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    Radeon 3870 question

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by bluenose, May 11, 2009.

  1. bluenose

    bluenose Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi im about to order an M17 laptop with a single 3870. If in 6 or 12 months time i have a bit more cash can i add a second card myself ?

    Also are there any benchmarks about with just the single 3870 cards ? Like to know what frame rates they can turn out with the likes of Crysis @ 1400x900

    Doesnt seem to be any reviews of the sinlge card about

    Thanks a bunch
     
    bluenose, May 11, 2009
    #1
  2. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

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    The_Moo™, May 11, 2009
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  3. dondadah88

    dondadah88 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    rep mr moo for getting there before me. :)
    edit i can't. i have to spread it first :(
     
    dondadah88, May 11, 2009
    #3
  4. bluenose

    bluenose Notebook Enthusiast

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    Cheers thanks for that, think i'll go for a single card and a 1400x900 lcd. Then add a second card 6 months down the line.

    Looks like it will play Crysis @ 1400x 900 on high and get about 20 to 25 fps, that will do for me. These not many games out there as tough as Crysis on GPU's so thats the path i'll go down :)
     
    bluenose, May 11, 2009
    #4
  5. dondadah88

    dondadah88 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    what cpu are you getting. i really recommend. 1920*1200 and crossfire.
     
    dondadah88, May 11, 2009
    #5
  6. whizzo

    whizzo Notebook Prophet

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    well, duh. but reading between the lines, he doesn't have the dough for such a rig.
     
    whizzo, May 11, 2009
    #6
  7. bluenose

    bluenose Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well i was going to get the p8400, may push for the dual cards, will have a little think about it :)
     
    bluenose, May 11, 2009
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  8. bluenose

    bluenose Notebook Enthusiast

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    Im getting it buy now pay 12 months later interest free, and have over half the money already, but with the credit crunch, im just trying to be sensible.



































    So crossfire it is lol :)
     
    bluenose, May 11, 2009
    #8
  9. dondadah88

    dondadah88 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    i am going to review alienware's website and see what is the best setting.

    are you getting 2gb of ram and the 160gb hdd?
     
    dondadah88, May 11, 2009
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  10. bluenose

    bluenose Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok how about

    17-inch WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD (720p)
    Dual 512MB ATI® Mobility Radeon™ HD 3870
    Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9400 2.53GHz (6MB Cache 1066MHz FSB)
    2GB Dual Channel DDR3 SO-DIMM at 1067MHz - 2 x 1024MB

    £1505.35
     
    bluenose, May 11, 2009
    #10
  11. whizzo

    whizzo Notebook Prophet

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    since we'll be seeing the HD4870 soon, I'd advise you upgrade the screen now (since this is harder to do aftermarket) and then move to the HD4870X2 when it comes out.
     
    whizzo, May 11, 2009
    #11
  12. dondadah88

    dondadah88 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    how much would it be with the screen included.
     
    dondadah88, May 11, 2009
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  13. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

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    no no no on ebay the screen is like 125 and it is extremely easy to upgrade .... i may be doing it soon and upgradeing :) and makieng a how to :D

    do not worry about the screen upgrade the cpu or do it after market
     
    The_Moo™, May 11, 2009
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  14. bluenose

    bluenose Notebook Enthusiast

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    Will if i went with

    1920x1200 lcd
    Dual 3870's
    And a p8400

    It works out to £1.466.25
     
    bluenose, May 11, 2009
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  15. dondadah88

    dondadah88 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    lol. we are confusing him and making different choices.
     
    dondadah88, May 11, 2009
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  16. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

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    i have the 1440 screen i LOVE it i just want to upgrade for real estate :D

    me personally didnt wanna over pay to get one from them :D

    LOL Don all he needs to know is get dual cards the rest is gravy :D
     
    The_Moo™, May 11, 2009
    #16
  17. dondadah88

    dondadah88 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    i like that choice and if you up the cpu to the p8600
     
    dondadah88, May 11, 2009
    #17
  18. bluenose

    bluenose Notebook Enthusiast

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    Bahhhhhhhh. Im going mad.

    Right my Final specs will be......

    1400x900 LCD
    Dual 3870's
    P8400
    2GB ram
    160GB HD
    Backlit Keyboard

    £1312

    Thanks for driving me mad :)
     
    bluenose, May 11, 2009
    #18
  19. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

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    alllll right :D good choice
     
    The_Moo™, May 11, 2009
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  20. whizzo

    whizzo Notebook Prophet

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    noooooo WUXGA screen :D
     
    whizzo, May 11, 2009
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  21. dondadah88

    dondadah88 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    i really suggest you adding the 1920*1200. but if it isn't in your bugdet then we understand.
     
    dondadah88, May 11, 2009
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  22. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

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    1440 i s great dont listen to those losers !!! :D :p
     
    The_Moo™, May 11, 2009
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  23. bluenose

    bluenose Notebook Enthusiast

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    Im not looking
     
    bluenose, May 11, 2009
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  24. dondadah88

    dondadah88 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Lol. what you just said
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    dondadah88, May 11, 2009
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  25. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

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    i knew some one would bring that up ..... i love the screen but i do wanna upgrade :) just because i can n yes it does offer 123 % more room :D
     
    The_Moo™, May 11, 2009
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  26. tonytoff

    tonytoff Notebook Deity

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    As long as you have the dual video cards I think you will be fine.
    I was struggling to decide whether I had made the right choice of parts but this forum has taught me so much in just a few days about how easy we can upgrade our M17s. I was not aware of this at all.
    I would get the dual video cards installed by Alienware so in that instance your choice is fine! Ive never seen the 1440 screen because I have the 1920x1200 but Im sure it will look good and better than most other lap-top screens.
    Im sure Mr Moo wouldnt have chosen this type of screen if it was that much inferior and you have to save the money somewhere.
    I was stupid enough to buy the TV-tuner and remote as well that I dont even use at all.
    You will love playing games on these babies!

    good luck with the purchase.
     
    tonytoff, May 11, 2009
    #26
  27. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

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    hey im a HS / college kid i had to cut cost i didnt want to though ....
     
    The_Moo™, May 11, 2009
    #27