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    $200 to spend

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by mwg3c, Apr 19, 2011.

  1. mwg3c

    mwg3c Notebook Guru

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    So this is my current configuration:

    XPS 17
    Genuine Windows® Home Premium, 64-Bit, English
    2nd generation Intel® Core™ i7-2720QM processor
    8GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 Memory
    Standard Keyboard - English
    17.3" FHD (1080p) with 2.0MP HD Webcam
    NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 550M 1GB graphics with Optimus and TV Tuner
    500GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
    Tray Load Blu-ray® Triple Writer (reads and writes CDs, DVDs, BDs)
    Sound JBL 2.1 Speakers with Waves Maxx Audio 3
    Intel© Centrino© Advanced-N 6230 and Bluetooth 3.0
    92 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery


    I have $200 more to spend and was wondering if I should upgrade the i7 processor to an 8280 or upgrade the graphics card to the 555M.

    Would picking the 8280 upgrade be a no-brainer?
     
    mwg3c, Apr 19, 2011
    #1
  2. Whelkman

    Whelkman Notebook Enthusiast

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    Unless you never use the NVIDIA card at all, the 555M is likely of greater value.
     
    Whelkman, Apr 19, 2011
    #2
  3. James D

    James D Notebook Prophet

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    If you ever play games - upgrade GPU. or leave money for SSD.
     
    James D, Apr 19, 2011
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  4. mwg3c

    mwg3c Notebook Guru

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    Well I don't really play games, so I'm thinking the 8280 would be a good choice. Does the 8280 provide a good speed boost over the 7270?

    Also, does the 555M help with Blu-Ray movies, streaming videos, HDTV, etc or is it just for games?
     
    mwg3c, Apr 19, 2011
    #4
  5. Scott_RC-TEK

    Scott_RC-TEK Notebook Deity

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    I would stick with the 2720 since the 8280 does not offer a large enough improvement (less than 10%) to justify the high additional cost. Likewise, I suggest the 555M since it is a very nice mid-range GPU that will serve you well along side the 2720 in regards to anything you want to do with HD media. Remember, you can always upgrade the CPU when costs come down, but you are stuck with the GPU you choose now since that section is not upgradeable.

    Scott-
     
    Scott_RC-TEK, Apr 19, 2011
    #5
  6. ollie2001

    ollie2001 Notebook Guru

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    Don't forget a backlit keyboard :)
     
    ollie2001, Apr 19, 2011
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  7. James D

    James D Notebook Prophet

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    take that numbers of your GPU model, devide them on 2 and resulted graphic card will still be very able to manage "Blu-Ray movies, streaming videos and HDTV". If I understood processor's model (it looks like typo) then it will give you just 1 step (133 Mhz) and even less in turboboost.
    Better buy SSD aftermarket
     
    James D, Apr 19, 2011
    #7
  8. mwg3c

    mwg3c Notebook Guru

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    Are non-gamers going with the 555M as well? I was under the impression that the only benefits the 555M provides over the 550M is for games...
     
    mwg3c, Apr 19, 2011
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  9. myth1001

    myth1001 Notebook Guru

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    If you don't plan to play games on your machine, there's no point in getting 555M. Like others said, save your money for a ssd.
     
    myth1001, Apr 19, 2011
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  10. mwg3c

    mwg3c Notebook Guru

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    Thanks again for the advice guys. I may just keep the 550M and the 7270 since I'm not a gamer and the 8280 isn't a big jump up from the 7270 (from what I hear).

    Any suggestions on an SSD to purchase?
     
    mwg3c, Apr 19, 2011
    #10
  11. James D

    James D Notebook Prophet

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    For 200$? Samsung 470 is very well but 128GB version costs 240-250$. Vertex 3 costs 290$. Crusial C400 is also good but don't know how much it costs. If all that is too expensive then... OCZ Vertex 2.
    Intel is too expensive and his ONLY advantage is low level of defects.
     
    James D, Apr 19, 2011
    #11