M18x Owners - Are You Pleased with Your Purchase?

In what category is your lowest WEI score? Graphics or memory or HD or...?

 

I called Tech Support, they told me to send them some pics of the scores and benchmarks, let's see what they say tomorrow.

 

Here are all the scores:

Processor - 7.6

Memory (RAM) - 7.9

Graphics - 6.2

Gaming Graphics - 6.2

Primary Hard Disk - 5.9 (It's the seagate momentus XT, going to swtich to my SSD at a later date)

 

Yes, obviously the current HD takes the average down, but such cards should never show a score lower than 7. I had similar score becasue of my defective slave card. See, the issue was that only one radeon was partially functional, yet not entirely damaged, therefore becoming the bottle-neck of the crossfire, and making it difficult to recognize the problem. When they'll run the remote diagnostics -- in case they won't send the tech right away to replace the cards -- make sure to press them that you already know that the cause is hardware and that you'd like to have the defective parts replaced.

 

Yes, i will do that for sure, and i even have proof now.

I uninstalled all the ATI drivers and did a CClean through, installed the AMD 11.5B hotfix and did another WEI, and guess what? From 6.2, it went to 6.1

So now this shows that it is hardware, and tomorrow, as i have to call them, i will press them for sure.

One question though...would i have to send the laptop to be repaired, or would they send a techie to my house and repair it there?

 

Well, it all depends on the kind of warranty and service you chose at the time you bought the computer. Just check the digital invoice they sent you when you bought the computer, and make sure it says "In-Home Service after remote diagnosis information." In that case the tech will go to your home and do all the work there. Otherwise you'll have to mail the computer to one of the Dell depot repair center, and it might take up to two weeks before you'll see the computer again.

By the way, I don't want to sounds too obvious, but have you tried with loading the BIOS setup defaults and making sure that a too conservative power management setting is not in the way?

 

I just checked my Dell invoice, and thank goodness, i got a 1Yr Next Day Hardware Support included with your PC, which includes Next day in-home service (can i upgrade this service for more years?).

Nope, i never thought about the bios setup, how do i check the power management there?

 

Ok, try with loading the BIOS defaults and see what happens. Then, click on the power management icon, or just start Alienware Command Center and go to Alien Fusion > Select Power Plan and make sure you chose High Performance. Also click on Advanced Settings and check the various options on the left; make sure that nothing is too conservative, so undermining processing power.

Concerning the warranty, yes, you should be able to upgrade it. Go to the Dell website and under My Account click on Check My Warranty Status, there you should find the button Renew/Upgrade Warranty.

 

Went to my account on dell.co.uk, but it seems that i can't upgrade it just yet, i will give them a call about that to see if i can do it, at least i still got 350 days to go in warranty

Right, went to Bios, load Optimal default settings, rebooted, went to Alien Fusion, selected High Performance and checked all items, ATI was in maximum performance mode, saved, ran another WEI mode and the veredict was...6.1 again. So yes, it has to be hardware for sure now, don't you agree?

 

Well yes, it seems we've ruled out all the possible non-hardware related causes. However, have you tried uninstalling the Catalyst, cleaning up the system with driver sweeper and ccleaner in safe-mode, reboot and re-installing the Dell-Ati drivers? One last resort would be backing up all your stuff and do a clean factory install using Alien Respawn. This would rule out some software-induced conflicts that might have occurred during the normal use of your system, you know, like installing and uninstalling drivers, games and benchies. Moreover, they might want you do that during the tech support phone-call, and it's less painful if you already do that yourself and show up for the call with an already "clean" system. This would rule out any software related causes and narrow it down to the actual hardware problem.

I went to the dell.co.uk website -- I couldn't log in as I'm obviously not in their system -- but I saw that in the support page on the bottom left within a list of various options there is Warranty Information > Extend & Upgrade Warranty. Aren't you able to see that as well?

 

I'm reasonably pleased. I'm a bit jaded by the lackluster manufacturing process of modern PCs, so I wasn't too surprised when I had to end up disassembling my whole M18x when I first got it to fix speaker rattling.

Crossfire 6970m's are pretty amazing, however I'm noticing tiny amounts of stutter in L4D2, BC2, Street Fighter, and GTA IV despite having framrates well over 60FPS. I've tried it with v-sync as well and I still notice it. Maybe its the micro-stuttering phenomena that's discussed so often with multi GPU setups.

