Quote:

mad lust envy said:

SOOOOOOOO...

I bought an Alienware M17x R4 laptop. Yeah, yeah, overpriced. Why did I get it? One main reason: It has an HDMI input. I absolutely can't find another laptop with an Hdmi INPUT (meaning that I can plug in my PS3, etc to it's display).

Anyways:

Processor 2.40 (boost to 3.40) GHz Intel Core i7 3630QM
RAM 6 GB (I just ordered a 4gb 1600mhz sticks to replace the stock ones)
Hard Drive 1TB (also bought a 128gb Samsung 840 Pro SSD as well)
GFX card: AMD 7970M. It's the best AMD gfx card that rivals Nvidia's flagship GTX680m from what I've read...

I maxed out my Amazon card with this, so no more headphone purchases for awhile...

Looks like it's LCD2 for now.

Also looks like I'm gonna FINALLY get into some PC gaming.

I sold my desktop to family, and I'm selling my monitor. This will do it all, literally. I might end up selling my 65" plasma as well.

Here's the Amazon page (different configuration but it shows what the M17x does)

http://www.amazon.com/Alienware-AM17xR4-8424BK-17-3-Inch-Laptop-Stealth/dp/B00ANG3ULW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1364486819&sr=1-1&keywords=m17x+r4

Click to expand...

 
Holy crap. Never thought you'd plunk down for that kind of laptop.
 
A friend of mine ordered an Alienware M18x a while back, pretty loaded to the gills. IIRC, it was packing dual GTX 680Ms, a pair of 256 GB SSDs in RAID 0, and other beefy hardware that $4,400 or so can buy...though some annoying flaws included the keyboard rollover (can't run diagonally with certain WASD or ESDF combinations and jump at the same time) and the fact that the sound got all crackly whenever dedicated graphics were enabled. I sure hope the M17x has neither of those issues, though you may be able to get around the sound issues with a Xonar U3.
 
If you don't want to futz around with MotioninJoy for your DualShock 3 pads on that machine (and I'm pretty sure you'll want a gamepad for certain PC games, especially on a laptop), I could offer you a Logitech F710 I'm not using that's like new. Great pad, but I've got a bunch of other ones I can use that offer more flexibility, even if they're less straightforward driver-wise.
 
Hope to see you on Steam soon!

Quote:

mad lust envy said:

SOOOOOOOO...

I bought an Alienware M17x R4 laptop. Yeah, yeah, overpriced. Why did I get it? One main reason: It has an HDMI input. I absolutely can't find another laptop with an Hdmi INPUT (meaning that I can plug in my PS3, etc to it's display).


Also looks like I'm gonna FINALLY get into some PC gaming.

Click to expand...

 
LOL
 
That sounds like a MAJOR impulse buy.  
 
There are a lot of things you could get for that kind of money.  I personally would have gone with a cheaper high power desktop build, plus a cheaper laptop to use the rest of the time.  Last time I checked, when you bought an alienware some of the money was going towards the casing and the badge instead of the hardware and components inside.
 
I REALLY wish more laptops had HDMI inputs though.  You already payed for the LCD screen, why not be able to use it with other sources?!
I don't care if takes another $100 to add firmware, inputs, and OSD buttons for the screen or whatever. 
 
Also, what ever happened to "I'm a console gamer!"
 
 
The good thing about consoles is, the developers are working with a fixed platform so they can optimize everything as much as possible.  You turn it on and everything just works, and you can forget about having to disable all your background processes/reduce the overhead of the OS and getting your soundcard/graphics card up to date and working correctly and set to all the right settings. 
 
Obviously that's also a bad thing in that everything's very capped/locked down/limited by the hardware.  You can't tweak or experiment with other settings.
 
 
As for the disparity in graphical power, hopefully this next gen of consoles will bring them back up to speed (literally).  I know you can always get a beefier PC if you want, but I really don't need 4K res @ 160fps gameplay (modern HDTVs will only accept 60 fps anyways).  I don't need  to buy a rig that's powerful enough to run everything on max just because I can.  I do want 1080p with better textures, lighting, filtering, AA, higher quality assets, etc. 
 
