Yes another "What should I get thread"...

[booboo]

Okay getting a new laptop soon and I posted on msghelp but it's slow compared to here - and it's good to have lots of opinions.

First of all:

Intel? Core? 2 Duo T8300 2.4GHz (3MB Cache 800MHz FSB)

OR

Intel? Core? 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz (6MB Cache 800MHz FSB) (this one is ?67 more!)

And the GPU:

512MB NVidia? GeForce? Go 8800M GTX [+?330]

512MB NVIDIA? Quadro? FX 3600M [+?396]

- the benchmarks for the 8800 are better, but why is the quadro is more, and what else beats the 8800?

And

Intel Turbo Cache Memory 1GB ? Accelerate Data Transfer Speed [+?33]

_ IS this worth it, will it make it alot faster (I will have 2GB of ram)

And the HDD:

Single Drive Configuration - 320GB 7200 RPM SATA with Free Fall Protection

Single Drive Configuration - 400GB 5400 RPM SATA [-?25]

- I am assuming the 320 is better overall.

Thanks :)

Incase your wondering its alienware - don't tell me to go for another make. Alienware is what Im going for, I'm not changing my mind.

[former1]

Before you read my post please note IM NOT AN EXPERT!!! :p These are my opinions and I may be very very wrong!

The difference between the processors isn't that great at first sight, I'd say go for the 2.4GHz as you won't really notice 0.1GHz difference, but the 6MB Cache vs the 3MB Cache will speed things up (I think) so I'd go for the 2.5GHz.

GeForce series is for gaming, Quadro is for design applications like 3D etc. so I'd stick with the GeForce Go 8800M GTX. Unless you'll be doing a lot of CAD then go for the Quadro.

The turbocache things I've never understood, but I see them as more of a gimmick than anything useful.

I'd go for 7200RPM you will notice quite a difference between that and a 5400RPM harddrive, but NB it will suck up more of your battery life!

[Also I know you said not to say go for another make, but Dell own Alienware and I'd say their XPS brand is on par with alienware just you're not paying for the badge - but there I said it, take that with a pinch of salt ;P]

[booboo]

Okay, and I know dell own alienware. But dell are so "common" and alienware are different. And I stray away from the crowd :D

[former1]

Fair enough :) I'd also wait before acting on my advice, just to make sure people can confirm what I've said!

[booboo]

Thanks...

/me waits for rest of people to help me :D

[over50]

Forget either of those harddrives. Get a 64gig SSD drive as your primary. If alienware doesn't offer an SSD option wait a tiny little bit because they are bound to offer that anytime now.

[booboo]

THey offer a 128GB SD and a second hard drive but the SDD is ?458... screw that

[Chemaz]

I would personally go for the T9300 due to the extra cache and the slight speed increase, though performance wise i wouldnt say there's too much difference between the two

defo go for the 8800, quadro is only really for cad

Not entirely sure wot the turbocache is for, i think it might be for vista to store its Readyboost data, but i could be wrong

And defo go for the 320 hdd, the speed of it is defo worth it over the extra capacity

[chconline Veteran]

I'm sorry but getting an Alienware is probably one of the worst decisions. Just avoid it, seriously. Having an Alien face on your laptop lid does not make you cool.

Probably taping that $1000 in $100 bills that you pay extra for that laptop makes it more unique.

[former1]

I'm sorry but getting an Alienware is probably one of the worst decisions. Just avoid it, seriously. Having an Alien face on your laptop lid does not make you cool.

Probably taping that $1000 in $100 bills that you pay extra for that laptop makes it more unique.

I'd listen to chconline, he knows what he's talking about - as can be seen from his posts around neowin.

[Martyn]

Alienware is for the stupidly rich and stupid.

[booboo]

I'm sorry but getting an Alienware is probably one of the worst decisions. Just avoid it, seriously. Having an Alien face on your laptop lid does not make you cool.

Probably taping that $1000 in $100 bills that you pay extra for that laptop makes it more unique.

