*OFFICIAL* M15x Owners Lounge - Part 5 (see post #1 for links)

Good deal. Faster is always more fun, and there's still a lot left in that 5850M.

 

you're on a native 900p screen. It looks like crap on my 1080 screen...900 vs 1080 is like night and day to me, thats why I cant settle for the lower resolution even though it provides better performance.

I see in your sig you have the 5850m as well. Do you have A09 on it aswell? What 3dmark 11 scores are you getting?

 

I meant you should at least be getting playable framerates at 1080p

 

I have almost the same specs as the OP. I was getting 40-50fps on high settings. In crowded areas it was dipping down in the 20s, but for the most part very playable.

 

Just take picture of my M15x,

yihaaa :

MOD NOTE: resize it next time as per the forum rules !

 

^^very nice otosan

 

My m15x has been getting insanely hot lately while playing WoW. It's always run hot, but lately it's been freezing to the point that I have to turn off the laptop in order for it to work. I always have it on a cooling pad too with dual fans, used compressed air on the inside of the laptop to get out any dust. I have no idea why it's getting so bad but it's frustrating. I like the design of this laptop but it just seems so poorly made. For $1500 I need this thing to last more than 18 months = / , any one have any ideas on what I could do to make this run cooler?

 

Repaste and adjust your heatsink.

 

Yeah steelcurtain, after i re-pasted it to the mx-4, i overclocked it to 800mhz and 1100mhz on my hd5850 and now, i can play bf3 on max settings with 30-51 fps ^^ AND, it still runs cooler! I get 78*C max!

EDIT: Also running on 12.1 preview drivers. I can go a bit further but, bf3 crashes at 825mhz xD

 

Could someone please advise whether the Alienware m15x has a built-in battery overcharge prevention feature, and if yes, how do I use/activate it?

Thanks.

 

FN+F2 switches from battery enabled, battery disabled

 

Does that actually stop the battery from being charged?

 

it does for me, im on plug running battery charge is @95%

 

hey i am new here, i love this forum and makes me wanna update my m15x as well. First i did brick my bios...shame....but dell really helpt me out in a good way. i have done many biosupdates before but the usb tool did brick mine....still dont know happend....must have been a user faillure....so me than.

i am about to buy a ati 6970m as soon as i get one ill make it work and enjoy the power of a m15x on speed....lol.

thanks for all the info and tips on this forum, i dont know but i might be the first dutch guy here if there are more please let me know...
hope to spend a lot of time here en getting to know more of the alienware scene.......

Btw Happy new year all.

Gr Mike

 

I just got my M15X today as well. Looking forward to getting a 6970m in this to make this one beastly laptop for the size.

 

Hello guys, welcome to NBR and Happy New Year!
Glad you joined us.

Here you'll find useful info about installing the mobility 6970 in the M15x:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...u-need-know-upgrading-problems-solutions.html

 

Hey guys,

I have been using my M15x for a while now, and i have been having slow performance on battery ever since... I came across this thread before about this particular issue but there is no fix listed besides the stealth mode working on battery...it makes it a little better but still it doesn't fix my problem... Does anyone find a fix or are still having the same problem... Please help me out here, it's really annoying

M15x SPECS

Core i7 Q740
Ram 6gb
500gb HardDisk
Ati 5850HD 1gb 3d Card
Bios A08

 

What you need to do is go into Power Options. Then click on the plan settings. Then go to advanced plan settings. Then scroll down and find processing power state, and change the values for when its on battery to 100% or w/e you like. Just know that it will drain your battery faster.

 

Well i have already done that.... All the options in the plan settings are same for battery and plugged in... still when i play a 720p or 1080p video or even browse internet, there is a huge drop in performance on battery, so forget any work or gaming... Here is the link to the thread that talks about the same issue that i am having... maybe you'll understand better what might be the problem here...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...x-battery-results-slow-performance-issue.html

About battery drainage, i can always control that by creating two powerplan and choose when i just want to lay it low and when i want a power performance... atleast i'll have control of how my m15x works then, if this issue is resolved

Thanks,
Khizer

 

I'm having a battery related issue too, well actually I guess it's a power cord/adapter issue.
When I'm plugged in using the power cord and I turn on my laptop I get a loud beep sound and then a message that says "your power adapter may not be the 150W adapter that was originally shipped with your system" Then I can hit f1 to continue booting up. I'm not sure if it's bad to keep doing this or what.

Though if I unplug the power cord and boot up on battery it doesn't do that.
I've also tried many different outlets and recycling the battery. It just keeps doing it.

I've tried contacting Dell but I'm guessing they won't do anything seeing that my warranty ran out a few months back.. funny how that happens.
Does anyone have any info or suggestions that could help? Or possibly where to get a new adapter/cord online that will work and is cheap?

 

I would recommend buying a new power supply. For cheap you could try searching on ebay, also inap has a 240 adapter on sale at nbr marketplace for cheap. Other than that i cant remember if there is an option in the bios to shutoff power warning or if it was just for switching for the 150 to 240 supply?

