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    The_Real_b13 work log.

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by The_Real_b13, Mar 4, 2011.

  1. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    System, M11x R2 (fully loaded)
    Plans?

    Overclock,Benchmark basically push this thing to the limit.

    Parts I got for it?
    Seagate Momentus XT/NCQ Solid State Hybrid Drive
    Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 6000
    AOC 20inch Ultra Thin LCD @ 1600x900 (Operating 20 W)

    http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g49/DjSpiel/IMG_0865.jpg
    http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g49/DjSpiel/IMG_0861-1.jpg
    http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g49/DjSpiel/IMG_0857.jpg
    http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g49/DjSpiel/IMG_0856.jpg
    http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g49/DjSpiel/IMG_0872.jpg
    http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g49/DjSpiel/IMG_0862.jpg
    http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g49/DjSpiel/IMG_0863.jpg

    http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g49/DjSpiel/IMG_0869-1.jpg
     
    The_Real_b13, Mar 4, 2011
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  2. DavyGT

    DavyGT Overclocker

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    Does it go to the stock 166mhz overclock?
     
    DavyGT, Mar 4, 2011
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  3. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    I'll let you know ASAP.
     
    The_Real_b13, Mar 4, 2011
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  4. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    The_Real_b13, Mar 4, 2011
    #4
  5. DavyGT

    DavyGT Overclocker

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    That is the single core turbo multiplier, which goes up to 17x. The dual core turbo multiplier is 14x.

    If you are stable and ready to go further, use SetPLL to overclock further.
     
    DavyGT, Mar 4, 2011
    #5
  6. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    @real,

    Anything over 500x500 should be thumbnailed or linked only. See our guide for where to host images here and how to resize images here.

    thanks :)
     
    BatBoy, Mar 4, 2011
    #6
  7. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    Thanks DavyGT

     
    The_Real_b13, Mar 4, 2011
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  8. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    Sorry<---- - -- - -

     
    The_Real_b13, Mar 4, 2011
    #8
  9. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    No worries - congrats on your system purchase. Have fun!
     
    BatBoy, Mar 4, 2011
    #9
  10. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    My god this laptop is a beast!!
     
    The_Real_b13, Mar 4, 2011
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  11. Murdo119

    Murdo119 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I know I'm out of topic, but is there any step by step tutorial when upgrading the hdd to ssd? I'm noob and new here. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!
     
    Murdo119, Mar 4, 2011
    #11
  12. iclicku

    iclicku Notebook Evangelist

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    I think the easiest thing to do is search Youtube for a disassemble video of the m11x. That's how I learned how to take my laptop apart for upgrades and other things.
     
    iclicku, Mar 4, 2011
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  13. Murdo119

    Murdo119 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have no problem disassembling m11x. The questions is the step on preparing the laptop from 320gb to ssd. Can I just clone it? Clean install? (How)
     
    Murdo119, Mar 4, 2011
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  14. ChileanLlama

    ChileanLlama Notebook Enthusiast

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    Murdo, just swapped over to a 256GB SSD today...

    1. Backed up the original 250GB HD using Acronis 2011 to a network share (optional).
    2. Copied the Alienware restore disk to a USB stick
    3. Swapped out the HD for the SSD.
    4. Clean installed Windows 7 from the USB stick
    5. Downloaded the drivers from the Dell driver page
    6. Followed Batboy's instructions to restore wallpapers/login screen etc
    7. Now tweaking it :)

    Step 1 was optional for me, as I wanted a clean factory image of the original drive. I'll probably leave the original drive as it is - so have 2 copies that way.

    Also if you can mount both drives the HD and the SSD on the same system, you should be able to use Acronis 2011 to clone the drive and it will create the correct partition offset which benefits SSD performance. If you backup and restore the HD to SSD then it will retain the HD offset, which is not optimum for SSDs. If you use the backup restore feature (not clone) with Acronis, then make sure you create your partitions on the SSD first.
     
    ChileanLlama, Mar 4, 2011
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  15. Murdo119

    Murdo119 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks ChileanLlama for your response! Now I need to find a Windows 7 to put on the USB. Once I installed the Windows 7 disc, can I use the register key from the bottom of M11x to register Windows Home Premium 7? Thanks again!
     
    Murdo119, Mar 4, 2011
    #15
  16. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    BatBoy, Mar 4, 2011
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  17. i has m11x

    i has m11x Notebook Evangelist

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    You shouldn't need a key if you use the Windows 7 disc that came with the M11x.
     
    i has m11x, Mar 4, 2011
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  18. ChileanLlama

    ChileanLlama Notebook Enthusiast

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    Murdo, step 2 is the Windows 7 Alienware recovery disk I copied to USB, and as already mentioned you shouldn't need to enter a key.
     