Like I said, I don't want this to turn into an alienware debate. It's not a bad decision, I would like one and that is what I'm getting. Sorry to be rude, but it's something that cheeses me off.

I'd listen to chconline, he knows what he's talking about - as can be seen from his posts around neowin.

True, but like I said.. read above.

Alienware is for the stupidly rich and stupid.

Not really, they're well specced out, even if you do pay a little extra for the lights (which I love :p)

[Cadium]

Alienware is just another overpriced brand name these days, it's really not worth it. If you absolutely have to, get a Dell XPS notebook or get something even better. I've heard great things about Sager Notebooks.

[chconline Veteran]

If you're after the LEDs, tons of laptops has them. Dell XPS gaming laptops, Asus G-series, etc. Waste of battery life tho IMO.

Just remember the purpose of buying a laptop. Computers are less about brands than cars are. There's absolutely no point of that. Even at that, get an Apple laptop, those are the ones who's leading modern industrial design, not Alienware.

It's your money, you have the right to do whatever you want with it, but we're recommending on behalf of your best interest. Other than that, there's nowhere we can start.

I'd listen to chconline, he knows what he's talking about - as can be seen from his posts around neowin.

Aww thanks, I feel so honored :blush:

[booboo]

We're moving away from the original subject of the thread. BTW just for your interest, Dell owns alienware... Says it all really.

ANYWAY... Which ones should I go for?

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Go for the Intel Core 2 Duo T8300. The extra ?67 isn't worth the performance increase. Also, go for the GeForce 8800M GTX. The Quadro FX 3600M is a workstation graphics solution for CAD, DCC and visualization applications. Most consumers won't need any of its features. Don't go for the Intel Turbo Memory. I've read many forums where people had decreased performance with it. Your RAM will be sufficient enough for gaming so don't worry. And finally, go for the faster 320GB HDD.

[DavidM]

We're moving away from the original subject of the thread. BTW just for your interest, Dell owns alienware... Says it all really.

ANYWAY... Which ones should I go for?

It says what really? That you can buy a XPS with the same specs for less than an Alienware? What does Dell owning Alienware have to do with anything? It tells me that the same parts available to Alienware are available on a Dell, that you can buy cheaper....

Back on topic, buy the most flashy expensive overpriced parts available, that way they match the laptop.

[booboo]

Go for the Intel Core 2 Duo T8300. The extra ?67 isn't worth the performance increase.

But what about the extra 3mb cache?

[McDave]

With the options you have provided us I gues you are intrested in the newer more expensive model (mx17x). One thing I will agree is that it looks much better than the ugly 17" XPS (in my opinion). Is true with Alienware you are paying for the form factor but then again people purchaced the macbook air? (before anyone starts I am not anti mac)

[booboo]

[1] Area-51? m15x

Design & Display: Silver Skullcap Design

Display: 15.4" WideXGA+ 1440 x 900 LCD (720p) with Clearview Technology with Webcam

System Lighting: Alienware? AlienFX? System Lighting - Aqua

Operating System: Genuine Windows? Vista Home Premium - English

Graphics Processor : 512MB NVidia? GeForce? Go 8800M GTX

Processor: Intel? Core™ 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz (6MB Cache 800MHz FSB)

Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 512MB

Turbo Cache Memory: None

System Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 320GB 7200 RPM SATA with Free Fall Protection

CD/DVD/RW: 8x Dual Layer Writer (DVD?RW, CD-RW)

Sound Hardware: Intel? High-Definition Audio (24-bit, 192Khz) with surround sound

Keypad: Alienware? Area-51 m15x AlienFX? Keyboard - English

Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel? Wireless 4965 a/b/g/Draft-N Mini-Card

Additional Power: Additional Battery - Alienware? m15x 6-cell SmartBay Additional Battery (Silver)

Warranty: AlienCare 3-Year Free Phone 24/7 and Collect & Return

AlienContact: Added Bonus with any AlienSupport Selection

AlienContact - Remote Alienware Support

they are the specs of my new beast! im upgrading the ram too 4gb myself

thanks for your help