The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Looking for input on two different mini configs

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by kryptonian, Sep 2, 2009.

  1. kryptonian

    kryptonian Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    33
    Messages:
    468
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Core™2 Duo T9600 2.8GHz
    Dual NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260M, 2GB – SLI
    6GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz

    OR

    Core™2 Extreme Quad QX9300 2.53GHz
    Single NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260M, 1GB
    4GB dual DDR3 at 1333MHz


    ^^^^ what is the better config in your opinions? Thanks!
     
    kryptonian, Sep 2, 2009
    #1
  2. Ethrem

    Ethrem Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    1,404
    Messages:
    6,706
    Likes Received:
    4,735
    Trophy Points:
    431
    The first for sure. No doubt.
     
    Ethrem, Sep 2, 2009
    #2
  3. kryptonian

    kryptonian Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    33
    Messages:
    468
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Even though the second one has the much more powerful processor?
     
    kryptonian, Sep 2, 2009
    #3
  4. Ethrem

    Ethrem Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    1,404
    Messages:
    6,706
    Likes Received:
    4,735
    Trophy Points:
    431
    Yes. You can buy that processor after-market for less than 500 bucks. Save your cash and get the SLI config unless you don't plan to do much gaming with it.

    Also, that processor is only much more powerful if all 4 cores are utilized. That doesn't happen often. You're better off overclocking your 2.8 to 3.0+
     
    Ethrem, Sep 2, 2009
    #4
  5. kryptonian

    kryptonian Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    33
    Messages:
    468
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Well thanks for your input. I have never overclocked before though. Basically, im not happy with the config that I ordered. I am most likely going to call dell to arrange a return when I receive it tomorrow. I intend to re-order it with a more robust config. Just not 100% sure yet what that new config might be. Thats why I posted this question here, where all the more knowledgeable folks reside.
     
    kryptonian, Sep 2, 2009
    #5
  6. kryptonian

    kryptonian Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    33
    Messages:
    468
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Forgot to mention that I am not a hardcore gamer. I mean I do intend to game with this machine. Just more on a casual basis.
     
    kryptonian, Sep 2, 2009
    #6
  7. WaR

    WaR Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    2,391
    Messages:
    2,128
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I would agree with number 1 being better for 2 reasons. You say you are not a hardcore gamer, that's OK, but RAM goes down, and it is such a snap to replace (or add) it is not worth giving Dell so much for it. The QX9300 from Dell is so expensive (like twice as much as it would cost you outside). Any of these 2 components can be upgraded easily.

    However, if you get a single 260m, you WILL regret not getting a second one during configuration, as it will rip you apart. It is near impossible to get one.


    PS. Also why not get the 1066 Ram instead? Benchrunner?
     
    WaR, Sep 2, 2009
    #7
  8. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

    Reputations:
    3,973
    Messages:
    13,930
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    t9600 with 4 gigs of RAM and SLI 260's will tear through games
     
    The_Moo™, Sep 3, 2009
    #8
  9. kryptonian

    kryptonian Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    33
    Messages:
    468
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    WaR, im not a benchrunner, I just assumed that the higher clocked ram would be better in general. That and I figured for an additional $50, it would be worth it.
     
    kryptonian, Sep 3, 2009
    #9
  10. Monkeymadness

    Monkeymadness Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I have the first config except for the 6gb and it's more then fast enough to play any game,
    I'm also upgrading to a qx9300 by buying it from ebay, costs about 400 euro's alot cheaper then dell.
    Just go with option 1 and get 4gb instead of 6, Save that extra money and upgrade to a
    qx9300 yourself later on, atleast thats what im doing.
     
    Monkeymadness, Sep 3, 2009
    #10