Alienware M11x is indeed a gaming netbook, as it can be overclocked

There’s no doubt the Alienware M11x is at the moment the most powerful 11.6 inch mini laptop on the market. And it will probably stay on this top position for quite a while.

Designed to be a mobile gaming notebook, the M11x comes with decent hardware for such a tiny beast. You can get the dual core ULV SU7300 processor, 4 GB of memory, 250 GB fast 7200 rpm storage drive and Windows 7 Home Premium for around $1000. Of course, you do get the Nvidia GeForce GT 335M Discrete Graphics (1GB GDDR3) alongside the switchable Intel GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics. And this graphic solution is the heart of the performances boosted by the tiny Alienware.

There have been many reviews of the device till now and all point that the system performs well in modern games, including Crysis at native resolution (1366 x 768 px). It will get around 5600 points in 3DMark06, and that’s a lot when compared to the other solutions in this class: the old Ion (around 1500 points) and the new one (predicted 2200 points) – both with Atom processor. But there’s actually more.

If you go in BIOS and Enable Overclock option, you’ll make the core speed of the processor jump from 1.3 GHz to 1.73 GHz. And this will add quite a significant bonus in 3D performances (3DMark06 now scores 6400 points) and benchmark tests like wPrime or Gimp see 15 to 25% improvement. So, like a truly gaming rig, the Alienware M11x can be overclocked and the difference it well worth doing that.

However, there’s one thing i worry about: temperature. Many users have reported that the M11x gets pretty hot even on default settings, i just can’t stop wondering how hot will it get when Overclocked and what are the long term implications for the components (considering that it only comes with 1 year warranty and extension to 3 years costs $199, I’m not sure how many will go for it).

Anyway, I’ll be looking for more info on this matter. Till then, see more details on Alienware’s M11x performances on this very well written review from Scott.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Tags: 11.6" netbooks, Alienware, CULV, gaming netbook

Last updated: September 30, 2011 | Published: March 5th, 2010 | Add the first comment!