XPS 17" vs. Precision M6500 vs. Alienware M17x

Hi,

I'm looking for a laptop to use both for college and some gaming. Though I do want something that is 17". I already have a netbook if I need portablility so this is not going to move to class too much.

Any thoughts between these 3? I think Precision is only one that goes to ___x1200 screen and the other two are ____x1080?

What factors should I look at to decide?

Thanks!

 

For anything gaming related, I have to say I've had nothing but problems with the Quadro GPUs on Precisions. (This is in part due to my computer being effected by the Nvidia Settlement, but I have had experience with other Quadro laptops black screening on games like World of Warcraft at all min settings, min resolution.)

To be honest, the advantage of a Quadro has never been made clear to me; and for general purposes; the demands of games will typically be higher than any regular use application you can throw at it.

I miss the 16x10 aspect but it's getting harder and harder to find anything not 16x9.

 

Why not consider the M17x R2? You can get them cheaper now as the R3 is out.

The XPS 17 is not for gaming whatsoever. M6500 Quadro can game but it is meant for CAD.

What is your budget?

 

Don't forget that you can get the M6500 with the FirePro M7820, too, instead of the Quadro. It doesn't game quite as well as the 5870M it's based on, but it still does a very good job. It's also a lot cheaper than a Quadro (albeit still more expensive than a 5870M...).

 

I'd say the XPS can be fine for gaming if you're not expecting max settings for the latest games - if that's your desire, then Alienware is the way to go.

But if you only game casually like TF2, and playing on max settings isn't important to you, XPS can do fine

Also +1 to your budget - gotta know that, as well as what you mean by gaming - hardcore? casual? what games do you typically run?

 

Well, I play Starcraft 2 and Heroes of Newerth right now.

I guess I don't need max graphics settings. But I do want smooth.

Budget is semi-flexible. I have more than enough money but don't want to be overpaying. I'm looking for a good price/value I guess.



For example, I specced a XPS 17" with the 2720 QM and 8 gb ram and 555m GPU and everything for about $2200.

For almost exact same thing but only GPU change to the 460m on the Alienware seems to run me something like $3000.


Not sure if that's worth it?

 

The R3 3D costs 1799 dollars. Only thing you need to do is upgrade the CPU to 2720. Keep the amount or RAM stock you can get it cheaper elsewhere.

 

Thanks for your help!

What about the wireless card?

Is the Wireless card with MIMO needed? I'll be mostly (99%) on wireless and not LAN when running my computer.

 

I am in this same boat. I got got my XPS 17 3D with the 2630 i7+6gb ram+ 500 GB HD+ 555 3GB gpu but without the glasses.
I am seriously thinking about upgrading to the m17x just for the colorful leds and so I can get a blu-ray and hdmi input. But Im looking at about a $350-$400 difference. Any ideas or suggestions?

Where do they sell the R2??

 

You can always update later besides with 3D screen the Wimax wont work.

Hidevolution

 

Precisions are NOT for gaming...Quadro cards are NOT gaming cards...AT ALL!

I'd look into the new XPS 15's....but if you really want a ginormous laptop, get the XPS 17...3D!

Whatever you do, make sure you upgrade to the 3 year ONSITE warranty!

 

They sure can game. Certainly better than current XPS.

 

Well, I guess I only have experience with the NVS Quadro from the Latitude line...the 3D scores are absolute donkey doo. I'm not super familiar with the newest Precision models...

But when I say 'game', I'm not talking Counter Strike...I'm thinking Crysis...2.

 

Latitudes don't belong in the same league as Precision. Simple as that. My card, m7820. is based on ATI's 5870m.
I'm gonna wait and see what the new M6600 has to offer, and if it's anything below my expecations, then I'm gonna upgrade to FX 5000m which is based on GTX 480m.

 

7820m game as well as 5870. It's the same gpu but with different bios

 

Unfortunately, no, it doesn't game quite as well. The difference isn't usually noticeable, but it's there.

 

ATI FirePro M7820 - Notebookcheck.net Tech

ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 - Notebookcheck.net Tech

differences ?

imo different drivers can affect on games.

my 3dmark06

 

It is usually still about 100-300 3DMark06 off from the 5870M. The vBIOS used in FirePros still make it a bit less optimized with the Radeons. However by softmodding the Catalyst drivers to the FirePros, the performance gap is use negligable.

For instance here is my result for my FirePro w/ Catalyst 11.4 Preview and Overclocked to 800/1075 under the 3DMark11 benchmark:

http://3dmark.com/3dm11/887226;jses...m11/887226?key=D9vBFWLMBhhnXbU6PF7x9zZypyqACb

Score: P2362. A few 3DMarks off from an equivalent 5870M but not enough to affect true in-game performance.

You sure have cash to burn. A new Quadros 5000M is like THREE GRAND in US Dollars!

 

What do you mean softmodding?

 

Basically modding the .inf configuration file in the Catalyst driver installer to trick the installer that your FirePro is a "Radeon" and will install the driver. That ways, you are able to make your FirePro use Catalyst drivers and not be forced to only use FirePro drivers.

 

good to know Thanks.
Have you got any links to these drivers?

 

I whipped up a guide on how to do this for the HP Elitebook 8740w. I think this should also work for the Dell Precision M6500 FirePros.

So follow the directions here: Driver Softmodding Guide.

However, don't use the driver downloads I provided on the guide since those were for 11.1. Use these to acquire the Catalyst 11.4 Preview: ATI Catalyst 11.4 Preview.

Basically find the .inf files that has a string similar to the layout of the .inf string that I mentioned was the 11.1 Catalyst. Mod the files, save and then fire up the installer. Then click to continue installing the driver, even though it is not WHQL approved (well it shouldn't be since we are already modding them to work on hardware that is not officially supported ) then volia! You are now on Catalyst 11.4!

Let me know if you have any further problems. You will see in GPU-Z that the Card is called "ATI Mobility Radeon 5800 Series" and the drivers should be 8.843.20 (Catalyst 11.4). In the CCC2 Control Panel though, the card is still referred to as a FirePro with all the FirePro options still available.

 

Star Forge
+1 thanks

 

Check out this thread for upping the performance on the XPS 17 with GT555M:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/566206-overclocking-gt-555m-card.html

I figure the XPS 17 has a really good price for what you can get. Note that the 3D option is hardwired into the mobo, so you can not upgrade to 3D later without swapping the whole mobo.

 

IMO the precision is for professionals and that line of work hence the high res screen. The alienware is for people who like the looks and dont care about money and i think the xps is best of both worlds, it can game at high levels, not as high as the AW but close, the gt 555 can be overclocked as fast as a stock gtx 460. The xps has a more premium professional look than the AW but not as much as the precision but can also be used for pro work.

I wouldn't recommend 3d on the xps as you lose optimus which can get you 5 hours battery life compared to about 2 without it. You lose the 1080 screen unless you have a non 3d option but i think the 1600x900 screen is ample for me.

In the end its up to you and the xps is probably the cheapest (depending on country)