M15x + ATI 5870 (MOD)

You have your own memory pads right? Are they making good contact?

 

For m15x is the HS for 240 and 260 the same? Also, how does a 240m gt sell for?

 

The material I have looks to be too thick at 2mm (it was purchased for the W870 heatsink which is different).

I just used the stuff that was on there as it was only used for a few days and looked pretty clean.

I can always get back in there and try out my thermal pads if the temps don't go down.

 

Going to play l4d2 so I'll be back later to bs with you guys

 

Sleey, why did you sell your clevo?

 

Yes from what I've gathered here and other places the 240/260 heatsinks are exactly the same .

 

So after 20 minutes of a l4d2 session the highest temp was recorded at 79C.

That is fine with me

And I sold the Clevo becasue I wanted something else. I wasn't thrilled with the build of it - was very cheap feeling (hollow sounding and very, very plasticky).

The M15x is night and day better than the Clevo, IMO.

Don't get me wrong - the W870 is a very good system. Just wasn't for me.

 

Was that with the card OCed or stock? I guess after owning this AW, any other laptops would feel plasticy, even future AWs

 

Does this void warranty?

 

That sounds good to me too!

 

Do you mean 79C on the Core or Mem?
Also, how about Crysis?

 

Just a reminder, you guys will need to use the bottom screw plate from the 240 or 260 in order for it to fit the heatsink.

 

Core....

Yes, I found out the hard way lol

 

What's the max on the MEM? It would give you and us an idea of how good are the 2mm pads. Normally, with 79C core the mem would hit 90C.

 

Well, everything was within a few degrees of each other. Next time I bench while monitoring temps I will take some screenshots.

I didn't use my 2mm stuff - I just left the pads on that came with the heatsink/240 (I hadn't used the system much since I got it on Thursday so the pads were practically brand new.

Like I said previously, if the temps get too high I will try out my 2mm pads instead.

 

I have found a long day of crysis will push temps nearly as high as Furmark will. Just a heads up

 

That's how I felt about the W860. Cheap plastic feeling, better than Asus but still a big fail overall.

 

Yeah, I wasn't too thrilled with it.

At first I really liked it but I think that was more of the nice LED display had me hooked for a minute.

Once that wore off I felt somewhat cheated. lol

The keyboard was terrible and while typing on the system it sounded and felt way too cheap for a high-end system.

 

Well...I am speechless..
Until Alienware (which I was an owner of last year) comes out with ALL the latest technology (what is available now, which is coming soon... we hope) I think the W870CU is the ultimate for a 8lb notebook..

 

I know the feeling. My old M571RU was made of the cheapest plastic I'd ever seen on a laptop. It bothered the hell out of me. The cheap plastic they used wore down to a shine after only a month. It left the computer looking just cheap and ugly. After having my M17x I feel spoiled, high quality durable (wear resistant) plastics great looks and impressive metal chassis. I can without a doubt say the M17x R2 is the best computer I've ever owned, and I have absolutely no gripes with it at all.

 

That is why I didn't want to seem like I was bashing the W870. lol

I just felt, for the money, there are better options out there.

Just and opinion and I made my decision on what works best for me

EDIT: Wow! You mentioned that the plastic wore down to a shine. Well, that is EXACTLY what started to happen to my W870. And I only had it for a few weeks!

 

+1 here on wearing down plastics on my old clevo/sager laptops as well. Made them look worn and cheap . Very impressed with the build quality of the m15x, palm rest feel sturdy and tough as well (so hopefully no shiny plastic wear anytime soon!).

 

What technology is Alienware lacking that the W870 has? If you mean the 5870m, that's not exactly a big leap. 15% performance increase is nice and all but nothing to get worked up over. The dual 4870 beat anything Clevo has available. When Clevo builds a solid machine with backlighting, RGB LED, metal chasis/cover, plastic that doesn't wear down after a few weeks + nice design (not the lunchbox design they currently have) I'll give them another look. I won't hold my breath though. I agree with the general sentiment here, Alienware PC's are very high quality and you feel like you are getting what you paid for. The only other laptops that deliver on build quality that I can think of are Macbooks though I personally can't stand them.

 

Hey guys will doing this swap void your warranty?

 

I don't believe you get what you pay for from Apple, that's for darn sure.

Build quality is always top-notch on any of Mr. Jobs' products but it ends right there.

Specs are usually very weak for what you pay (I'd rather give Sony my money that Apple - you feel me? lol)

 

How are you liking that 5870 in your M15x Sleey, and how are the temps?

