow down at 80% and this thing runs for a long time. Im sure having a ssd helps alot too.

 

Hi, I'm really new to laptops with Nvidia GPUs (and Alienware), and I have no experience with Optimus. How do you go about OCing the GPU?

A few things I've tried:
- use Core clock slide bar i MSI Afterburner - the idle clock seems to be 135, and the maximum value the bar can reach is +135; this is nowhere near 835, which seems to be the core clock when there is load.

- Use the nvidia performance tools in the nvidia command center - it only goes up to 810, which is under 835.

Please help? What am I missing?

 

The MSI numbers add on to what the speeds are, so +50 is 50 more then what it was. In nvidia just use memory clock and processor clock, I think. I have always used ati so this is new to me also.

 

Yea I got the 900p screen. I wonder if I just got a bad screen. I may have to have Dell come out and replace it.

 

What are these sidebar gadgets called that are shown on your desktop?

 

The first one is All CPU Meter , while the second one is GPU Meter !

 

Does anyone experience throttling when OCing the GPU core clock further than 834~835? I had my doubts when I was able to drag the MSI AB core clock bar all the way to the right (+135). When I ran Furmark, it clearly said next to my too good to be true 969 MHz core clock that it was throttling at 834 MHz. I also tested skyrim and saw no difference in fps between 834 and 969 MHz.

 

Can someone explain the differences i'd notice between using a 'Intel Advanced-N WiFi Link 6250 a/g/n 2x2 MIMO' and the 'Killer Wireless-N 1202 a/g/n 2x2 MIMO' except there being a software to choose priorities for programs.

I had the more advanced Killer Wireless on my M11X, but it's not offered on the M14X R2. I only see it available now on the M17X and M18X.

So I order a M14X R2 with the 6250. I always was messing around with it and entering new speeds anyway with the Killer Wireless I had, and don't even want to mess around with it anymore. Just let me pick my game, and let me play without the hassle. Is this a good wireless adaptor, it did cost me $50 bucks, so Intel AW thinks it's worth $20 bucks more, or just a way to make some more of someone like me. Any comments on users of the 6250 and how it performs, drops or whatever?

 

Any owners that got the BD drive in their R2's, can you tell me the model # that you got?

 

You can't OC the GP core more than 835MHz. It's due to the Nividia Turbo boost. Unless you mod the vBios you can't change this number. You can however up your Memory Clock. Bump that up until you get tearing, arti etc.

 

I purchased my first Alienware PC last month. Then I returned it (M14xR1) for the new M14xR2.

All I can say is that my M14xR2 is a beast and the graphics blows any gaming console I've ever owned and I'm now a more avid PC gamer! My R2 has handled every game I've thrown at it smoothly and on high settings!

So far I've installed and been playing Diablo3, Witcher1&2, SWTOR, BF3, AgeOfEmpires3, Mirrors Edge, Mercenaries2, and DC Universe!



Alienware M14X-R2 (Stealth Black)
14" 1600x900 (900p) | i7-3610QM | GT 650M (2GB) | 16GB RAM| 500GB 7,200rpm SATA + 32GB mSATA Caching SSD | BD-ROM, DVD + RW, CD-RW | Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit |

If you plan on hooking up your R2 to any kind of external display using HDMI, it would be very wise to purchase your M14xR2 with the "2GB nvidia GT 650M"


Alienware M14X-R2 (Stealth Black)
14" 1600x900 (900p) | i7-3610QM | GT 650M (2GB) | 16GB RAM| 500GB 7,200rpm SATA + 32GB mSATA Caching SSD | BD-ROM, DVD + RW, CD-RW | Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit |

 

Where is the wisdom in 2Gb? It can't run games higher than 1920x1080p anyway - no matter how much memory it has.

 

Of all the upgrades I'd consider for the M14X, upgrading the GPU to 2GB would be LAST on my list, unless you're planning on having it hooked up to multiple displays simultaneously and frequently.

