Best dilemma ever

I am gonna buy and Alienware M17 and i am having a hard time deciding between either a 1440 x 900 screen with a Core 2 Quad 2.00 GHz processor and a 1920 x 1200 screen with a Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz.

which would give me the better performance in demanding games like GTA IV. I use to own a XPS M1730 with a 1920 x 1200 screen and was very fond of it. However now i am starting to think i am better off with the Quad processor.

Is the difference in resolution between the 1920x1200 and 1440x900 that big to warrant a slower CPU?

Thank you in advance to all those that reply.

 

hmm. specifically for GTA IV, the quad will be better. however, for other, non-quadcore-optimised games, the 2.0GHZ will lack the horsepower necessary to drive the game at good fps. so in that respect, the dualcore might be the smarter choice for now.

on a side note, whatever you do, you really should get the WUXGA screen, since 1440x900 on a 17" will make everything look pretty big and not very pretty at all

 

to be honest, if you want the absolute best performance, a smaller screen resolution will give you better frame rates.

 

frame rate vs. magnification....

as whizzo said, the lower rez would make the actual visual space look like your reading the "large print" version of Readers Digest.

 

The clearview screen will give you lots of glare. I have the matt screen Max and I can use it outdoors. My ACER has clear view and I can only use it outdoors to comb my hair.

 

Well..consider it like this too:

CPU's are upgradeable..the screen isnt..well not easy at least. .

Think about the future!

 

I would just like to say that I'm so glad that I chose to go with the 1920 x 1200 with Clearview. I suppose I might have regretted getting the 1440.

 

having used both I would say the 1920x1200 is the way to go...you can always use large fonts if you find text too small to read...

 

in terms of upgrading the processor, is that done through alienware or can i do it myself? and if i install it myself does it void the warranty?

 

It's possible to do yourself, but you'll void the warranty in the process. If you get that 1440x900, you'll be kicking your own butt later on down the road. I've also used both for a 17" LCD, and I'll never go back to 1440x900.

 

so if i do it myself i void the warranty, but can i send it to alienware later on and have them do the upgrade?

 

If your still talking the screen upgrade, yes but at a considerable price, more than a cpu upgrade, someone correct me if I am wrong here?

I say go for the 1920 x 1200 screen with a Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz.

 

Agreed. Upgrading an LCD is a pain in the butt. You don't want to be rolling around with (one) of the most powerful laptops on the planet and be rocking a low-res LCD. All you need for a CPU upgrade is some thermal paste and a screwdriver. Oh, yeah, and some money too.

 

Save up and get the quad+1920 screen. You'll thank every one of us that suggested this later on.

 

i would go for the 1920*1200 and a t9400. not the quad at 2.0. to me that's so low. and the 2.26 isnt strong enough to run both cards good.

 

so basically if a game is not optimized for quad core, then that processor will basically run like a 2.0Ghz dual core? and if so, is that really that much worse that 2.2Ghz?

 

Hi

XPS M1730 (8800M GTX SLI, and now upgradable to 9800M GTX SLI) performs better in demanding games (Crisis, FC2, WiC) than M17 with T9400 (couple of fps). U will have to go for Extreme CPU if U wanna match that Dell.

Cheers

 

my dell didn't have the specs that are in the link, i just type the model number and it automatically gave me that link, it had a 2.4 core 2 duo processor.

 

I.E.

M1730 with T9300 and 8800 SLI, WiC - aprox 40 fps (avg)
My M17 with T9400 and 3870 CS, WiC - 33 fps (avg)

 

do you still have you m1730?

 

does that mean that Dell XPS is a better investment? because in terms of price there isn't a big difference.

 

no it was stolen...got it in December too

 

oh man my bad i would of done quick benchmarks so you have a idea of what you are getting. but it least your getting a new one. how much are you looking to spend? if the price is right we can get you something better.

 

No. It's an older platform with a slower FSB.

 

around $3,200 Canadian.

 

There's no comparison. For $500 less you've got much newer technology/platform. I'm talking the CF config with the X9100. Actually, the M17 barely tips $3K even with the QX9300. Plus there the 4870s coming soon.

 

Not exactly.

In terms of gaming, 1730 with 9800M GTX SLI, will easily walk over average, mid CPU, M17.

But U see... This XPS is so called 'old tech' (Santa Rosa platform, 800Mhz RAM bus). M17 is build on Montevina chipset, 1066Mhz bus, which is better, faster, more power efficient.

And M17 is almost for 99% getting 4870 CS which will probably outperform 9800 in gaming.

I would suggest U to wait a few weeks for new GPU on M17 to show up.

Cheers

 

are you can a asus with the 4870CF?

