E1705 choices

Ok..I was trying to choose between the following two configurations (option A & B). My ideal rig is Option C.

Computer will maily be used for surfing, watching movies and data processing. No gaming at all. My ideal price is $1000. That's probably not going to change even though the difference between my ideal setup and the cheap setup is only $300.

Same on both:
Intel Core Duo Processor T2300 (1.66GHz/667MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
17 inch UltraSharp Wide Screen UXGA Display with TrueLife
60GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive

Option A:
Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz

Option B:
256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1400 HyperMemory
512MB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz

Option C:
256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1400 HyperMemory
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
60GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive

Option A prices to $1548, less the 300 mail in and the 200 off coupon...Total price is $1048.

Option B prices to $1627, less the 300 mail in and the 200 off coupon... Total price is $1127.

Option C prices to $1837, less the 300 mail in and the 200 off coupon... Total price is $1337.

Is the GMA 950 that bad if there's going to be no gaming? Thanks for the advice.

 

The GMA 950 will be fine if you don't do gaming. It will display everything fine...DVD's programs, whatever you have...but for the price you can't really go wrong. Personally I would go for option B just because it is the best of both worlds.

RAM is easily upgraded aftermarket and for alot cheaper.

Just my $.02

 

From what I've read.... the GMA950 should be fine for non-gaming.

Not sure what kind of 'data processing' you plan to perform, but that might point you to more RAM either from Dell or DIY and save a few bucks.

I have the WSXGA+ and would suggest you give that some thought. I like it...

For 'general' laptop use the 5400 rpm drive should be fine. Unless you're doing some video work [and even then you'd be wanting a separate hard drive anyway] a 7200 rpm drive might fall in the 'nice-to-have' category. Heat has been mentioned in the past as an 'issue' with the higher rpm drives, but I can't say where that stands now....

Looks like a decent/'nice' system no matter which way you go....

Good Luck

Mark

 

Hmm,

I think if your not doing any gaming at all taz, option A looks healthy to me I have a similar system on the way to me.

I've been looking around myself about the Intel GMA 950 as i wanted to know certain things. modern day first person shooters i.e DOOM III, F.E.A.R, HALF LIFE 2.. they won't run good on it at all! but go back 3 or 4 years like the first half life that should play, also strategy games should play. The new Battle for middle earth II game from ea supports the GMA 950 and that has only just been released. bare in mind that will probably be low setting.

I know your not using this for gaming but i'm just letting you know it's not completly useless when it comes to it just not for a hardcore gamer. but for all your other things it should be good.

Hope this helps in a way.

Happy choosing!

 

I'd choose B, from what I've seen it looks like if you choose B you at least have the upgrade path option with the graphics card that you won't get with A. RAM is dirt cheap also, you can buy some more later.

You may not think that you want a good gfx card, but it's silly to spend a hunk of dough on a rig and have no options later...

 

its not silly, it's saving money. he doesn't play games
don't see why he needs to spend an extra $100+ for something he doesn't need? note you'd also choose B because seeing you have a Go 7800 awaiting you, your an avid gamer. which this person is not.

 

Like I said, it keeps your options open. That's a reasonable reason . If the decision was so easy then he wouldn't ask us for opinions, eh?

Of course, if you're sure you won't be interested in upgrading, then by all means go with the integrated.

 

I guess so,

In the end it is for him to decide.
The laptop i've got coming has Intel 950 gma. I am a gamer, but that's what i've got my desktop pc for. my laptop will be for chilling about in the lounge or in the garden

 

Thanks for the opinions guys. I understand where you're coming from Nigel.

My main concern with the GMA is it's ability to play movies without being choppy, dropping scenes, pixelating or synching up video witht the audio. I'm a huge movie geek and would hate to throw a movie in and have it be so-so.

To be honest, I haven't done a whole lot (read: any) research on manually upgrading GPU's in laptops so I don't even know where to buy one.

And as always, $ is a concern.

 

As said on the inspiron E1705 page..

The integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 lets you enjoy movies and video with fast motion and impressive clarity.

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/pro...aspx/entnb_e1705?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

 

Well, that's advertising, they would say that wouldn't they? .

At least it gives you a possibility: if you don't believe that it does do all that maybe you can swap it for the dedicated card for free ^_^

 

Hmm.. i wonder if i could do that O Muhaha get on there case saying it doesn't do what they advertised. lol

Get a free dedicated one lol. no in all serious i don't need dedicated. thats what my desktop is for.

Anyway taz the decision is yours.. i think it would run fine from what i've heard, the intel does great at things like that, video playback etc. just not at modern gaming.

 

Not that it is a definitive test, but I did watch a bit of 'Star Wars Revenge...' to see what it looked like on the laptop.

Seemed fine/nice to me...

Nothing really 'jumped-out' at me wrt...

Things along those lines would [based on my understanding] be related to CPU performance [mpeg decoding] and/or the DVD drive itself

fwiw

Mark

 

Go to the link,

It will give you some info, and also there confirms the intel 950 does the job with dvd's etc.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2757