 

Yes, I agree with you: the dual 6970 is quite a performing couple, although as you said Crossfire systems clearly suffer from micro-stuttering sometimes. I personally found out that forcing both vsync and triple buffering with D3DOverrider, together with a slight overclock -- 800/1000 for example -- the micro stuttering almost, when not completely, disappears.

 

D3DOverrider...hmm okay will give it a shot. Yes I'm happily running at 800/1000 as well. 825 crashes for me.

 

Does it? it depends on the kind of memory your system ends up with; if you're lucky it can hold higher overclocks, while other times it crashes right when you try the tiniest changes. Personally, after various attempts in which I increased the clocks even so slightly I found 3 usable configurations - 800/100 | 830/1050 | 840/1180. When I use the last two I see clear improvements and the micro-stuttering is gone.

Maybe it's over-heating? does your system crashes right after you go over 825, or after a while, during an intense game-playing? I use a big cooler (Antec 200) and even a small portable USB A/C that I use to direct clod air under the PC. Before doing that it crashed at 840/1180.

 

I'm using MSI afterburner to monitor the temps and CFX usage. It never goes over 85c no matter what I choose to OC at so its not a heat issue...it just plain crashes if I attempt more than 800. In any case 800 is very nice already, I'm just looking to get rid of that occasional stutter that happens every 10 seconds or so.

Even if I uncap the framerate, sending games like L4D2 well over 100+ FPS, it will stutter ever so slightly. I'm pretty perceptive to this kind of thing, using a single GPU really has no stuttering problems to speak of so I know I'm not just seeing things hahaha.

 

Yes, I know what you mean about the micro-stuttering, and yes, at 800/1000 improvements are already noticeable. Have you tried Sapphire TRIXX? As with afterburner, you first need to disable the Ulps in the registry, or it will freeze Win, but I'm sure you already took care of that

 

Yeah I'm using Trixx to achieve 800/1000. No issues there. D3D overrider doesn't seem to have helped with microstuttering. From what I'm gathering online, triple buffering doesn't actually work with dual GPUs. Only single and triple GPU configs work despite D3Doverrider doing its thing.

D3Doverrider is for sure forcing vsync on though, but that's something that I could control with CCC. I'm thinking ATI an Nvidia just kinda decided that microstuttering is imperceptible enough to call a non-issue :|

I always had trouble with multi GPU configs in the past but the m18x was too tempting. I may just settle.

 

Oh yeah Crysis 2, even with 11.5 RC5 and the latest CAP, will flicker if I exit cloak, take a shot, and immediately re-enter cloak. Haha such is the life of multi GPU.

 

Oh yes one more thing. Grey's are flickering, particular on websites with patterns like this:

(Scroll down and look closely at the gray windows, you'll see flickering)

Raid. Frag. Dominate your games. | GAME.AMD.COM

My m17x also exhibited the same flickering. Switching to Intel removes the flickering.

 

Yes, same here, dual GPU confs are very tempting, that's why people like us get them, and then spend endless hours troubleshooting or looking for a so needed tweak. Referring to the triple buffering, I agree that it's controversial about if it's able to force it in both D3D and OpenGL with CFX. The fact is while for many it actually changes nothing, for several others, me included, actually improves the overall gaming experience. I really hope that sooner than later both NvidiAti will realize that micro stuttering can be quite annoying when you're playing a game that runs well over 60 fps. I would suggest you keep trying various combinations of settings, particularly for specific games. I'm sure you've been already tinkering with RadeonPro?

 

Yup, in my Mx 18 I actually see flickering, but surprisingly it does not do that on my other Mx17 r2.

 

Very happy its awesome

 

You know what? I just lowered the brightness to -9 in the CCC (Display Color settings) and the flicker on that grey pattern is gone. The screen is still quite bright and the colors vibrant, so it's a tiny change. Yet, this is not a real fix, but just one of many tricks we have to try I guess.

 

Yeah the flickering with greys just seems like something AMD thinks is "okay" along with microstuttering. Messing with the flip queue size helps stuttering a bit, but settings higher than 2 are causing more input lag than is desirable.

