17 r2 brand new or last years model from outlet?

Hi there, I joined this forum because it looks like after nearly 15 years of wanting one, I'm finally getting an Alienware!

Where I'm stuck is deciding to buy a new model (that seems to be getting some real love it /hate it feedback) or as the title asks, last years model from the outlet store.

I'd be looking to spend £1500 max(!)

So it looks like my options are

17 R2
i7 4710hq
8 gb ram
980m
1tb hdd
Ips panel

Vs

17 (?)
i7 4910
16gb ram
880m
1tb hdd plus 80gb ssd
Older pannel.

Part of me feels like it's a no brainer to go with the older model but as it's a lot of cash to throw down I thought id try and get some feedback from you informed lot first!

 

I went with the 'old' 17 for some very specific reasons, upgradeability was one of the most important ones. The R2 simply can't do that, so it's an easy no-buy for me.

 

Thanks for the reply. At the moment the only reasons I can think of to go with the R2 are having a 980m right off the bat, and being a bit lighter (I'll be carrying which ever one I get around a lot) but then being thinner seems to gave made it hotter and noisier from what I read.

Other advantage is a bit artificial but at least it would come brand new, packaging and everything where as the outlet one will have been handled before and just come in a brown box.

 

Yep, going with the R1 (and upgrading it) will surely be the more expensive option. But the fact that you CAN upgrade it (or replace parts incase of damage) makes it worth it for me atleast.

Also the R1 comes with support for twice the ammount of ram (I think atleast, 16gb vs 32gb). It also has more storage options and an optical drive as well if you're into that kind of stuff (If not, i guess you could replace it with a clever bracket and get even more storage options). The R2 also got rid of the HDMI-in which was also a big point for me in choosing this laptop.

On the weight/size of things - both laptops are large, heavy and very cumbersome to carry around. My guess is you won't notice much difference when it's on your back, and while I haven't actually used an R2 on my lap, the larger and heavier R1 is still very usable on your lap for extended periods of time, even on top of a 1.5kg laptop cooler.

Unless you're craving the Graphics Amplifier or Touch Screen i see no reason for choosing the R2 over the R1, it's simply an inferior product.

 

Yeah, I think I just needed someone else to say what I was thinking so I was sure. Gonna get an R1

 

Agreed R1... The 880M is still good enough so no need to get the 970M/980M yet...

 

The 970M and 980M are a LOT faster and we have no idea if the old 17 will properly work with future cards.

 

That is true, even the 970 seems to outperform the 880 (even though not by much) but at least people are already upgrading R1s with 8gb 980m cards and I don't think anyone has to worry too much about cards beyond 900 series for quite a while.

What I am wondering is if (since most games are gpu driven) if it's worth spending the extra money on a 4910mq vs 4710mq processor.

 

Another thought is warranty. I see on Dell Outlet that they do not let you select any warranty other than the standard 1 year certified refurbished laptops.

1 year for such an expensive laptop seems a bit risky, a risk that can be reduced via a brand new r2 and extended warranty...

 

Few weeks ago i wanna sell my current R1 and buy a brand new R2. All on this forum said: "No! Keep it! It's upgradable". They have right. Now i can upgrade my laptop. My friends, with soldered Asus, can't

 

Yup, ordering an R1 tonight! Scaled back the spec a bit. Going for

I7 4710mq
16gb ram
GTX 880m
500gb hdd (got my own SSD)

I think that'll do me fine for a while. Asked Dell today about warranties. Told me I can buy extended warranty anytime before the initial year runs out so I can hold off on that for a bit.

 

You can sell that GTX 880M and upgrade to the 970M. Net cost should be a few hundred dollars.

I have both laptops (selling the new R2 today). The R2 is smaller, thinner, lighter. And the chassis runs hotter, and it is louder.

The R1 has room for several 2.5" drives, while the R2 can only handle one.

The keyboard is better (I find) on the R1.

Overall, I'm perfectly happy with my decision to buy the R1 over the R2. While the display on the R2 is better than any available on the R1, I find the R1 to be a better machine overall.

