M17x (what config should i get?)

Hi,
I'm planning on getting the M17x "All Powerful" and I want to get the best configuration possible for less than $3,000 (best gaming experience). This is what i have so far:

($2,899)

PROCESSOR: Intel® Core™2 Quad Q9000 2.0GHz (6MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
VIDEO CARD: Dual NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 280M, 2GB – SLI® Enabled
LCD PANEL: 17-inch WideUXGA 1920x1200 (1200p)
MEMORY: 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
HARD DRIVE: 640GB - 2x 320GB 7,200RPM - RAID 0

What I want to know is, for example, if the 2.8 GHz dual core is better than the Q9000. Or if the $50 upgrade for 1333MHz ram is worth it.

Or, you could just tell me the configuration you would get for less than $3,000.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.

 

I wanted to keep my price tag right around $3K and it was just under before taxes and after discounts. My configuration is in my sig. The original proc was a P8700, memory was 1333 memory (I'm testing to see if 1066 is the same or not right now) and I only had the SSD for hdd.

 

It's a nice spec.

The Q9000 will be better than the T9600 on apps that use more than 2 cores but slower on apps that use less cores. Most games don't use multiple cores at all but also don't require lots of CPU power.

Make the decision based on the apps you plan to run.


The only change I'd personally make to your spec is to get a single 500GB HDD for data storage and buy an SSD aftermarket for programs and the OS.

SSD > RAID

 

t9600
280 SLI
4gigs 1066 ram
(what ever HD you want...)
WUXGA

 

I want to run games like crysis, flight simulator x, fallout 3, far cry 2, etc...

I really dont care about apps and all that crap lol

I dont mind not having a SSD so i think ill keep my 640GB Raid 0. I need storage and speed for an economic price, so i think this is the best HDD for me.

The only thing that im confused about is the processor. T9600 or Q9000. Yes im planning on overclocking.

 

well, personally i chose the q9000. i was in the same boat but than i did some research and read http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=387976 which supported my decision

 

I ordered the same exact configuration as you did above. I chose the Q9000 because I plan on keeping mine for several years, and people say multicore programs will be more common in the future. Also, I do a lot of multitasking (3 - 4 Adobe programs opened, with music or TV also running through Media Center), so a quad seemed right for me. I also plan to overclock it, and I've seen other people that have successfully overclocked with this processor.

Like the others said, it just depends on what you want to do with yours.

 

If I were you (assuming you're not concerned about the extra warranty $$), I would get the following:

Intel® Core™2 Duo T9600 2.8GHz (6MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
Dual NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260M, 2GB – SLI® Enabled
17-inch WideUXGA 1920x1200 (1200p)
256GB Solid State Drive
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
Space Black – Anodized Aluminum (Gotta go with black)

In my research, I've found that the difference between dual 260s and dual 280s is infinitesimal as compared to the load speed difference between an HDD and SSD. Dual 260s will be able to handle anything you can possibly through at it without a hiccup. Also, the faster load times of an SSD are far and away much more noticeable. And as for dual core versus quad core, too few programs utilize the multiple cores for it to be worth purchasing a much slower quad core versus the 2.8 GHz dual core. The dual core will be able to run everything, including crysis, just fine. If you'll notice, this is the spec I picked out.

Hope this helps.

 

Just get the P8600 as I have got it to oc @ 3GHz stable

Pretty good value, IMO.

 

i don't game as "hardcore" as i used to anymore. the only games i really play right now are CS 1.6, TF2, and perfect world. i've read that SSD's load apps and programs faster, but don't do too well with things like movies. has this problem been remedied with the newer generation of SSD's? i was concerned about this cuz i watch alot of movies and shows from my laptop.

i will prolly be maxin out most of the specs when i order my M17x. i was just wonderin if SSD was right for me. is there any other things i should know about SSD's?

my config will look something like this:
- q9100 or q9300
- dual 280 SLI
- WUXGA screen
- 4GB of RAM @ 1333mhz
- harddrive???
- silver

 

Why would you spend the extra $300 on 280's if you don't game as "hardcore" anymore?

The 260's will be more than enough and I would def put that money to the SSD instead....

 

yea, the 260s are enough especially if you are just playing Source engine games.I can max out Half Life 2 and Counter Strike on my old Mobility X700.GTX 260Ms should rape SOurce engine games.

 

Thanks for all your answers everyone! Very appreciated.
I think I'm gonna be sticking with my current config.

 

money is not really an option to me when i'm already spendin the premium for such a high end system. i like to have the best. i was just wonderin if the SSD was the right choice for me and what i mainly do on my laptop. i didn't mention it before, but i am lookin forward to a few games. it would be nice to be future proof for the next year or 2.