Dell charges $100 for GPU upgrades. That same $100 could get you a better CPU, or a better display or pay most of the way towards adding an mSATA boot drive, all of which would give you a significant performance increase. Meanwhile the 2GB graphics will give you roughly the same performance that the 1GB will.

It's a waste of money better spent elsewhere on the notebook.

 

The Wisdom Is:
The 2gb represents the VRAM of the GPU and will be used to simultaneously run your game on both your external display and the laptop itself (1gb for your R2 laptop display and 1gb for your external display/HDTV). So VRAM has nothing to do with a GPU's display resolution. The integrated Intel graphics chip (Intel HD 4000) handles the graphics for all of the other tasks your laptop requires (normal display, videos, internet, etc). The nvidia 650m handles all of the gaming graphics independent of the Intel Ivy Bridge CPU.

I would do some research "rorkas" before posting on a subject you don't really understand. I also try to put my post in laymans terms too, just for people like you.


Alienware M14X-R2 (Stealth Black)
14" 1600x900 (900p) | i7-3610QM | GT 650M (2GB) | 16GB RAM| 500GB 7,200rpm SATA + 32GB mSATA Caching SSD | BD-ROM, DVD + RW, CD-RW | Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit |

 

I don't need you to put anything in "layman terms", you have no idea what I do or do not know.
So, I am awaiting on a proof of what you just posted backed up by something more than your "wisdom" that shows that 2Gb will improve performance of the 650M.

 

anyone else find it kind of hard playing bf3 on the 900p screen? or maybe i just suck lol

 

Do you mean on a 14" screen?

I don't find it hard at all Always top 3 every game, hehe.

I used to hate BF3 because I was getting steamrolled every game. It took about 20 hours of 64 player games for me to get used to the classes and maps.

Your skill with come with time - there's just alot of frustration involved before you reach that level.

 

I've got a drive sitting here next to me, it's a 'Panasonic UJ167'.

 

I think he's just trolling. Either that, or trying to justify the money he wasted on 2gb.

 

Most likely. Like someone goes to crappy movie and feels like he wasted time and money and then when someone asks what he thinks about this movie he's "Oh it's awesome!".

 

My work discount lets me start the following selection at $1299.99 canadian dollars.
So I'll be receiving the GPU upgrade and RAM upgrade for free, even if everyone says it's pretty much useless.

Not sure if i should just go with this deal + warranties or call in and haggle.
What would you do?


Processor 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3610QM processor (6MB Cache, up to 3.3GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0)
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit
Memory3 12GB3 DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz
Hard Drive 750GB 7,200 RPM SATA 3Gb/s
Optical Drive Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner, DVD+-RW
Video Card 2 GB DDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 650M with Optimus™
900P screen

 

$1299.99 with spec above? Go for it. I got mine for $1950 CAD 13% Tax included.

i7 3820 , win7 ultimate , 8gb ram , 500gb + 32gb ssd , others are same with urs.

 

Got my m14x r2 this past Saturday.

Base model except for i7 3610qm and the 900p display.

Just been playing D3 on it and has been running really well. Maybe some skyrim and BF3 later on.

I do have a problem with the keyboard but a technician will be coming soon to have it fixed so hopefully theres no more problems after that.

Other than that its my first alienware

 

Hey all,

I've got a message for those of you that aren't sure if they should go with a M14x or a ASUS/MSI/Sager/etc.

