New Gaming Laptop Choice: SSD + 4910 or 120hz screen

After ruling out all Sager laptops due to the fan noise (my laptop will primarily be in my living room around my wife), I have decided on going with an Alienware 17. There are 2 configurations that I have priced out, but neither have 100% of the parts I want. I'm posting here to get the opinions on which build would be more beneficial for my uses (primarily gaming with some slight video editing).

Build 1:
Operating System: Windows® 8.1, 64Bit, English
Memory: 16GB DDR3L at 1600MHz (2 x 8G)
Video Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 880M graphics with 8GB total GDDR5
Hard Drive: 256GB mSATA SSD Boot + 1TB 5400RPM SATA 6Gb/s
CD ROM/DVD ROM: Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BD-ROM, DVDRW, CD-RW)
Processor: 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-4910MQ processor (Quad Core, 8MB Cache, Overclocked up to 4.1GHz)
LCD: 17.3" WLED FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare Display
Warranty: 3 Year Alienware Enhanced Support
Price: $3,488

Build 2:
Operating System: Windows® 8.1, 64Bit, English
Memory: 16GB DDR3L at 1600MHz (2 x 8G)
Video Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 880M graphics with 8GB total GDDR5
Hard Drive: 1TB 5400 + 80 mSATA HDD
CD ROM/DVD ROM: Slot-Loading 8x SuperMulti Drive (DVDR/RW) (Standard)
Processor: 4th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-4710MQ Processor
LCD: 117.3" 120Hz WLED FHD (1920 x 1080) TrueLife Display w/3D Bundle
Warranty: 3 Year Alienware Enhanced Support
Price: $3,238

As you can see, the two models are upgraded to near their maximum. Since battery life is a non-issue (I'll have this plugged in 95% of the time), I really want the 120hz screen. I also really want a SSD. Unfortunately, I can't have both according to alienware's customizing options. Disregarding the slight price difference, would you choose the 4910 + the SSD model or the 120hz model?

 

I'd go with the first one. Unless the second one actually has a 117.3" screen... Are you sure the Alienware will be that quiet though?

 

You can for sure haggle the price!!! I got the first build you posted for 2800$.. I only got 2 year complete care tho

 

Build #2 is a bit expensive considering build #1 has a CPU worth $500 more. You need to get a better deal.

Build #2 will be more satisfying. You can always add an SSD later. The "better CPU" won't do much for you in gaming.

 

I'd say go for the 120hz model. The cache drive may surprise you and it's easy to add in a dedicated SSD later if you want, and retain a speeded up data drive. Best of both worlds .

Upgrading later to a 120hz display is not straightforward although possible - everyone I see that has the 120hz display compliments it - but you are taking a different path when it comes to future GPU upgrades. An easier one IMO since you do not have Optimus to contend with .

I simply do not understand why on the 3D they do not offer the BR drive? But they are not expensive and fairly easy to source if you want one.

This is the first 880m with 3D I have seen so I guess whatever teething problem that led to it not being available has been sorted.

Good luck, either is going to be awesome

 

CPU - No real difference in games.

Screen - Difference in everything.

 

In that case, its a 120hz screen vs a SSD. Which one would you choose?

The prices I have listed are before haggling. I'm confident I can drop each price $200-300. I'm also leaning towards the Build 2 and upgrading to a SSD in the future.

 

Build 2 , add your own ssd!!

 

build 2 without question and add an ssd when you have some spare money...

120hz is amazing in gaming...

 

I briefly had an M18x and sent it back to try out the 120hz. No question, I was keeping this one!!!

What really surprised me was the 3D. It was never a selling point for me as I thought, like most, it'll be a 5 minute wow then 'done that' and never use it again. It actually gave me a TON of replay action with games I had left ages ago - for me it just works superb and blows 3D TV and movies away.

Fav of the moment, Metro LL, in the dark and 3D with surround sound. The AlienFX is on so the keyboard and lighting are game controlled - total immersion .

But whatever you think of the 3D you're still getting an awesome display, I don't do on-line but I hear that even that gets an 'edge'.

Keep us updated, always good to hear new experiences .

 

Get your own SSD, it's cheaper and will likely be faster.

