Looking to buy a M14x looking for advice on which add ons

I've been looking for a while and I want to spend around £1000, although that's looking a little short now I'm optimistic.
What I was wondering out of the following three which is most important:
The increase from:
Intel® Core™ i5 Processor 2410M (2.3Ghz, 3MB, 2C)
to
Intel® Core™ i7 Processor 2630QM (2.0Ghz, 6MB, 4C)
or

the 1.5 or 3Gb version of the NVIDIA® GeForce® GT555M

I would also like to know whether you deem the Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 to be worth the extra money

And finally is 4Gb of RAM going to slow me down at any point over the next couple of years?
Thanks for all your help in advance

 

The 3GB Nvidia card, as most here would agree, isn't worth it. The GPU just isn't powerful enough to handle 3GB of Vram. The i7, however, is definitely an upgrade worth purchasing.

The memory is better to upgrade afterwards, Dell charges too much. Same with the SSD.

The Killer 1103 is an excellent Wifi card, I've tested it against the Intel 1000 and 6250. If you plan on using WiFi often, especially gaming over Wifi, it's worth it.

 

Thanks for the advice. So it generally isn't worth the 3gb card at all even if I can afford it? There isn't going to be a point in the future where the difference between 1.5 and 3 is the difference between high and medium graphic settings for example?

Also would it be worth putting the money from the graphic card into the better screen option? the 1600 x 900 is what I'm referring to.

One last query is there ever any deals on the orion back packs, or any cases, If you buy a laptop in the same transaction, or any deals at all on it?
I have until half way through september to buy so I'm not in a rush.

I live in the UK as you might have noticed so won't have the same deals as in the US. You guys get off so lightly with Tax and Prices in general =/

 

The difference between the 2 graphics card would never be that severe. Put it his way, on older games you would be able to ramp up the AA and whatnot, and you would still have decent fps. On many newer games, the 555m can't keep up with high AA and AF anyway, so the extra memory never comes into play.

I HIGHLY recommend putting that saved money into the 900p screen. While not the best quality screen on Earth, it's better that what most laptops are using nowadays, plus 1600x900 in a 14" package is rare in itself. Tons of uses for the extra real estate. I'd suggest raising the color saturation a little to make it more vibrant.

I don't know what deals you guys have there in the UK, I was able to get a package that included the M14x sleeve and Orion backpack, and still save a couple hundred dollars. Call and ask, can't hurt.

 

Go for the 1.5 Gb Card....I have the 3 Gb though...and its a complete waste...it was just that ..i got everything @ 1250...so couldnt care less....but on a serious note....leave the 3 gig card.....its a waste...go for the screen..i think its a must and MD82 has given you the perfect advice

 

I agree screen and i7 are well worthwhile.
The reviews of the killer card seem to justify its worth also, I have the 6205 which was my only choice as an early adopter

Both memory and SSD upgrades via dell are very pricey. Put these on your shopping list for later upgrades.

3gb video is a waste of money, A few people on this forum seem to recommend the upgrade...................... but dont be swayed as its essentially money wasted.

Neither screen in the m14x is what I would call a world beater but significantly better than the m11x screens I have seen ( horrific vertical viewing angles ) . I opted for the 900p and to be fair it is better than most and quite happy with it.

 

i7 2630, 900p screen, Killer Wireless card.

Anything else you want, you should upgrade yourself.

 

You guys have been really helpful. I think the last post sums it up. When upgrading myself does it not kill my warranty to even open it? Or is there some places licensed to do it or something?

 

I'd have to double check my stuff but from what I've read hard drive and RAM are user serviceable.

 

As far as I know, warranty is only void if you break one of those "warranty void if broken" stickers. Many users here have done RAM and HDD upgrades, as far as replacing the optical drive with a secondary HDD.