There's something really great about the sweet simplicity of consoles- not having to think about or manage the underlying PC to always try and get the most out of it.
 
 
Personally, I'm not a fan of controlling games via mouse and keyboard.  It's too easy to point and click on something to shoot it and feels lame and detaches me from the experience.  It's also uncomfortable for me.
You can plug controllers into PCs for gaming, although last time I tried it it seemed a little laggy.  Maybe it's gotten better.
 
It's just more immersive and comfortable with a controller for me though.

Well, I picked up some new Pro 900's for $250, won't have them until next Wednesday. Feel like I did pretty well, hopefully you guys can agree. I think for the home theater uses I'm mainly interested in they will perform admirably. Looking hard for the 5.8 mixamp now, the batteries aren't available on astro's website and I'm concerned about buying a chinese one, also need to grab the ps3 chat cable/belt clip if missing. Can I just use a 2.5 male to 3.5 female adapter (gold plated, any manufacturer recommendations?) for whichever mic I choose instead of using the y-cable? From there I will determine if I need an amp(already have the C&C BH in mind unless anyone has a recommendation?) and/or more rx units for guests.
 
Thanks again for any help,
Ryan

Chico, I didn't actually buy this for gaming. I specifically bought this for the HDMi input. I already had a fantastic desktop.

I could have saved a bit of money by getting it with a GTX675m, but the better 7970m card added only about 100 dollars, for a massive improvement. So why not? The fact that it plays games is a very nice added bonus, but it's not gonna turn me into a PC gamer. I barely play anything these days either way.

Oh yeah, it has Recon 3Di or whatever with THX TruStudio, so it should have the same processing as the Creative Recond 3d usb.

I'll know soon enough. I didn't even pay attention to that.

Quote:

chicolom said:

I REALLY wish more laptops had HDMI inputs though.  You already payed for the LCD screen, why not be able to use it with other sources?!
I don't care if takes another $100 to add firmware, inputs, and OSD buttons for the screen or whatever. 
 
Also, what ever happened to "I'm a console gamer!"

 
The good thing about consoles is, the developers are working with a fixed platform so they can optimize everything as much as possible.  You turn it on and everything just works, and you can forget about having to disable all your background processes/reduce the overhead of the OS and getting your soundcard/graphics card up to date and working correctly and set to all the right settings. 
 
Obviously that's also a bad thing in that everything's very capped/locked down/limited by the hardware.  You can't tweak or experiment with other settings.

As for the disparity in graphical power, hopefully this next gen of consoles will bring them back up to speed (literally).  I know you can always get a beefier PC if you want, but I really don't need 4K res @ 160fps gameplay (modern HDTVs will only accept 60 fps anyways).  I don't need  to buy a rig that's powerful enough to run everything on max just because I can.  I do want 1080p with better textures, lighting, filtering, AA, higher quality assets, etc. 
 
There's something really great about the sweet simplicity of consoles- not having to think about or manage the underlying PC to always try and get the most out of it.
 
Personally, I'm not a fan of controlling games via mouse and keyboard.  It's too easy to point and click on something to shoot it and feels lame and detaches me from the experience.  It's also uncomfortable for me.
You can plug controllers into PCs for gaming, although last time I tried it it seemed a little laggy.  Maybe it's gotten better.
 
It's just more immersive and comfortable with a controller for me though.

Click to expand...

 
I definitely agree in that more notebooks need video inputs, especially the ones that don't settle for crappy TN panels. I mean, if I had the dosh for a powerhouse notebook, I'd probably seek out an old HP EliteBook 8740w with a 1920x1200 DreamColor IPS panel. Last time I checked, those things go for $2,500 minimum, and the underlying hardware's a generation or two old. No HDCP-compliant HDMI input to go with that gorgeous screen, either...
 
As for the disparity between console and PC gaming...I'm a natural-born tweaker. I want the best experience I can get, and the usual PC complexities don't thwart me one bit. Fiddling with INI files and installing tons of mods is second nature to me, as it gets me closer and closer to that ideal experience.
 
