Considering buying a 17x R3...

But I have a few questions.

I've been looking at this build (I should mention that my build was "chosen" by picking the last option for everything except for memory; I went with 8GB because that seemed like a solid choice):

While this is doable, my spending limit is $3400, I would like to save some of my money. Which is then why I have several questions...

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1. What's the difference between the 2820 and the 2720? Besides the obvious $200; is one radically better than the other and therefore worth the price increase?

2. I have access to a free downloadable Windows 7 Professional upgrade that I can get through my university's online store. Would going for Home instead of Ultimate and later upgrading it to Professional be the smarter choice? I know I save $150 by doing so but wouldn't I have to do a clean install and thus lose whatever starting programs my 17x R3 comes with (specifically AlienFx, and such)?

While still on the topic of OS, what is the main difference between Ultimate and Professional? Is the difference between the two worth the cost?

3. I picked the "save $235 instantly" option for the 17x which means that upgrading from 6GB of RAM to 8GB is only $60 more; is this money well spent or should I buy RAM from say, Newegg, where it might be cheaper and better?

If that is the case, remembering that I have no clue how to upgrade stuff in laptops, what would I have to purchase in order for me to get the most out of my money? Is there a guide to purchasing and installing RAM? I recall reading a thread earlier today that it wasn't all too hard to install RAM but noting about purchasing.

Another thing I noticed is that the 14x has an 8GB 1600MHz optioin, is this better than the 17x 8GB 1333MHz? Is that why there are a few people on this forum who upgraded their RAM from what they originally bought?

4. I've read here and there on these forums and even other websites such as notebookcheck.com that between the Nvidia 460M and the Radeon 6970M it's a no brainer: go for the 6970M especially if you plan on gaming and whatnot. Is this true? Or are the differences between the two cards possible to ignore?

I'm a gamer at heart however I don't mind playing at mid settings (trust me, compared to the piece of junk laptop that I have now, any kind of graphics card would be a blessing); however, I plan on using more extensively programs like AutoCAD and such because I have a huge interesting in computer modeling and animation (I plan on minoring in Multimedia Arts and would like a computer to be able to function decently). Would the 6970M be a better choice still?

5. Now I know solid state drives are the way to go. I've seen video comparisons of a regular HD and a SSD and I was very much wow'd. However, the fact that upgrading to a SSD is $450 more dollars (at least for the "save $235" option, $600 more otherwise) is a tad insane.

Is the SSD that Alienware sells worth the price? I've seen talk of Intel and some other one that starts with a 'V' and even a 'C' but nothing of the Samsung (it is a Samsung right?) that AW sells...

Would sticking with a cheaper, stock option and later upgrading to a SSD (this includes transferring over the OS and applications to improve start up/opening speed) be cheaper in the long run?

Also, considering that the stock option for the option that I choose is a RAID 0 configuration, would trying to upgrade to at least one drive being a SSD screw me over?

On a side note, how hard is it to upgrade hard drives? I've read a few "How to do's" but it feels like not only do I have to spend money on buying a SSD, I have to buy other components and software so as to upgrade the HD which sounds to me more expensive...

6. Considering that my university is 80% wireless, I figured that having the "best" wireless card is something that I should invest in. However, is $70 a bit overboard? Could I get the 6300 somewhere else for a cheaper price and have little complications in installing it myself?

7. Would configuring my build to something like this:

with the plan to upgrade (the main thing I would upgrade would be the HD to a SSD) in the future, be a wiser investment? Would this laptop be comparable to my first build and still be useful?

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I'm really sorry for asking so many questions and making this a freakishly large post but I am very hesitant in spending near/over 3 grand on a laptop that could potentially be built to be around 2 grand and simply upgrading it later myself with cheaper priced parts.

Any help would be appreciated and I thank you all for actually reading this entire post.

Thanks!

 

I wold go with your second configuration. You'll get the better warranty and from what you have said about everything else the 2nd configuratoin is more your budget, if you want to save money.
Remember you'll need that extra cash for a good gaming mouse, and games!

My configuration is with everything maxed and 4 yr advance warranty....I paid $3500 total.

 

Did you consider M18x?

 

if i were u, i would take the m18x instead, but anyway, that price will not be final, how u read the how to save money on dell alienware thread yet? u can save 30% at lease after reading the post

 

start with your second Config, if you have the spending cash, then just add the 1.5 TB HDDs option i think it is only $100 more, and you will have enough space for a long time. Only other option if you are trying to save money is to see the upgraded Nvidia GTX 560M which is a slightly better 460m, coming out this summer.(date idk) unless you need the laptop ASAP.

 

Second config for sure. I would only get 4gb ram and add ram form newegg later. Also the wireless card (6300) can be bought from $30-40 online. And I would by an SSD for windows and frequently used programs/games from online and use a large HD in the second port for everything else. Just my opinion.

