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Digital Storm x17 Notebook Review: Radeon HD 7970M And Enduro, Again

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The last time we looked at a notebook with AMD's Radeon HD 7970M in it, we stumbled across a problematic bug. Digital Storm's x17 employs the same graphics module. Do updated drivers cure what ailed the configuration previously? Let's find out!

Getting To Know The x17

A total weight of 11 pounds, including the adapter and power cord, sounds pretty heavy. But that's actually a fairly big achievement for a 17.3” gaming notebook, which often weigh anywhere from 12 to 18 pounds. Part of that slim-down can be credited to Clevo’s chassis design, but a big chunk of the x17’s weight savings come from more efficient CPUs and GPUs. This newer notebook model gets by with a smaller power brick and lighter heat sinks than many of the gaming notebooks we've reviewed in the past.

Clevo supplies the lightweight LED-backlit screen that helps to keep the notebook itself under nine pounds.

A clean front edge make it easy to work with the x17 on your lap, though we suspect it wouldn't be comfortable to game like that for very long.

The x17’s left edge includes gigabit Ethernet connectivity, three USB 3.0 ports, and a flash media interface slot. As you can see, the third USB port integrates eSATA support, too. Meanwhile, the media slot supports most SD, MMC, and MS formats.

The x17’s right edge adds digital audio output and analog input to the familiar headphone output and microphone input, along with a single USB 2.0 port. If you so desire, Digital Storm will upgrade stock 8x DVD burner to a 6x Blu-Ray burner for $89.

DisplayPort connectivity updates a rear panel that also includes HDMI and DVI outputs. In theory, the platform should support three simultaneous outputs (the panel, plus two external screens). One of those would need to be hooked up via DisplayPort.

Though you can use one if you have it, the outdated DVI-to-VGA adapters is not part of Digital Storm's bundle.

The support kit does include an OEM-packaged Windows CD, driver disk, and CyberLink Media Suite 8, along with the power brick, AC cord, and a low-cost notebook bag.

16 Comments Comment from the forums
  • joytech22 12 December 2012 11:22
    FAR OUT. I JUST.. JUST got my M17X and I see this review posted on a laptop with almost the same specs and half the price.

    The only differences were that mine has a Blu-Ray drive, 1TB Hard drive, HDMI In, all USB ports were USB 3.0 and the CPU was a 3630QM..
    My M17X set me back $2500 ON SALE from $3000 AUSD. I don't even know why since the Australian dollar is a lot bloody stronger than the U.S dollar.
    Reply
  • dudewitbow 12 December 2012 11:29
    joytech22FAR OUT. I JUST.. JUST got my M17X and I see this review posted on a laptop with almost the same specs.The only differences were that mine has a Blu-Ray drive, 1TB Hard drive, HDMI In, all USB ports were USB 3.0 and the CPU was a 3630QM..My M17X set me back $2500 ON SALE from $3000 AUSD. I don't even know why since the Australian dollar is a lot bloody stronger than the U.S dollar.probably the difference between laws, importing cost. market size and such. as a smaller non relevant analogy, its similar to the situation between the U.S and Canada when it comes to oil. Canada has more oil(and i believe has a stronger form of currency) but oil none the less is cheaper in the U.S due to it having the processing and purification plants that Canada does not have as much of, so canada's oil goes across the border, and back again causing a higher price.
    Reply
  • shikamaru31789 12 December 2012 11:57
    Nice to see some laptop benchmarks here on Tom's. I've been considering getting a gaming laptop and I must say I'm pretty impressed with the 7970m's performance. I wonder how it compares to the newer 675mx?
    Reply
  • amuffin 12 December 2012 13:18
    shikamaru31789Nice to see some laptop benchmarks here on Tom's. I've been considering getting a gaming laptop and I must say I'm pretty impressed with the 7970m's performance. I wonder how it compares to the newer 675mx?Here ya go.
    http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-675MX.82580.0.html
    Reply
  • army_ant7 12 December 2012 13:48
    I'm wondering if that port to the left of the ethernet port is a small 1394 port. I don't think it was noted in the article, but the specs listed said there wasn't a 1394. Just wondering though... :)

    This might sound funny, but is there still thermal paste between the CPU and GPU and their heatsinks? I'm just wondering if they're lapped to a point that they don't need it (and maybe because they're copper heatsinks). I know that the Atom CPU of this netbook I use didn't have any, though that might just be because it's such a low power CPU.

    Pretty neat that 2 drives are allowed. For a moment, I thought that you'd have to get rid of the ODD to add an additional HDD or SSD, but it was just "under" it. Is the mo-bo RAID capable with these two ports? :)
    Reply
  • army_ant7 12 December 2012 13:54
    Also, Thomas, I hope you reply personally to this one.

    Do you use geometric means (instead of plain arithmetic averages) with your performance and efficiency charts, just like how Adam Overa does the Web Browser Grand Prix? I have approached Chris about this and also posted it in the feedback forums. In the feedback forums, the moderator told me that he/she would relay it to you editors.

    Also, what are the base (100%) numbers for your charts on the last page? That 100% performance number that comes up for the Xotic laptop? :)
    Reply
  • Marcus52 12 December 2012 14:28
    Very nice...

    but why do I have to buy an Apple to get a decent display? Enough with TN panels! If Apple can put an IPS Retina Display in a 15" and sell it for $2200, surely someone like Digital Storm could at least offer the option.
    Reply
  • alterecho 12 December 2012 14:45
    joytech22FAR OUT. I JUST.. JUST got my M17X and I see this review posted on a laptop with almost the same specs and half the price.The only differences were that mine has a Blu-Ray drive, 1TB Hard drive, HDMI In, all USB ports were USB 3.0 and the CPU was a 3630QM..My M17X set me back $2500 ON SALE from $3000 AUSD. I don't even know why since the Australian dollar is a lot bloody stronger than the U.S dollar.
    Well, you can comfort yourself with the fact that the m17x looks meaner and premium.
    Reply
  • cats_Paw 12 December 2012 15:22
    Things that should be in this review: There are no temperature readings, no information on if done in clean install of OS, version of OS, no ambient temps, no mention about if the CPU/GPU can handle a 100% load without throttle.
    Also, contrast, black levels, garmut color cover, viewing angle... Just check a review at notebookcheck.net and try to do them like that :D.
    Reply
  • Crashman 12 December 2012 16:37
    army_ant7This might sound funny, but is there still thermal paste between the CPU and GPU and their heatsinks?Yes. As for additional options, Digital Storm has quite a few that you can check through. Or, for that matter, any other vender of the P170EM
    Reply