Gaming Dell Replacement for Clevo D900T

Well, my Clevo D900T finally took a dive, it will not boot to bio and thus will not load the OS. I have been using this notebook primarily for gaming, F.E.A.R, GRAW, and so forth. I realize that I need a 256MB or higher card to run these game efficiently. I have decided to stick with DELL, I have own 2 dells and they have not given me any problems.
I have narrowed my choices down to the 1. XPS 1210m, 2. 1501, or 3. 1720.
I am unsure of the correct processor, since I will doing some gaming, what processor should I look at. I am only expecting $500 to $1000 for my broken D900T, so I will be looking at something under $1000, used.

Any suggestions, recommendations, or information would be appreciated.

 

Well, I just want to say thanks to all the 52 members that have viewed my post but have not bothered to provide any help, greatly appreciated.

 

LOL@ your above post. For gaming on the cheap, you can't beat Dell. You should be a little more specific about screen size and other options you are looking for...that will focus the responses you might get.

I would have a look at the Vostro 1500 (15.4"). For gaming within your budget, definitely try to go with a C2D processor and 256MB 8600M GT video. Right now, you can get a *new* Vostro 1500 with a T7100 (1.8 GHz), 2GB DDR2 RAM, a 15.4" XGA display, and an 8600M GT for $909. You can make the processor a T7300 (2.0 GHz, 4MB L2 Cache) for an additional $80. The extra 2MB in the cache may be useful depending on what games/software you will run...I'll let someone else comment on the benefits.

 

Mux1,
Thanks for the reply and information, I just find it funny that most will not post any reply when they have some helpfull advise. I was looking at 17", but if i can just get a gaming notebook under $1000, I will be happy with that. I am also just thinking about saving the money for the desktop , but I would like to have gamer notebook to play online with my son . Thanks again for the advise. Any additional information from other members would be appreciated.

 

Well, I looked over the Vostro 1500 and then found the 1700. Explain to me why does Dell sell all HOME/OFFICE PCs and notebook for a Higher cost then the Business??? I configured a 1720 at basically the same as a 1700 and the difference was about $300 higher. Anyways, once I get some cash for the broken Clevo, I will make my decision.

 

Well, sure enough, I did the same components and the 1720 is about $300 more then the 1700, ??? Huh?? Same notebook, but one is home and the other is business.

$1,524 for Inspiron 1720
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7250 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
SYSTEM COLOR Jet Black
DISPLAY Anti-glare, widescreen 17.0 inch display (1440 x 900)
VIDEO CARD 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
MEMORY 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
HARD DRIVE Size: 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
WIRELESS CARD Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card
INTEGRATED WEBCAM No Webcam Option
BATTERY OPTIONS 85Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0


$1,259 for Vostro 1700
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7250 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic
LCD PANEL 17.0 inch Wide Screen XGA+ LCD Display
MEMORY 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM
HARD DRIVE DUAL HARD DRIVES, 240G (2x 120) 5400RPM SATA hard drive
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X CD/DVD Burner w/ double-layer DVD+R write capability VIDEO CARD 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GT
MEDIA DIRECT Dell Exclusive MediaDirect™ Instant Play Software Application
WI-FI WIRELESS CARD Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Wi-Fi Mini Card
WEBCAM No Camera
SOUND OPTION Integrated High Definition Audio

 

Hey Espi.

Leave it to Dell to have probably one of the more puzzling pricing structures in the industry. When you factor in battling to find coupons, ecoupons, Labor Day sales, $ xxx off sales, etc., you hardly ever see the same price for a given system for too long.

I've seen Vostro and Inspiron prices seesaw as far as which one was more expensive after similar configurations were selected. I had 2 reasons for buying an Inspiron: I caught the $325 off coupon and free shipping from back in August and I refuse to ever own another black-on-black interior colored laptop again. My previous daily gamer, a Toshiba Qosmio F25, was insanely impossible to keep clean and oil-free, though for some people this is entirely not an issue.

But I digress. If cost is a big factor, I say go with whichever configuration is the cheapest. Going 17" also leaves a little more luck on your side that Dell may release a higher end graphics card down the road since you have a bit more thermal leeway. People will bring up stuff to worry about: grainy screens, a "crippled" 8600 because of DDR2, CPU whine- IMO no laptop is perfect. The screen thing isn't limited to Dell (you just here about it more because of the sheer massive amount of Dell owners), the DDR2 8600 is not too shabby, especially if you plan on overclocking it a bit, and the CPU whine is hit or miss, as some people don't notice it, some people do and don't mind, and some people want to rip their ears off. Again, everyone is different.

Oh, and another thing. Yes, I know that the Asus', Sager's, and MBP's of this world all have DDR3 8600 variants, but believe me when I say that A) You never know gaming bliss until you experience just how quiet the Dell's run, even on full load. (My buddies G1S, though definitely not very noisy, is noticeably louder and higher pitched, as well as constantly running.) B) The cooling is ridiculously efficient in that you can actually game on your lap if you were so inclined to and not suffer from 3rd degree thigh burns.

I say do it.

-Brian

 

configure the 1720 and use the 425$ OFF coupon and you will save some money