Alienware M14x R1 Vs Alienware M14x R2

[Tsukurimashou]

Hello, So I purchased my M14xR1 a few weeks a go since I was eager and could not wait for the R2..Plus the speculation thread on here speculated its release around late Q3, but whatever.

I currently own a M14x i7 2860QM 2.5Ghz 8mb, High Def 900p, GT555m 3GB,
750Gb HD, Killer Wireless-N, Bluetooth and a Internal 60GHz Wireless transmitter. stock dell 4GB ram, however I upgraded and purchased ram separately(Hyper X 8GB)

I have no problems with it, I enjoy this machine a lot and it runs BF3 on Medium with an average fraps of 28-30.

I called dell and they said "no problem" I could return this unit for a refund and purchase the R2

My question to you guys is should I do it? I got a really good deal on this order and to upgrade I had in mind two setups

This more expensive R2 setup will cost me roughly $350 more; i7-3820QM 2.7GHz, 2GB GT650M, 750GBHD, Intel Wifi with Bluetooth, but no Wifi HDMI, no blueray and stock 6GB Ram. Is the $350 worth the difference with this set up?...

Or should I go with the less expensive version with cost the same as my current R1: i7-3720QM 2.6GHz and 1GB GT650M, High-def 900p, Advanced WiFi Intel card with Bluetooth, 500GB HD, 6GB RAM... mind you I will be losing the Killer Wireless card, 250GB of the HD and the Wireless HDMi on both set ups

Any suggestions, will the new ivybridge with the GT650M really make that much of a difference that is worth upgrading?

Go with the 2nd config with GT650m 1gb and the i7-3720QM the differences between the 3720 and the 3820 are only 0.1ghz so not noticable and 2gb on the 650m is only usefull for multiple external monitors. And yes it's totaly worth it imo. There wont be much differences between sandy bridge and ivy bridge (about 15% boost) but the 650m is a big upgrade, just look by yourself: Computer Games on Laptop Graphic Cards - Notebookcheck.net Tech (restrict with 650m and 555m only)

[L1qu1d]

Hello, So I purchased my M14xR1 a few weeks a go since I was eager and could not wait for the R2..Plus the speculation thread on here speculated its release around late Q3, but whatever.

I currently own a M14x i7 2860QM 2.5Ghz 8mb, High Def 900p, GT555m 3GB,
750Gb HD, Killer Wireless-N, Bluetooth and a Internal 60GHz Wireless transmitter. stock dell 4GB ram, however I upgraded and purchased ram separately(Hyper X 8GB)

I have no problems with it, I enjoy this machine a lot and it runs BF3 on Medium with an average fraps of 28-30.

I called dell and they said "no problem" I could return this unit for a refund and purchase the R2

My question to you guys is should I do it? I got a really good deal on this order and to upgrade I had in mind two setups

This more expensive R2 setup will cost me roughly $350 more; i7-3820QM 2.7GHz, 2GB GT650M, 750GBHD, Intel Wifi with Bluetooth, but no Wifi HDMI, no blueray and stock 6GB Ram. Is the $350 worth the difference with this set up?...

Or should I go with the less expensive version with cost the same as my current R1: i7-3720QM 2.6GHz and 1GB GT650M, High-def 900p, Advanced WiFi Intel card with Bluetooth, 500GB HD, 6GB RAM... mind you I will be losing the Killer Wireless card, 250GB of the HD and the Wireless HDMi on both set ups

Any suggestions, will the new ivybridge with the GT650M really make that much of a difference that is worth upgrading?

The Ivy I dont think so, but the Video card it should provide a notice boost, I estimate about 30% give or take

[Tsukurimashou]

The Ivy I dont think so, but the Video card it should provide a notice boost, I estimate about 30% give or take

Clock to clock ivy is about 15% more powerful than Sandy bridge, so it's still a good improvement.
And for people who say Ivy bridge produces more heat than SB yes it's true but only when overclocked, since you can only overclock the GPU on the m14x I don't see the problem.

[L1qu1d]

Clock to clock ivy is about 15% more powerful than Sandy bridge, so it's still a good improvement.
And for people who say Ivy bridge produces more heat than SB yes it's true but only when overclocked, since you can only overclock the GPU on the m14x I don't see the problem.

No it's not. Its disappointing. The Ivy is basically what the Sandy should've been.

It's Sandy 2.0. We don't see the step up that we saw going to i7 from the Q series.

Even the going from Bloomfield to Sandy was a slight let down, but at least it ran cooler and drew less power, but atleast it showed some results.

Frankly at this point I see the Ivy bridge worth skipping.

Again thats my opinion

That being said, maybe going from i7 Bloomfield to Ivy will be worth it, but I think I'll wait for the next CPU launch! Hopefully Intel won't skimp on the Thermals

[Tsukurimashou]

Well since it's about the same price as the sandy bridge and it's just a tick so a small update of the sandy bridge, so a bit more powerful, use less battery, yes it's hotter than the SB but only when overclocked, I don't see why you are complaining about it.

[Caladdon]

Wait a minute.... hotter?
Than the i7's from the 2nd Gen?

[Tsukurimashou]

Wait a minute.... hotter?
Than the i7's from the 2nd Gen?

Yes when overclocked, it produces more heat: Intel's Ivy Bridge Chips Appear to Run Hotter Than Sandy Bridge Chips When Overclocked | PCWorld

[L1qu1d]

I'm not arguing that it's a step up, but you made it look a lot like the holy grail of Step ups. Also TDP shows 45 Watts much like the Sandy Bridges In the mobile at least.

The reason for the heat issue from what I remember is Intel's poor choice to skimp on the method of cooling.

Also this is ofc a huge deal, most ppl doing the upgrade are enthusiasts looking to push the system to the max.

Now laptop users I can understand, I mean it's rare to see overclock.

Still this is imo a disappointment. I skipped Sandy Bridge for my desktop for the Ivy bridges, looks like I'll keep waiting!

Now for the m14x R2, the Video card should be a good enough reason to upgrade.

If you already have an R1, and you can't get your money back or have to spend over 300/400$ for the upgrade (I'd even say 200$, buts that me) then it's not worth it. You might as well send the money to my paypal account

I'm going to make my choice in September what the next laptop is for me. I was hoping more for a Decent LCD screen.

I honestly thought that cod had a very low color range and Battlefield...even Dead island!

Nope the monitor was just garbage

M14x R3, let's hope it brings 3D option!

[Ahfu88]

It's Sandy 2.0. We don't see the step up that we saw going to i7 from the Q series.

Even the going from Bloomfield to Sandy was a slight let down, but at least it ran cooler and drew less power, but atleast it showed some results.

Frankly at this point I see the Ivy bridge worth skipping.

Again thats my opinion

That being said, maybe going from i7 Bloomfield to Ivy will be worth it, but I think I'll wait for the next CPU launch! Hopefully Intel won't skimp on the Thermals

@L1qu1d
Well for upgrading from Bloomfield.
Intel made the sandy bridge-E and the upcoming Ivy bridge-E for people with deep pockets (bloomfield wasnt cheap at that time).

[Mr.Mischief]

Yes when overclocked, it produces more heat: Intel's Ivy Bridge Chips Appear to Run Hotter Than Sandy Bridge Chips When Overclocked | PCWorld

That's an article on the dedktop chips, not the mobile versions.

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