Punk'd?

Hi, I love lurking here, I get so much info. I know you all will help me out here so thanx in advance. My new computer crapped out on me and dell just sent me a replacement (refurbished of course ) due to warranty. Hard drive crapped out and replaced, then keyboard lights replaced MB, then video black screens had them replace 260Ms, still black screens. Had a lot of trouble getting it ordered also just to tell the whole story, but I want to see if you guys think I got punked?

Old system:
M17X
Core 2 duo T9600 @ 2.8 GHz
4 GB Ram
NV GeForce 9400
2X 260M
1 500GB HD
Optiarc DVD+-RW AD7640S

New System:
M17X-R2
R Core(TM)i7 [email protected] GHz
8 GB RAM (Don't need this much ram, 4 is plenty, I play games behind the curve, and when I finally get "caught up" I buy the ram that i need b/c it is much cheaper by then, so I don't want this)
ATI Radeon 5870 (I hate ATI b/c I worked at AMD and I got fired, best thing that ever happened to me )
2x500GB HD (Don't need another drive, already have an extra that I purchased)
HL-DT-ST DVDRWBD CA10N ( is this?)

Any advice? Again, thanx in advance.

 

If that is not a dual card system....you did, as you had a dual card system b4. If it is a dual card system you got a hell of an upgrade

 

Off topic, but ...

"worked at AMD and I got fired, best thing that ever happened to me" ?
:/

 

If the new system's ATI's are not in dual configuration, you will probably have to ask for another replacement. I personally wouldn't take "add on" offers unless Dell is able to make the change to the system's service tag.

 

Your replacement is one helluva upgrade and I wouldn't complain. Seeing that you got a 620, the upgrade options are a lot better vs. the c2d. Also, if you want dual cards ask your rep for downgrade options to 4870 CFX (though the single 5870 is more than enough)!!!!

If the extra components bother you that much, I would rip em out and sell em!!!!! (that way your "too much" turns into $$$$)

This is just my 2 cents btw.

 

Laptop components are alot like mountian climbers that tie themselves together. If one falls they all fall.

 

Got fired and that made me have to make a decision of wanting to get the same type of job or shoot for something better. Since leaving AMD, I have completed a Masters and PhD (in May no less) in Physics and an MBA, and I start a new, great job on Wed.

Thanx for the info guys. So I have one yes, and one sort of no with some other comments/info/suggestions. Any others?

I think the reason I am complaining about the extras is that I am wondering if I could sacrifice some of those extras for a better video card setup, and if I could, what would those options be?

 

You did get a nice upgrade but... I would push for the dual card setup vs. the single they are sending. With your original having dual gpu's it shouldn't be an issue. You can always opt out of the RAM upgrade to seal the deal. BUT you get equal or greater and equal in this case is a dual card setup.
I think you are asking if there are other vendor options for the gpu's, preferably Nvidia over ATI. I believe there is no support for Nvidia on the M17X at this time. You will have to do some searching through the forum but I have read this multiple times. Good luck. And congrats on the education/career upgrade.