Few Questions on M17x

1. Can I upgrade my processor at a later time? Duo T9600 2.8GHz to a Quad
2. Can i just partition my drive and put windows 7 64 dual boot with vista 64
3. Single GeForce GTX 260M to Dual GTX 260M later on when i need it?
Sacred 2 is only required 256 ram so later i can add extra card to make
it dual? Games like Simcity4 and GTA 4 Single GeForce GTX 260M , i am
hoping 1 gig would be enough to play these off line games. I do not play
multiplayer games much.
4. With 4Yr Warranty, does it go into effect right away losing your standard
1 year? Or if i get 2 year can i up it at a later date for additional 2 years
like Toshiba has.

Intel® Core™2 Duo T9600 2.8GHz
Single GeForce GTX 260M
17-inch WideUXGA 1920x1200
4GB Dual Channel DDR3
320GB 7,200RPM
Dual Layer Blu-ray Combo
4Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty
Recovery DVD

All for $2,772

With Dual graphic cards and other minor changes like win 7 upgrade is roughly $3,291.

I am just trying to find a way to get this down a little. I do a lot more multimedia than playing games but i would would like to play gta 4 and other high end games when i want. I am hoping that 1gig video ram and the duo 9600 will be a good start with this system and add to it next year. My desktop has dual 9800 gt with 8 gigs of ram so i know this laptop can not compete but i want to play the few games i have on both.

 

I'll add my 2 cents

1. Yes. If the options exists on your dell site, you can also go with the low ball CPU.
2. Yes, but you'll have to create the partitions from scratch meaning wiping the existing data. Unless you use a third party app to create a partition out of free space which I'm sure exists out there.
3. Yes, but not sure what the cost will be. Most likely cheaper to purchase it now.
4. You can skimp on the warranty now and extend it out later. In the past with other systems, I have found its always cheaper to go with the full 4 up front, but this may be different now. Not sure what Dell is charging on extending warranties at present.

 

2. Yes - get the free tool "GParted" - there should be a live CD on www.distrowatch.com that you can download and boot from to make your partitions. Its simple and it doesn't lose any data.

BatBoy nailed the rest although if you feel like you can do it, I'd drop to the lowest CPU they have now and then order an OEM QX9300 for ~500 and replace it.