M17x best setup for price? $2k

So my stupid toshiba x205 laptop died on me about 2months ago. My dad made me a deal to pass my vista certification test to get me a new m17x.

I dont want to go over 2500 dollars. Im really just looking to go over alittle over 2k.

1. This setup must be strictly for gaming- is quadcore 2.0ghz better than dual core 2.8?

2. Im looking at getting dual 260's

3. Is the 4gigs 1333mhz ram worth the $50?

 

Although dual-core for the most part is better for gaming, quadcore is a little more futureproof and 1333 ram isn't really worth it. You could just get the BB version, it has q9000, dual 260ms, 1440x900 screen though. All for around 2k. Here's the link.

 

Yup Best Buy version truly is the best... the only downside in the slightest is the screen @ 1440x900... which mind you is still 900p res... buuuut

 

Futureproof by means games in the future will be better optimized for quads?

So really am i better off with a 2.0ghz quad or a 2.8 dual core? I can always Overclock the quads right? Anyone had an idea how far i can clock the quads being safe?

 

Yes most defenitely it is incredibly easy to overlock the Q9000 to at least 2.4

 

TBH i would get Q9000 or P8600 since you can overclock P8600 to 3ghz (if you want something better just ebay a q9200 or qx9300).

Games tends start supporting quad core but i don't think that it's a big deal since 99,99% of the games will always be GPU bound in your system. The advantage of quad core is on other tasks and in multi tasking (TBH alt+tabbing out of a game in quad is much smother than in dual IMO).

1333 doesn't worth.

 

We will see Quad support more and more as it will allow more systems to more easily run the game and or high end gaming machines will get an extra boost... Also when your up in those clock speeds it also will not improve your gaming, there really isn't a bottleneck at speeds of 2.4 ghz

 

how much is it for the 260 sli, 1920*1200 screen and q9000. that's all you need.

 

The BB version is just a single 260, isn't it?

 

No it is Dual 260's in SLI

 

exactly 2500, is the 1920*1200 really worth it?

 

Ooooo I..... Think..... that.....I.... don't know

 

Ah, cool

 

I think im getting the best buy setup, for the same setup on alienware theres a 500 dollar difference and less hard drive space.

 

yeah it is...... complelely worth it. if you need to save get it. and if your getting it you need sli. if your not getting it then don't get sli.(it's worthless without it)


i had a hp dv9640us with a 8600m gs @1440*900 and i thought it was beatiful and i thought when i purchased my whitebook, (1920*1200) that even if games can't play at that res, i can lower it to 1440*900. (of course i maxed out even game known to man on there except two) and i switch to that lower res just to test it out. and it's been 3-4 months since i used 1440*900.


1920*1200 all day.


but if you want tono get it because of the price then go ahead. if you haven't experinced it and want to save money then by all means. and that model at bestbuy is alittle cheap for sli. i would call them to verify.

 

Yea lol I am easy to please lol... I have been using a 1024x768 monitor for years... occasionaly I use my 1080p TV with my comp... but like I said I'm sure it will still be gorgeous

 

If you want the best performance, 1440x900 is good enough. At regular viewing distances, you won't notice the difference between 720p and 1080p unless you have a gigantic screen. For a 17" screen to notice the difference would require a viewing distance measured in inches.

Of course you'll have less screen real estate on a smaller resolution, but you'll gain gaming performance.

The best deal for a M17x is through AAFES if you can get it, and depending on tax. It comes out to $50 cheaper for a roughly equivalent setup to the BB version if you ship to California, for example.

 

To help confuse the OP even more, if I had to pick just one upgrade it would definitely be the 1920x1200 screen.

 

Lolz...

I would also go with 1920x1200. My M17 was a 1440x900. The difference was night and day. Also I always pick higher clock number to a higher core number. (Then again, I am not a hardcore gamer)

Keep us updated.

 

The BB deal is a $324 difference btw, not $500. Still, it's not bad to order directly from dell since they give you epp/dell university (7%) and dpa (3%) discounts... which can easily equal 200+ in savings depending on your setup. Not to mention you get to pick what you want.

 

Just the warranty alone would make me order off of Dell instead of BB. Not sure if I could handle Geek Squad fixes. With Dell, at least, they would come to your house and fix any issues you may have.


Edit: 1920x1200 for the win. At least for me.

 

I think the Bestbuy deal is the best bang for your buck, and wouldn't you still get dell support? its still a dell/alienware.

