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    Critique Refurb Purchase with 20% coupon

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Dr. J, Sep 23, 2011.

  1. Dr. J

    Dr. J Notebook Deity

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    I was considering an M18x but did not need dual card ( did not want the extra power/heat or potential "fussyness" of dual) and then came upon this cert. refurb at a good discount PLUS 20% coupon and could not pass it up. Can always cancel or return if any issues... Please critique:

    Alienware M17x R3 Laptop Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
    $2,229.00-20% coupon = $1783.00 + tax + free shipping
    Blu-ray Disc (BD) Combo (Reads BD and Writes to DVD/CD)
    Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth Module
    Certified Refurbished
    Processor: Intel Core i7 2820QM 2.3GHz (3.4GHz w/Turbo Boost, 8MB Cache)
    Internal English Single Pointing Keyboard
    16 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz (4 DIMMs)
    9 Cell Battery
    256 GB Solid State Drive Ultra Performance
    Service Driver
    Soft Touch Stealth Black
    Shipping Material
    Wave Systems Software
    Killer Wireless-N 1103 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO
    2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon HD 6990M
    Documentation
    Information
    Alienware AVATAR 3
    210W/240W switchable Slim 3P A/C Adapter
    125V Power Cord
    Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Operating System DVD
    Processor Label
    Service Software
    17.3 inch Wide FHD ( 1920 x 1080 60Hz) WLED Display
    Hinge Cover
    Image Restore Software

    Configured New Today $3444.00* v. $1783.00 (newer 2860 processor and 1600hz ram*)
     
    Dr. J, Sep 23, 2011
    #1
  2. flingin

    flingin M17x R2 Mafia

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    Gates said that 640K of memory is all that anybody with a computer would ever need.

    this one have 16gb(ram)

    Gratzzzz to Bill
     
    flingin, Sep 23, 2011
    #2
  3. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    sweet system. Usually its recommended to get the least ram and a HDD and then upgrade the ram and add a solid state harddrive later because the cost is so much cheaper if you do it yourself. That's what most people do here.

    For example, 8 gigs of ram cost me 38.99 and my Crucial M4 drive cost me $175 plus tax.

    Also, the 2820qm is last gen. A 2760qm is cheaper and performs faster
     
    SlickDude80, Sep 23, 2011
    #3
  4. Dr. J

    Dr. J Notebook Deity

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    Nice critique. I'd do same with ram and SSD but for 1/2 off price and Dell warranty plus not futzing with SSD install was wot it in this case.

    Does the 2760 have the 8mb cashe like the 2820?
     
    Dr. J, Sep 23, 2011
    #4
  5. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    no the 2760 has 6meg cache...the one with the 8meg cache is the 2860qm. On the alienware website there is a 10% off CPU upgrades now, the 2760qm is currently a $135 upgrade, the 2860qm is a $315 upgrade over the base 2630qm

    Intel® Core™ i7 2760QM 2.4GHz (3.5GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache)

    Intel® Core™ i7 2860QM 2.5GHz (3.6GHz with Turbo Boost, 8MB Cache)
     
    SlickDude80, Sep 23, 2011
    #5
  6. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    Overall though its a good price for that machine
     
    SlickDude80, Sep 23, 2011
    #6
  7. Dr. J

    Dr. J Notebook Deity

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    I'd like to see a benchmark between the 2760 with it's 0.1 ghz advantage against the 2820 with it's 8mb cache advantage all else equal.

    How is the heat and temps with your 6990?
     
    Dr. J, Sep 23, 2011
    #7
  8. ValkerieFire

    ValkerieFire God Follower

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    I would say you got an outstanding deal. Congrats.
     
    ValkerieFire, Sep 23, 2011
    #8
  9. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    Super value. You'll love it.
     
    The Revelator, Sep 23, 2011
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  10. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    the temps are actually quite good. The highest i've seen it under load was 82c. i repasted the GPU recently and the temps dropped another 8-10c. I'd say its quite acceptable

    if you want to see some benchmarks go to notebookcheck...here:

    Intel Core i7 Notebook Processor (Clarksfield) - Notebookcheck.net Tech

    the 2760qm beats the 2820qm in those benches
     
    SlickDude80, Sep 24, 2011
    #10