Is the m15x video card upgrade worth it?

Currently, the m15x offers the
512MB ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3870
and the
512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 9800M GT

What kind of performance gain can I expect from the 9800M GT? I see 3dmark scores, but about what does that translate to in fps in popular modern games? The MAJORITY of my gaming is cs source on a 9800M GS (g50vt-x1), but I'd like to have SC2 as smooth as possible when that does come out. Here and there I'll play some more modern games for fun but it's very occasional.

The reason I'm shying away from it is the $350 upgrade tag. I'd love to have it, but at a dollar more a day it damn well better be worth it.

Last random question, will it be possible to change out video cards on this laptop should I decide to buy aftermarket after prices fall? I'm already going to buy preconfigured with the slowest processor option and upgrade it myself in the future when I have the spare cash.

 

Well the HD3870 performs around the level of your 9800M GS while the 9800M GT would provide a small boost over it. I mean, it's there and noticeable(maybe 15-20% in some cases), but IMO it's not worth a 350$ tag upgrade. But that's just my opinion.

Since SC2 isn't out yet, final system specs aren't confirmed so we can only speculate how taxing it'll be. Looking at screenshots though, graphics don't seem too intense so I figure either GPU should handle it ok.

As for upgradeability, I'm not sure which type of slot Alienware uses so idk if it's possible. Just to tell you though, I doubt prices of high end GPUs would fall that much, even a few generations forward. OLd GPUs from 1-3 generations ago still cost 500$+.

 

1 - no it's not at all worth the $350. Stick with the 3870. In fact, neither GPU is enough of an improvement over the 9800M GS to justify spending the $$$ for a brand new notebook.

2. don't buy an m15x. There's a newer version coming out soon, and the current model is very poorly built.

 

A big motive of me switching to the m15x is actually because I

1. hate the battery life on my current g50vt-x1
2. starcraft 1 does not run on it without having to restart the video card
3. I'd like the option to change which video card is used as well as the power consumption. Hot laptops aren't fun in this weather.
4. touchpad drivers are un-usable on the g50vt-x1 (so no touchpad-specific sensitivity is settable nor edge motion)
5. wanna get rid of it while I still can get a decent wad of cash from it
6. Sale is going on right now on the m15x

Any idea when the new m15x is coming out and the price tag on it?

 

Obviously your decision but:

(1) You can get a 9-cell battery to improve life quite a bit since it only comes with a 6-cell, so should see 50% improvement.
(2) What do you mean Starcraft 1 won't run, and what is meant by "restart" the video card?
(3) TouchPad drivers - I'm not sure what features you need. For me the default windows drivers have worked great for me on every notebook I've used.
(4) I hear ya there about getting decent resale. But heed the other advice about the m15x.

Maybe consider the Sager NP8662. I went that route and so far am loving it. You can get one comparably equipped to the M15x for $400 cheaper and it comes with the GTX 260m which is newer and apparently slightly better than the 9800m GT. Just something to consider. Visit xoticpc.com to check it out. Or save even more money by going with the 1680x1050 (-$125) screen instead of 1920x1200, which for a 15" IMHO is a better resolution. NP8662 also has upgradable CPU and GPU.

 

the g50vt-x1 has a really big known issue of not being able to use the default synaptics touchpad drivers. Keyboard response lags if you use them. Default windows drivers don't support edge scrolling, mouse-separate touchpad sensitivity, palm check, and even the damn keyboard touchpad toggle buttons.

Another known issue is that Starcraft 1 does not run on the g50vt-x1 after coming out of standby, screensaver, or hibernate, the gameplay will lag beyond playability (some bug with the video card drivers, nvidias newer versions make the problem worse). I'd buy a 9 cell but it costs a fortune for this model ($150) and I can't justify it if I have so many other problems with this laptop.

I'm looking into the sager right now as well. The aesthetics of it seem a bit too subtle for my taste, though, although the power is there. If the sager had a lighted keyboard it'd be a done deal.

I know there are better price/performance options out there like the sager but no one has a damn lighted keyboard, smartbay, and video card control/toggle >.<

 

I strongly second this

 

Yeah, they do add some nice "extras" to the Alienware line, so it's all about if you're willing to pay for them. Obviously a matter of personal preference.

The Sager has a classic look to it, and no real bling. But considering that the GTX 260m is quite a bit more powerful than the 3870 and I can get the Sager for cheaper than the m15x with the 3870, to me the Sager is the best option.

 

I really like Alienware and if you do go for it I would recommend getting the 9800M GT I can vouch for it's performnace in game. But I have to agree with the other guy's and say the Sager NP8662 with GTX 260M is better value for money.

 

About Starcraft 2....Blizzard games have never been particularly demanding. Garanteed a low end GPU will run it no problem.

 

I concur. Blizzard has always catered to the lowest common denominator. They concentrate on gameplay first and foremost. Graphics come in second, and by this I mean, they don't go cutting edge by any means. If anything, it might require a decent powered CPU to manage all the units, but a GMA 4500MHD will probably be more than sufficient.

However, considering they're eliminating LAN play as we know it, who knows... but back to on-topic.

Alienware is good, just at a pricing premium. If you want longevity I think the 9800m GT is the way to go, especially if you're running at native 1920x1200 and insist on running at the native res. That's the other thing, I'd consider the 1440x900 in either case if it is to be used primarily for gaming.

 

I had a ASUS G50Vt myself, but I for one liked it very much. You can tecnically flash the 9800M GS to the 9800M GTS so you won't notice too much of a performance difference with the 9800M GT in the M15x or the slower 3870. Now seeing as you don't like your ASUS G50Vt then I'm sure you wont much like the newer ASUS G51Vx so as it has already been mentioned your best bid is the Sager NP8662 which also has the GTX 260M (basically an overclocked Geforce 9800M GTX).

 

Let's bet some money on the bolded. Screenshots and gameplay videos say otherwise.

 

warcraft 3 when it first came out was not catered to the lowest denominator of that generation. Only the top tier systems could handle it smoothly.

 

Not sure if that is entirely true mate. That's the minimum spec's, so you can imagine what would have run it nicely. At that time 64MB GPU's where already common.

•400 MHz Pentium II or equivalent
•128 MB of RAM
•8 MB 3D video card (TNT, i810, Voodoo 3, Rage 128 equivalent or better) with DirectX® 8.1 support
•700 MB HD space
•4X CD-ROM drive

 

Starcraft 2 will require at least a 128MB video card.