M11x OC questions prior to purchasing.

I'm currently trying to decide whether the M11x is good purchase and have some questions I would appreciate being resolved before I commit to it:

*For the record I'm looking at the M11x offered through Best Buy.

Alienware - Laptop with Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor - Cosmic Black - AM11X-2719CSB

1. All the benchmarks test results I've found seem to have been done with the cpu OC'd or the people doing the testing didn't specifically say one way or the other. Are their any benchmark results available when the cpu wasn't OC'd? Does not being able to OC really kill the m11X's performance in games?

2. Is a solid ratio or estimate on how many m11x's have problems OCing (won't boot into Windows, BSoDs within certain number of minutes) available? Would be nice to know how many returns, might be necessary.

3. From what I've read OCing doesn't seem to increase the heat very much; only around 1 degree. This leads me to think that OCing the M11x is safe to do, correct? It would be okay to leave it OC'd 24/7?

4. OC won't void your warrenty, correct? I saw the post stating that, but that was when dell advertised OCing to 1.7, now they just advertise OCing ability.

5. I know their is talk about revised or refreshed version of the m11x coming out/being announced sometime this month, but that version would likely only be available from Dell/Alienware and cost more money than the version's currently available; so right now I have little interest in it.

But I'm concerned that if the m11x r2 comes out does mean Dell/Alienware would most likely abandon the m11x r1 with its OC problems still present or would they still work on and release an update (BIOS?) that fixes the OCing feature?

I realize this is a difficult question, but perhaps a more observant follower of Alienware products could tell me how they handled this type of situation with prior products.

Thanks.

 

But I'm concerned that if the m11x r2 comes out does mean Dell/Alienware would most likely abandon the m11x r1 with its OC problems still present or would they still work on and release an update (BIOS?) that fixes the OCing feature?

I think that they will try to forget about r1. That's why i recommend you to wait for renew.

 

I'd wager that around 8% of users suffer from BSODs due to OCing. It's entirely safe for the CPU to be OC'd 24/7.. heat dissipation in the M11x is so far ahead of any other laptop i've come across that there seems to be no drawbacks in using this function.

OC'ing does not affect your warrenty rights

I'd expect the R1 to be priced to match the current M11x model. The base model would probably be fitted with an i3/i5 with the high-end i7 being far costlier.

If I was in your situation i'd wait until after E3 before making any decision to go one way or another.

 

1. There are some but for the most part. OCing won't make a drastic difference in your playing but I would recommend OCing if you can.

I believe they'll still work with the OC problems until they're fixed.

 

OC'ing shouldn't be a problem, but if it is, just make them fix it or exchange until you get one that OC's fine... I've had two M11x's, and both OC'd just fine, and have been perfectly stable. Enable the overclock and forget it... it's that reliable without any reason to not run overclocked... you'll still get up to 7 hours on battery and get a nice improvement in performance over the stock 1.3... I absolutely love mine, for the money and size cannot be touched.

 

Just another testament here as well. OC from day one, and nary an issue. Plus battery life shouldn't be affected much if at all. It seems it is actually slightly undervolted on overclock, so power consumption should be similar OC or non OC.

 

I got my M11x from Best Buy about a month ago. I used it for a day before trying to overclock it. Bam, immediate BSOD at the Win 7 login screen. I simply boxed it all up, drove back to Best Buy, explained what had happened, and they got another one for me immediately. When I got home I turned on the OC and have had it on ever since, and it has been rock solid for the past month.

So, in short, if you do decide to get it from BB, you should be able to exchange it fairly easily if it does BSOD.

 

Congratulations on your decision to buy a M11x. You will most certainly be happy with this laptop.

Now to answer your questions:
1.) I have done some intense benchmarking with my system and so I can provide you with your requested benchmark:
3DMark06:
http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=1280x768m43f.png
3DMarkVantage:
Bild: vantagenon-ocn14r.png - abload.de

And i think that it is not essential to overclock your CPU. But it increases your min.FPS-rate in moste games and enables you to run games more smoothly.

2.) No idea, dont think that there are more than 10% faulty units. My first unit had to be replaced because the build quality was kind of shabby. But I think that most of present M11x owners are satisfied with their system and choice.

3.) Yes it is safe to leave the CPU overclocked all the time. But keep in mind that the CPU will not lower the frequence when on battery mode. It will drain your battery faster than a non-oc'ed CPU.

4.) Won't void anything, don't worry.

5.) I'm almost 100% sure that the R2 will cost more.

And finally: If you still have warranty and your system and its problems are abandoned by Dell, I would complain as long as it takes to get an upgrade to the R2 or a refund.

 

For me and my M11x it is still "the happy time".

I've done a few simple tests bench marking the over-clocked CPU and from what I've seen you gain about 20% across the board on integers, floating points and registry operations.

Over-clocked it pants my 'Olde faithful' P4 3.2GHz hyper-threaded desktop system.

The only time I've seen the CPU do more than sneeze is during 300MB video file conversion.

 

I leave my OC m11x on all day in the scorching 88degrees fahrenheit room and it has no problems

 

No issues so far AFTER getting system board swapped. First one wouldnt boot into windows. No issues with heat that I can tell based on CPUID HWM.

 

I used to turn my old desktop PC to an open window, during a 8 degree winter in Michigan when the CPU fan died lol

Same here though, I live in Missouri now and I run my m11x OC'ed in my hot, upstairs bedroom. No problems at all.

 

oc since day one. no issues.

 

I hate to be the one who brings the bad news, but here is the official policy on overclocking the M11xR1. Don't kill the messenger...


M11x Overclocking Statement
The Alienware M11x includes an overclocking option in the BIOS, where customers can enable the overclocking feature by pressing F2 during startup. A customer will not void his warranty for utilizing the CPU overclock setting in the BIOS of the M11x. If the customer calls in for support and has overclocked the CPU bus using the BIOS setting, support will ask the customer to return the clock speed to factory setting to eliminate any stability issues possibly caused by overclocking for the duration of troubleshooting. Dell continuously evaluates customer feedback and response and remains committed to delivering the best possible experience

 

What happens if you can't do it? Mine is the oddball of the bunch that is unstable without the overclock.