 

I hadn't really looked into it...the idea of lugging around an 18' monitor is pretty daunting. While I understand that the M17x is by no means a "mobile" laptop, I feel like I can make due with it. Why? How is the M18x better?

I might have? Which thread are you talking about exactly? If a link were to be provided I would greatly appreciate it!

Yeah, I shopped around on Newegg for a bit and found some decent prices on the components that I want. Are there by chance guides which could help me install the parts that I buy? Where would be a good place to start aside from Googleing for some guides?

As to the SSD, what size would you recommend? I was considering an Intel 510 series 120GB that I saw on Newegg but there were other smaller (and even bigger) SSDs for cheaper prices...I was thinking of the 120 mostly because I've read on these forums that the Intel SSDs are decent and don't cause too much problems. Also, the number of daily programs that I use are not that large in nature, same thing with games.

 

I'd go with your first config. Like anything,and especially with computers, if you have the money spend it. Hindsight is an evil thing.

Theres a dicount page on here where you can get a solid discount on your first configuration.

 

For me I would draw the line on an 18" laptop, it would hardly be mobile and for a cheaper price you could get a desktop that would blow a maxed out m18x away.

There are lots of guides/youtube vids of how to install parts. When you need one just look in the forums or ask in this thread and I'm sure someone will link it for you.

The Intel 510 120g is actually the SSD I plan on getting. According to most people it is very reliable and a top of the line SSD. I am getting 120g because that gives me enough room for Windows (15-20g) and plenty of room for applications and games I currently play. I am also gonna get a 750g HDD for media etc.

 

You're getting ripped off. Buying upgrades from Alienware is a huge mistake.

Switch the SSD for the basic 320GB HDD, go down to 4 GB of RAM, get rid of the Intel 6300 N wireless, and go to either the 2630QM or 2720QM. You'll save nearly a thousand bucks, and you can buy better SSD's for less (can get a 128 GB SATA III Crucial M4 for $200~, 8 GB of RAM for $60, and your own wireless upgrade for less). The 2820QM really doesn't make a difference in gaming, the 2630QM alone is more than enough for any game.

I bought my M17x R3 with 6970M, 2630QM, 1080p screen, 4 GB of RAM, 320 GB HDD, etc for $1282 after taxes, put my 90 GB Vertex 2 SSD in it and bought 8 GB of G Skill DDR 1333 RAM for $70 last week for an example of how much cheaper it is to upgrade all the stuff yourself. You should look into using AAFES for a big discount on an R3.

 

Like everyone else has said, you could save a small fortune getting the extras on your own.

I'd do this.
Base $1499
2720qm $150 (this CPU offers the most bang for the buck)
1080P $150
6970m $250
TOTAL: $2050+tax

Then:
Intel 6200 wifi $25 (unless your router does 450mbps it is just as good as the 6300)
4GB 1333mhz RAM from newegg $36 (it was $31 a few days ago)
750GB 2.5" 7200 HDD $75 on coupon
256GB Crucial M4 SATA3 SSD $444

These are just the current prices, if you waited for sales you could save even more. A 120gb SSD would be a lot cheaper but money doesn't seem like an issue for you.

ADD ON TOTAL: $580

GRAND TOTAL: $2630+tax on the laptop only

If you don't feel comfortable installing all those parts you can do some reading, all the instructions are here on the forum.

 

I have this laptop pretty swagged up, I did upgrade it from stock. Get the 2720, 1080p, blu ray, and 6970m and then upgrade with 8gb hyperx pnp, a sata iii ssd, 750gb western digital scorpio black, and an intel 6300 wireless card. You can't go wrong and my m17x boots in 10 seconds, I clocked it!

 

If you don't mind me asking, how'd you manage to get it that cheap? That's nicely below the starting price

 

I found that particular configuration on the Dell Outlet, it was $1430, used last month's $250 off coupon and it came out to 1179, after CA tax it was $1282. I have heard that there's similar deals coming out this month or next, if not available already.

 

After looking through the configurations and Newegg I figured that going for the 6970M, 2720QM (or even the 2820 considering that I can spare the cash), 1080p screen, 4GB of RAM, 320 GB HDD and 2/3 yr advanced warranty is my best bet; I'll just be upgrading it a bit instead for a cheaper price.

However, what is AAFES? I tried Googleing it but I didn't find anything remotely helpful...

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! Much obliged!

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe AAFES is for if you are in the military you get a discount.

 

Correct, AAFES is the military exchange/PX/BX, or whatever your branch of service calls it. You have to be an active member of the US armed forces, reserves, dependent, or retiree. I did four years in the Marine Corps Reserve as an infantryman, but it was so long ago I no longer qualify to shop there. One of my co-workers is still in the reserves, so he got one for me though.