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    Did I just get the deal of the Century? (Genuine question)

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by CxBxW, Oct 27, 2008.

  1. CxBxW

    CxBxW Newbie

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    So I stumbled into Computer Exchange today, and came across this in the cabinet, (2nd hand, but mint condition):

    Dell XPS M1730
    Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T9300 @ 2.50GHz/2.50 GHz
    Vista Ultimate (32-bit)
    4 GB RAM
    320G Hard Disc

    Here's the strange bit: it was listed as having a 8800 GTX, but when I got it home, I found that it actually has TWO, with the option to run in SLI. Obviously the guys at the store didn't realise.


    The asking price was £995, and I snapped it up straight away.


    I'm not very sure about laptops myself (hence this being my first post), but that's pretty good, right? I want to be able to max out Fallout 3.
     
    CxBxW, Oct 27, 2008
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  2. tianxia

    tianxia kitty!!!

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    That's a SWEET deal! you just ripped out that guys eyes.
     
    tianxia, Oct 27, 2008
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  3. redrazor11

    redrazor11 Formerly waterwizard11

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    You're such a smooth criminal :p
     
    redrazor11, Oct 27, 2008
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  4. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

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    WOwww...

    Yes, you DID get a nice deal there :) thats cool.. make sure everything is working fine when you receive it :) cheers.
     
    fonduekid, Oct 27, 2008
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  5. ashrafneo

    ashrafneo Notebook Guru

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    hey bring that back you cheated us.
     
    ashrafneo, Oct 27, 2008
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  6. CxBxW

    CxBxW Newbie

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    Awesome! It was a pretty good day overall, then. :D

    I can't wait to max out Fallout 3. Fingers crossed.
     
    CxBxW, Oct 27, 2008
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  7. MystiklMayhem

    MystiklMayhem Notebook Consultant

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    aw dam congrats on that deal!
     
    MystiklMayhem, Oct 28, 2008
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  8. own3d

    own3d Notebook Evangelist

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    own3d, Oct 28, 2008
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  9. CxBxW

    CxBxW Newbie

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    Another quick question guys...

    I just ran 3dMark06 on my new laptop, and got a score of 5997.

    With 8800GTX 2*SLI and 4GB RAM, does this sound about right?

    Many thanks...
     
    CxBxW, Oct 28, 2008
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  10. Shiandy

    Shiandy Notebook Consultant

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    Nope you should get 12,000+
     
    Shiandy, Oct 28, 2008
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  11. CxBxW

    CxBxW Newbie

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    Darn...

    Any ideas what the problem could be? I did run the test after the laptop had been left on overnight..?
     
    CxBxW, Oct 28, 2008
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  12. FrozenDarkness

    FrozenDarkness Notebook Deity

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    even with a single 8800gtx, that's a really low score. you need new drivers
     
    FrozenDarkness, Oct 28, 2008
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  13. nickbarbs

    nickbarbs Notebook Deity

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    drivers, set your power settings to performance, reinstall vista, w/e
     
    nickbarbs, Oct 28, 2008
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  14. CxBxW

    CxBxW Newbie

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    Hey guys, thanks for the help so far...I never would have got this far if it wasn't for the replies...

    My 3d06 score is now: 11052

    You guys think this is good enough for my setup (listed below). Any tips on how to get this up a bit? I'm running the cards with Forceware version: 174.31. Are these up to date drivers for my card?

    Again, I have:

    Dell XPS M1730
    8800GTX SLI
    Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T9300 @ 2.50GHz/2.50 GHz
    Vista Ultimate (32-bit)
    4 GB RAM
    320G Hard Disc
     
    CxBxW, Nov 3, 2008
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  15. hankaaron57

    hankaaron57 Go BIG or go HOME

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    Single 8800 GTX? I thought the GTX implies the presence of two GPU's...
     
    hankaaron57, Nov 3, 2008
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  16. FrozenDarkness

    FrozenDarkness Notebook Deity

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    nop, SLI means that there are two GPUs, the Alienware M15x has a single 8800gtx
     
    FrozenDarkness, Nov 3, 2008
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  17. Guntraitor Sagara

    Guntraitor Sagara Notebook Evangelist

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    uH oh. not good :p
     
    Guntraitor Sagara, Nov 4, 2008
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  18. Shiandy

    Shiandy Notebook Consultant

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    CPU will be a limiting factor in obtaining a higher score, that said you can get improvements with trying different drivers, and overclocking the GPU's.

    Many run them at 600/900/1500, with good results.

    My score is my sig, was using O/C settings, and the CPU @ 3.4ghz, those with the x9000 can score slightly higher, even getting slightly over 15,000.

    I think your score is ok, and its upto you if you feel you need more, but I tend to base performance in game, rather than trying for the Highest 3d mark possible, as its very heavly dependant on the CPU.

    Final thought's look at changing to Vista 64bit, you wont regret it :) - Gaming performance is better, and its a lot more stable than the 32bit, plus you get full use of your 4gb of ram.
     
    Shiandy, Nov 4, 2008
    #18