GTX 280M SLI or 8800M GTX SLI

Could be the difference between $600 in my two final options.

Any input?

 

Well first, what games do you plan to play and at what resolutions/settings(since I'm assuming this is for some kind of gaming rig).

Second, the 8800M GTX is equivalent to the 9800M GT so it'll be noticeably less powerful than the GTX 280M(which is more powerful than the 9800M GTX from last generation).

That being said, I don't believe it's a 600$ difference, but if you really want to game at the maximum settings...

 

The two options for me are a M17x (GTX 280M) running me $1,800 and a XPS 1730 (8700 GT) $1000, which I'd be looking to upgrade to 8800M GTX.

Granted, I'd still have to find someone to sell me a 8800M GTX...

 

If you're going for an m17x, I'd suggest sticking with the GTX 260M SLI to lower the price. The gains from a GTX 280M and a GTX 260M isn't worth the upgrade price(it's like a 10-20% performance difference IIRC)

 

$1000 for an non-SLI single 8700M GT is really underpowered for an M1730. Get the M17x instead. Not to mention that the M1730 is a fairly old system with a PM965 thus no Quads support. The GTX 260M SLi is great for the wallet if you plan getting the M17x. Aftermarket upgrades for the rest of the other components like CPU, RAM, HDDs can be done later when you start saving up.

 

I'm not quite sure where you got those prices from.

Dual 8800m GTX's (or 9800m GT's) for the m1730 will run you about $700 alone. If the one you're looking at has dual 8700m's, you should be able to sell those for $200-$300, so the upgrade's going to cost you at least $400.

To save some time and energy, you could probably find an XPS already equipped with them for around $1500.

The M17x starts at $1800, but with the only option as dual GTX280m's you're looking at over $2400 (plus tax). With that configuration though, the XPS will have a higher res. screen.

The totals come out to $1400-$1500 for the XPS and over $2400 for the M17x, making the price difference more like $1000 (plus tax).

It's really up to you whether the price difference is justified for your needs.

 

I'm shifty on buying M17x, since my previous build was a M17. The overall design of alienware computers turn me off, so I'd prefer to go for an alternative route. Adding onto that, the beginning price for an M17x is 2k. Plus shipping, GST/PST to Canada is 2.9k. Which really turns me away.

I'd be buying the M1730 from a local contact equipped with 8700 SLI, which, I'm aware is extremely underpowered. Last time I checked, 8800 SLI upgrades for t he M1730 goes for an upward of $1000. But that was last year, I'm expecting by now the prices would have dropped. But even so, I am unable to find prices of this year.

It's SLI 8700. (lol, non SLI 8700 for $1000...)

 

SLI 8700 is not worth it. Even for $1k.

 

There's no way i would get the m1730 at this point! the platform was old LAST YEAR! and don't assume prices if you can't find them. upgrading graphics in a notebook is still rediculous

 

Price dropped on M1730 to $850, worth it?

 

As stated before, it's entirely up to you and what you're looking for.

Chances are, the m1730 will be more than powerful enough for your needs. The question is whether or not you feel that the additional performance (only 2000-3000 points in 3DMark06) is worth the extra money for an M17x.

 

M17x makes my wallet hurt

 

Why does it have to be one or the other though? Is no other option open to you?

You're basically asking between a laptop with a platform 2 generations old or the current most expensive(or at least in the top 10) platform laptop there is.

What uses do you plan to be using both machines for? Gaming? What games specifically? Other uses?

If money is a concern, then it'd be a nice time to be open to other options no?

 

Gaming, I was looking buying another M17. I had a positive experience with my last, and this time around, it would only weigh me in $1.5k.

Edit: they took it off the site.

 

Well perhaps you could get other suggestions in the "What notebook should I buy" subforum? I mean, there are other gaming rigs except Alienwares and Dell XPS's. That's entirely up to you though, if you're really keen o sticking with Dell/Alienware, we can always accommodate

 

Thanks, I'll try that

Edit: I decided that I'll be going with the M1730. Take my chances in the future, and hope the prices on 8800s decrease xD

Thanks for the help guys.

 

That's a good decision IMO. Even though the m1730 is indeed a relatively old design, it is still fairly powerful even by today's standards (not with the 8700m's, of course ). In a couple of years the M17x is going to be just like what the XPS is now.

I'd recommend checking eBay for the SLI 8800m GTX's. Also make sure to search for the SLI 9800m GT's, as they are the exact same card.

 

New Alienware models tend to do that...

 

Are these cards discontinued yet? I can't find them anywhere else but ebay o.o

 

In terms of the cards, the 8800m GTX was retired a while ago and the 9800m GT is on the way out. Of course, the m1730 requires the proprietary Dell design and, since the m1730 was discontinued a couple of months ago, eBay's pretty much your only option left.

 

Woo.

This is good, I love the XPS design.

 

I think if you will have 88m SLI then it is enough for you. There is a long time for games to use quad core. As for GPU, if you are budget limited then 88m SLI is the best option. Im using 88m SLI and can easily max out any game. So why waste so much money for a couple of extra fps. Better get a M1730 for less price with a twin 88m and if possible X9000 or a 2.6 to longlast your gaming.

 

So, I'm buying the M1730 tomorrow and I'd like to know if this is a fair deal for $850.

Processor, T8300, 2.4, 3MB, Core Penryn, M0
Memory, 2GB, 667MHZ, 2X1GB, 512
DVD+/-RW..., 8, IDE M1730, Hitachi Lg Data Storage
Hard Drive, 200GB, Free Fall Sensor, 9.5, 7.2K, SGT-GAL
Physx card
2 Nvidia 8700m gt video cards can be put in sli mode
bluetooth
wireless lan
sd card reader
monitor is 17"
Built on mic and camera, full size keyboard with lcd display Logitech g15

I can't find any price checkers on Dell or anywhere else.

 

good luck with buying the old M1730... even an ASUS G50 would trash it....

 

Maybe with the 8700m GT's by a little, but not with dual 8800m GTX's (9800m GT's).

 

well if he can find any of those GPU's. If u haven't been reading , he hasn't found any of them...

 

$850 is the normal price. You are not getting a very good deal here and it certainly isn't the deal of the century. That said though you are looking at about $1600 total as 8800GTX SLI cost about $700. You might be able to sell the 8700 SLI to offset the cost a bit but I don't know who in their right mind would buy 8700 but someone on Ebay probably would. If it was me I would just save my pennies to get a newer gen gaming notebook even if it did not have SLI.

p.s. There are XPS M1730 sold for $1200 on Ebay with 8800GTX SLI so IMO your deal is not worth it at all.

 

HAHA yeah anyone buying an M1730 at this point in time is CRAZY! especially w/out the 8800GTZX SLI!!!

 

He can get them a little as $620 bucks on ebay Not to mention if he gives them a 8700 they will knock off $100

 

Its 665 now with 9 min left and add $17.30 for shipping. such a specific shipping price.

 

I suggested eBay. There have been several for sale there.

 

The final price reached $710 so your dream of getting M1730 with 88m for 850$ is just a dream. Better increase your budget.

 

well there is always the 9800gtx sli. matter of fact it open for bidding. I had no idea these cards cost soooo much. $710 for a gpu is insane.

 

SLI 9800m GTX's are RARE, so expect $$$. There's some 9800m GT's listed with a buy-it-now of $700, so you'd save $10 compared to the auction that just ended.

 

But 9M series were not successful and appreciated like 88m thats why they were outdated and 280m came in the battlefield.