I mean, I've spent a few hours just programming HOTAS profiles for my flight sims before. (Now that's a genre you practically never see on consoles!) That's one thing I like about PC gaming right there: I can generally get my controls exactly the way I want them, and the right tool for the job is always available. Nothing has to be shoehorned into a stock console gamepad.
 
It's funny how modern consoles have USB ports as standard, and yet you can't plug in a USB keyboard and mouse to play 'em that way. It used to be that console ports of titles like Half-Life, Quake III Arena, and Unreal Tournament let you use KB+M on the Dreamcast and PS2 if you wanted to.
 
Of course, I'm still fond of the good old SNES and the days when consoles weren't trying to be PCs in the first place. You popped the cartridge in, flicked the power switch, and you played. No loading, no installing, no firmware updates or patches to download from a service that's much slower than it should be (why can't PSN saturate my download bandwidth like Steam can?), so on and so forth that we've come to expect from the 7th generation of consoles. They've got the complications of PCs now, but little of the actual functionality, in no small part because the manufacturers still insist on telling you what you can and can't do with them. Their business model relies on people paying them for licenses, development kits, and royalties, after all...
 
Regardless, I'm in this for the games first. If a console gets enough exclusives (or console-only multiplatform releases, for that matter) to warrant owning, I'll eventually plunk down for it. *points to the CECHA PS3*

Quote:

mad lust envy said:

SOOOOOOOO...

I bought an Alienware M17x R4 laptop. Yeah, yeah, overpriced. Why did I get it? One main reason: It has an HDMI input. I absolutely can't find another laptop with an Hdmi INPUT (meaning that I can plug in my PS3, etc to it's display).

Anyways:

Processor 2.40 (boost to 3.40) GHz Intel Core i7 3630QM
RAM 6 GB (I just ordered a 4gb 1600mhz sticks to replace the stock ones)
Hard Drive 1TB (also bought a 128gb Samsung 840 Pro SSD as well)
GFX card: AMD 7970M. It's the best AMD gfx card that rivals Nvidia's flagship GTX680m from what I've read...

I maxed out my Amazon card with this, so no more headphone purchases for awhile...

Looks like it's LCD2 for now.

Also looks like I'm gonna FINALLY get into some PC gaming.

I sold my desktop to family, and I'm selling my monitor. This will do it all, literally. I might end up selling my 65" plasma as well.

Here's the Amazon page (different configuration but it shows what the M17x does)

http://www.amazon.com/Alienware-AM17xR4-8424BK-17-3-Inch-Laptop-Stealth/dp/B00ANG3ULW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1364486819&sr=1-1&keywords=m17x+r4

Click to expand...

*kicks u in da FACE* why did you buy alien ware, for some one who likes open cans I don't see you as a portable person. I don't need to tell you, that for the SAME price you could have purcahsed well built your self a desktop taht was twice as powerful as that thing, I mean hell SOME ONE out there is a gpu that has hdmi in, seriously an ALIEN WARE and a LAPTOP my gawd u might has well boutght an Apple Tower ;3
 
Non I'm still jk with u, I have NO idea about ANYTHING when it comes to laptops... I think they are all a sham anyways, screw portability I want DEPENDIABILITY and for that I use a desktop
 
also I need to start saving my money so I can get a credit card and make assine purchases and never leave  my house... which will come in time as I make MORE at mah new job. In addition going to get my w1000x recabled here shortly as they need it, such nice cans such a BORING looking cable... PFF screw that 

I want portability, with desktop type power, which this has. It will also let me free up some very much needed space in my bedroom.

I'd still use my KSC35 when I'm not home anyways.

I also want a new computer for gaming and other media heavy tasks. Before I wanted a laptop for portability but taking into account that my current laptop doesn't move anyway I don't see the point. Might as well just get a more powerful desktop for less.
 
Anyway, in order not to derail this thread further I will announce that I've decided that I want a Sennheiser HD800 with a Woo Audio Amp. (These amps are said to tame the treble brightness) But before I buy one I would like to pay off the student loan I owe the state. I'm going to need to work hard for that, lucky for me I have few other responsibilities so if I play my cards right by July I should have that debt paid for; that's what I'm hoping anyway.
 
