New DTR Laptop

Looks like my funding will is finally coming through in the next few weeks. I am looking to upgrade my Alienware m5500 laptop with a DTR class laptop.

I will be using this for gaming {mainly} and standard computer operations {word proc/web surfing etc}. We have no real space available for another desktop {my wife uses the cheap desktop we have} so I use a laptop on the dining room table which requires me to be able to quickly take it down.

I will keep my m5500 {which has been a great laptop except for a weak Video card} for traveling and playing at work and the new laptop will be used on the table, plugged in and not moving so size and weight will not be an issue.

I have been looking at the Sager 9262 and now am looking at the new Alienware M17. I am still leaning towards the Sager {even though my experience with Alienware has been great} because it still looks more powerful. But I have a few questions.

1. What is the difference in heat generation between the 7200rpm hard drives and the 5400rpm drives?

2. Will the 9262 be able to take the heat from the Q9650, two 9800GTXs and the 7200rpm hard drives?

3. What is the performance difference between DDR2 and DDR3 RAM? Will it be noticeable?

4. What is the performance difference between the 9800GTX SLI and the HD3870 Crossfire?

Pricing things out, the Alienware comes in slightly over $1,000 cheaper than the Sager, but it looks like the Sager still outclasses it.

 

an alienware with same config as a 9262 is $1000 cheaper? how is that?

 

there is no performance increase between DDR2 and DDR3... if there is it is so slight you would never notice. the main difference between the two is DDR3 maintains battery life a bit better...

and from my uderstanding the 9800GTX in SLI is the better way to go... the only hope i have heard from the 3870 crossfire is if they come out with some awesome, actually now that i think about it... that was comparing the 3870 to the 9800GT in SLI.... so ya 9800GTX in SLI def the better way to go, not sure on exact numbers though

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=317213

had a very similar discussion myself might wanna check it out

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=317401

and another!

 

you can take a look at ocz whitebook maybe?

 

1.- Any of the newer (320 / 500 GB) 5,400 RPM hard drives are as fast as the previous generation 200 GB 7,200 RPM hard drives, due to density, while consuming less voltage and generating less heat.

2.- Yes, it would, it has the best cooling system ever seen in a laptop.

3.- Performance is pretty much not noticeable if there is any performance increase at all, DDR3 is pretty much just a newer standard rather than a real improvement.

4.- The 9800m GTX SLi has proved to be more powerful than the HD 3870 Crossfire, for now, both cards are newly-released and their drivers are still immature, we'd have to wait and see which one is more powerful once drivers start exploiting the cards.

 

If you decide you want the Alienware, do your wallet a favor and buy one from Xotic PC or Killer Notebooks. They are the exact same laptop (minus the alien head).

Now, if you want true desktop performance and need it for work stuff like CAD, 3-D rendering and editing, then get the 9262 for the desktop Quad proc. If you just want a really nice gamer that can handle anything the average Joe can throw at it with ease and be easier on the wallet, then get the Arima WD840i (aka Alienware M17, OCZ Whitebook, etc...)

Edit: Hrm, I must apologize. This is a first for me. Usually AW is extremely overpriced. I just made nearly identical configs on all of the above sites. AW and Xotice are within 10 dollars of each other. Killer is abit higher. Still, I would stay away from AW on principle alone.