XPS M1710 or Vostro 1720

Hi,

I've just bought a Dell XPS M1710 and I'm unsure whether I've made the right decision (They haven't delivered it yet). SO would like some help please.
Specs for comparison:
M1710 Vostro 1720
- T7200 2gig 667 FSB - T7500 2.2gig 800 FSB
- 2gb Ram 667 - 2gb Ram 667
- 7900GS 256mb GPU - 8600M GT 256 GPU

Now my issue is this: The Vostro has a faster CPU but a slower GPU, while the M1710 vice versa. Which will perform better when gaming bearing in mind the following points -
1) the 8600GT has DX10 while the 7900GS does not
2) the M1710 has a slower CPU
3) another point worth mentioning is that the M1710 is significantly more expensive than the Vostro.

So 3 questions really:
1) Does the M1710 outperform the Vostro in games and if so by approx how much?(limit answers to this configuration pls )
2) If point 1. true, then is the increase in performance worth the increase in price? (I realise this may be up to me but your opinion would be appreciated)
3) If I should want to upgrade the M1710's CPU to a T7500 800FSB or higher, is this possible? Can the mainboard accept this CPU or will I have problems.

Hope someone can help?
Thanks

 

Well here is just my opinion, I got worked over nicely last time I bought a Dell XPS M170, I bought it and 25 days later their new model came out. It was my first notebook, so I was shocked at the leaps and bounds the new model was better than the M170, and I was just outside the return window. So no more Dell for me, even though I acknowledge that I should have researched more.

One, I find it odd you going for the M1710 when the M1730 are out already, two there are other notebooks in the same desktop replacement category you can look at.

I just ordered the Clevo D901C, from Xoticpc, check it out, you may be surprised at the cost and what it contains, so far the people there have been very helpful:

http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np9261-ultimate-custom-laptop-built-clevo-d901c-p-1932.html

Dell M1730

http://www.dell.com/content/product...=us&l=en&s=biz&cs=555&a=14~0~43&navla=14~0~43

Btw, Dell did the same thing as they had done to me when I brought out the M170, the M1730 was available via a special promotional code, even whilst they were still clearing their M1710 stock... so make of that what you want.

 

The Dell XPS M1710 is so not worth it. Get the Sager NP5791 (built-on Clevo M570RU, for more info on Clevo see the Clevo Guide), it is a far better machine inside and out. You can get an excellent configuration for under $2k. I have tested both machines and I wouldn't even consider the M1710 after laying hands on the NP5791. My full review of the NP5791 will be up at the end of this week or early next.

The D901C that was mentioned above is also a great machine to consider but it is a huge beast.
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3783

 

Of the M1710 and Vostro 1720, I'd advise the Vostro because the price is undoubtedly much lower. The 7900 GS is a better video card - approx. 3750 on 3dmark06 vs. 2700 for the 8600 GT (DDR2 model) - but I'm guessing the M1710 is about 1.5 times as expensive. It depends on how die-hard of a gamer you are - the 7900 GS will deliver better graphics, but the 8600M GT (DDR2) still delivers quite good graphics.

As to upgrading the M1710's processor - you cannot drop in a Santa Rosa processor (T7100, 7250, 7500, 7700, 7800, X7800, X7900) into the non-Santa Rosa M1710. You could only upgrade it to the 2.16 GHz T7400 or 2.33 GHz T7600 - probably not worth it in either case.