Some Noobish Questions

Hey guys, I've been contemplating buying the M11X for the past month or so, but I'm still not certain on the performance capabilities, and some of the software stability of this machine. I am not very computer savvy at all, and some of the specifications listed for newer computers confuse me. My questions are as follows...

1. The i7 model shows that it has a dual core processor, with each core running at 1.2 Ghz. To me that means it runs at a combined 2.4 Ghz. The laptop I have now is a low end Toshiba Satellite with a dual core processor, which has both cores running at 1.6 Ghz, making it a combined 3.2 Ghz. Clearly there must be some other factor that makes the i7 more powerful, but I am simply too technologically disinclined to understand it. What is the difference?

2. The i7 can overclock, but that means very little to me if I am required to go into the system's BIOS and fiddle with things. I have NO CLUE how to work with BIOS stuff, or anything that doesn't have a menu I can click on. I read that the M11X has some type of software that allows the user to overclock without going into BIOS. How simple is overclocking with the m11x?

3. With the R2 model, I have heard of many driver issues which have yet to be resolved. How big of an issue is this, and does it justify buying an R1 instead?

4. I am buying this computer mostly because I need a new laptop for school and my cheap Toshiba is starting to crap out. However, I also want to play Starcraft 2...with a passion. How does Starcraft 2 run with this computer?

 

1. i7 has hyperthreading (meaning each core can do two things, long story short, the i7 is practically a quad core) it also has turbo boost technology, which can boost the performance up to 2.266 Ghz. Oh yeah, the i7 is also the ultra low voltage one, which helps with battery but forces reduction in performance.

2. Can't answer that. I haven't received my m11x yet.

3. Depends. In time, the R2 will get better. The drivers keep getting better and better. Though if you really don't know how to install drivers, or just don't want to mess with them, go with an R1. It's been proven and tested.

4. Starcraft 2 at the moment runs (I hear) 20 FPS better on the R1. However, in time, the R2 will catch up, as newer and better drivers are released.

In all honesty, I suggest you get an R2. Sure it has some flaws, but it will get better. Though if you really would prefer not do deal with any hassle and trouble, you could just get an R1.

P.S. If you do get an R1, you can actually buy it directly at a best buy.

 

1. i7 supports hyper-threading. 4 threads to be exact. A thread is somewhat like a virtual machine crunching your tasks. So for anything you do, you have 4 different machines eating up your workload. It also has turboboost, which means native type of overclocking, which kicks in when there are more intensive applications (games, video editing etc)

2. i7 can be overclocked both through bios and through software (i think). I'm waiting for my rig to arrive. I'll leave someone else to clarify this point.

3. Driver issues have more or less been solved. Check out the Optimus issues thread. Its not such a big deal. Teething problems of any new stuff that hits the market (iphone 4 anyone ).

4. YouTube - Starcraft 2 Beta Gameplay on M11x

 

2. you go in the bios to the overclock setting, set it to 166, and see if it will boot and run Windows without bluescreening. if it doesn't, you're done. if it does, take it one notch down and try again. repeat until done. it's really not hard.

 

You can't add cores together. A dual core 1.2GHZ processor does not equal a single 2.4GHZ processor. Two cores can handle multiple threads at once, a single core can only handle one. Which one is better depends on if the application is multithreaded or not. You also have to consider architecture vs your old dual core like Core 2 Duo vs Core i7. Remember this is a Ultra low voltage processor so its performance is going to slower than the regular i7 mobile or even some i5 mobile processors.

 

Thanks for the quick replies. I didn't understand how the architecture impacted the performance of the CPU, so it's nice to understand the multithreading thing.

Will updated drivers be put on the newer R2 models that are recently shipped, or do they come with the initial drivers?

 

You will need to put the newer drivers in yourself.
Newest Graphics Card Driver: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/499208-nvidia-verde-notebook-driver-258-96-discussion-relating-11xr2.html

For everything else: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/497228-r2-optimization-thread.html

 

Everything is easy, you just have to follow instructions (links above)

 

you need to come up with $1500 and follow this thread


http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/497228-r2-optimization-thread.html


you will be all set and for upgrades depends on your budget go with a Min 4gb ram and 500gb 7200rpm drive. If you can swing the full $1500 go with a 160gb or 256gb SSD. If not look at momentus xt in 500gb hybrid ssd. If you choose the cheaper drives you have money left over to buy games if you choose SSD time to bump your budget. Get the ram upgrade from dell and get bluetooth and skip the hd upgrade and buy a NEW drive yourself and install about a 15 min job. Look at dell epp and use that price as a starting point then call into dell epp care and build a laptop and say the price is to high to see if they can try to get you additional discount and after you order it you can call in and ask to get bumped to overnight make and excuse about long production times.

