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    Need help picking Alienware 18 mid 2013 or 17 2015

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by Cerreta28, May 31, 2015.

  1. Cerreta28

    Cerreta28 Notebook Evangelist

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    hello every one I'm trying to figure out if I should get Alienware 18 and I'll put two 970m sli in it .. I will be in it for 2100 or go with the new 17 with one 970 leave it how it is till I need the amp .. Let me know thanks Guys!!
     
    Cerreta28, May 31, 2015
    #1
  2. Scanner

    Scanner Notebook Deity

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    From what I understand if you get one of the newer models you will be stuck with whatever configuration you selected. You will not be able to upgrade the CPU or the GPU, since they are soldered to the MB. Also, I think the GPU is only 4GB vram, as opposed to 8GB. But, you will be able to get a giant attachment which will allow you to insert a desk top size GPU, a 980, or even titian x (I think) The AW18 is dead, Dell has chosen to kill it. The 880m was the last approved GPU. The 900m cards will require you to jump through hoops to get them to work. I haven't followed on whether the OC throttling was fixed. All this being said I would get the AW18, I like changing things and doing things I want to do with I product I've fully paid for. The newer models are locked down and only the hdd and maybe wifi card can be changed, and I have no interest in an external GPU that needs to be lugged around.
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2015
    Scanner, Jun 1, 2015
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  3. Aroc

    Aroc Notebook Consultant

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    I was in a similar boat. I decided that I preferred the socketed AW18 over the soldered AW 17 R2. I like to have machines that I can pull apart and change hardware. Also, I was not happy with the reduction of RAM capacity from 2013-2014 models (32GB) to 2015 models (16GB). You can see I purchased a AW18.

    I have a friend who just ordered a 2015 AW 17 R2. For him weight reduction in 2015 was a big deal. Also there are always pricing deals on the current models. He couldn't get an AW 18 down to those levels without doing refurb or used, which he wanted to avoid. We were able to get this:

    AW17 R2:
    Intel core i7-4710HQ (quad, turbo up too 3.5 GHz)
    17 inch FHD touch screen, IPS, glossy
    NVIDIA 970m 3GB
    16GB RAM
    128GB M.2 SSD + 1TB HDD
    16GB RAM
    Windows 8.1 Professional + USB Flash drive recovery disk

    Bought off Amazon:
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO M.2 500GB ($195)
    Dell 180 watt power adapter (+$50)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 4, 2015
    Aroc, Jun 1, 2015
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  4. Juang1985

    Juang1985 Notebook Deity

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    get an M18x R2 with the cheapest gpu u can possibly get then upgrade to 980ms. Keep in mind upgrading to the 980ms is quite a bit of work, but is the most powerful cards at the moment. If ur in for the challenge after your done you wont be disappointed.
     
    Juang1985, Jun 1, 2015
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