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    Need help and advice choosing laptop

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by marksquires, Mar 25, 2011.

  1. marksquires

    marksquires Newbie

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    I am getting a refurbished Alienware Laptop next week and have the choose of two.

    Option 1:
    Alienware M17x Nebula Red
    Q9000 Intel Core2 Quad 2.00GHz (6MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
    8GB (8192MB) DDR3 1333MHz
    500GB Serial (SATA) 7200 RPM
    2 x 1024MB nVidia GeForce GTX 260M SLI (Total 2GB)

    Option 2:
    Alienware M17x R2 Space Black
    Intel Core i7-720QM Quad Core Mobile Processor 1.60GHz (Turbo up to 2.8GHz, 6MB Cache,1333MHz FSB)
    6GB (6144MB) DDR3 1333MHz
    500GB Serial (SATA) 7200 RPM
    ATI Mobility RADEON HD 4870 Graphics with 1024MB RAM (GDDR3)

    I think that the CPU in option 2 is significantly better than option 1. I dont think that I'll see much difference between 6 and 8gb of RAM. But which is the better GPU option? 2 GTX 260m in SLI or a single ATI 4870? I've read reports that SLI only works sometimes (i.e. with certain software). I will mainly be using the laptop for gaming (FM2011, Empire Total War, Dawn of War 2 etc).
    Are the R2 laptops built better and last better?
    Any help or advice much appreciated.
     
    marksquires, Mar 25, 2011
    #1
  2. fishnbanjo

    fishnbanjo Notebook Consultant

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    I'd choose the R2 and see if they would go to 4Gb RAM and give you the second 4870 in CrossFireX although the R1 isn't a bad configuration, I have an R1 and the setup is in my sig line.
     
    fishnbanjo, Mar 25, 2011
    #2
  3. marksquires

    marksquires Newbie

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    Thanks for the response. I will check to see if I can make changes to spec and how much it woukd be. Both of these laptops cost £1200 and this is pretty much all my budget spent.
     
    marksquires, Mar 25, 2011
    #3
  4. marksquires

    marksquires Newbie

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    I've checked and no upgrades available. I keep reading on the forum that GPU power is more important than CPU power for gaming (within reasonable limits!!). So is one HD4870 better than 2 GTX260m in SLI? Im not bothered about playing games at ultra high detail. Just a high level of detail at at reasonable resolution.
    Thanks in advance for any replies
     
    marksquires, Mar 25, 2011
    #4
  5. agusman

    agusman when the going gets weird

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    agusman, Mar 25, 2011
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  6. itcomic

    itcomic Notebook Consultant

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    My preference is R2. Newer CPU with turbo boost technology, asked Dell to add another 4870 to upgrade as crossfire (very good performance for next 2 years or so), 6gb ram is more than enough for gaming. You can add extra ram yourself if you need the capacity for video editing/etc and it's less costly through that route. You can also upgrade your CPU to 920/940XM and overclock it when your warranty expired. They are excellent overclock cpu. Most important of all, R2 has ironed out many design flaw that existed in R1.
     
    itcomic, Mar 25, 2011
    #6
  7. iPhantomhives

    iPhantomhives Click the image to change your avatar.

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    Yup , R2. Aluminum good quality. Btw they don't have 5870 xfire for ya?
     
    iPhantomhives, Mar 25, 2011
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  8. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    100%. The above link is the proper place for this type of post. OP, please review the sticky threads in that section and re-post.

    Thanks.
     
    BatBoy, Mar 25, 2011
    #8