Hardware

Screenshots: Alienware Aurora m9700

By // August 31, 2006, 5:29 AM PST // markwkaelin

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    During testing for a review of the Alienware Aurora m9700 notebook, Mark Kaelin installed software and ran benchmarks to test the machine's performance and capabilities. Here are a few images to show you what he found during his review process.

    The opening screen of Futuremark's 3DMark06 benchmark testing application explains what is going to happen.

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    The first test in the 3DMark series concentrated on lighting effects and texture mapping. The video screen is showing the landing crafts approach. Notice the reflection on the various textures.

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    This guy has a really big gun that makes a really big flash. Notice the lighting effects. This is really driving the graphics card.

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    Whoops! I'm on the wrong end of this encounter.

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    Some one is about to get a bad headache. Notice the white and yellow lights have a different effect depending on where in the screenshot you look.

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    A tranquil balloon ride. Note the water reflection and the sunburst.

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    Rest and relaxtion at last.

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    Notice the shadows and the fogging effect.

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    Colored light emanates from the fireflys, which in turn reflects on the forest surrounding. This is very strenuous calculation for the GPU. The SLI video cards in the m9700 handle it without a hiccup.

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    Half Life 2 with all the settings turned up as high as they can go looks great with the SLI configuration.

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    This is Alyx -- she saved me from the Combine scum. But I'm still a little on edge, hence the crowbar. No one takes my crowbar.

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    A close up of Alyx reveals some more detail in her face and in the bulletin board behind her.

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    I turn on the flashlight to get even more detail. Notice how the eyes light up now -- pretty green eyes.

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    The next set of screenshots are from the Counterstrike Source hardware test. This quick test puts the CPU and GPU through their paces. The Aurora m9700 came through with flying colors.

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    Testing texture rendering and lighting effects.

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    Even with all that color you cam just make out the outline of a man.

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    Check out the lighting on the wall coming from behind you. The wall texture makes it appear wet -- a nice effect.

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    Notice the backlight and the translucent man on the pedestal.

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    Fire reveals all. There he is -- the "Predator" effect.

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    Reminds me of a few bar and grills I know during basketball season.

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    I wonder what's on the big screen today.

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    An excellent example of directional lighting. A few years ago this effect was not possible.

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    The wide resolution makes a big difference in what you can see in the World of Warcraft. Here Keres and I are deep inside a hive full of insects. We have stolen a few eggs for scientific study and are wondering how to get them out alive.

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    This is Elkwinkarma, Undead Warlock, hanging out in the Undercity. That's my pet demon voidwalker off to the side. He doesn't like to have his picture taken.

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    It may not look like it, but I'm actually pretty happy for a Warlock.

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    This is Ramekinwalk -- she is a troll rogue with a lot yet to learn. Notice the fire in the background.

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    While World of Warcraft doesn't try to be photorealistic, it can drive a video card hard. The SLI video card setup in the Alienware Aurora m9700 allowed me to turn all of the settings all the way up.

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During testing for a review of the Alienware Aurora m9700 notebook, Mark Kaelin installed software and ran benchmarks to test the machine's performance and capabilities. Here are a few images to show you what he found during his review process.

The opening screen of Futuremark's 3DMark06 benchmark testing application explains what is going to happen.

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By Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.