I have a very similar system (I went with the i960 and the HD 5870).... I am wondering the same thing on the Video Card... who the manufacturer is...?

On a side note, I also ordered on the 26th so I'm curious to see what the delivery schedule is. My Estimated Ship Date is 2/9

Evil.

My estimated delivery date yesterday was 16 Feb.  Today when I looked it was 11 Feb.  I hope that is correct.  Can't wait to see what this beast can do.  I am going to install Crysis first thing, crank everything up and when it runs smooth as silk flip off the Crysis game case, lol.

Interesting. I just looked at mine and it still says 2/15 for an Estimate Delivery date (I am getting the el-cheapo delivery).

I agree on Crysis... I bought a 5870 vid card Retail (I plan on Crossfiring them in my new machine) but I tested it out by itself in my old XPS 720 and it was a huge improvement over the two 8800 GT's I had SLI'd. I can hardly wait to have the new box, with the new guts, and to crossfire the 5870's.

Evil.

That sucks. I was hoping that Dell was getting away from that practice (especially with Alienware) but I guess no such luck.

Evil.

I have a very similar system (I went with the i960 and the HD 5870).... I am wondering the same thing on the Video Card... who the manufacturer is...?       On a side note, I also ordered on the 26th so I'm curious to see what the delivery schedule is. My Estimated Ship Date is 2/9       Evil.

My estimated delivery date yesterday was 16 Feb.  Today when I looked it was 11 Feb.  I hope that is correct.  Can't wait to see what this beast can do.  I am going to install Crysis first thing, crank everything up and when it runs smooth as silk flip off the Crysis game case, lol.

my new M15X is broken out of the box. I called them and they hung up on me cause I got mad that my computer is broken. stupid dell.

All Dell Alienware video and sound cards are OEM (original equipment manufacturer) that are tested to run with our drivers.

Most retail video card GPU and memory are at the top end of settings (MHz). We prefer more of a mid range. Plus, we can have the manufacturer remove components from the card making it cheaper to buy for us and you.

It also probably lengthens the time it takes for components to die... I guess the issue is that on Alienware's the user should have the option of a stripped down high end video card or the Dell OEM option. No one is buying from Dell on price. They're just not because you guys are only competitive against the other "Alienware Clones" (ie. Falcon NW, Origin, etc.). Cyberpower, etc., will almost always beat you on price AND provide retail versions of cards.

It's a shame that Dell doesn't understand the Alienware market better.

Evil.

I sure hope I have a good experience as many folks appear to be having nothing but trouble.  Are there no users having excellent results?

Turnkey,

I have never had an issue with my M17x.  Additionally, when I called AW-Dell Support for a 2nd hard drive caddy, they set it quick and no charge.

This wasn't a technical malfunction.  As for those I have had none.

You may find more negative replies because it is when the SHTF it drives people to post.  I hardly post, maybe bacause I haven't had a major issue.  I feel there are many of us, you just don't always hear from us.

i hope you get it on time

i had a simular system on order since dec 9 09  after 6 delays i tried to see what the problem is

order help is terrible all they do is tell you that its a high end system and they have a backlog

they say they will call you within 48 hours and they never do very frustrating

i had a hunch that something in my config was holding up the order but they said no

after the 6th delay i thought i would never get my system(coming up on 2 months)

so i decided to call and cancel and try to reorder it is a risk

 i took something out of my config and i hope it pushes the thing thru

i will let you know if my gamble works

i find it hard to believe that dell wont tell me whats holding up my system

for a company that builds computers you would think they would have a better handle on their inventory