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    Just bought my first M15x, is it set up well?

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by Snorlax0r, Aug 8, 2011.

  1. Snorlax0r

    Snorlax0r Newbie

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    Hey all, I'm a new member, and I joined because one, I just purchased my first ever Alienware laptop, and two, I was wondering whether its set up any good?
    CPU:i7 780QM
    Gpu:Nvidia GeForce 280M
    4gb RAM DDR3
    500gb harddrive
    9-cell battery
    1920x1080
    I haven't received it yet, and am in the middle of buying it now. Cost me just under a grand. I know you guys are the best to ask, so any information is a massive help :)
    Thanks :)
    Chris
     
    Snorlax0r, Aug 8, 2011
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  2. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Well the CPU is either a 720QM or a 740QM as the 780QM don't exist. the GPU is a tad slower than to be desired. The rest is fine. Bit pricey as I assume that you are not getting it from Dell as the GPU must have been put in by the previous owner.
     
    widezu69, Aug 8, 2011
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  3. Snorlax0r

    Snorlax0r Newbie

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    Thanks for the info, I'm pretty new to this, I'll have to ask about whats going on :)
     
    Snorlax0r, Aug 8, 2011
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  4. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    The M15x never came with a 280m, so make sure which cards really in the system. Also check whether there's any warranty left. "Just under a grand" is imo too much in case there's no warranty left.
     
    svl7, Aug 8, 2011
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  5. toltek

    toltek Notebook Guru

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    Battery might be one of the price boosting factors here, but I'm pretty sure you can get better value for your money. How old is the laptop ?
     
    toltek, Aug 8, 2011
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  6. Snorlax0r

    Snorlax0r Newbie

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    Hey all, yeah, he made a typo, it's the 740qm and the 260m :)
    I think its about 10 months old?
     
    Snorlax0r, Aug 8, 2011
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  7. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Then "just under 1k" is too much. I presume we are talking USD here.
     
    widezu69, Aug 8, 2011
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  8. Snorlax0r

    Snorlax0r Newbie

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    Australian unfortunately, what about it makes it so unappealing for the price?
     
    Snorlax0r, Aug 8, 2011
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  9. toltek

    toltek Notebook Guru

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    Sorry, just realised, when I said the price was too high I had £ GBP in mind - you might well be talking US dollars, or any other currency lol
     
    toltek, Aug 8, 2011
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  10. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    The 260m is quite outdated now struggling to pull decent frame rates in modern games. The CPU is also the second slowest i7 quad but that isn't really a biggy as it doesn't affect games that much. If you can find one with the 5850 or a 460m then it may be better.
     
    widezu69, Aug 8, 2011
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  11. Snorlax0r

    Snorlax0r Newbie

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    That's understandable, what kind of hindering are you talking about with modern games, how bad is it?
     
    Snorlax0r, Aug 8, 2011
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  12. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Well games like Crysis 2 will definitely not be playable on highest, heck my 6990m stuggles with Tesselation on and 1080p. CoD could be ok but you may see some slow downs. Don't count on Witcher 2. Bad Company 2 will be ok if you overclock and hack it down to DX9. To put it mildly, you won't see 60fps on any recent games and getting 30 will be a struggle. Speaking from experience :D
     
    widezu69, Aug 8, 2011
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  13. Snorlax0r

    Snorlax0r Newbie

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    So is there anyway I can change it out? Or is that, that?
     
    Snorlax0r, Aug 8, 2011
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  14. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    No no, upgrading is easy in the M15x. I've upgraded about 5 times and that's with just my own system.
     
    widezu69, Aug 8, 2011
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  15. Snorlax0r

    Snorlax0r Newbie

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    Awesome as! How should I and would I go about it? :)
     
    Snorlax0r, Aug 8, 2011
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  16. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Well my advise is to keep looking. If you can find a system with like an i3 CPU and a 240m GT or a 5730 for dirt cheap, get it, upgrade the parts yourself and if you play your upgrade cards right, you may end up with a very powerful system. Of course always consult the forums for advice, we are all here to help :)
     
    widezu69, Aug 8, 2011
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  17. Snorlax0r

    Snorlax0r Newbie

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    Thank you so much, you guys have really been a big help :)
    When I eventually do want to replace those certain parts, would it be best to just go and find a computer store that will do it for me? :D
     
    Snorlax0r, Aug 8, 2011
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  18. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Noooooo! Avoid computer shops, who claim that they upgrade laptops, like the plague (just from experience). A forum user called inap has some guides in his sig, check them out, upgrading is very easy. Actually one of the easiest of all laptops. Just DIY.
     
    widezu69, Aug 8, 2011
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  19. Snorlax0r

    Snorlax0r Newbie

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    Haha, okay, thanks for the warning :)
    Where do you personally suggest buying the new gear? :)
     
    Snorlax0r, Aug 8, 2011
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  20. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Get some posts, get some rep and head over to the NBR Marketplace :)
     
    widezu69, Aug 8, 2011
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