 

I was not attacking...I think they are great! I LOVED the build, and feel of my M17x I had and will very seriously consider one again when the 940xm and 5870's or such are out. I DO like the Clevo I have now, it is light(4lbs lighter) and not as cheap feeling as ones have said. It depends on what you are looking for and how you are using your system. Again, I LOVE Alienware Laptops too!!

 

I feel like us M15x owners are all jumping around in a candy store for joy... im so tempted to just put this on the visa!

 

Join us Avengement! I'll be posting benches and stuff when I get my running and burned in

 

While buying an apple you are also buying the ability to use Mac Os, which is the best OS out there.

 

Please no more apple talk...

When & how do Alienware usually release updates on products?

 

In your opinion. I prefer Windows 7, besides if someone really wants OS X on their computer, it's not impossible.

Just sayin.

But yeah, I'd take an Alienware over a Crapbook any day.

 

That me me LOL

Thanks for that!

 

i love apple!!!!


but only in pies!!!!!

 

Green or Red?

 

ok i lied, i don't even like it in pies,hahahah

 

I'm sounding like a broken record here, sorry, but does this void warranty? I am thinking since Dell is pretty good about their warranties, it shouldn't?

 

Well there really isn't a way for them to find out anyway. But the answer is probably no, it will not void your warranty, BUT any parts damaged by the 3rd party card will NOT be covered.

Your best bet...don't tell them lol.

 

Dell is very lax with there warranties and I have become somewhat of an expert because I have been dealing with Dell for years. lol

If you manage to damage something while installing the card then it won't be covered (unless you have complete care which I highly recommend).

If you purchase parts from Dell and install it yourself then the parts are covered under the systems warranty through Dell.

If you purchase a part from a 3rd party then the part is not under warranty from Dell, rather the part should have it's own warranty from wherever you bought it (and in most cases there is no warranty except DOA depending on where you bought it).

Remember, Dell no longer has a return to depot (mail-in) warranty. Since everything is done by an independent contractor (banctec, etc) most time they could care less and just show up with the parts. They don't care that you re-pasted your CPU or took apart the system to install aftermarket parts.

Did that help break it down?

 

If it's something completely new they'll usually drop hints on the web or through youtube. Before the M17xR1 was released they had a webpage with a count down and also released some riddles. If it's just a parts refresh for an existing system it just pops up on their website without much of a notice.

The "When" is random for new stuff. For a refresh it seems about every 6 months or so.

 

So being back on topic. Any new numbers?

 

+rep. I might go this route. Buy a m15x and stuff a 5870 in it sure looks way better than the G73. The ONLY gripe is the lack of a numpad.

 

Well maingear(whoever that is...) just released a 15in with the 5870. They've titled it the "The World's Most Powerful 15". Looks like Alienware has to release it soon... I mean they love having the "most powerful laptop in the world" stigma right?

http://www.maingear.com/custom/laptops/exl-15/

 

That's a Clevo W860CU. It's had the card for a while now...

 

I have an M15x and just ordered a G73JH. My only cons with the M15x is the throttling issue, how heavy it is and I am sure if I set the M15x on top of the G73 they will almost be the same size. The G73JH is also lighter but I will let you know after my real world test of the G73JH which one I like better. I actually enjoy using my M11x more than my M15x especially after I dropped an SSD in my M11x.

 

You should keep your 920 then. The G73 LOVES the 920.

 

Hi. I know it’s off topic but your post attracted my attention. I’m on the line between ordering a G73Jh or Alienware M15x. I can’t make up my mind.

In either case I will upgrade to be running a i7-920XM with ATI HD 5870 and 256 GB SSD.

What is the throttling issue with M15x? Does it get worse with 920XM?

And most important of all how are the dimensions when compared to each other.
M15x is specified as 37.793 x 30.851 x 4.87 cm (W x D x H) and Weight : 4.08 kg (9 lbs) whereas
G73Jh as 42.0 x 31.0 x 1.89~5.68 cm (W x D x H) and Weight: 3.85 kg (8.47 lbs)

Why do you prefer a G73Jh rather than a M15x with ATI 5870?

Thanks.

 

G73 you can overclock the 920xm way more.

 

Just be aware that the G73 has some growing pains.

So make sure you buy from somewhere with at least a 30 day defective unit return.

 

Think the non-proprietary version of the 5870 card would fit the G73? lol