Advice for alienware 17 gtx880m

Hey guys, i'm planning to buy the alienware 17 with the gtx880m, i7 4710MQ,1tb hdd+256gb ssd,16gb ram around december time. Just wanted to ask a few things...

1.) Is the laptop worth buying? I have been reading about heat and other issues on these forums
2.) Is there any speculation as to when alienware is planning to upgrade to gtx980m?

 

Hi, 880m? Nooooooooo. Safe to say this card is a pup and should be avoided. I'm sure it works for some but the level of problems is just unacceptable. Check out this thread if you need confirmation .

http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...xperiencing-problems-880m-list-them-here.html

Hopefully Dell will have the 980m on the books before the Christmas buying frenzy, could even be in the next week or two. The card is now out so it's a race for the OEM's to get one on the market.

I do recommend going for the 120hz 3D display if you can stretch to it. It really is a much better display for low light gaming and I've seen a few people upgrade later (not an easy task!) and be suitably impressed. I know most see the 3D as a gimmick when comparing with 3D films but it really is worth a serious look as well. I (and others) was very surprised at how good it is. No eye strain, no visual anomalies, and a genuine addition the the whole gaming experience. Metro LL, 3D, good headset, lights out, and let the game control the keyboard lighting is just the creepiest, pulse racing experience.

Good luck.

 

OP: I wouldn't waste the $ on an 880 when the 980 is sooooooooooooo much better and as Micky points out, there are/were major issues with the 880s.

Hey Micky, how have you been? Dell sent me an e' about the OCing cpus to 4.1 and 4.4GHz on new models, have you seen the Markup for those lappy's, holy crap! and the ones I was looking at still had 880s. I swear I think I bought the last AW with an AW feel and look.

 

Yeah, i thought so too, I guess i'll wait for the 980s to roll in then. And I wish i could get the 120hz screen but i can't, cause i'm buying it from india and alienware.co.in does not have any custom config options.

They only have 2 pre-configured systems for both the aw 14 and aw 17(we don't even have the option to buy the aw 18),for 17 one is the lower end with(i7 4700,8 gb,gtx 860) and the higher end is the one im taking. They dont have option for the 120hz screen

edit: Okay, i just rechecked on their site. It is the 120hz screen....my bad! guess i missed it.

 

You may be able to order from XoticPC after they come out. Might take a bit longer but you'll at least have a chance to get the specifications you want.

The 980M and 120Hz screen will be amazing.

 

Hopefully, they won't charge me an arm for international shipping.

 

Hi quagmire, doing fine thanks . I haven't seen any OC offering in the UK but dell are not above 'gouging'. Unlock a bios option then charge to apply it, not nice - unless they are doing improved cooling (which I doubt).

Cool, Dell seem to have stopped promoting it, no idea why but I really don't want to see this option go the way of many other Alienware features. AlienFX will be next, I was surprised Metro supported it.

Like Quagmire said, it's looking like the R4 was the last hurrah for the true Alienware experience . I'm ready for a new machine and have been for some time but so far the compromises are not enough to make up for any performance improvements. If the 980m bombs I don't know what I will do. If I'm going to be forced to use win 8.1 as well I want something in return, like the fastest 17" gaming laptop in the world!

 

I agree the 980m should excel at high res (1440p) or high refresh rate 1080p.

 

Im super excited! Always wanted an AW!

Thanks guys, you were a big help