 

I got this when I didnt plug it in all the way.

If you need one go to Ebay. I got one for $20 (its a bit bulkier) but it works great and it thinks its the one that shipped to it.

this should work: 150W AC ADAPTER for Dell Inspiron 9100 XPS PA-15 N3834 | eBay

 

hi there ... I'm just wonder if any body have mode or tuned his own alienware PC or laptop I have just done it Take a look on it
Alienware M15x Laptop tuning.MOV - YouTube
tell me what You thing about it ... or post Your own VID or pictures

 

Hi Everyone...I hope it's okay to be posting this in the main forum..wasn't sure...Anyway I am looking for a 2nd laptop and would consider an AW if I could find a reliable model for a decent used price. I know this unit to be well cared for..but was thinking the price to be a bit on the high side...am I wrong? The owner is quite attached to it and is not a motivated seller lol..so I think it's a firm price..What do you think?

Alienware m15x: $1250
Intel Core i7 Processor (First Generation) x940
Samsung 256GB Solid State Hard Drive
8GB RAM @ 1333MHz
Bluetooth Card
Dedicated Graphics Card nVidia 5850
High Capacity 9-Cell Battery
Standard Capacity 6-Cell Battery
Alienware Carying Case
HDMI Adapter Dongle
Power Adapter
Alienware Mouse Pad and Ball Cap
Windows 7 Ultimate with Restore disks
Driver Install and System Restore Disks
All Original documentation and Packaging

The service tag is good...does anyone know what model Samsung SSD Dell was putting in these?? Anyway...thanks for all opinions!!

 

Seems like a decent price (not amazing).

I'd take it if there was a warranty, but if there isn't, I'd never buy a used laptop without it. You never know if the previous owner is hiding something about the machine.

There's also sealed M17xR3's refurbs on ebay for 100-150$ more if you already have an SSD or just don't care for one with full 1 year warranty's from Dell.

 

The Owner's Lounge is the best place to ask a model-specific question like this. I went ahead and put it there.

 

Thanks Senior Fox....I wasn't sure...so whats your opinion??

 

yes it seems like a good price since one similar i believe sold for about $1000 the only difference was that it did not come with the ssd. if the 940xm is an oem chip

 

I am about to sell my M15x on craigslist to a buyer for $600 cash. Too cheap?

i7 720
500gb 7200rpm
gtx 260m
blu ray
1080p
9 cell

A little conflicted about this because I know what a paid but they don't seem to be going for a ton more than that online maybe like $200 more on ebay or so.

 

That sounds about right for the price, especially if the warranty is expired. I paid $600 for my M17x R2 used, in excellent condition, with no warranty.

 

Hi all. I'm just wondering what drivers everyone is using for their GTX 260M's if they have one? I'm using the one nvidia released last month (295.73), but I just got a blue screen tonight playing WoW (0x00000119 mentioned video scheduler). I'm wondering if that's the best driver to use or should I roll to a different one (8/25/10) on dell's page or what? I hope my card isn't dying because I put so much money into this thing and school is making me poor = (
(Saw nvidia released a new one on 3/13/12, maybe try that?)

Also, should I check to see if I need to update my bio drivers? I'm not sure what I have or how to check.. or even where to get an updated version (on dells site?)

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

 

Is your machine overheating? Have you checked your GPU temps with GPUz. If your temps are high it is high time to pop the back off and clean the heatsinks as they might be jammed full of dust. A repaste might also help but I bet just cleaning out the dust if there is any will make a huge difference.

You can remove the GPU fan without taking the gpu heatsink out so do this and then with canned air or compressed air blow all the dust out through the vents (don't blow from outside into the laptop)

 

Yeah I've done that before (though I've only managed to get the easier side off, the other one is a bit trickier as I'm scared I'll strip a screw or crack a board taking those bigger ones out). Maybe I should repaste it too..


Thanks

 

I have an AW Area 51 that I purchased in December of 2008. The spec sheet from my order is as follows.

[1] Area-51® m15x

Design & Display: Silver Ripley Design
Display: 15.4" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD (1200p)
System Lighting: Alienware® AlienFX® System Lighting - Blue
Video/Graphics Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® Series - 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 9800M GT
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme X9000 2.8GHz (6MB Cache 800MHz FSB)
Operating System (Office software not included): Windows Vista® Ultimate with Service Pack 1
Notebook Tuners and Remotes: Without Media Center Remote Control or TV Tuner
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz – 2 x 1024MB
Turbo Cache Memory: Intel® Turbo Memory (1GB) – Accelerate Data Transfer Speed
Available on Windows Vista Only!
System Drive: 128GB Solid State Drive
Optical Drives : 8x Dual Layer Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW) w/ LightScribe Technology - View Demo
Wireless: Internal Intel® Wireless 4965 a/b/g/Draft-N Mini-Card
Sound Card : Internal High-Definition Audio with surround sound
Keyboard Options: AlienFX® Illuminated Keyboard – Exclusive Design
AlienRespawn: AlienRespawn v2.0 Recovery DVD – Windows Vista® Edition
Mouse: Gaming Mouse - Logitech® G9 Gaming Mouse


I have several questions, First, am I even in the proper forum? Is there a Silver Ripley Forum or such I should be in?