Luckily for AMD, the issues with grey flickering and microstutter aren't something I'll see unless I go hunting for them. However it bothers me that these things are perceptible at all...I first noticed the flickering when doing some web design.

I know what you mean about us Dual GPU users having to tinker for hours with things. This is my 3rd multi GPU setup, I had gone quite a few years with single GPU's on the desktop side of things. I thought maybe things would be fixed by now. Oh well. The rest of the computer makes me quite happy.

 

Oh I'll add that grey flickering doesn't have anything to do with multi GPUs. My R3 (sold it) did it too. Haha I'll just make a new thread on grey flickering for the m18x and see what we get.

I'm not going to be too grumpy about things, the micro stutter isn't killing my gaming experience by any means, but its something I'll be considering on my future purchases.

 

Yes, I believe that it has to do with screen Hz and brightness, as during desktop normal use the slave card goes dormant, ruling out dual card causes.

In the end, we all know too well that no system is problem-free. So, even if there are few issues and flaws, the MX18 is a computer that is both an eye-candy and very powerful machine.

 

Yeah I agree with you. At the same time though I'm not going to pretend that the issues aren't important to me. Someday I'd like to have a multiGPU beast for no reason at all. When that happens, the slightest stutter warrants a massive temper tantrum

 

Lol, tell me about it. I dream of a Trifire-6990 conf, imagine what kind of computer I'd build around it, and its price. If a single game would run less than 100 fps, even if for a nano-second I'd call Mr. Dell himself to come home and replace the whole thing

 

I got my AW M18x 4 days ago.
First:
UpGraded RAM from 4 to 16 GB and installed 2 Vertex 3 Raid 0

Now I m very satisfied. Never seen just a powerful notebook before !!!

 

hslovebird and Dilas: Congratulations on your happyness and satisfaction with your machines.

Please kindly add your votes in the poll at the top of this page.

And if, it's possible, visit also the poll: " Did you receive your machine as it was ordered / expected?"

Thanks!

 

My graphics show on Wei as 7.6 - that's with crossfire.

I couldn't he happier with my purchase - it rocks, literally!

2920xm, 8gb 1600mhz ram, crossfire and OZC vertex 3 120gb ssd (7.9 Wei) and 750gb 7200rpm hdd.

 

hi everyone, i have also purchased an M18X with the following config:

2920XM (supposedly factory OCed to 4GHz)
16GB 1600mhz ram
2x6970m crossfire
2x250gb SSD

although my games do run well, i can't seem to get them to run smoothly with ultra high settings. i tried running crysis 2 with the ultra high quality pack and it's not possible to play the game at 1920x1080. am i expecting too much from this system?

my 3dmark 11 score is around 5700 despite the fact that i have updated my catalyst drivers. i noticed many members are in the 8000+ range so i'm guessing there's a problem

CPU-Z always registers my CPU at anywhere between 800mhz (idle) up to 3.4ghz. the screenshot i took at 3.4ghz was while running two instances of prime95 and also the winrar benchmark test simultaneously. the processor never exceeds 3.4ghz yet is supposedly factory OCed to 4ghz

also my esata port doesn't seem to work with my external hdd. the external works fine with my other system, and works fine with this one over usb2, but not over esata

would anyone have any suggestions? tech support hasn't been very helpful with another query of mine so i prefer to check here first.

 

hey fellow m18x'rs,

these q's are more directed towards former m17x R2 owners.

-any ya'll regret moving from m17x r2 to m18x?
-also, wish u could go back and wait for 2nd version of m18x?
-if said yes to 2nd q, would you go back?

 

- No regrets, the M18x is by far the best AW system, IMHO (former M17xR1&R2 owner)

- Nope, the only real advantage of the R2 was the RGBLED 1200p screen and since all screen manufacturers have moved to 1080p, there's no point of waiting.

Personally, the only two things I'd like to improve in M18x are the matte RGBLED screen option and more user friendly assembly. The former is possible, the later is just a dream...

 

I am still happy with my m17x-R2. I will wait what Alienware have for the m18x r2 in 2012! Like Aikimox said "matte RGBLED screen" And more powerful GPUs from ATI and Nvidia! I cannot wait!

 

- No regret , but didn't expect the m18x's Gunmetal black when I received the system , I'm used to it and like it now , but still prefer space black from r2.

