The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    couple questions.

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by Morphic, Sep 13, 2010.

  1. Morphic

    Morphic Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    just ordered a new M15x with the i7 740qm cpu and the ati 5730 gpu, will this be able to run SC2 on high settings with ok FPS?
    also, i returned an M11x, does the M15x have hinge or screen problems like the m11x??
    thanks for any info =)
     
    Morphic, Sep 13, 2010
    #1
  2. inap

    inap .........................

    Reputations:
    4,417
    Messages:
    7,827
    Likes Received:
    19
    Trophy Points:
    206
    M15x hardware is very good. no hinge or screen problem.

    oops i just noticed you got the 5730, make sure to get the 5850 for best performance.
     
    inap, Sep 13, 2010
    #2
  3. robo74

    robo74 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    31
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    congrats on your purchase. I have had mine for two weeks and I love it.
    Only issue I had with it is the name plate is spelled wrong. I havent had a chance to call Dell yet, but I am sure they will take care of me.

    You will love your machine!

    Rob
     
    robo74, Sep 13, 2010
    #3
  4. Morphic

    Morphic Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    i had the M11X R2 for about a month, wasnt impressed with the gaming performance, and it had the well known hinge problem. the dual switching optimus drivers are crap, too many problems.
    i think the M15x will be the power house im looking for, not to mention bigger =P
     
    Morphic, Sep 13, 2010
    #4
  5. Hel20eS

    Hel20eS Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    210
    Messages:
    324
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    to get the best performance, upgrade your graphics card to 5850. Other than that, congrats on your purchase and hope you like the new toy :)
     
    Hel20eS, Sep 13, 2010
    #5
  6. cubankid17

    cubankid17 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    36
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    def upgrade the GPU the 5850 is a monster you wont regret it with my set up...i can run everything on high settings with dam good frame rate..on street fighter 4 i get 60 on max settings..also if you replace the thermal paste on it and OC it to the stocks of the 5870 you will have a monster i OCed mine with new thermal paste and it idles at 45 and games only hit the max of 75...thats with AS5
     
    cubankid17, Sep 14, 2010
    #6
  7. fynight

    fynight Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    21
    Messages:
    100
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yes the 5730 will play SC2 on high settings... if you cant afford much more. what know one has concidered here is budget.. if you are ristrcted to a cirtain ammount and can not afford the extra 60£ for the 5850.....
    I know it will work as i got a friend with almost the same configuration and he plays SC2 all the time with me.
     
    fynight, Sep 14, 2010
    #7
  8. cubankid17

    cubankid17 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    36
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    well if you dont have the money you could always OC the 5730 a bit...just incase your not happy with the gameplay
     
    cubankid17, Sep 14, 2010
    #8
  9. Morphic

    Morphic Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    when i get my M15x in a week or so, will i need to update the bios and all drivers?
    also, is changing the thermal paste something that should be done?
     
    Morphic, Sep 14, 2010
    #9
  10. inap

    inap .........................

    Reputations:
    4,417
    Messages:
    7,827
    Likes Received:
    19
    Trophy Points:
    206
    just use it, monitor your temps. then if you have issues then start messing with drivers, bios and paste. otherwise don't fix what is not broken.
     
    inap, Sep 14, 2010
    #10
  11. DaneGRClose

    DaneGRClose Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,805
    Messages:
    2,550
    Likes Received:
    30
    Trophy Points:
    66
    100% /\ /\ Another thing to keep in mind is that OCing and especially replacing the thermal paste is something that can completely ruin your entire system if not done correctly. And if Dell can prove a problem was caused by the user(pretty apparant in a system failure with aftermarket thermal paste) they won't cover it under warranty.
     
    DaneGRClose, Sep 14, 2010
    #11