Should I go for one of these? Details inside...

So, in selling my 8510w, I've come across an Alienware M17x R2 with the following specs:

i7-720qm
8GB RAM
250GB 7200RPM HD
Dual AMD 5870s in Crossfire
17" WUXGA RGB LED screen

I think those are the points that matter. Would you get it for $1,600? Is there a risk of mobile 68xx series being launched soon? I read that the i7-720qm is a bit anemic. Can it be overclocked in this system?

I haven't seen this config since around 3 today in the outlet, so I'm hoping that they don't wise up since there's a 15% coupon in circulation

I will be using this computer for the next several years so I do need to make sure that I get the best possible machine in this price range, be it an M17x, a M6500, or an HP 8740w.

 

$1600 is a good deal. The original price is $1829, I assume?
HP 8740w costs at least twice that if you include the DC screen.

 

Anodize, you know well
Are there better configs to be had for the money (either equivalent or relative -- ex, i5, 4GB, and dual 4870s for $1250)? And should I be getting paranoid that I haven't seen any recently?

The screen on the HP is beautiful. For around $1,300 I can get one with an i5, 4GB RAM, and WSXGA screen. I think it is not a very good deal compared to the M17x.

I remember when Alienwares used to be so ridiculously exclusive way back in the Pentium 4 days. What progress we've made.

 

I think it sold a few days ago as I haven't seen it either. Whoever purchased it probably paid the full price(Still a good deal @ $1829). I think it's one of the better ones I've seen on the outlet.
Keep looking. You might find something better.

 

i'd jump on it and change the cpu for a 920 es aftre market that makes it preatty much a maxed machine

 

+ SSD and all rdy to rock.

 

I've secured my 15% off code for $3

I have a week and one day to find the right one! Let's do this!

 

I would've just given you mine (15% off coupon code) for free lol.

 

haha, it's ok. it was only $3. the point is to benefit from it!

what are the chances that a 25% or 30% drops soon? I'd be pissed off! this is a little better, it is my own private code so there is not a huge rush to at the outlet.

Do you suppose that configuration will ever come up again? It seemed like several of them were sold throughout Sunday evening up until this morning.

 

Never 25-30%. The best you can get is 20% which comes occasionally + 3% DPA saving.

 

oh, ok. that makes me feel a bit more confident then. I hope the right one will pop up in the next week.

 

I see a decent one with 740qm/5870cf/rgb for $2179.

 

Well, comparatively speaking, it's not such a good deal... the one for $1829 was pretty good. I don't have a problem waiting for something identical or similar to show up.

As a side-note, what can I expect as far as "scratches and dents"?

 

That $1829 was S&D. That's why the price was lower than usual and really rare to come by. It is usually hit or miss. Sometimes it comes like new, sometimes really beat up as the name states.

 

I see... so far, nothing attention-grabbing has shows up. I'm hoping for something similar. It was just sitting there for 2-3 days... sometimes it would go away, but it would always come back an hour or two later. It seemed like they had several with the same config at the same price.

 

Hey guys, an opportunity has presented itself.

i7-920xm
6 GB RAM
2x320GB HDD in RAID 0
Blu-Ray Reader + DVD/RW
xFire HD 4870s
RGB LED Display

For $1,800, maybe $1,700. Purchased new but he lost all the paperwork and box. An Alienware bag and mousepad is included.

I really wanted 8GB RAM and xFire HD 5870s, but is the price right on this one?

 

Not bad. I wouldn'y worry about the ram, easy and cheap to upgrade if you really need it. It comes down to do you think you will be happy with the 4870's? If it bugs you and you end up upgrading anyway it won't save you any money. I didn't think there was much difference between the 4870's and 5870's anyway (10-20%???) but I see people doing it all the time.

 

There is also a $100 off $999 or more stackable coupons right now too. I just ordered my 2nd M17x with it.

 

stackable? on top of what? PM me details please

that one turned out to be a dud... dude gave me the service tag and it's an R1 with QX9300 and SLI GTX 285's lol. Not bad, but not for that kind of money.

 

PM sent

 

I'm proud to say that my new M17x should be in my hands a week from today

It's a certified black model with the i7-720qm CPU, 4GB RAM, HD5870s in crossfire, and the RGB display.

 

you did good man i know you have been patiently waiting for a deal and the right specs so just enjoy it and you should hopefully have your laptop monday so just need to stay SANE for the weekend and go ape once you get your Beast.

I am gonna SPAM you with a bunch of links for you to read through to learn more about your BEAST and break her in.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/3/3/1794507/ThrottleStop.zip

SetFSB_HomePage


http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...5870-gpus-5870-vbios-discussion-non-beta.html


http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/519400-m17xr2-bios-a09-discussion-thread.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...70-september-2010-incl-vbios-flash-guide.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...g-mod-huge-improvement.html?highlight=thermal


Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD3-2VTX120G 3.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Newegg.com - NZXT Black Aluminum Notebook cooler w/ 3 120mm adjustable fans Model CRYO-001B


http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/476426-m17xr2-overclocking-guide.html


http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/523915-pics-cooling-mods-done-tx-4-clip-mod.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...l-compunds-gpu-cpu-m17x-r2.html?highlight=cpu

Amazon.com: Metro Vacuum ED500 DataVac 500-Watt, 0.75-HP Electric Duster: Electronics

Fujipoly Premium System Builder Thermal Pad - 1/4 Sheet - 150 x 100 x 1.0 - Thermal Conductivity 6.0 W/mK - FrozenCPU.com

Tuniq TX-4 High Performance Thermal Grease - 3.0g - FrozenCPU.com

Arctic Cooling MX-4 Super High Performance Non-Conductive Thermal Compound (4g) - FrozenCPU.com

 

^^ Great summary of useful links! +1 rep for the efforts!

 

wow faiz, you're the man! I'm supposed to study for finals this weekend. whoops :O

All I think it needs are some tweaks with SetFSB to OC the CPU, OC the GPUs, an SSD, and upgrade the RAM to 8GB. Maybe a CPU upgrade in the future but we'll see It looks like you've covered most of those with your links. Thanks again, buddy.

Heat and power are no issue -- I'm going to remove the battery so it doesn't get fried from being plugged in all the time. This machine will never leave my desk (unless I go home, in which case the battery will be used merely in transportation).