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    Should i get It?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by tinybrainhurtz, Aug 9, 2011.

  1. tinybrainhurtz

    tinybrainhurtz Newbie

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    I'm looking into purchasing a Alienware M14x from dell.com for $1,099.00. I need a gaming laptop that can run games such as Minecraft, Team Fotress 2, Elder Scrolls Skyrim, Battlefield Bad Company 2, Fallout New Vegas, The Sims 3, etc. at medium to high settings with no fps issues or lag. (Preferably 25 fps and up) I need to know if this is a good choice. My spending limit is $1,100. I am not a computer whiz at all so any help is much appreciated. The computer specs are listed below.

    Processor--Intel® Core™ i5 2410M 2.3GHz (2.9GHz w/Turbo Boost, 3MB Cache)
    Operating System--Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
    Wireless Cards--Intel® Wireless-N WiFi Link 1000 a/g/n 1x2
    Memory--4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz
    Video Card--1.5GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M using NVIDIA Optimus™ technology
    Hard Drive--500GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s
    LCD Panel--14.0" High Def (720p/1366x768) with WLED backlight
    Internal Optical Drive--8x SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Slot Load Optical Drive
    Sound Options--Internal High-Definition 5.1 Surround Sound Audio

    If you need anymore specs feel free to ask. Please leave any answers or suggestions. Thanks for taking the time to read all of this.
     
    tinybrainhurtz, Aug 9, 2011
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  2. Moriarty

    Moriarty Notebook Consultant

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    Your setup will run all of those games you've listed without trouble at high settings with the exception of Skyrim which we have no idea about as of yet given it's not been released.
    Having said that it's been designed from its inception to run on the aged Xbox 360 so I would *assume* that your PC would be ok for it.*

    (*Bit of a general statement and it all depends on the optimization of the final port so if the Elder Scrolls: Skyrim is REALLY important to you I'd advise waiting to be on the safe side.)

    If I were really honest though I'd say you were good to go, really.
     
    Moriarty, Aug 9, 2011
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  3. soulhacker

    soulhacker Notebook Consultant

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    everything looks good....i would recommend and suggest that you change the i5 to an i7 2630 simply for more future insurance...although your i5 can certainly handle all those games...but if your spending 1k+ on a laptop id say make it worth your while and going with the i7
     
    soulhacker, Aug 9, 2011
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  4. Gearsguy

    Gearsguy Notebook Deity

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    Id say do the 900p HD+ screen, i7 2630QM, and youre set. If not, at least get the i7.

    I can tell you skyrim will run just fine. All the games you listed besides TF2 and Minecraft are just console ports, meaning theyre made for running on your xbox, but the m14x is much better at gaming than an xbox or ps3 (just put simply).
     
    Gearsguy, Aug 9, 2011
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  5. Croatoan

    Croatoan Notebook Consultant

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    Both the i7 and the 900p screen are both worthwhile upgrades.


    I also picked bluetooth,6205 wireless and xi-fi. Not essential but were not expensive upgrades and for the most part I probably wouldnt miss them.
     
    Croatoan, Aug 10, 2011
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  6. TheHansTheDampf

    TheHansTheDampf Notebook Evangelist

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    I am contemplating myself...
    I am also trying to find a good sales rep...
    There is no good discount / offer currently.

    I really wanna buy this, but I hate buying stuff and seeing it cheaper the next day :)

    and btw, Hi all!
     
    TheHansTheDampf, Aug 10, 2011
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  7. /Drakk_

    /Drakk_ Notebook Consultant

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    I would get the Killer wireless card if you plan to game on wifi and don't want lag.
     
    /Drakk_, Aug 10, 2011
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  8. TheHansTheDampf

    TheHansTheDampf Notebook Evangelist

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    really? I heard a lot that the Killer card doesnt really add anything.
    Whats the benefit? I thought about it too
     
    TheHansTheDampf, Aug 10, 2011
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  9. Gearsguy

    Gearsguy Notebook Deity

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    It wont add anything, but Ive heard the Wireless 1000 card is pretty bad. I wish they still offered the 6205 w/o wimax. That was the best fit
     
    Gearsguy, Aug 10, 2011
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  10. /Drakk_

    /Drakk_ Notebook Consultant

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    I heard even the 6205 had lag issues in gaming...
     
    /Drakk_, Aug 10, 2011
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  11. smokingjam

    smokingjam Notebook Evangelist

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    how do you know?
     
    smokingjam, Aug 10, 2011
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  12. soulhacker

    soulhacker Notebook Consultant

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    i have the basic 1000 and game on it via wifi a lot and have had no problems
     
    soulhacker, Aug 10, 2011
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  13. Gearsguy

    Gearsguy Notebook Deity

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    I already answered. Bethseda confirmed Skyrim will be "built for Xbox 360", meaning its a console port. Graphics cannot exceed too far past what the Xbox 360 can handle, and the m14x is well beyond that. From videos I've seen, the game looks good, but possibly on par with maybe Dark Messiah which runs at about 80-100fps maxed.


    You can argue all day I dont "know", but 99% sure the 555M can handle a console game just fine
     
    Gearsguy, Aug 10, 2011
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  14. Croatoan

    Croatoan Notebook Consultant

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    I'm kinda thinking the developers are aiming a damn sight better than dark messiah................thats on the source engine lol.

    I'll agree it will be playable at settings at least as good as the 360 will look. Also pretty sure that it will look better on the pc than the 360 by the time the resolution and effects are added.
     
    Croatoan, Aug 11, 2011
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  15. Gearsguy

    Gearsguy Notebook Deity

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    Eh, I found Dark messiah to look more like a 2010 game than a 2005 game lol. All console games will be fine on the m14x though. BF3 and Crysis are the only real taxing games to worry about
     
    Gearsguy, Aug 11, 2011
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  16. Croatoan

    Croatoan Notebook Consultant

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    Thought you were on about Dark Messiah Might and Magic? :)
     
    Croatoan, Aug 12, 2011
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  17. Gearsguy

    Gearsguy Notebook Deity

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    Yeah I am. I was just playing it last night, the graphics are pretty insane for that aged of a game imo. Looks almost on par with Ep2 or Portal 2 (in terms of source graphics)
     
    Gearsguy, Aug 12, 2011
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