 

The plan is definitely to upgrade to a 9xx card at some point but am I not better off waiting until the warranty has expired?

 

Personally, if I were you, I would keep extending the warranty for as long as I own the machine. So in that case, I would upgrade anyway. The warranty will cover the entire machine, minus the components you upgraded yourself AFAIK.

 

I seeeeee, so if I upgrade the GPU and the laptop fails because of the CPU, RAM or motherboard for example, they'll still repair it?

Re extending the warranty, yes I think I will definitely keep extending it. Funny thing is I asked Dell how long I have after purchase to extend the warranty and he said anytime before the warranty runs out. So I asked if I could extend it by three years (the max option when buying new I think) and pay annually (I've done this with other companies) and he said that wasn't possible. However, if I can extend the warranty anytime before the warranty runs out I guess that's kinda the same thing no? lol

Also, should I straight away take the gpu out and apply a better thermal paste/heat pads? People on here seem to think that Dell's stock paste is pants and a better one will lead to better temps.

 

Yup definetly.. Get some good Gelid GC Extreme paste and some Phobya XT pads or Fujipoly pads...

 

Hi, I'm finding it difficult to find out exactly what thermal pads I should buy. I've found different thickness Phobya XT pads. How do I know which ones to get for AW 17 R1 with 880m?

I've read someone else on the forums here suggesting 7W/mk pads but the Phobya ones I can find are 5W/mk

Thanks in advance

 

Ordered! Woohoo, finally joined the club!

Alienware 17 R1
i7 4710mq
16gb Ram
GTX 880m
500gb HDD
250gb SSD

So, so, sooooooooo excited!!

First up, need to order some thermal paste/pads (hopefully someone can answer my question above this post ) then save up for a good rucksack (not sure I want the Alienware one as that kinda screams MUG ME! lol) then need to save up for extending the warranty!

 

Congrats and welcome. You made the right choise.

 

Good choice indeed. I have 1mm Phobya XT thermopads on my modified M18xR1 AMD100W heatsinks with two GTX 880M. They're far better than stock thermopads. You have to ask someone with 17R1 because thickness can be different from model to model.

There are two types of Phobya pads.

Phobya "sticky" pads 5W. They're easier to apply but worse conductivity
Phobya XT(Extreme) pads 7W. Not sticky and harder to apply but best conductivity. I use them. They will stick to the heatsink after about a week using so it's hard to apply only first time.

For the thermal paste I would recommend something like Gelid GC Extreme or Zalman-STG2 if you live in Europe. If you plan to do heavy overclocking you should use liquid ultra as it's best but BEWARE as it passess electricity.

 

Will have a look for those pastes. Not going to overclock. Just want to keep it as cool as I possibly can. Have awful memories of my XPS M1730 lol!

 

Congrats!
I got myself the 17R1 as well.
No complaints, at all.

 

I agree. Even though my AW17 R1 is a used model, it is in fantastic condition (only very minor signs of use, the guy took overall pretty good care of it). While I miss the superior LG IPS panel of the R2, everything else is just fine and dandy.

 

I also agree. The R1 is an endangered species.

 

Hi there, I'm still not sure what thickness of thermal pads to get. It's very difficult to find this info. I've found Phobia xt 7w/mk pads but I don't know what's there appropriate thickness. .5mm 1mm or 1.5mm.

Anyone know? It's for 880m in my Alienware 17 R1. Also, would the thermal pads for the cpu be the same thickness?

Thanks in advance

 

there are no thermal pads on cpu

 

Spot the noob!

 

It's arriving Friday!!!!

 

It'll be arriving at my workplace so the day is going to be torture! Lol

Still, I work in my own space so I'll be able to set it up and copy the OS to my SSD, install updates, etc. Then when I get home I'll open it up and put better thermal paste on the chips.

I'm not going to look in to changing the thermal pads yet. Figure I may as well see what the temps are like with the better paste first.

Sooooo excited!!!