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    Ram or Processor? A new exciting M17 thread...:-)

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Fulgore, Nov 27, 2008.

  1. Fulgore

    Fulgore Notebook Guru

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    Hi there.

    One simple and quick question.

    Want an M17 with xFire.
    Have an extra 100€ to upgrade the remaining specs of basic model.

    Would you go for a P8600 (instead of a P8400) or 3Gb RAM (instead of 2Gb)? Just for gaming I mean.

    Be aware that probably i won't be able to upgrade RAM or processor in near future.
    So I have to choose right now how it will be for the rest of its life.

    Thanks a lot, guys.
     
    Fulgore, Nov 27, 2008
    #1
  2. Flashback Jack

    Flashback Jack Notebook Consultant

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    Processor all the way. RAM can be had cheaper otherwise, and installed without worrying about voiding your warranty.

    - F
     
    Flashback Jack, Nov 27, 2008
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  3. whizzo

    whizzo Notebook Prophet

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    if you won't be able to upgrade anything afterwards, definitely RAM.
     
    whizzo, Nov 27, 2008
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  4. TurbodTalon

    TurbodTalon Notebook Virtuoso

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    The unfortunate truth about the M17 is that the ATI GPU's are processor dependent. I got the P8600 too, and after sifting through many threads and asking many questions, it's come down to the fact that my CPU is the bottleneck of my graphical performance. What would I do? Get two gigs of RAM and figure out a way of at least getting the X9100 option. If 10-11K 3DMarks is OK with you, your current setup will do nicely. Hope this helps.
     
    TurbodTalon, Nov 27, 2008
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  5. Xirurg

    Xirurg ORLY???

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    can you explain this part?you wont be able to upgrade something bc of ...
     
    Xirurg, Nov 27, 2008
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  6. Fulgore

    Fulgore Notebook Guru

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    Bc I live in Italy, which has a relatively small IT market.
    Here is not any cheap or easy to get extra RAM or Processor.
    No newegg or something like that.

    For example 1GB DDR3 1067 is sold at 90€ (116 USD) + shipping in online stores.
    Same price as Alienware.

    And one T9400 is sold at 325€ (420 USD) + shipping.

    I could buy on ebay too or from international stores, but in that case I'm going to pay import duties that severely reduce convenience.

    And 1.700€ (2200 USD) is my maximum budget.
     
    Fulgore, Nov 27, 2008
    #6
  7. TurbodTalon

    TurbodTalon Notebook Virtuoso

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    I own the M17, and I personally would get a more powerful CPU to more fully realize the graphical capabilities of this machine. That's my opinion though.
     
    TurbodTalon, Nov 27, 2008
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  8. Stone825

    Stone825 Notebook Virtuoso

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    But you pretty much need at least 2GB of ram minimum so upgrade to 2GB then focus on the processor.
     
    Stone825, Nov 27, 2008
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  9. TurbodTalon

    TurbodTalon Notebook Virtuoso

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    I think 2GB is the minimum, so he should be fine.
     
    TurbodTalon, Nov 27, 2008
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  10. bhattsan

    bhattsan Notebook Deity

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    He can always upgrade RAM later, but processor...youre pretty much stuck with for that notebook. Upgrade the proc.
     
    bhattsan, Nov 27, 2008
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