- I'll stay on current m18x , not planning to upgrade (4years I believe) , I'm stratified with the speed and graphic , its kinda overpowered with my crappy ssd up to 10sec boot up speed , just yet...

- Maybe something stronger then m18x-R2 in the future

I had r2 , but I don't see any different between RGBLED VS WLED , except from the brightness ( Personally I dislike too much brightness lol) I believe WLED save some battery life too compare to RGBLED. No really sure which will be most powerful gpu compare to 6990 yet , I'm happy with my current 6970 , If the 6970 can't "sharpen" in BF3 then I'll probably upgrade my gpu.

 

I can tell you right now (my m18x will be here today, in the next 3 hours !!!) I will not be fully happy with it ... SINCE I have ordered the 580m GTX and the 6990 have both been released ... I have not saved for a year to have the 3000 to drop on a system that does not have the best GPUs in it ... I know they would only last a matter of months (6 I can hope) ... but to have them become sub-best while I am waiting for the unit to be delivered ... really pissing me off.

Especially since I called and chatted in consistently for months asking about when the GPU upgrades will be coming, and was always told, 'no information' ...

 

Sadly, "no-information" derived easily in misinformation... specially in the mouth of sellers...

 

I still have a sick R1 that is currently at the depot. The 6990M SLI has got me tempted but I think the R2 could have a better offering.

But there again everyone will be expecting the new series GPU's so it could be way into 2012 that you finally order.

 

Well, the fence is becoming more and more crowded by the minute... as the electric lines in the Hitchcock's movie...

 

Theres no point in waiting (obviously maybe for the 6990 to hit configurator). There is always something new around the corner and with the current CPU/GPU offerings, it will play anything for the new few years before the new consoles hit the market. Once consoles hit...ANY computer out today or even next year won't really be up for the task. So quibbling over the 6970/6990 is moot as neither GPU will run games that the new consoles run and we all know that PC games are sadly maken with consoles in mind (Crysis 2, Modern Warfare, etc).

 

Maybe some are waiting for those 6990, etc. but lot of people are waiting for some "improvements" in the manufacturing... same as it was from the M17xR1 to the M17xR2...

 

I am waiting for the 6990 to return this and demand an upgrade for their errors and my time

 

hey Shaden, How did you score so high on 3dmark 11 ? i got dual GTX580 SLI and i only scored 6191 ??
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M video card benchmark result - Intel Core i7-2920XM Processor,Alienware M18xR1 score: P6121 3DMarks

 

First of all 3DMark don't play well with Nvidia, the card itself downthrottles and it's by design. Secondly, 3DMark isn't a very good games to begin with

Your setup will play actual games just as good as anyone's M18x, so worry not

And oh yeah, his OC is about as max as it can go, you're running stock speeds and non optimized drivers....

 

Hey all,

I am EXTREMELYpleased with both my M18X and Dell Services.
I bought my system from HIDevolution from US, as the price is almost TWICE here in Europe.
After 3 weeks of heavy gaming, suddenly out of nowhere my m18x crashed!
I boot it up, it gives 4 short beeps. referring to the Bios Manual, it says memory error, so i take out all the memories, and only stick 1 4GB Kingston HyperX 1866 on slot 0, all other slots gave me 4 beeps.
I called HIDevolution requesting service tag transfer, and they did (process took 2 days from US to NL transfer)
Several phone call to 24 hour Dell premium service in Europe i got my motherboard replaced within 4 days (would be next business day if the Service Tag already Transferred -___-)
Tech arrived, very very competent! even though mine was his first m18x disassembly, he changed the mobo and everything runs back as normal in 1 hour, even less i think..
Other than that I have one dead pixel, but i can live with it, since it only visible with deep black, other than that, i cant see it..
Conclusion: For the price i paid, i got the best laptop in the universe (IMO)(and for now) with the best Service. I say money well spent. Best buy in Years..

 

Hello

Please forgive me if this has been posted before.
I have a new MX18 - runs wonderfully BUT I cannot get the macrokeys on the left side to function in World Of Warcraft. They do work - I get the correct output when I hit the key on Word or Excel. I tried to get the keys to be mapped in WOW but no luck.
Any thoughts?

Thank you for your time.

Best
MJM2