M18x video card question

So..here is the computer I just ordered. My question is about the video card. Specs first.

Alienware M18x Space Black Anodized Aluminum
313-8792 AlienFX Color, Quasar Blue
317-6848 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz (4DIMMS)
317-8645 Intel Core i7 2860QM 2.5GHz (3.6GHz w/Turbo Boost, 8MB Cache)
318-0770 Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio
318-0843 Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader, BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW
320-2269 18.4-inch WideFHD 1920 x 1080 WLED
320-2799 Dual 1.5GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M NVIDIA SLI Enabled
331-2425 Standard Nameplate
331-2428 Alienware M18x 330W A/C Adapter
342-3649 500GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s
410-0548 Adobe Acrobat Reader
420-9691 DataSafe Local BackUp
420-9956 PC Restore
421-0092 DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG
421-4838 Roxio Creator 2011, Upsell
421-5099 Alienware Command Center, M18X
421-5813 Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 bit Service Pack 1, English, w/Media
430-4150 Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 a/b/g/n 3x3 MIMO Technology
461-8389 Anti-Virus included With Dell Advantage Care
469-0549 Bluetooth 3.0

I am reading that people MUCH prefer the 6990 video card. How do you feel? Is it possible to get the 6990 later and swap? I'm not sure if it works that way.

Thanks all.

 

The M18X has to be pretty much torn down to the bare motherboard to access the video cards/CPU. So its not a simple pop off a cover to replace/upgrade graphics. Honestly the SLI setup is not bad, shouldnt cause any overheating as they run pretty cool and Nvida drivers have been very good as of late. There have been a fair bit of driver issues and overheating problems in the M18X with 6990s, but they are a pretty powerful setup that should be good for years to come. Good luck with your decision.

 

I won't be doing anything major then. I just thought I'd ask. Thanks!

 

The performance difference between the 6990m's and the 560m's is pretty significant. It would be more than worth it to drop the RAM, CPU, and HDD down in order to make that upgrade.

 

if you can vouch the stash i advise its better for 6990m or 580m, then you can do the upgrades later for the ram, hdd and if you save enough money, a 2nd gpu. it also depends on if you select ati or nvidia, since both are on par given at stock. but imo there's a huge beef between 6990m and 560m, honestly even the 6970m is better than 560m. honestly if you are going for a dual 560m its better to spend it on 580m or 6990m and upgrade to 2nd gpu later, if you have the budget that is

 

So...can someone help me understand this. Again, I don't speak comp tech speak. what will the 6990 do that the 560m won't?

 

A AMD Radeon HD 6990 will do the same as a Nvidia Geforce GTX 560m, only it will do it faster.

 

And...allow more FPS (smoother gameplay), higher in game settings such as maxing shadows, AA (smoothing images), and it will have more longevity (be able to play new games for a longer period of time before having to be replaced).

 

example

lets say in one game, you use 560m, and you experience slow downs, you set down the graphics to let's say high to medium. now you can play the game fluently.

2nd scenario, you are using 6990m, imagine the very same game where you use 560m. you make initial settings all in ultra. and still you can play the game smoothly.

 

I think you guys are forgetting that they are in SLI. The performance is not very different between a 560m SLI and 580m. At least, not as drastic as you guys are making it out to be. The 560m SLI s can pretty much max out all but maybe one or two ultra demanding games. The 580m is about on par with that. The difference between a 560m and 580m is very drastic, but not when it's a 560m SLI.

 

560m in SLI is not almost as powerful as 580m in SLI. I see more of a comparison between 560m SLI and 5870's in XF or a 480m in SLI. 580m's in SLI will eat 560's for lunch.

 

They're talking about 560s in SLI vs a single 580.

 

The 6990M will own the 560M SLI anytime anyplace... If u get Dual 6990s, that would be way better option.

 

yeah, i forgot he asked for 560m sli, by the way it is really impractical to compare a single gpu to a dual gpus.

to the OP, yes you can get the 6990m later if you want to, in the end it really depends on what budget you have and what are you willing to sacrifice now if you want to upgrade for the future.

you can go to 560m sli yes, better performance than the single 6990m. in the long term imo, you can just stack up a single 6990m, and buy the 2nd gpu later, if you wanted nvidia, then 580m now, 2nd gpu later.

the thing is if you wanted the best now that your money can buy (2 560m's), or wait later when you have enough cash to double it down (have 6990m now and upgrade later)

still, your cash, your choice.

 

True, however that's all you can get. You're maxed out with both in SLI. Whereas a 6990M/580M can almost match that alone and then double that firepower in CFX/SLI themselves.