M15x Model Price Comparison Advice Needed.

Hello Users.

Need some advice from anyone over the following 2 models of the m15x range.

Model 1
Processor: Intel i5 540M Dual Core Processor, 2 x 2.53Ghz core - max turbo 3.06Ghz
Ram: 4Gb DDR3 1333Mhz Ram installed (2 x 2Gb chip)
Hard drive: 500Gb 7200rpm SATA hard disk
Graphics card: ATi Mobility Radeon 5850 1Gb dedicated graphics
Wireless: Intel 5300 Extreme N wireless card - upto 450Mbps 802.11b/g/n
Screen: 15.6in Widescreen HD+ WLED Screen 900P with True Life - 1600x900
Battery: 6 Cell long life battery
Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
Other Software : Microsoft Wors 9.0, McAfee Security Center (30 day)
Warranty : 2 Year RTB

PRICE: £849 + £15p+p


Model 2
Processor: Intel i7 740QM Processor, 4 x 1.73ghz cores - max turbo 2.93Ghz
Ram: 4Gb DDR3 1333Mhz Ram installed (2 x 2Gb chip)
Hard drive: 500Gb 7200rpm SATA hard disk
Graphics card: Nvidia GTX 460m dedicated graphics
Wireless: Intel 5300 Extreme N wireless card - upto 450Mbps 802.11b/g/n
Screen: 15.6in Widescreen - Not sure about Resolution
Battery: 9 Cell long life battery
Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
Other Software : Microsoft Wors 9.0, McAfee Security Center (30 day)
Warranty : 1 Year RTB

PRICE: £550 + £4.95 p+p


As you can see it's really the Processor, Graphics, battery size, warranty and price. Which would you choose and why?

 

For the price difference, is there any reason not to choose the latter?

 

The latter would easily be my choice.

 

After some research here apparently the HD 5850 is a better card. That combined with an additional years warranty along with a more powerful processor actually makes it something worth considering IMHO.

 

The i7-740QM (#2) is a much more powerful CPU than the i5-540M. The 5850M is the preferred card for most users, but it is not worth the price differential. Ideally, you would swap video cards and then take No. 2.

 

Firstly - Thank you all for the advice.

Hmmm - I must admit I'm a new entrant into the core i3, i5, i7 models.
You use the term "much" which indicates that the difference is significant - How is this so?
The i5 processor can rock over 3Ghz whereas the i7 is limited to 2.93Ghz.
I'm aware of the difference in processing power despite the numbers such as atoms, core duos, etc. and how the make of the component over-rules the numerical hertz value but aren't they from the same line?

I'm I mistaken that the i5 core in model 1 is in fact a newer processor than the i7 in model 2?

 

Well for a start, the i7 740qm has 4 cores vs 2 cores for the i5 540m. With 4 cores and hyperthreading, you get a total of 8 threads with the i7 740qm.

 

But doesn't gaming utilize more of it's FPS from single faster cores that multiple slower ones?

 

Both processors are the same generation. Different games utilize the cpu differently and more games are starting to utilize four cores. If you're really worried about cpu performance while gaming then you can turn on PhysX when possible, but when it comes down to it the cpu doesn't have a big impact on fps in games. The i5 will also limit you as far as multitasking is concerned. I think that the second computer is a better deal, plus you can put the money that you're saving on the second computer towards a 6970m or 6990m

 

You didn't mention what optical drive either machine comes with. To me this is important since if I'm dropping a bunch of monies on a new system I want it to have the most cool stuff. I'm willing to take a CPU hit to get a blu-ray drive and the ATI card but that's the only conditions. Also the extra year of warranty is nice too.

I'm guessing this is through Dell's outlet store? If so be decisive, I 'held' my machine for 2 hours till my lovely wife got up to order it since she happened to have the Dell card.

With all that said though you could viably buy the i7 then buy the graphics card and a blu-ray drive to put in it (if needed) and likely save a bit of money.

 

if you're planning on upgrading further, I'd say model 2

 

I was gonna say that but, I went to sleep so.... Listen to what The Revelator said and you wont have the optimus issue most users complain about when they get the gtx 460m.

 

1. Buy model #2
2. Upgrade to 920/940xm and 6970m
3. Have socks blown off by amazing performance from extreme M15x

 

Seems to be a pretty unanimous sway here...

BUT

I don't plan on upgrading at all for the time being - hence why I'm asking which, between the two is the better buy.
Yes, ideally it would be nice to switch cards, and nice to upgrade the processor...

BUT

1. That's yet more money. Really going to price/ performance ratio.
2. Wouldn't that void the warranty?
3. And you're going to laugh at this - The last time I changed a graphics card was back in the 90's on my Gateway Desktop Computer to play Alien vs Predator 2 - So I have no idea about the process of changing a card.
4. I'm not sure I can be arsed with all the hassle atm.

 

It's hard to make a decision not knowing the screen resolution on the second model.
If it happens to be 1920x1080, you could take better advantage of nice GPU's(ATI 5850, 6970/90 should you desire to upgrade it), hi-res movies etc.; and won't need to upgrade(for some time anyway) the CPU since 740QM is ok)
The second model also has a 9cell battery vs 6cell on the first.
I've got rid of the optical drive and stuffed in another HDD(I use an external one when necessary, which is really rare tbh), so I doubt that presence of the blu-ray drive would sway me towards the first model - especially bearing in mind its lower screen res.
Shame for less warranty of course but you might be able to extend it towards the end of that year.
All just my opinions ofc

 

Personally speaking, when i bought my M15X, I chose to have a 1080P screen and a Blue-ray burner instead of an i7 Processor (took the i5 430M). It was a bad call on my part. Well the optical drive part anyways. It turns out that I never burned a BD and never watched a BD movie either. Do yourself a favor and get the i7.

 

A 2.93Ghz Processor is "ok"?
I would have said that it's pretty amazing for that price.
Agreed on the warranty though - What like reputation has this recent line of Alienware laptops created for itself - Are they prone to overheating or becoming faulty via other means?

Blu Ray has never appealled to me whatsoever. Couldn't care less bout it tbh. Given the choice I would opt for the i7 processor.

Although I'm still unsure as to how it is more powerful than the i5 from the same line (Yes there are more cores) but it can clock higher and is combined with a better card.

Surely that must have an effect?

 

I'm no expert but I think it may similar to comparing a P4 to a Core 2 Duo CPU.

 

Intel i5 540M Dual Core Processor, 2 x 2.53Ghz core - max turbo 3.06Ghz
Intel i7 740QM Processor, 4 x 1.73ghz cores - max turbo 2.93Ghz

There's only a .13Ghz difference in the clock speeds of the two processors when running on one core. That's a negligible difference, plus the i7 will outperform the i5 in general use. Do yourself a favor and get the i7.

Alienware computers do tend to have problems, but as long as you routinely clean the vents and keep your thermal paste fresh you shouldn't run into many problems. If and when something does go wrong, call Dell support. They can be difficult/frustrating to deal with, but if you're persistent you can get just about anything from them. Its your call on the warranty, you can always buy an extended warranty.

The 5850m isn't that much better than the 460m. You also get PhysX support with the 460m, which will boost your frame rate like crazy in games that support it.

 

Great advice. I've already made the purchase on the i7 model.

And thank you everyone.

On a more indepth note now since we're covering the reliability of Alienware Hardware, is there any difference between the actual processor reliability.
Basically does 4 cores running subject the laptop to a greater likelihood of a fault developing compared to that of only 2?
(General Question for future reference).