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    Intel core i7 2720 0r 2820

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by whiplasher24, Jun 19, 2011.

  1. whiplasher24

    whiplasher24 Newbie

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    Hey guys just about to unload some cash and get the m17x now just wondering if its worth getting the 2820 over the 2720

    I've got the cash but i would rather save it if its not going to be worth it
    Main purpose for this laptop will be obviously just for gaming ill be upgrading to the 6970 cheers for any help
     
  2. Simplified

    Simplified The Most Awesome

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    Bang for the buck: i7 2720
    More performance: i7 2820

    You will really not need more than the i7 2720 for gaming. It will not bottleneck that 6970. Save you cash and put in a nice ssd instead.
     
  3. T2050

    T2050 Notebook Deity

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    I would say i7-2820QM, in the past I have always been disappointed that I did not choose the fastest I could get, this time I paid and went for the 2820 (fastest at the time). Im not disappointed at all.
     
  4. pp_ph

    pp_ph Notebook Consultant

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  5. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    2820QM, 2MB more cache. Will upgrade mine from 2620QM to 2820QM when I have some cash to burn.

    Strange that the 2720QM scores higher, it has lower frequentie and 2MB cache less.

    Bang for buck is indeed 2720QM. Performance/price ratio is perfect with that CPU thats true.
     
  6. JoeyFUZZ911

    JoeyFUZZ911 Notebook Evangelist

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    That has to be a typo on that. Theres no way the 2720 is better than the 2820. both i7, 2820 slightly faster and more cache.
     
  7. pp_ph

    pp_ph Notebook Consultant

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    It isn't about which is faster.... the fact they are almost same speed for +200$ IMO is not worth it for gaming, for other stuff I don't know.
     
  8. Simplified

    Simplified The Most Awesome

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    Actually to be honest the i7 2630qm will give the most bang for the buck in the R3. The R3 is not a dual gpu system, so the i7 2630qm will be more than enough.

    For M18x, I would go for the i7 2720qm to not bottleneck the dual gpus.
    For M17x R3 I would go with the i7 2630qm, as it will not bottleneck the single gpu.

    Spend the money on warranty instead. ;)
     
  9. JoeyFUZZ911

    JoeyFUZZ911 Notebook Evangelist

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    They are right about the i7 2630 be the best route as far as money and necessity.

    I had the wrong processor in my R3 for a week until they can to swap it out for the right one.
    I had the 2630 for a week and ran great. gaming was great and when they came to put in the 2820, afterward i couldnt tell the difference in gaming. same fps, same graphic settings, so 2630 would be a good choice and 2720 is plenty.
    I maxed out the R3 with every option they had. It was just personal preference.
     
  10. ECKS

    ECKS Notebook Prophet

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    What was the total cost of your unit (before taxes)?
     
  11. lidowxx

    lidowxx Notebook Deity

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    I would go for a 2630 and save the money for a good SSD, it will give you a good boost to the overall system performance.

    However if you are going to do heavy video encoding/decoding or rendering stuff on daily basis, then a higher CPU may be worth the extra money you pay, otherwise there is no point, 2630 is more than enough for your need.
     
  12. shermantank92

    shermantank92 Notebook Geek

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    The ssd upgrade was the best decision I made about this sytem. Seriously the difference is night and day. I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to a platter drive again when I've been spoiled by ~20-25 second boot times with my crucial m4 haha