Next, am I still able to upgrade to the 16 gig of RAM and goto a 64 operating system? Is the DDR2 going to be a problem?

ALSO

I have noticed that the videos I see of tear downs for other area 51 Systems are not matching my lay out. Shoot I am not even certain this machine is still relevant in today’s environment, although I am pleased with the graphics, if I can just stop burning through graphics cards.

Thanks in advance

Scott

 

I really like the look of the 14X apart from 1 thing, doing a lot of photographic work, I need a good screen, and the B+RGLED screen on the XPS 15 is the one I would like, but the B+RGLED screens are only available in 15" and now there is no Alienware 15. *sigh*

look like I'll just have to wait for the revamped XPS to arrive in a few months.....

 

I agree it's sad - was within hours of ordering the M15x last year when it was pulled. I'm not a patient guy though, so after getting a Mac for a nice screen, decided to take the plunge and get the M14xR2 a few days ago.

Not sure what your situ is, but for me I'll be using an external monitor at home - just wanted the M14 for the portability-kick--on-the-move. Haven't had an XPS for a while, the last was an M1530 and it was a solid beast - not so happy about the build quality in the ones we have around the office these days, although it does look like things are on the up.

 

You can still get the m15x in the outlet stores. If your brave enough there is a guide to put a HD 7970m into them also. Would make a beast of a laptop.

 

im usually a quiet lurker, but i feel i need to gush on my experience with the m15x. this thing is, without a doubt, the best laptop i have ever owned or considered buying. i love its looks, performance, and more importantly its upgradability. this summer, i will be installing a ssd, 8gb ram, and possibly a new gpu (if i can find a good price). on top of my love for the m15x, this forum has helped me so much. so much information on anything i need to know. thanks to all who contribute.

slurry

 

hi guy's need some expert help here is it possible to put a 480m in a m15x think its r2
this is what inside
DELL ALIENWARE LAPTOP M15x i7-720QM/4GB RAM/320GB HD/DVD-RW/1GB Radeon HD 5850

 

I don't think anyone has tried the 480m in the m15x yet

 

ok thanks
its a clevo 480m mxm3.0b so the most inmportant is will it physicaly fit in the m15x or is it allot of modding to do

 

The card should fit, but i would recommend you not try it, it would probably be a waste of money. Heat will only be one of your problem, along with gettting your m15x to recognize the card you might need modded drivers, it will power and/or heat throttle (nvidia card dont do very well with the m15x), and you might not be able to reach 3d clock or you might be stuck on 3d clocks. So if your patient and willing to deal with a handful of workarounds and limitations than go for it, if not than just forget it.

 

thaks for your help it was soo that its a female friend that was asking she wanted to buy my extra 480m i got left and put in her m15x but she is not so tech savy and nether im i when it comes to AW i know clevo/sager like the back of my hand and desctops but not AW

 

Is it worth to buy a M15x nowadays? I can now purchase one for $1000
Spec.: i7-720qm, 8GB RAM, 1080p WLED screen, 500GB Harddrive, AMD 5870m vga, bluray drive and 6cell battery.

 

$1000 for those specs is too much maybe 700 at most, if it had an xm processor and an ssd maybe. I think the m15x is still worth buying if you can find one at a decent price, since it is upgrade friendly. But i would be looking for a nice m17x r3 nowadays since the r4 just came out, you might be able to find one at a good price

 

Nevermind it has been sold 10 minutes after it appeared on the web.

$1000 is a very low price for it. It's not USA, here a new m17x costs more than $3000

 

i have seen m17x r3 go for about 1200 on nbr marketplace

 

hello Sir.....this is my first post...i need help regarding changing the videocard in my m15x....i want to install an Amd Radeon hd7970m in place of already existing gtx460m....my sys specs are i7 740qm,6gb Ram,500gb hdd...i don't want to change my processor or RAM...is it possible to change only the videocard....i am on A08 bios....need your kind guidance....please help me....

 

Yes you can change just the video card on its own, and its a very simple process. Be patient while doing so. Reference to the 7970m in M15x why yes thread in this subforum. In regards to the teardown procedure refer to the manual, and also the youtube vids (search M15x teardown, 3 part video). You may need a compatible xplate for the new card. You'll also need thermal paste (i.e mx4 paste) and possibly new thermal pads if ur old ones are worn out. Gluck.

 

Can anyone confirm if the HyperX 1600MHz RAM will work in the M15x?

Kingston 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz HyperX Plug N Play.. | Ebuyer.com

I think it says it automatically Overclocks to 1600MHz when connected with an i7 processor