I'm also interested in the Audeze (for non-gaming purposes) but the comfort is a concern for me. Right now I'm rocking the Sennheiser Momentum. I like it as a portable headphone (although the clamp is a bit too strong) it has decent bass but it is a bit loose if that makes sense. So far I haven't tried an amp on it; and I probably won't anytime soon, that was the point in buying a portable headphone...

I think in terms of a portable headphone, it would have to be incredibly easy to drive, like the Custom One Pro, or Audio Technica ES7, etc
Headphones not known to scale with amping. Not sure how the Momentum fits in that category.

For now, I'm just sticking to the now leather LCD2 as my one full sized can. Comfort is spotty, but it's not a torture device, and the sound really makes up for it.

The Koss clips ons will continue to be my go to for portable use. Can't live without them.

Quote:

mad lust envy said:

I think in terms of a portable headphone, it would have to be incredibly easy to drive, like the Custom One Pro, or Audio Technica ES7, etc
Headphones not known to scale with amping. Not sure how the Momentum fits in that category.

For now, I'm just sticking to the now leather LCD2 as my one full sized can. Comfort is spotty, but it's not a torture device, and the sound really makes up for it.

The Koss clips ons will continue to be my go to for portable use. Can't live without them.

Click to expand...

does th e sporta pro sound like the porta pro :O 

I don't have the Porta Pro, but I'm 99% sure it's the same driver. Same with the Ksc35. The sound differences is undoubtedly due to the distance and clamp of the drivers.

Quote:

mad lust envy said:

I don't have the Porta Pro, but I'm 99% sure it's the same driver. Same with the Ksc35. The sound differences is undoubtedly due to the distance and clamp of the drivers.

Click to expand...

meh should just get the kcs35 it's clip on so that should be pretty simple and should fit even my ears 

The KSC35 costs twice as much as the Sportapro. I'd honestly get the Sportapro and KSC75. Take the clips off the KSC75 which are much more comfortable than the KSC35's clips, and put them on the Sportapro drivers. That equals a makeshift KSC35, for $10 less, spare KsC75 drivers if you ever need them, and more comfy. Just make sure to bend in the clips to put the drivers closer to the ears (a good tight fit is essential for sound quality).

Also, for some reason, the Sportapro's cable has a better strain relief and right angle plug. The 6.3mm adapter is also amazing (best adapter I've had to date in that its easy to use and doesn't screw on.)

After getting my clips back, I couldnt go back to them. I've gotten so used to using the KSC35/Sportapro drivers on the KSC75 clips. Ridiculous comfort, and immersive sound. The KSC35 clips make them just a hint more balanced, but loses out on the extra body.

So again: Sportapro + KSC75. Snap off drivers from Sportapro headband, take off clips from KSC75. Put the drivers and clips together, enjoy.

The KSC75 alone is also great, but not warm, slightly mid recessed, and a little metallic in the treble. The bass is faster though.

Quote:

mad lust envy said:

The KSC35 costs twice as much as the Sportapro. I'd honestly get the Sportapro and KSC75. Take the clips off the KSC75 which are much more comfortable than the KSC35's clips, and put them on the Sportapro drivers. That equals a makeshift KSC35, for $10 less, spare KsC75 drivers if you ever need them, and more comfy. Just make sure to bend in the clips to put the drivers closer to the ears (a good tight fit is essential for sound quality).

Also, for some reason, the Sportapro's cable has a better strain relief and right angle plug. The 6.3mm adapter is also amazing (best adapter I've had to date in that its easy to use and doesn't screw on.)

Click to expand...

OH gawd, to much work
 
any one ever try the iGrado, I was thinking about picking one up and DAMN my indeed is NOISY as crap, which means I really need to look into a better tube as that noise is really getting to me, I miss the WARMTH of the tube but NOT the excessive noise >.> that thing is NOT for sensitive cans xD 

I edited my last post. Check it.

Too much work? All you have to do is snap off the drivers. It takes two seconds. They just pop off.