    ChileanLlama, Mar 4, 2011
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  19. Murdo119

    Murdo119 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thank you i_has_m11x, ChileanLlama, and Batboy! I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel :)! I'll try it tonight. I'm upgrading from 320gb hd (stock) to 180gb OCX SSD.
     
    Murdo119, Mar 4, 2011
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  20. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    What I did was.

    1.) remove my old hard-drive (OEM)
    2.) Install new Hybrid SSD
    3.) Attach/external DVD Drive via USB and insert factory restore dvd.
    4.) Run thru the setup wizard via the dvd/windows istall
    5.) Go on another computer and get all current drivers for M11x
    6.) Move them to USB thumb drive
    7.) insert thumb drive in M11x and install all drivers.

    Clean Install, the problem with a "clone" is that OEM straight from factory the file size is 11GB which is over any media
    DVD+4gigs
    DVD+DL 8gigs
    CDr+ 700meg?

    So you're forced to either use to DVD+DL's or a Bluray Disk
    or do a DISK TO DISK clone. Not all people have that gear laying around. I am lucky because of my job I can borrow anything I need. I suppose if you have a portable USB HDD that would work with norton ghost as well.



     
    The_Real_b13, Mar 4, 2011
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  21. Murdo119

    Murdo119 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks The_Real_b13 for the response! I will also try this!
     
    Murdo119, Mar 4, 2011
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  22. ChileanLlama

    ChileanLlama Notebook Enthusiast

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    Very similar to process to the one I used.

    I just put the Alienware Windows restore disk onto a USB instead of an external DVD drive, and I didn't bother downloading the drivers until after the install of Windows.

    I did need to use ethernet as Windows won't find the Wireless LAN drivers on install.

    If you're going to do a clean install, then backing up the disk is only really needed if you plan to re-use the removed HD and/or you want a second copy :) But yep if you want to backup the original drive then it's going to take multiple disks, USB or network drive.

    By cloning I was referring to a direct HD to SSD copy, if you can do that with Acronis or Ghost etc then you wouldn't need to reinstall at all :)
     
    ChileanLlama, Mar 4, 2011
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  23. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    No problem guys,anymore help feel free to ask.
     
    The_Real_b13, Mar 4, 2011
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  24. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    EDIT: I know some people mentioned "the dip" on the keyboard. I wanted to follow up and let everyone know that I do indeed have this dip as well.
     
    The_Real_b13, Mar 4, 2011
    #24
  25. ajslay

    ajslay Overclocker, PC Builder

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    one thing you might wanna do is disable start up items and unneeded windows services. all can be done from msconfig
     
    ajslay, Mar 5, 2011
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  26. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    The_Real_b13, Mar 5, 2011
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  27. DavyGT

    DavyGT Overclocker

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    DavyGT, Mar 5, 2011
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  28. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    Sweet Thanks,Quick question. What are your thought on running setpll and running TS at the same time?
     
    The_Real_b13, Mar 5, 2011
    #28
  29. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    The_Real_b13, Mar 5, 2011
    #29
  30. DavyGT

    DavyGT Overclocker

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    Shouldn't be a problem. I run them both just fine.

    Under Optimus, the Intel GPU becomes a "graphics mule" in the sense that all video is output through it.
    This means programs detect the GMA HD first- this can cause some programs to not work (PunkBuster in drivers before 265) and minor errors such as showing GMA HD only (in your case).

    Remember if you're stability testing, you need to run 2 tests- 1 multithreaded test and 1 single threaded test. The reason why the single threaded test is needed is because the core can be unstable under high frequency and the multithreaded test won't show this as it has the cores running at 14x, slower then 17x.
     
    DavyGT, Mar 5, 2011
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  31. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    DavyGT, what stress testing program do you recommended and what version of it?
     
    The_Real_b13, Mar 5, 2011
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  32. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    Yeah I read about PB issues before I purchased laptop.

    More searching came across more people with same issues as me
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...052-low-3dmark06-scores-hp-probook-4420s.html

    Thats fine no biggie if it says Intel I know it does run off of 335m as it gave me score in 7k range.

    Hopefully nVidia will get there sh** together and push out some decent code for the 335 drivers.


     
    The_Real_b13, Mar 5, 2011
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  33. DavyGT

    DavyGT Overclocker

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    IntelBurnTest for multithreaded testing and Prime95 with 1 test thread for single core testing. Any version will do.

