Is there a big difference between the 4700MQ (2.4GHz) and the 4800MQ (2.7GHz)?

I'm just about ready to pick up an Alienware 17, but I'm still trying to decide between these two processors, which is a whopping $300 difference. I'm a digital media producer and a hardccore gamer, so I definitely want to stretch my dollar as much as I can, but not in ways that aren't worth it.

To that end, I'd like to know: do you guys think there's an appreciable difference between the 4700MQ and the 4800MQ? I'd love to hear what you guys think.

My build so far is:

Alienware 17
Windows 8
Nvidia GeForce GTX 780m
16GB RAM
Full HD 1920x1080p

I also definitely want to make sure this thing can run the Oculus Rift VR when it comes out.

 

If you are in media production, you are going to want the 4800MQ. But if you plan to just do light gaming and other stuff, the 4700MQ will be sufficient enough.

I do a lot of development in open source gaming and use Microsoft Visual Studio for compiling and such, and the 4800MQ is just enough for the task. I'm actually planning to grab an AW 18 soon with the 4900MQ for some extra processing power. The 4930MX would be ideal for me but it's too expensive at the moment, perhaps if I save a little more I can get it.

Hope I've been of some help. You're going to love the AW 17.

 

is there any difference besides the clock speeds between the two processors? If not, 300mhz is definitely not worth $300 in my opinion.

 

The 4800mq vs the 4700mq
Higher turbo clock speed 3.7 GHz vs 3.4 GHz Around 10% higher turbo clock speed
Higher clock speed 2.7 GHz vs 2.4 GHz Around 15% higher clock speed
Supports trusted computing Yes vs No Somewhat common; Allows for safer, more reliable computing
Better turbo clock speed 1,300 MHz vs 1,150 MHz Around 15% better turbo clock speed
Better overclocked clock speed (Air) 3.95 GHz vs 3.41 GHz More than 15% better overclocked clock speed (Air)
Better PassMark (Single core) score 1,992 vs 1,809 More than 10% better PassMark (Single core) score
Better PassMark score 8,878 vs 7,970 More than 10% better PassMark score
Better 3DMark11 physics score 6,390 vs 5,940 Around 10% better 3DMark11 physics score
Better performance per dollar 2.89 pt/$ vs 2.68 pt/$ Around 10% better performance per dollar
Better overclocked clock speed (Water) 2.7 GHz vs 2.4 GHz Around 15% better overclocked clock speed (Water

 

Wait how are the getting these overclocked scores? Thought these processors were locked? :what:

Sent from my Nexus 7 (2013) using Tapatalk 4

 

These processors have unlocked turbo bins, and can be overclocked via Intel XTU.

4700MQ = 2 unlocked turbo bins for a max OC of 3.6Ghz X 4 cores
4800MQ = 4 unlocked turbo bins for a max OC of 4.0Ghz X 4 cores
4900MQ = 6 unlocked turbo bins for a max OC of 4.2Ghz X 4 cores

I'd say for gaming you can't go wrong with any of them. CPU intensive games and programs will take advantage of the extra horsepower offered by the 4800/4900MQ. The extra overclocking also makes the gap between the base quad vs the high end models larger.

 

oh very very sweet stuff!! +rep for the info

 

Ergo, get the 4800MQ. :thumbsup:

 

It's still just over a 10% difference, not justifying the $300 premium.

 

Not for the average gamer, but he's into media production and I can assure you: it will help. The extra charge Alienware is asking is much better (and simpler) than purchasing the 4700MQ now, regretting it later on, purchasing the 4800MQ aftermarket for $399 and installing it yourself. And it will be covered under warranty.

 

Sure it will help, but it comes down to budget. Does he do enough media production to warrant the upgrade? I do some light video production myself and my 2630 does just fine. Don't skimp out on the 780m or the 1080p screen either to get the faster processor. Its not worth it. Each to their own though.

Sent from my Nexus 7 (2013) using Tapatalk 4

 

stretch $300 to 400-500 can build you a number cruncher, just saying.

 

Ouch considering what the intel listed price difference is.

 

Are either of the CPUs unlocked in anyway? If one of them is unlocked over another that isn't locked, you bet your a better cpu is worth 300$. But it depends on the games. Most games that are ghz and cpu dependant will need 3.6~4ghz+ to run properly for their graphics solutions, but a GPU dependant game wont be able to really utilize the cpu much so it'd be better to get a balanced system. A strong cpu that you can OC a bit would be worth it in the long run.

Me im a graphics freak and obsessed with flawless operation. I needed to go from a locked cpu the 3630 to a semi unlocked cpu so I could overclock to handle guildwars 2 at maxed graphics, because guild wars 2 is very MHz dependant. It needs at least 3.6ghz to really push its graphics well, a friend of mine OC'd her CPU to 4.5ghz and it doubled her frame rate. I overclocked my CPU to stable 3.77ghz stable all cores, and 4.08ghz single core, now I get far better frame rates over my 3630, which was locked and there was nothing I could do about it.

If the next cpu up is unlocked, its absolutely better, plus getting it tray wise from alienware direct will be far cheaper in the long run.

 

you can't really compare ghz between generations though, a 3930xm overclocked to 4.5ghz isn't as fast as the desktop x79 3970xm@ 4.5ghz. Other than that you're logic mostly makes sense and I agree.

 

As stated, intel now tier their chips, so you get an extra 200mhz of potential frequency as you go up.

This leaves:

4700 @ 36/35/34/34
4800 @ 41/40/39/39
4900 @ 44/43/42/42

As the max possible 1 core/2core/3core/4core numbers.

 

If I were in his shoes, I would negotiate the price of the 4900MQ down to the cost of the 4800MQ and be even better off. :thumbsup:

 

That would be nice. Especially seeing as how Sager only asks +185 for the 4800MQ and +395 for the 4900MQ.

The AW17 is about to pop my Alienware cherry, and these prices are..... interesting.