This laptop is the first Alienware that I've ever owned, and here are my impressions:
- First, the look and feel is absolutely gorgeous. The quality of the product is incredible. The only word that can describe it is "perfection".
- The lighting is really well done and all customisable. You can create your own sequences for most of the lighting zones (the ones that matter), and the limit is really your imagination (and patience ).
- The screen is colourful and very bright, thanks to the WLED backlight. The only downside is that it acts as a mirror in bright environment. However, the brightness of the thing compensates for it.
- The Klipsch powered sound system is really incredible for a 14" laptop. Really. I'm not kidding. Just keep the default THX values and you'll be blown away. And I'm a sound fanatic.
- The battery life is fantastic. You can count on 5 to 6 hours of internet surfing (in Power saver mode), or 4 hours of 1080p HD movie (Balance mode).
- The thing doesn't know heat. If the nVidia GPU is not used (i.e. when you're not gaming), the fan runs at its slowest. This is really a pleasure to watch a Blu-ray on my HDMI-connected TV and to not hear the sound of the laptop. When you're gaming (I play Diablo III), it doesn't go over 70 degrees, so overclocking is possible (but useless for Diablo).
- It doesn't come with too many crapware. I just uninstalled McAfee (replaced it with Microsoft Security Essentials) and some Alienware software such as AlienRespawn, but this is really up to you. The Intel drivers were not up to date so I went to intel.com and they were updated without issue. The only thing I've done manually is to uninstall the Wi-Fi software & driver to only install the driver (need to download this one on Intel site).
- It took only 1 business week between order and receive. I live in Canada so this may be different for you.

To summarize, it's the ultimate laptop. Even if the 14" screen size slows you a bit, it's not very small and you don't need to make Windows expand the DPI. The text is clear and readable.

I don't know what to say other than "go for it".

 

2GB allows you more headroom in high resolution, high AA game settings. Once devs opt to code to utilize the > 1gb norm then the disparity should be more noticeable. I think its more of a cushion for the future if you are holding onto your laptop for the long run. I think you can't go wrong with either, its just a taste of one person's preference.

I do think that trolling someone on how they spent their money on upgrades is sad especially since you are all in the category of laptop owners who are constantly trolled for buying "overpriced" laptops. Troll or be trolled, I guess. Or in your case do both.

 

Hey , you stole my avatar , no worry! we are alienware fans anyways.
I think I'll make more version/color of this avatar and share it out.

Just wondering.... people willing spend $1k+ on their laptop but not willing to spend $75~$100 for 2GB vram - higher AA & future 1080p external monitor use.

 

Sorry, I did steal your Avatar pic iPhantomhives. I liked it so much, I had to have it! Thanks for sharing! Did you create the image on your own, or could you post the link from the website you got it from?

 

I made this my own I have few other version of it. https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=6a8d436f91b001c8&sc=photos&id=6A8D436F91B001C8!2599

 

Did you guys purchase extended warranty with complete care?
Blueray?

 

Personally I didn't purchase extended warranty , I know I might sell the laptop next year or I'll keep it protected nicely. You can extend it , no harm.If your current laptop unable to repair in 3years later or so on , they might give you a brand new version. eg m14x-r3?

As Blu-ray , those disk are kinda expansive , I rather watch em on cinema, I don't have chance to use it , only used twice on my m18x with Blu-ray movies. Not getting a BD on m14x this time.

 

650M won't be capable to run many current (and even more so future) games 1080p using highest settings at playable level (30+ fps). So higher AA and 1080p is even less relevant. Its fps will be capped long before you hit limit on VRAM.

 

Got my m14x r2 last week. I use HWmonitor to monitor the temp of i73720QM. It reached 96*c when playing BF3.All settings are high. Does anybody here got this temp?? (
I am in Canada

 

Not to take sides... but my R2 is powering my 1080p display for battlefield 3 , diablo and others with maxed out settings and is sitting at 37 FPS for BF3 and 45 + for diablo. Not sure if it matters but i did the 2GB card as well as the killer network card.

 

Thank you for proving my point!!! If you got the extra money and are going to hookup your R2 to an external HD Display (my R2 games perfectly with my 50" 3D Panasonic HDTV), it would be very wise and beneficial to purchase the "2gb GT650M" option!!!

 

I haven't played BF3 on M14x, but notebookcheck places 650M at ~14fps maxed out 1080p.
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M - Notebookcheck.net Tech
Something must be different between your and their settings.

 

that might be the ddr3. and you can still overclock this card

 

Nah, they had two laptops tested with DDR5. The difference is over 260%, and OC most likely not going to do better than 20%. It has to be something else in the settings.