Which Alienware M17x R4 should I get? Need your advise.

Hi guys. This is my first post so please bare with my lack of knowledge on a few things.

So I was originally planning to buy a solid M17x R2 alienware unit with all the additional hardware that makes it awesome (RGB LED screen, 920xm processor, ssd, etc). But finding one here in the Philippines is really rare and no one seems to want to ship their R2's from the states to our country so I was left to look for a different unit. As I was browsing on some 2nd hand units, I found 3 R4's which seemed solid enough for my taste. I would like to ask for your opinions on which is the best unit among the 3 options shown below.

OPTION 1: ($1,555.55)
Quad i7 2.3, 16gb memory (upgradable to 32gb)
2gb Nvdia GTX675m
BlueRay Slot load DVDRW Combo
original power brick Very good battery 5hrs
windows 7 64bit original Alienware DVD
Dual boot windows 8
Recovery Partition is untouch
1080p Full HD bright technology 3D Vision Enable

OPTION2: ($1,444.43)
- Microsoft Windows 7 x64
- Ivy Bridge Intel Core i7-3610QM QUAD TurboBoost Processor (2.3-3.3GHz 6MB L3 Cache)
- Dual Graphics 2GB gDDR5 AMD Radeon HD 7970M Graphic Processor + 1.8GB Intel HD 4000 Graphic Processor
- 8GB DDR3 1600MHz (2/4 Slots used 32GB Max)
- 256GB Solid State Drive (1/2 Slots used)
- 17.3 Edge-to-Edge FullHD Hi-Contrast 248lux Glare-Type Display (1920x1080)
- Slot Loading SuperMulti 8X DVD R/RW with Double Layer Support
- 20 Color 4-Zone Programable Full Sized Backlit Keyboard
- Huge Multi Gesture Programable LED Touchpad
- 4x 3.0 SuperSpeed USB Ports
- Klipch Sound System
- Soundblaster Recon 3Di - Scout Mode (In-Game Accurate Enemy Location)
- THX TruStudio Pro , Crystal Voice
- VGA Video Output
- HDMI 1.4a Video Output
- HDMI Video Input
- eSATA
- Ethernet Rj-45 Port
- 4 Audio Port Stereo headphone/line-out SUpport 7.1 Surround Sound
- Wifi 802.11 b/g/n
- Bluetooth V4.0 +HS Combo
- 1080p FullHD Webcam/Mic
- 9-in-1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/SD/Mini-SD/SDHC/SDXC)
- 9 Cell Battery (1.5-2 hours depends on usage)

Package includes:
- Unit
- Orig AC Power Adapter
- Orig Battery

OPTION 3: ($1533.34)
- m17x r4 red nebula
- i7 3820qm
- gtx 670m
- 2000gb hdd
- 32gb solid state
- 16gb Ram
- 3d ready

FREEBIES
alienware bag backpack 17 inch
brandnew razer sabert0oth mouse
brandnew headset hammerhead
alienware mousepad

Whatever is placed above on each option is the only available specs/hardware each unit has. Nothing else to look for.
Option 1 has the best RAM among the three. Also 3D ready. Not sure about the video card though. Most expensive among the 3.
Option 2 seems to have the best video card. NOT 3D ready. Has only 256GB of memory. NO hard drive. But has the cheapest price among the 3.
Option 3 has the best looking build (nebula red looks really cool). has 16GB ram. 2TB of hard drive. has a 32GB ssd. and a lot of freebies.

So currently these are my only options. I've been leaning on option 3 as I seem to get everything I need on this package. Meh.. I don't know. I might be missing something.
Would appreciate any inputs you have. Any suggestion would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

option 2 has 256gb ssd, not memory. It also should be the fastest of the three. The 7970m is faster than both the 675m and 670m (Alienware never sold a m17x with a 670m). Option 3's cpu is the best here. Unless you are going to use the 3D I would personally go with option 2.

 

You're picking the Alienware for graphics right? Like the poster above said, option 2 is the best overall let alone its the cheapest of the three. The 7970m will blow the socks out of the other ones while the 3610qm will do a good enough job accommodating that.

 

As the other two have pointed out Option 2 is the best deal going out of those three!

 

I agree with Option 2 too.. I have it and if you ever need a better CPU, its easy to upgrade... I'm personally more than happy with what I have already

 

Agreed. Option 2 is going to provide you with the best experience.

 

Good thing I asked for your inputs as I never knew the 7970m videocard was better among the others. Thanks again guys!

 

Option 2 indeed, HD 7970m is equivalent to 680m! I wouldn't settle for anything less, as long as they work as well.

 

I'd say option 2. Even though it has the lowest price, it's actually the one that's worth the most in performance.

 

I wouldn't even consider option 1, as a 675M is a rebadged 580M and they drop like flies. Option 2 has the best performance/cost ratio, especially with a stock 256 GB SSD and a 7970M.

 

Unfortunately I was outbidded on option 2. Now eyeing on an m18x r2 with a 7970 crossfire. Hopefully everything goes well. ��

 

Anyway thanks for the advise guys. Already did my homework about the difference between gpu's. Good thing I asked.

Thanks again!

 

By the way, am not sure where to post this question, but do you guys have any idea how much it would cost for shipping an M18x from the US to the Philippines? Since an M18x would be pretty much heavy, my rough estimate would be around $150-$170.

Do share if you have any related experiences.
Thanks!