 

the M17 costs more than 4k with a QX9300, 3870 crossfire, 4 gigs of ram and the 1900x1200 screen. remember this is Canadian dollars.

costs 4,131 without tax, to be exact

 

don't feel comfortable, spending that kind of money on an Asus.

 

Whats wrong with Asus?

It's quite solid and has a good rep.

 

why asus make there own stuff that is why i like them. i wouldnt get the 1st batch that comes out, but i would like into them atleast

 

i am dead set on an alienware right now, always dreamed of owning a system from that company, might be retarded but that is how i feel

sorry if i am copying and pasting what i wrote before, but i would like to know the answer to this question:

so basically if a game is not optimized for quad core, then that processor will basically run like a 2.0Ghz dual core? and if so, is that really that much worse that 2.2Ghz or 2.4Ghz?

and if i buy get the one with 3870 CF will be able to upgrade to the 4870 CF when it comes out? kinda pressed on time at the moment, i need to get a laptop asap

 

i just checked out the Asus W90Vp-X1 with 4870 CF, 6GB RAM, 800 MHz FSB core 2 duo 2.8 Ghz, 2800 Canadian $ before taxes.

very solid package i must say. But something irks me about a laptop with more specs and a cheaper price, same reason i was hesitant in buying Gateway P-7805u despite how good everyone says it is. something's gotta give, there has to be a catch why these 2 systems are so much cheaper than Dell and Alienware.

What do you guys think?

 

i cant answer the 1st one because i dont have a quad core but it is like the x9100 vs the qx9300. t9400 vs q9000. but for me the 2.0 is way to low and you cant really overclock.

that question has been asked alot in the forums and everyone is saying yes there are.

 

well the asus is made with some older components that made the price lower than other manufactures.

ddr2 this is so cheap now (constructing the mobo and the ram for it.) i'd say they saved over 100 dollars.

the 4870 quoted prices are not very muchmore than the 3870's. i cant say how much.

but the ocz(m17) can upgrade to the 4870's
and the it uses ddr3 which saves alittle battery(maybe 5min) and is a little faster.

 

so alienware does the upgrade for the video cards? they offer that kind of service?

 

yeah but it very easy to upgrade the card yourself. it's like changing a cpu. i dont have a camera but i would take pictures and show them.

 

i am only getting the 1 year warranty anyways, so i guess after that year passes i can upgrade it myself.

one final question: where would i buy a video card for a laptop?

 

no you can order the card from alienware and they'll give you instrctions on how to do it

 

oh...thank you very much for the info and the time you have given to this thread. I appreciate it very much.

 

NP. just post anything else if you have anyquestions. what settings did you end up getting

 

core 2 Duo T9400, 3870 CF, 1920x1200 screen, 250GB HD @7,200 RPM, 3,370$ Canadian including Tax and shipping. (13% tax in Canada blows)

 

i have one more question, looking at the price of ram, it looks that its a lot cheaper to buy ram from a store as opposed to getting it from Alienware.

so i have 2 questions:

1.how do i know which RAM will fit on my motherboard

2.does replacing the ram void my warranty?

 

Actually, IIRC you HAVE to send it back to Alienware so the can upgrade it for you. No exceptions it seems.

RAM should be SODIMM DDR3. Shouldn't void your warranty as well.

 

so as long as its SODIMM DDR3 then it will fit...even if i get the 4096mb on a single module?

 

I don't know of anyone who actually has 8GB of RAM in one of these, but there isn't really any point in having more than 4GB RAM unless you're running VMs and other heavy resource eating applications. I'd stick with 2GBx2 for dual channel mode.

 

Get 2 2gb ram sticks so it can run in dual channel I believe it is faster? No it will not void your warrenty and get the hard drive from new egg and save some money there to

 

so which laptop company makes the better quality laptops? in terms of workmanship? Asus or Alienware? what about customer support?

 

as far as workmanship and support

AW -the m15 x has has so many issues. The hinges are breaking less and less though, but the issue is still there. The m17x hasn't had any issue i can remember. The m17 is a solid built laptop with no hinge or heating issues, other then the gpu tape that came on 2 peoples laptops. The m9750 is old but its a solid machine i would not reccomend it at all... just because it is out dated. AW CS sucks its like talking to a machine that reads you a check list, its hit or miss that you will get some one who cares. To talk to some one that will really help call roswell or email them

ASUS has decent laptops they are a mix of high end and middle market. the w90 that just came out has had excelent reviews on quality and being a well built laptop but has had issues with lockups and other software issues. Asus is a bigger brand and proably has better support( i never have owned asus laptop so i cannot vouch) i do know alienwares CS has issues and the BEST people you will get from them are roswell.

i would take AW dues to being able to customize and they have higher end laptops.....but they are more expensive.....It is your call. Personally i would go with the m17 since it is the future of AW right now(that is if you do go with AW)

hope this helps since it took forever