Considering buying an m17x R3 (Few Questions)...

I just purchased an m11x R2 and love it but I'm now in the market for a desktop replacement, I've considered buying an Alienware desktop to replace it but I think I've found an excellent deal on an m17x R3 that I can't pass up.

Intel® Core™ i7 2630QM 2.0GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz (2DIMMS)
17.3-inch WideFHD 1920x1080 120Hz WLED w/ NVIDIA 3D Vision Bundle
1.5GB GDDR5 Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M
320GB 7,200RPM HDD
Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
Intel® Ultimate N WiFi Link 6300 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO Technology

For $1500.80 including tax and shipping.

Then I was going to upgrade the ram to 8 gbs and add a SSD in Feburary when the prices/sizes go down and up.

Is this a good deal?
Should I go for the Intel® Core™ i7 2820QM 2.3GHz for $245 more?
Will I be able to play most games maxed out?
How future proof is it?
Should I go with an R2?

The thing that is most attractive for me with this is 3D capabilities but I'm not sure how much those hit the FPS. Any other tips and comments?

 

Yo, where did u get that awesome deal? Please pm me.

 

Military EPP discount. I compared it to the normal website and it looks like I'm saving about $800 dollars because of tax and I'm sure I could get some other stuff thrown in when I call to order.

 

If you want performance, go with the R2. So far, the R3 seems like the laptop for those that want to play games, but aren't extreme enthusiasts. Personally, I prefer the R2, but if you really want 3D, go for it.

 

Are there any comparisons in performance yet? And battery times?

 

Not yet, that I know of, but when a member of the forum gets their hands on one, you won't be able to avoid comparisons

 

There is no direct comparison yet but judging by the specs the performance of the r3 as of now in game is almost certainly inferior to the r2. Most games are gpu intensive and the r3 right now only support one gpu either the gtx 460 or the 6870 both of them are actually slower than a single 5870 and the r2 can hold up to two of them.

 

That is yet to be seen. If the 6970M is as good as the benchmark have shown lately, I am inclined to say that unless you want to OC your laptop the R3 is better value than the R2 and better performance. Again only true at stock clocks...

That being said I still will be missing the RGB screen on the R2.

 

does the military discount apply to the reserve too? Is it more of a discount for active duty? And what info did they need you to provide for the discount?

 

i've always wanted to start gaming on the pc, but i've never had a gaming laptop of my own and desktops aren't really my thing.

Anyways i was thinking of purchasing an M17x R3 with the default configuration + the GTX 460m.

How powerful is this laptop really when it comes to gaming? Would it be able to play all the modern games on maximum settings?

For instance, a couple of games i wanted are Dragon Age and DC Universe

 

Not sure I got the deal through the AAFES website, they have a partnership with Alienware. To sign up for an AAFES account you need birthday and SSN.

As for the guy asking if this will run Dragon Age and DC Online maximum, I believe it certainly can.

 

So can I get my buddy to do it (sign up) and give me his login info so I can buy it? Or is it a one-time use type of thing where we'd have to sit together at the computer and order?

 

Call Dell AAFES and ask them.

 

You could do that.

 

Currently dell doesn't seem to offer the 6970 option for the r3 for some reason and it would need to be close to 100% faster than a 5870 for it to be equal to the r2 in gaming, lastly we will have to wait and see how much it cost for a single 6970. It won't be a better value if a 6970 cost more than 5870 cf.

 

This thread is full of speculation (albeit useful information to us all), so maybe the Mod might consider closing it and directing people to the owner's lounge or another appropriate lounge? I'm seeing like the same discussion on like 3 threads...