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    Is this any good for gaming? Advice please

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by meade20, Nov 12, 2011.

  1. meade20

    meade20 Newbie

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    I just wondered if this is a good combo?

    •Alienware M17x MLK
    •Intel Core i7 Processor 720QM (1.60GHz,6MB cache)
    •4 GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz (2 DIMMs)
    •Display : 17in WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 - Beyond HD (900p) - Dual CCFL
    •Graphics : Dual CrossFire 1GB ATI GDDR5 Mobility Radeon HD 5870

    A friend is selling it has 14 months warranty left, would this run Battlefield 3 and the new games out at present?

    Thanks
     
    meade20, Nov 12, 2011
    #1
  2. zoolian982

    zoolian982 Notebook Deity

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    It's not bad but the screen is the lower kind. Otherwise it'll run bf3 fine.
     
    zoolian982, Nov 12, 2011
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  3. inzelux

    inzelux Notebook Evangelist

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    Hi, Meade!
    Those specs are kind of low, i think that the Processor would really cut you off in meanings of performance in Battlefield 3, and the 5870 would only give you an OK framerate in BF3 with everything on low.

    - Scott.
     
    inzelux, Nov 12, 2011
    #3
  4. zoolian982

    zoolian982 Notebook Deity

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    It's 2 5870's. As long as he has 11.10 and cap4 he'll be fine.
     
    zoolian982, Nov 12, 2011
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  5. inzelux

    inzelux Notebook Evangelist

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    Sorry for my incompetence - I didn't see that. :D

    With the dual 5870's, you will be in check with the GPU, now, the thing that would worry me is the CPU.

    I'm running the dual 5870's with an 2.4 ghz processor (quad-core, of course..), and during Bf3, i'm almost always sitting at about 99% utilization. I think that the 1.6 ghz would cause an bottleneck for you. But, in that case, you could just get yourself an stronger CPU and swap it out!

    Edit:
    Sorry for my incompetence - Listen to DR650SE's advice!



    - Scott.
     
    inzelux, Nov 12, 2011
    #5
  6. DR650SE

    DR650SE The Whiskey Barracuda

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    His cpu has hyperthreading so it can run 8 threads as opposed to the 4 on core 2 cpus. Plus with a lowered resolution screen frame rates should be 50+ at least. That system should run BF3 on ultra at 14x9.
     
    DR650SE, Nov 12, 2011
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  7. meade20

    meade20 Newbie

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    Hi all

    Thanks for the replies, maybe in the future I'll upgrade the cpu :)

    I think I'm going to go for it, it will be used for some gaming but mostly to control my telescope and general work.

    My home pc has a i5-2500k and a single 5850 in it, I would like to use it for gaming but the family are always on it :) can I ask what desktop graphics card would compare to 2 x 5870 mobile cards in a laptop?

    Thanks
     
    meade20, Nov 12, 2011
    #7
  8. josh2022

    josh2022 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I believe a mobility 5870 is comparable to a desktop 5770, so it would be similar to running crossfire 5770's.
     
    josh2022, Nov 12, 2011
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  9. TurbodTalon

    TurbodTalon Notebook Virtuoso

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    You're going to regret that low resolution CCFL screen. You can do better. R2s are very inexpensive right now. Unless your friend is selling it for really cheap or something.
     
    TurbodTalon, Nov 12, 2011
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  10. MegaTherion

    MegaTherion Notebook Consultant

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    MegaTherion, Nov 12, 2011
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  11. Le0-

    Le0- Notebook Evangelist

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    the only thing i regret about having R3 now versus R2 i sent back to dell (which was broken) is the screen... CCFL screen is a killer dude, it is really bad, but the RGBled screen is a beauty, as others mentioned, R2s are really cheap at dell outlet, try looking for pricing there or even look at R3 if you are going to hook up your laptop to a TV or something.
    Then again, I always recommend to anyone who's asking about a laptop at home: IF YOU ARE NOT MOVING AROUND LIKE CRAZY (like me) DO NOT GET A LAPTOP!!! for the equivalent money you can find a much better performing desktop which is always upgradeable versus a laptop (the highest u can go with R2 is 940xm cpu and if you are technically savvy enough, maybe a 6970m)
     
    Le0-, Nov 12, 2011
    #11