Need a Laptop with a Good Graphics Card

Hey, I currently own a Dell XPS M1710 with a 7900GS. A pretty good graphics card. I'm able to run the latest games on decent settings. However, someone has offered me $400 for it. So now I'm debating about whether or not I should sell it, and buy a newer laptop with a better graphics card. My price range is $600. What do you guys think I should do? My 1710 works fine, but it's bound to eventually give out. I don't necessarily need a new computer, but it would need to be a computer in good condition still.

~Scott

 

Well with $600, you really don't have much to work with.

Don't expect to get an enthusiast video card (9800M, GTX 160/260/280 M)with that budget but you can probably get a decent laptop with a 9600M GT or something like that if you get a good deal.

 

I forgot to mention, but I need a Computer with an external DVI or HDMI port. VGA might be ok too.

 

If you mean a total of $600 after selling the old one, I would wait.

Your best bet right now is a G50vt refurb on Tigerdirect for just under $700 I believe.

 

With $1000 you could get the new Asus G51 with a 260M. It's downclocked because the laptop runs hot, but still a powerful card. If 600 is your limit, it will have to be a refurb and you're looking for an Nvidia 8800/9800 or Ati 3800.

 

What if I could go 700? Also, all those cards sound fine, I just don't know what laptops have them in it. I just want something that's a considerable upgrade from a 7900GS.

 

The G51 has a quad core in it? If that's the case, I'd be willing to shell out 1000 for it. Where would I buy it for that price? I don't see it for less than 1300.

 

The quad core versions are $1699.

The $999 version which is $1050 atm can only be found at Best Buy. They are really a steal since the GTX 260M is the most powerful videocard that you can get right now in a 15 inch laptop and it can easily be overclocked to stock 260 clocks.

 

well i welcome you to read about the Asus g50vt x5. a reviewer/heavy mod guy named "Clutch" has done tons of testing and an indepth review on this unit and for the price point (under/around $700) your not going to get a better computer sorry but its just honesty.
read his review and you must decide what you think you want
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=385027

now since i previously owned the dell XPS line(yes all of them gen2, m170, m1710, m1730) ill go ahead and outline some of the differences you can expect.. my m1710 was 7950gt video but its very similar and at the time was good graphics but not tops..

- you will be going from 17"(1900 x 1200) to 15.6"(1366 x 768)
*note my sli 8800gt, m1730 had trouble playing games in 1900 x 1200*

- you will be going from 256mb 7900gs(m1710) to 512mb 9800gs(what more can i say.. lol)
*note you can flash the 9800gs to the higher clocked gts*

- you will be going from the standard keyboard(m1710) to the FULL size keyboard on the g50vt x5(number pad IS nice)

- you will be going from the Core Duo to the Core 2 duo
*note even the top core duo is weak compared to the core 2 duo*

- you will be going from a lower speed memory to high speed DDR2 800(fast)
*note the g50vt x5 comes standard with 4gig mem*

- you will be going from a standard dvd burner to the Lightscribe drive
*note lightscribe is standard on the g50vt x5*(and also pretty cool

- you get a logitech type gamers Lcd (only available on the m1730)
*standard on the g50vt x5*

- Hard disk(drive) is bigger on the Asus g50vt x5 but who cares about size they are both 7200rpm(important for gamers)

- Asus g50vt x5 does have both Vga and HDMI outputs, m1710 does not have HDMI output

There are many other things but you get the idea plus if you read some of my posts you'll see my asus g50vt x5 gets better benchmark and better vista experience then my sli m1730 did(and by default ANY m1710). The Asus has the nice lights and bells and whistles that scream POWER GAMER plus it backs it up even vs the alienware m15x( yeah, O.O).
Now here is the single most important thing for you to consider
*** your selling an outdated, out of warranty, Dell XPS m1710 and buying an Asus g50vt x5, system released early 2009 with a WARRANTY(even refurb has 3 months) ***
easy choice huh... call your friend and sell that thing "fast a gogo", gamers(hell, everybody) need a warranty!!
~dave

 

The laptop processor in my XPS is the T7200 which is a Core 2 Duo, however if I check the benchmarks, the Asus computer has a much better processor hands down. Thanks for your very detailed post bro. I put my laptop up for sale on ebay since the guy who contacted me from craigslist hasn't responded. Either way, it'll be nice to have something perhaps a bit more portable, and a battery that works. You've essentially sold me on the computer. Thanks bro

There wouldn't be any benefit to waiting and doing this in 2 or 3 months would there? I probably won't be gaming until then anyways.

 

If you don't mind used or refurbished you could pick up one of the gateway fx laptops for around $600-700. 8800 or 9800 gts, decent core 2 duo, hdmi out, I have been using mine everyday since February 2008 and its still running strong, no heating problems, nothing broken.

 

The benefit is in a few months everything is that much older so ofcourse its that much cheaper , but at this time(considering your price point) id bite the bullet, since the refurbs will sell out and they wont have the newer version refurbished for awhile(but even though i love my Asus) there will always be comparable models from competitors to choose from at that time. another thing to think about is the fact that if you get a pc in say 4months it will most likely come with a win7 upgrade.. but to me(my opinion only) id stick with vista 64bit, since a new OS for the first 12-18months means massive compatibility issues, drivers...blah blah i.e. headache

 

Bah, the 17 Gateways look nice. Really nice. I'll see what I can sell my laptop for, and then make a decision about what I can buy. I'll probably make a new post when that time comes in 5 days. Thanks so much for all your help guys!

 

are these laptops that I'm looking at, do they have 64bit processors?

Edit: I'm running windows 7 on my current computer. Bro, let me tell you... It's wonderful. I love it.

 

All Core 2 Duos are 64-bit capable.

 

Get a M17x with 2,53 quad and 280m SLI. I think that can hold the first place in a line for a while

 

would the notebook cooler, keyboard, and razer be included?

 

dude your crazy... the top configured Alienware m17x is (OMFG skip the post if you get sick easy) $8498 and the bottom is around $1800 go to alienware.com and see for yourself.. his pricepoint is under $800-900