    That HP doesn't have discrete graphics, judging from the description.

    If you want to push it to the limit, you want to get over 9000 3DMarks. No R2 has gotten over 9000 so far because of GPU limitations- you pretty need a GT335 that can do well over 600 core to get anywhere close to 9000.

    nVidia drivers are having a case of "1 step forward, 2 steps back" ATM. Bad Company 2 MP fixed but Left 4 Dead 2 and GTAIV broken with 265 and newer drivers.
     
    DavyGT, Mar 5, 2011
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  34. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    Thanks DavyGT!
     
    The_Real_b13, Mar 7, 2011
    #34
  35. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    Hybrid SSD best investment ever! 21-22 seconds to boot!! Sweet!
     
    The_Real_b13, Mar 7, 2011
    #35
  36. Electroz

    Electroz Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is it a Hybrid or an SSD?
     
    Electroz, Mar 7, 2011
    #36
  37. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    The_Real_b13, Mar 7, 2011
    #37
  38. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    The_Real_b13, Mar 7, 2011
    #38
  39. tonkatrain

    tonkatrain Notebook Consultant

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    GESUS!!! That cpu is overclocking way better than any other R2 i've seen. I did notice your gpu says "Socket 989 iPGA" which i've never seen before. Mine says "Socket 1156 LGA" which all other R2's i've seen have said.

    I am wondering if you got one of the first of a new revision of board or cpu.
     
    tonkatrain, Mar 8, 2011
    #39
  40. DavyGT

    DavyGT Overclocker

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    It should be neither. The CPUs are BGA 1288 CPUs according to Intel which makes sense since they are not pinned (PGA on CPU or LGA on motherboard), they are attached with solder balls.

    What he does have is a K0 stepping CPU but that doesn't mean much without more data.
     
    DavyGT, Mar 8, 2011
    #40
  41. i has m11x

    i has m11x Notebook Evangelist

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    1156 is for desktop cpus. 989 rPGA is for mobile non-low voltage cpus, not the ultra low powered ones that are in the M11x.

    LGA 1156
    989 rPGA

    The i5 and i7 in the M11x each has two revisions, K0 and C2 according to these processor lists: i5 and i7. I wonder what the difference is or which one can handle overclocks better.

    The_Real_b13, have you tried cpu stress tests to make sure your overclocks are stable?
     
    i has m11x, Mar 8, 2011
    #41
  42. tonkatrain

    tonkatrain Notebook Consultant

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    I have updated my version of GPUZ and it now read 989 rPGA. My original motherboard had a K0 and dell replaced it with a C2 last week. I had no difference in overclocks which makes me think it was the memory holding me back. Either that or the version does not have much effect with these CPUs. I have heard lots of people claim K0 does overclock better however.
     
    tonkatrain, Mar 8, 2011
    #42
  43. egyptionsr2buff

    egyptionsr2buff Notebook Enthusiast

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    hi real b13

    just wondering if you could explain kinda the steps you took from a clean reset.
    like what did you first. That would be great becaue i am a little lost at all this stuff. and Are you always keeping your computer OC and at those settings all the time?
     
    egyptionsr2buff, Mar 8, 2011
    #43
  44. lwk321

    lwk321 Notebook Enthusiast

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    so there no way you can overclock the i5 processor up to 2.6ghz?
     
    lwk321, Mar 8, 2011
    #44
  45. DavyGT

    DavyGT Overclocker

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    Depends how you count 2.6Ghz. For single core speed, 2.6Ghz is achievable with a good i5 and memory. Dual core- not so much, as BCLK needs to be very high before that happens.
     
    DavyGT, Mar 8, 2011
    #45
  46. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    I would be more than happy to put a guide together with docs/video (IF ENOUGH PEOPLE WANTED IT)


     
    The_Real_b13, Mar 8, 2011
    #46
  47. egyptionsr2buff

    egyptionsr2buff Notebook Enthusiast

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    i would love it you have my vote =]
     
    egyptionsr2buff, Mar 8, 2011
    #47
  48. The_Real_b13

    The_Real_b13 Notebook Geek

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    The_Real_b13, Mar 8, 2011
    #48
  49. Murdo119

    Murdo119 Notebook Enthusiast

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    You have my vote! Thanks btw for your help! My R2 is working excellent after the SSD windows 7 clean install! Thanks to everyone that helped me!
     
    Murdo119, Mar 8, 2011
    #49
  50. Jays0n

    Jays0n Notebook Enthusiast

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    Please do so mate, will be much appreciated!!
     
    Jays0n, Mar 9, 2011
    #50
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