 

I have both - mine is In Production now and the spec is:

Alienware 17 Base
N00AW703
4th Generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4910MQ processor (Quad Core, 8MB Cache, Overclocked up to 4.1GHz)
17.3 inch (439.42 mm) 120Hz WLED FHD (1920 x 1080) TrueLife w/3D Bundle
Setup Instructions English
English Shipping Docs
Alienware 17 Anodized Aluminum - 3D
32GB Dual Channel DDR3L at 1600MHz (4x8GB)
256GB mSATA SSD Boot + 1TB 5400RPM SATA 6Gb/s- NV
Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (9.5mm)
BluRay Cyberlink Software for Windows 8 without media
240W AC Adapter
8-cell Lithium Ion (86 wHr) Battery
UK 250V Power Cord
NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) GTX 880M graphics with 8GB total GDDR5
802.11ac Dual Band 2x2 AC WiFi +Bluetooth 4.0
5G WiFi 802.11n/ac Wireless and Bluetooth 4.0 driver
Internal UK/Irish (QWERTY) Keyboard
Windows 8.1 Pro (64Bit) English

 

That is the exact config I would buy today if my baby exploded!

I'd be really interested if you can post your impressions when it lands :thumbsup:

What are your gaming preferences? There are some awesome (IMO) 3D titles to see a 'new' dimension in a game

 

Yep, sure thing. I haven't owned a gaming rig for PC in years, so eager to try it out.

My preference is FPS and RPG. I don't have Battlefield 4 on my PS4 so have bought it for the AW17. Also have Diablo 3 too.

I don't do multi-player anymore 'cos my wife tells me I become unsociable in my quest for victories on COD. At 45 I'm a seasoned Gamer but have a lot of other things that take priority however I still find time to play. This notebook is a workstation primarily but I wanted it to be capable of playing games too since I miss having the option when on holidays or work travels.

What games do you recommend for testing the 3D?

 

Hi mate,

How much did u pay for this config? Just was wondering what it would come to if I were to get it..

Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk

 

I paid £2512.

If you go on the UK Alienware site, you'll see 4 options for 17. Ignore the £2598 option as it isn't the full house spec and when you upgrade the options it is very expensive. Instead, spec up the £1748 version and it comes to £2508. (I paid £4 more, dunno why, but I concluded my purchase over the phone so maybe that's why).

So you end up with a full house spec for £2508 that is better than the £2598 option bizarrely.

 

Cool, I've got a few years on you and don't do MP, only because I'm no good at it , but I watched my son-in-law turn into a 'nasty' COD junkie.

FPS is where 3D comes into it's own. Open worlds are cool. I know nothing about Diablo 3 though.

Id say start with a couple of bargain titles before deciding if it brings something to the table for you - I keep thinking the phrase 'my cold dead hands'

Get Portal. The game may not appeal instantly but both of them have the best story/dialogue of any game I've played for over 10 years! I've done 3 replays on each just to make sure I haven't missed any funnies.

The game had Alienware as a sponsor and it was a giveaway with the R3 3D model, the implementation of 3D is as near perfect I have seen - and I like that I can take the license with me on Steam .

The jaw dropper is either of the last two Batman games. Origins runs a little faster and has a few tweaks but AC is good enough and you should have it fully cranked - love to hear the FPS you get with any BM game.

For true FPS then Metro Last Light is my recommendation. Great 3D, eats GPU's so this is the clincher, and it has AlienFX integration . Enable it via the icon on the taskbar.

Play lights out in 3D with some good cans and the keyboard and lighting effects become part of the game, watch the keyboard gradually turn red as you approach heat sources, duck into the dark - all out. It gets real creepy

Nice, hits my price point as well - but I'd still try for some freebies on the call, on my last 3 machines I've managed around 10% off the bottom line

 

All of this talk of TrueLife makes me jealous.




I received my machine a few weeks ago, and the option wasn't available when I got it. I like the 1080p screen but I'm not sure it's worth trying to haggle to get a 3D screen lol.

 

You know what I think .

You have a matte screen right? Nah, of course this is the best choice for a laptop being used in a variety of lighting conditions but for gaming - adjust your external lighting and see the real colours/contrast

 

Will they do that? Like if I call and say "so about this 3D..."

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

Only if you are still within the initial cancellation period. Two weeks in most locales, and dell will honour whatever the local laws on distance selling are. I did this with an M18x. I just sent it back for this machine when I couldn't get 3D to work (external 120hz display) . Of course it's a wait but well worth it IMO. After that they may have an upgrade package you could try a negotiation on...