Any advice buying a MX15 used?

I have been looking around for a nice Alienware without breaking the bank so to speak.I found a nice one on Craigslist for $650 and i am kind of wary looks great and no defects from the pictures he posted. Worth the Risk or no?

 

I picked up a used Alienware M15x for $300. Just check it to make sure it powers up and there is no damage. With craigslist you are always playing a gamble. What are the specs?

 

windows 7 home premium I7 Nividia geforce ftx 260m

 

That sounds like a deal if you can get it. When you meet with the person, just make sure it boots up and works properly. Also make sure to get his info so you can contact him incase there is an issue. It may be wise to check to see if the fans are working properly and they blow air out normally. Once you get it, you can upgrade it and it will last you quite some time!

 

It's always good to check the Windows error logs and even benchmark it if you have the time.

 

Benchmarking is a good idea, but often times someone will format the machine thus erasing the error logs. It's a good idea to check but It won't hold much weight if it's a fresh install. maybe bring a copy of memtest and test ram and the hard drive if they have time.

 

The M15x can take real punishment. It is unlikely it won't work. It is just most people don't see the potential of this machine. It is old after all.

 

All things considered if you want a decent gaming laptop you can get an asus Asus 15.6" TouchScreen Laptop Intel Core i7 8GB Memory 1TB Hard Drive Q550LF-BSI7T21 - Best Buy without the upgradablilty of an m15x. The rub is this. They will never be better than they are. They might have a little wiggle room but not nearly what you would see out of an M15X. You can get a good used laptop for around 600 to 800 that would perform ok but they will be outdistanced severely by any modern game.

The M15x is worth the risk if you are willing to spend a little money. You can build your own for about 400 to 500 that's without a cpu or graphics card. The parts are all over ebay and I have a parts list if you need it. a I7 920xm will run you $200 to $250. A 7970m can be had for 250 to 350 and then all you need is a psu 210w to 330w will do. You can also buy an m15x r2 used for anywhere from 300 to 600. The cost is about the same but the M15x is a beast with a 7970m 680m or 8970m (after I get the kinks worked out). It'll run anything on the market pretty well but it is dated. Get a 1080p screen if you can. Dell has some with the bezel. 142.99

Good luck to you

 

Oh I'd say it's worth the risk, if it's off of craigslist why not go check it out first!

 

Where did you get the 1080p screen with the bezel Eepo?

 

Eepo what is your CPU passmark score for your OCed 2920xm?! I can break 7600points so far which apparently is stock 2920xm score.

Would be interesting to know the difference!

 

Milk the 1080p screen with bezel and connections is sold by dell. call 1-800-357-3355. The part number is C088T. The issue is this. My laptop originally had the 900p screen and I bought a 1080p screen and installed it myself without the bezel. It required quite a bit of cutting with a hot knife and my bezel was all scratched up by the previous owner(I don't understand spending that much money on a laptop and then letting it get beat up). Turns out on a whim after the install I called dell for something else and got it in my head to ask about the screen apparently they sell the complete screen with a new fresh bezel for 159.99. You can talk them down but it depends on who you get. I ordered one but they told me it doesn't come with the bezel and connections even though the first person I talked to told me it was the complete piece. So I am taking a chance and I'll let you know when I get it if it's complete.

 

I will gladly check that when I get home king. I'm at work and I left my m18x at home.

 

love my m17x i bought used, looking into buying a m15x r4 for the wife. found one used but it has the i3-370m and a gtx260 w/ 150w adapter . What best reliable graphics card that can go in it? says it has the G028t liquid crystal display 15.6hdf+wled ?? guessing thats 1080p?

 

That's the 900p screen. The i3 may handicap a modern graphics card so I'd consider putting at least a 720q in it. but if you can get a 920xm and a 7970m. You'll need a 210w or a 330w psu and a modded L-adapter to run at full speed. I'd do all of those upgrades if i was gonna game on it. It's a beast like that but if it's light use then go with a 580m or a 5850m.

 

Here is my passmark cpu score oced lightly. I'm getting some throttling on my cpu and I believe my 330w may not be enough anymore. I'm testing it out.

 

Very nice! Only OCed lightly? 4.2ghz is pretty high!

I calculate your score is 24% higher than mine. 4.2ghz vs 3.73ghz. So 11% higher clockspeed plus the fact that sandy bridge is considered to be 10-15% better clock for clock seems to be spot on!

The 920xm is pretty incredible for it's age! Now to push it to 4ghz on all cores....

 

I am a big fan of the 920xm. It's working beautifully but it would be nice to put a 2920xm or 3940xm in this bad boy. I wonder if I could mod a m17x board to fit? haha

 

Pin-out is completely different between 1st gen and the later 2 (2nd and 3rd), also the pin-out (BGA) of the chip-set is completely different as well. For 2nd and 3rd gen - both the socket pin-out and the chip-set BGA are the same. So, if all you need to run 3rd gen on 2nd gen MoBo, is to swap the chip-set, you have the option, though I'm pretty sure it's just a BIOS away (there are Mini-ITX MoBos compatible with both generations).