But as others have said, 1920x1200 is really sweet, my last notebook was 1440x900, and after using my current, there truly is no going back

But.. If you are not used to 1920x1200, 1440x900 will look fine, and an external monitor is always an option

 

Yea you would most likely get support from dell... but the other thing is Geek Squad wouldn't touch your laptop lol... In my experience they give you an entirely new laptop if there is a problem... my BB is an exemplary one though, I love my BB and the Geek Squad is comprised of people like you find here

 

I was made to believe that if you buy any laptop from BB you are subject to doing your warranty work through Geek Squad. Unless that has changed? I am almost positive Dell will not come to your house and service if you buy your laptop from BB. Maybe someone can shed light on this?



Edit: I wish the Best Buy's in my area were like that. I live in Homestead, and have yet to find one that I would feel comfortable leaving my laptop at. I guess it is hit or miss.

 

You could try haggling with someone from Dell/Alienware on the phone. Build the BB setup, and then tell them that BB has it for $2099, then see if they give you a discount. Then you could maybe change a few components (like the screen)

 

Yea I agree... and if they say "well no" you say alright I'll take my buisness elsewhere

 

I think I read somewhere on here that someone tried and Dell told them they do not match retail outlets since you can customize your rig with Dell. That would be awesome if you could though.

 

Get the BB config and buy a samsung 2233rz simply

Best bang for your buck and you will have the best LCD for gaming ever

 

Where can you find M17x WUXGA screens? Will it be too hard to replace? The BB is a great deal... but may not be worth it if you can't get dell's support (does anyone know?)...

 

I would think that you would at least get the 1 year warranty that comes standard with the M17x. The last time I got a Sony computer from Best Buy, I got the standard manufacturer's 1 year warranty, but if you want an extended one you have to go through Geek Squad.

 

i prefer high speed dual cores to the 2.0ghz quad. For 300 I upgraded to the t9900 and got it running at 3.46ghz. As of right now that 3.46ghz dual core will outperform the q9000 on pretty much every game right now.

 

I bought a x205-sli1 from bestbuy and i had the toshiba warranty with it. (too bad it broke over a year)

Any im going to call dell or chat with them to haggle the prices to match those of bestbuy with the upgraded screen. (unless i can buy the screen somewhere else)

Now my biggest concern is whether to buy the quadcore or the dual core 2.8ghz for gaming sitll.

 

not sure if dell will go that low... maybe though. tell us how low you can get them. i would go for the quad because you can overclock it to 2.4GHz+ and that's more than enough for it not to be a bottleneck...

 

Your t9900 is user upgraded so you can't really compare but...

How the hell a T9900 will outperform Q9000 if don't exist a single game (except for GT4) of 2008/2009 that is CPU bound?.

And GTA4 will have bigger benefits of a Q9000 than from a T9900.

Any of the processors will perform exactly the same in games just because games are 100% GPU bound those days.

Theres no benefit in games even in upgrading from a P8400 (specially because you can overclock it to 3.0ghz).

If you really want to compare processors games isn't the best way.

 

An awesome/fast duo core will smoke a 2.0 GHz Quad anyday unless the program/game is FULLY optimized for multicore use.Other than GTA IV, there are no games out there that really support quad core.Even Supreme Commander doesn't fully use quad like it should.Like BIGX333 said, even a P8400 is adequate enough when it comes to games.For 95% of people a T9900 or QX9300 is overkill anyway.

 

Personally, I would go with Q9000 and overclock to atleast 2.4GHz... That way you have a quad-core that doesn't bottleneck your games and runs like a monster in multi-threaded apps/games...

 

Where do you get a new WUXGA screen to upgrade? Can I extend the Dell warrantee if i buy this?

 

you know there is no such thing...

and there is a difference in gaming benchmarks between the procs.

 

Dell. The E2E screen will stop you from buying anywhere else.

 

Not all that much Mandrake an you know that.. if you get the Q9000 up to 2.4 ghz which is easy you will have incredible gaming results

 

If your talking a quad I did not test it but if your talking straight Ghz my x9100 scores higher FPS than my P8700, both OC'd. I probably still have some DMC4 comparisons if you want to see it.

 

If you have... I want.

In real world the difference exists but is very inexpressive (personal experience).

 

So I would just contact dell for the new screen? I hope its not $300... whatever ill ask them and see how much.
EDIT: ok guys got this:
"Please call spare parts at 1-877-372-3355"
its coming up with all this order status stuff but ill try again.