Important things

Upgrade drivers 258.96
disable power mizer using powermizer manager
Reinstall Physx drivers
Overclock to about 158-162
read optimization thread

 

I would not suggest getting an SSD.
WAY TO EXPENSIVE.
Maybe in a 6 months or a year, yes, but not now.

 

Do you guys think the drivers will eventually be updated to a quality that can match the R1 with Starcraft 2? I really don't want to be playing SC2 at 20 FPS, but if the R2 truly is a better long time investment, then I would be more interested in that.

 

Oh no, you won't be playing at 20 FPS.
At high/medium settings, you easily get 30 FPS +
Though yes, I do believe in time the R2 will catch up with the R1

 

What if I were to upgrade to the M15X? These are the two configurations I would be considering between the M11X and the M15X. The M15X configuration is barely $100 dollars more...would I see a significant increase in performance?

--------------- M11X - $1,129.09 ----------------------------

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ i7 640UM (4M Cache, 1.2 GHZ with 2.266 GHz Max Turbo Frequency) - Overclockable
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
VIDEO CARD 1GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 335M
MEMORY 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 800MHz
HARD DRIVE 250GB SATAII 7,200RPM
EXTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE Targus ADV01US USB 2.0 DVD-ROM External Drive

--------------- M15X - $1234.05---------------------

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ i3-350M 2.26GHz (3M cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit,
VIDEO CARD 1GB ATI Radeon™ Mobility HD 5730
MEMORY 4GB Dual Channel Memory (2x 2GB DDR3)
HARD DRIVE 250GB SATAII 7,200RPM
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
BATTERY OPTIONS Primary - 6-cell (56Watt) Lithium-Ion Battery

 

are you looking to get the m11x solely as a gaming machine?

It's more designed to be very portable with gaming capabilities. If you just want a desktop replacement I advise you get something bigger

It's all dependent on what you want to do

 

Well, I do want the portability, but the laptop I have now is 15.5 inches and that's perfectly small enough for me to carry around in my backpack.

My only concerns are with the battery life, which will take a hit with the M15X, I'm sure. But I'm assuming the battery will last longer than the high end configurations with the i3 or i5 options for this model.

I'm also assuming that Starcraft 2 will run perfectly well on those processors, rather than using the i7 processor in the M11X which has lower clock speeds.

 

Correct.
The M15x is a true gaming machine.
The M11x is like a hybrid between a netbook and a gaming laptop.

Do you want a machine that can play any game on the market? M15x

Do you want a machine that gives you unmatched portability and battery life with reasonably good performance? M11x.

 

If you're using a backpack then yeah the 15" is no problem. I have a small bag that barely fit my Lenovo 15" so I went toward the m11x and gave the lenovo to my brother for his school.

It's so much lighter and definitely sleeker looking.

Is this laptop for school + gaming? If it is then I assume you only have to take it to class to take notes then back to the room to set it up and play your SC2 or whichever (btw I got collector's! learned from past games to always get collector's).

If you're concerned about battery life, almost all 15" laptops can hold at least 2 hours of charge. I also have a HP tablet (tc4200) which is pretty old and still holds a 3+ hour charge. As long as you are smart about your battery it shouldn't die after 1 hour. I'm also assuming you're taking notes in class and not playing SC2

 

Thanks for the help and info guys

It's still a tough choice between the two, mainly because of the difference in battery power. Since I wouldn't be going any higher than an i5 processor on the M15X model, I would hope that could give it at least 2 hours of life while not gaming. I don't really ever game on the go.... I might pick up the 9 cell later on in life if I actually do buy the M15X.

Also, I like the long term gaming potential of the M15x, but the smaller price tag on the M11X is also tempting, not to mention it's already a very capable gaming machine.

*Sigh* I suppose I will have to wait and see...

 

If you want, I can install SC2 beta and show you FPS on how the M11x R2 runs. BETA is still active till Monday I believe.

I'm at work right now so it will take a bit but I can get it by tonight.

Of course, every computer will have FPS problems at 200+ units fighting (custom maps) or when a mothership is present lol

I have a quad core, 8gig ram, GTX 260 at home and I can get into single digit FPS in SC2 due to a mothership with massive units.

 

Yeah, that would awesome if it's not a hassle for you. Thanks Danyune.

 

alright i'll start downloading the client here

 

well for some reason screenshots weren't saving, but I am getting 50fps on default settings, didnt' tweak anything.

I also have no overclocks running at the moment.

 

Wow, that's impressive. I'll definitely take that into consideration.

Again, thanks a ton for the help Danyune.

 

note that 50fps was only 3 marines fighting 1 baneling, but it wasn't a screenshot just in the corner of the map undiscovered

of course with more action will lower fps but its not like 5fps mining with SCV's in the first minute