Just how powerful are our Rigs?

This is my first gaming PC investment I have made in my life. Im just wondering, if I had gone the route of a desktop, how does the M17X compare (game play wise) to a model such as the Aurora ALX.I know the power of each m17x varies greatly on specific components, R model, etc. I've just never experienced anything as good as what I have now so I cant compare to anything.

Dont get me wrong here, Im 100% satisfied with my Rig. Im just wondering in the next 2 years when the time comes to shop again, if an M18X is going to be the way to go, or possibly a desktop model.

I hope im not making myself look dumb here lol. I honestly never played on a gaming desktop to know if they are any better or if the M17x's are truely desktop replacements as some mention.

 

The M17x is a desktop replacement (DTR) by definition. A desktop 920 with a pair of desktop 285s will obviously beat out the M17x though. You're working under strict thermal and wattage limits with a DTR, whereas a desktop has nearly unlimited cooling and wattage potential. I take my M17x to work with me every day. Hauling an ALX around wouldn't be feasible. Alienware's M17x-RX line are very capable computers.

 

You can build a sandy bridge desktop 2600k @ 4.7ghz-5.0ghz for less than $1k with dual GTX 470 and would annihilate the m17x r1,r2,r3 and probably even the m18x. Comparing desktop to laptop is horrible since most laptop video cards are lower end desktop card not equal to desktop variant. For example the ATI 5870m is actually the desktop 5770. If you are happy with your laptop stick to that and when you are ready to upgrade build a desktop for hard core gaming and stick to the m17x for mobile gaming and other usage.

 

Thanks guys. Ill just have to track down a decent desktop amongst my friends and try it out.

 

Completely true. However, that build would be rather difficult to acheive under 1k, considering you have to factor in an sli motherboard and sli capable psu, among other things. But the point is proven, a desktop for the same price as you paid for your r-series m17x will definitely outperform it, but that's the price of mobility.

 

Look at it this way. Your SLI GTX 285m's are at best equal to a Single GTX 285 desktop gpu.

This is mainly because your GTX 285m's are in reality GTS 250's (from a desktop standpoint).

The 5870 mobility is in reality a 5770 desktop gpu, and the 4870 mobility is in reality a 4850 desktop gpu.

 

It is very possible to get it for $1k but getting all parts new will not happen. I picked up gtx 470 from Craigslist for $150 each in mint condition with all packaging and even game code. Micro center has Asus p8p67 pro board with sandy 2600k for $429. The PSU should be under $100 with mail in rebates. $50 for Case, $70 for Dvd and HDD.


$429 - CPU & Board
$300 - DUAL GTX 470 - USED
$100 - PSU
$70 - Drives
$40 - Ram
$40 - Case
$30 - Keyboard & Mouse

I am sure i missed little things and I had a monitor already so did not factor that into the cost. If you piece it all together and find deals on New or Used parts than you can built a killer desktop on a budget and should last longer than most laptops.

 

Cool, still plenty capable . I probably wont even end up upgrading entirely in 2 years, especially if we get 6970's working!

Edit,
My buddy actually has one GTS 250 in his desktop that I have used. My dual 285's def out perform it hands down though... I guess other spec inside the M17X vs. his older built desktop could have somthing to do with it though (but that was even before I upgraded from my 720qm).

 

There are few benefits of the M17X over a desktop unless you really value:

having a built in UPS
the portability (which is the killer for me)
lower power usage (for a high end gaming rig 800w draw is not unheard of)