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    xR3: Choose better GPU vs faster CPU?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by zlast1, Mar 14, 2011.

  1. zlast1

    zlast1 Newbie

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    I am close to actually paying for this thing. I play games less than 50% of the time, but will use Adobe CS5 and process RAW picture files greater than 50% of the time.
    To shave some money, I skipped the Blu Ray, and kept the default 320GB HD. I figure, I'll be grabbing another drive anyway.
    So here is the questions: I am near my 1800.00US budget. For what I intend to do, am I better off getting the 2820QM and GTX 460 OR should I go with the 2720QM and HD 6970M? (2720QM to 2820QM =166.00US difference. 460M to 6790M = 145.00US difference).
    Which upgrade is my $ better spent on?

    Thanks.

    Here's the summary:

    SYSTEM COMPONENTS Alienware M17x R3 - 2nd Gen Icore
    Alienware M17x, Soft Touch Stealth Black, Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit
    Qty Unit Price
    $1,837.62
    Alienware M17x, Soft Touch Stealth Black
    Operating System
    Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit

    Processor
    Intel® Core™ i7 2820QM 2.3GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Mode, 8MB Cache)
    Memory
    8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz (2DIMMS)
    A/C Adapter
    Alienware M17x 240W A/C Adapter
    Display Panel
    17.3-inch WideFHD 1920 x 1080 60Hz WLED
    Video Card
    1.5GB GDDR5 Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M

    Hard Drive
    320GB 7,200RPM HDD
    Nameplate
    Personalized Plate
    AlienFX
    Quasar Blue
    …dell.com/…/popup_verify_print_cart.a…
    1/2
    3/14/2011 Find a Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Ser…
    Adobe Reader Acrobat SW
    Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Optical Drives
    Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
    Sound
    Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
    Wireless
    Wireless 802.11 g/n
    Automatic Updates
    Automatic Updates: On
    Service
    1 Year Basic Plan
    OS Customization
    Fast Access Facial Recognition 3.0 Software Application
     
    zlast1, Mar 14, 2011
    #1
  2. I Never Relax

    I Never Relax Notebook Consultant

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    The 6970M is a better choice. The upgrade from a 2720 to a 2820 CPU is negligible, it's only a 100 MHz difference.
     
    I Never Relax, Mar 14, 2011
    #2
  3. Drek_Alots

    Drek_Alots Notebook Guru

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    As well as 2MB difference in the CPU cache.
     
    Drek_Alots, Mar 14, 2011
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  4. XeroSniper

    XeroSniper Notebook Guru

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    2mb cache........ That's alot.... You ll be doing alot of processing so that 2mb helps..
     
    XeroSniper, Mar 14, 2011
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  5. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

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    Go for the 2720QM with 6970M. Like mentioned 2720 is only 100 MHz faster, and that 2MB L3-cache is neglible because
    A) with 2720QM you get 6MB which is more than sufficient
    B) L3-cache is shared with IGP on the SB chip which is mostly used when discrete GPU is shut down. Meaning that when you game you won`t need the 2MB extra cache since you use GPU.

    If you are dealing with imaging processing you will need a faster processor, not more L3-cache. 100 MHz faster processor is NOT anything to jump for joy about.

    My 2 cents :)
     
    Cloudfire, Mar 14, 2011
    #5
  6. zlast1

    zlast1 Newbie

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    That's one of the reasons I originally selected the 2820 - for that 2mb cache increase. Truth be told though, I really don't understand enough to know how much that will help me.

    Then someone told me that CS5 would take advantage of CUDA, which is an Nvidia thing.
     
    zlast1, Mar 14, 2011
    #6
  7. Cloudfire

    Cloudfire (Really odd person)

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    Cloudfire, Mar 14, 2011
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  8. XeroSniper

    XeroSniper Notebook Guru

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    Not sure about cuda...
     
    XeroSniper, Mar 14, 2011
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  9. jywang

    jywang Notebook Evangelist

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    I would say neither and get an extended warranty to protect your "investment".
     
    jywang, Mar 14, 2011
    #9