What processor- M15X

Hello everyone. This is my first post here, so hello to all.
I am going to be purchasing a laptop at the end of the summer. That's in just over 2 months from this day. I am looking for a few things in particular, namely:
I need something that I can game on. I want the absolute best gaming laptop available.
I would prefer a 15 incher (yes I do realize that that statement contradicts my first, as 17 inchers tend to be more powerful)
I do not wish to spend more that 4 grand on it.
I need to carry her around to classes with me all day every day.

So I am leaning towards the Alienware M15X because it is 15 inch, has the 8800M GTX and is overall a good book, despite the issues that I keep hearing about. So I have optioned it out like the following:
8800M GTX GPU
4 gigs ram
250 gb Hd @ 7,200
Turbo memory
and here is my second question- the processor!

I do wish to be able to game well on this book, but just how much better is the Extreme processor than the 2.6? Will I actually notice a difference in FPS for games? I know that it is almost 400 bucks cheaper to go with the 2.6er, but maybe you guys have something to say. Is it worth it? I don't begrudge paying the extra dollas, but that's a lot of beer..

So tell me experts, what would you do?

Thanks and sorry for the long post, just needed to get all the info in there.

P.S. If there are any people who know of similar gaming laptops that are available (15 inch or light 17s 8800's etc...) please let me know! I am still very much in the research phase here!

 

I'd go with the 2.5 which is what most of us seem to have gone with its the best performance for your money any higher and its really just a waste of money and more heat to stress the system (downclocking issues to)

 

go with the 2.6 because some have reported downclocking on the extreme processors. save your $400 on something else. you won't even notice the .2 jump, IMO

 

That's what I had expected. I think that you're just paying for the label of "XTREME" when you go for the 2.8. I don't want downclock and I think that the 2.5 or 2.6 will probably have a longer life than the extreme since they run a little cooler. Don't you think?

The next question is:

2.5 or 2.6 Its only like 380 bucks more lol! I just don't know how much I can cut off before the gaming performance will decrease. Also, I do intend to keep this box for a while, will the 2.6 hold its own a few years down the road?

 

i would go with the 2.5 ghz since you wont notice the .1 ghz gain with the 2.6. i cant justify spending 200 more for .1 ghz. the t9300 is the best processor for your money.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Not sure if I asked the question right, but ill try again. If I were to get my setup done twice the exact same except for one has the extreme and one has the 2.5 would that make the difference between me being able to play crisis on high vs med? Im sorry for asking so many questions, but I just dont know what to do here

 

I recommend the T9300 (2.5Ghz) to everyone because:

1) good bang for your buck
2) fewer issues
3) More Cache
4) the .1 or .3 increase to the T9500 or X9000 won't be noticeable. (all other processor features are the same, except the X9000 has an unlocked clock multiplier (disabled on the m15x))

 

in Crysis, you can run one of the 7000 series processors (mirom cores), rather than the T8000/T9000 series (Penryn) and you can still get full frames from the 8800M GTX.

if you just want to do light web browsing/IM, then games, the T8000 series is good.

the T8000 has 3MB L2 Cache. the T9000's have 6MB (better for multitasking).

 

Awesome. I would say im definatly looking for something in the 9000 series then. Thanks for that info. I had origionally banked on going with the Extreme, but if I can save 600 bucks and not notice its gone.... im down! I think ill go for the 2.5 just because from what I am hearing I think that my gaming performance won't be effected that much. Thanks.

 

glad to help

another happy T9300 user

 

I know you asked about processor, but you did list the specs you're going after. Please, buy your own RAM and save about $250.