What to configure on an M17x

Right now I've an M11x, and was planning on getting an M17x off of newegg around Christmas time.

Fortunately, I seem to have run into better funding so now my options are expanded significantly, and I'm just sorta looking for what the best options are for an M17x.

This is what I've configured, just going by logic of what the best stuff would be:

Intel® Core™ i7 940XM Quad Core Processor
Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate, 64bit, English
CrossfireX™ 1GB GDDR5 ATI Radeon™ Mobility HD 5870
17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 RGB LED (1200p)
8GB Dual Channel Memory (2x 4GB DDR3)
512GB Raid 0 (2x 256GB Samsung Solid State HDDs)
Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
Intel® Ultimate N WiFi Link 6300 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO Technology

It comes to $5503.

Now my questions, are the 5870s better than the 285s? And are SSD's really worth the extra price?

Lastly, is something with this much power gone run like an inferno all the time? For example will the extra RAM give me extra heat?

 

Get the 5870s and the LED RGB LCD. Everything else can be purchased off of eBay or Newegg. In other words, get the lowest options accept the GPUs and the LCD. You can buy that 940XM for half of what Dell wants for it. A 920XM is essentially a 940XM, but it's even less expensive. I built my rig exactly the way I'm telling you to. Way cheaper.

 

If you’re going to have Dell install it then I hear the 920XM is a better buy for the money/performance. I got the 940XM but I am doing the upgrade myself an save a ton of money.

Win 7 Ultimate – if you need it that’s fine. Many people do not actually need or use any of the additional features though.

8Gb memory, again if you need it, many do not. You can get it for about half price from newegg.

I head the SSD’s are overpriced from Dell, you may be able to get them cheaper on your own.

If you are comfortable doing upgrades yourself you may be able to get it for thousands less. I think I saved about $1200 on my setup doing it myself, and that is with no SSDs.

I think our systems have good cooling and run cool as long as you don’t mind the fans when they kick up. You should be fine with that setup.

 

What TurbodTalon said