Why not the i5 M14x?

IMO if the main concern is if the upgrades will be worth it in gaming, then currently of course it is almost negligible.
gaming currently looks to be taking the console approach to development, and graphics haven't exactly been game-changing since crysis 1, although bf3 is definitely a push in the right direction.
yes u might get "better" performance out of the i7, but it won't be to the point where you won't be able to run a game on the i5 vs the i7. because even with the extra cores, performance in GAMING is very similar. UNLESS you're thinking of future-proofing incase a revolutionary game comes along that pushes quad+ cores to the max, but by then, there's no reason to be using you m14x, as the 555m gt would have been phased out long ago.
from a gamers standpoint, i think the i5+555m are great together. the gpu will be the bottleneck in almost every game, and unless you do some serious cpu intensive applications, the duo vs quad isn't going to be a huge difference, especially if OP is only planning on running word/email/videos outside of gaming.
might aswell tell OP to throw a ssd in there because that will speed it up more overall using those programs than the cpu upgrade.
but i might be bias, because i have a desktop to game on, so buying a laptop isn't 100% based on performance. but i would think going for a m14x isn't exactly looking for best bang for buck , at that form factor it's great though.

 

It's a 2.0 megapixel webcam

 

Hear hear, I can't stand most laptop keyboards, especially chiclets *shudder*

By the way, I wouldn't buy the 750gb hard drive from alienware either. If space is a concern, I'd wait and snag a 1TB scorpio blue off ebay for around the same price. Then you'll even have the old drive as backup storage.

Say, have you considered refurbs?

 

Yeah, I'm a sucker for nice keyboards, build quality, nice materials, etc. That's the big reason reason why I'm more interested in a lower-spec AW than a higher-spec HP Pavilion (or whatever) at the same price.

The Scorpio Blue 1 TB and 750 GB I can find on Amazon.com is a 5400 rpm drive. I prefer 7200 rpm; when I upgraded the drive in my MBP, it was a notable performance boost. And a lot of 750 GB 7200 rpm drives cost around $80 anyway, so since I've already got an external drive for backup-purposes, I don't see that I save a lot of money by upgrade the HDD myself instead of just taking the stock 7200 rpm 750 gb drive.

And unless I am going to save a big chunk of money, I prefer to not open the machine up straight out of the box--in case there's a defect, initial warranty disputes are a lot smoother if you can say you haven't opened the machine up or done any upgrades. I'd open it up straight away and do an upgrade myself if it could save hundreds of dollars, but not if it could only save dozens.

I really prefer to buy new. I know there's the argument that refurbs are more thoroughly inspected than brand new, but on the other hand, refurbs are ones where we know something went wrong (made on a Friday afternoon, or a new trainee on the line?). I would feel more comfortable with a brand-new machine.

Some reviews refer to it as a 3.0 megapixel webcam. But now that I check, you're correct. Thanks for the correction.

 

I've heard that since the scorpio blue is 1TB, the data density on the actual platter is so high that it's about the same performance as a 7200 of less capacity. Just hearsay though, no numbers.

 

Just ordered mine with the i5 today will run some tests when I get it.

 

anyone have an opinion on heat on the i5 vs the i7's?

 

Mine runs fairly cool. I use the i5 and unless I'm using the Nvidia card it doesn't get to hot at all. When I'm compiling source code in Visual Studio the runs a bit but other than that it's pretty much idling most of the time. I get through 3 1 hour lunch breaks with max brightness and the keyboard lit on a single charge. By the end of the 3rd lunch break I still have an hour or 2 left depending on if I was using the laptop to charge my phone.

This is with WiFi on and browsing the web, doing hw and some coding, and listening to iTunes.

 

Ive had my m14x with i7-2630qm for a week and the battery estimate never shows over 3 hours, on power saver, dim screen, alienfx off. It seems people are getting longer life with an i7 than me, maybe i have a bad unit, but I was wondering if i'd get closer to 4-5 hours with i5 processor i'd change out for sure.

 

Yeah, but what are you doing with it? Sounds like the video card is running. Example: My mother's MacBook Pro 15" with the ridiculously pointless 2820QM will run under 3 hours with the graphics card chugging along for no reason. Force the stupid thing off, and it will go for almost 8 hours of browsing. I absolutely HATE the concept of "automatic graphics switching" it seems like there is always some rogue app/process in the background that keeps things from working right.

 

the sounds very logical. im only using itunes and internet explorer, the optimus gpu monitor in the tray is constantly flashing colors and i think somehting maybe accessing it. what do you mean by "force it off"

 

Still testing my I5 with the FSX program. A lot more smoother than my old G71x but still having to limit the extent of the graphics, but I have never expected to run FSX on the highest settings on a laptop.

I do like the fact that I can finally run some of the autogen scenery. Still takeing a frame hit on the traffic scenery. will try diffrent resolutions to see if I can add some of the airline traffic without taking a huge frame hit.

 

I'd be interested to see more results or if anyone can post results from SC2 at max settings or something.

I like the idea of the i5 putting off less heat in the M14x because heat is the main reason I'm leaning towards a M17x with equal components. Also unrelated but I heard there was a bios update to fix the loud fans in the M14x. Is this true?

 

Just ran some benchmarks on the free version of 3dmark.

3dmark11 stock settings 1280x800: 3dmark11 p1287

3dmarko6 stock settings 1280x800 : 3dmark06 11414
3dmark06 mild overclock 700/1400/1000 1280x800: 3dmark06 12790

 

I went with the i5, but I have purchased an 2720QM off of Ebay, and and I am going to sell the 2410 on Ebay. In the end I will have spent $100 on the upgrade, and will have a better processor than the 2630 for the same overpriced dell price. (Did the same thing with the RAM)

This is not suggested for anyone who does not know what they are doing, and those that have full warranty coverage. This upgrade (iirc) will void your warranty. I don't care about it though, because anything that goes wrong with it can be fixed by myself, and I have experience with Dells "warranty" system, and it sucks.

