CPU to GPU

I'm getting ready for college and planning on a laptop in the near future. I'm a gamer to a degree and I've been looking at a Dell XPS M1530

specs: $1624
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.5GHz/800Mhz FSB, 6MB Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1440x900) & 2MP Camera
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
Size: 320GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT

My concern is: Is that Vcard underpowered to even bother with that much RAM and CPU?
If it is I'm probably going to go the extra buck and settle for a $2000 alienware (dell and alienware are the only brands I'll consider =).

 

With Vista you can NEVER have enough ram. Never. You'll only be able to utilize about 3.2 GB of RAM, but you will have a much improved experience. Everything in Vista feels more responsive as you add more RAM.

As for the processor, you may not be considering it now, but there are a lot of situations where the CPU is more important than the GPU (I.E. any time you aren't playing games: watching video in some cases, editing video/audio/images).

That said, have you considered the fact that over the next 3 months a more powerful GPU will take the place of the 8600m GT? When I bought my laptop for school, I waited till at least July, and it was a good thing I did because I managed to grab the then-new Santa Rosa chipset along with a snazzy 8600m GT!

Otherwise, that is a fantastic system, especially considering the low price. If you are willing, you could wait a couple of months for a better GPU, but if it isn't that big a deal to you go for it now.

 

the 8600gt is great for older games but it will struggle with the latest games. i could not stomach spening $1624 on the 8600. go for the alienware 9750 with sli 7950 cards, 2.0 ghz cpu. 4 gigs ram. you wont regret it!

 

what you mean by "underpowered"?and why just Dell or AW?

 

The next three months? Is that when the implement the Nvidia 9800s?

Well thank you for the advice, but on the subject of Vista: how is it now? been awhile since I last tried it...I'm hoping its better then before. I was planning on just reformat to XP again, but maybe I shouldn't?

 

If you plan on moving your laptop around at all, I'd recommend against SLI systems (or even 17inch systems, for that matter).

 

by that I mean there is a point where TOO much CPU with TOO low a GPU would void even buying such a high CPU in high performance games.

And its really just a personal, obviously stupid quirk to only buy Dell or Alienware...I know their systems...always been happy...never had a failure etc.

 

^world is changing...

 

this is probably my next alt.




[1] Area-51® m9750: 2,094

Operating System (Office software not included): Windows Vista® Home Premium
Notebook Tuners and Remotes: Without Media Center Remote Control or TV Tuner
Video/Graphics Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® Series - 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8700M GT - Enables DirectX® 10 Graphics!
Chassis: 17" WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD - Stealth Black
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7400 2.16GHz 4MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Memory: 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz – 2 x 2048MB
System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 120GB 5,400RPM (8MB Cache)
Optical Drives : 8x Dual Layer Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW)
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Sound Card : High-Definition Audio with surround sound
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service

Should I just plan on alienware for a longer run?

 

just wait a few more months if its for college. good stuff comes out in the back to school season.

 

Final decision: *waiting*


thanks guys

 

Why not get the Area-51 m15x with an 8800m GTX. I think it's the best laptop that has best from both worlds gaming and portability.