 

I would be interested to see what diffrences in performance that you may notice before and after the CPU changeout. Congratuations on having the skills to do it, I do agree that the $100 for the 2630 by dell is highway robbery.

 

I actually worked as a laptop technician for a couple of years, and that is where I gained the skills. If you have enough knowledge of circuitry, are good enough at soldering (and de-soldering) and can gain access to certain parts, there is nothing that can't be fixed/upgraded on a computer. Other than fried parts of course.

As for improvements in performance, I am not expecting much in terms of gaming, but I will be using the device for other purposes alongside gaming. Gaming machines are built to do one thing, perform, and that is why I chose this laptop. But I will definitely put out before and after benchmarks.

 

a lot of people are having heat issues with the M14x, i think partly due to the design. i don't know how you feel about it but extreme swings in heat from 40-50 C to 90 C day in and day out is going to shorten the lifespan of the components by quite a bit.

the battery life is decent, and it sure looks cool, but i think that there are better gaming laptops out there that are anywhere from 5 to 15% cheaper with essentially identical components.

my laptop:

i7-2630QM, 8GB RAM, 500GB 7200 RPM HDD, 1.5GB GTX 560M, Bluetooth, and 1920x1080p matte screen = $1,300 shipped, and arrived within 5 days of ordering.

a comparably spec'd M14x costs $1,474 right now, and it has a lower performing GPU in the 555M. the M14x has LED lighting and arguably a better overall finish, so that's what you really pay for. it might be worth it for some people; everyone has their preferences and different weighting and rationalization for different specs and components.

however, if you really want to maximize bang for the buck, the bottom line is that you should probably look at another laptop brand/manufacturer.

**EDIT** as a side note, the i5-2410M Passmark score is 3360, while the i7-2630QM's score is 6326. i know it's just a silly benchmark, but that should give you an idea of the 2630QM's ability vs. the i5-2410M. that being said, i use a similar i5 proc in another laptop and for everyday tasking, i don't really notice much difference in speed. there will be a noticeable difference in Photoshop/movie editing/etc.

 

The only people having SERIOUS issues with temps on the M14x are those that are overclocking, and most of the time doing it heavily too. Also, there is more to performance than just components. North and south bridge designs, cooling component designs, GPU vs. CPU locations, distances between certain components, etc. All of these are essential and often times overlooked by the common person, because they don't know of their importance. You can't just place the components wherever you want to on a circuit board and get excellent performance. I have worked as a laptop technician for a few years, and now I am an electrical engineer with a focus of circuit-board design. Not all motherboards are created equally. Not saying AW is better than ASUS or MSi, but there are plenty of pitfalls with laptops that are "gaming" laptops that are "affordable".

I was able to score a wicked deal though.

Alienware M14x
Core i5 2410
1.5GB Nvidia GT555M
4GB 1333MHz RAM
500GB 7200RPM SATA 3GB/s
1600x900 WLED
etc.

$946 after taxes and shipping. I don't think I will find that any cheaper. Just saying.

 

wow, sick deal. new or refurbed?

 

New. Only has 1 year limited coverage though.

 

Do you think it's not worth getting extra coverage?

 

You gave all the specs, what's the brand of laptop that you own? and size?

 

1 year is not bad. That just covers it halfway to being obslete. Congrats on the great deal!

 

Most games dont even use more then 2 core's so i5 will do just fine. Most games are also GPU intensive.

 

Not for me, as soon as I get it I will pretty much be voiding my warranty by upgrading the CPU. (At least I am pretty sure it will void my warranty)

 

Well, coming from an m14x owner with a higer end config, OP, I would atleast def. get the i7 2630 at that, it's still the base model.

Then comprise by maybe getting the 1gb instead of 3g gt555m.

Then go for 4gb ram. Add the rest yourself, if EVEN needed.

the 750gb HDD like you said.

The 900p of course, since you can always bump it down to 720p if you want, it's better to have that option and EVERYONE wants that 900p screen so it will have better re-sell.

And...you can fore-go any of the fancy bluetooth or internal wireless cards...

...NOW, people complain about the stock wi-fi card so MAYBE, although it's more $$$, teh people here have been RAVING about the Killer-N network card... so it might be worth to consider.

I would def., get the i7 2630 and comprise in other places , since the CPU is the brain of the computer. I REALLY do think you will look at it 6-12months down the road and be like "WELL, I'm GLAD I GET THE I7 OVER THE I5!!!"

cheers

 

Could you message me or something, if it's okay with you, about your alienware? I'm really torn apart between the i5 and the i7. I need something that would last at least 5-6 years before i buy a new one again. Meaning, by those years, my laptop would be able to play all the games that will be coming out. I don't care if i can't play ultra or extreme settings, what matters most is that it's playable. Thanks!

 

Sager NP8130. you can upgrade the GPU easily in the future, but you need to buy a different power brick as well to actually power something like the 485M.

i miss the typing feel of my Alienware and the backlit keyboard. also, the sound quality is noticeably inferior on the Sager as well.

 

Hey Mitlov, i just want to ask what the specs of the alienware you bought? If it's i7, was it worth the upgrade? Sorry for all these questions. I'm just torn between i5 and i7. Any comments will be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

Spent some time reading up on your Sager, that's a nice machine. The M14x attracted my attention due to the fact that I owned Asus G71x that could go nowhere on battery, had a video card that had a real bad habit of downclocking and was just too big for my needs

And yes the lights on the M14x are awesome!@!@