Question about Dell xps 15" laptop.

Hello,
I recently purchased a dell xps 15 laptop but I am curious of whether or not I should cancel my order and downgrade a few of its components.
I ordered it with a i7 Quad Core Processor, 8gb of RAM, a Nvidia 2GB 435M video card, and with a 1080p resolution.
I will be using this laptop for gaming/movies as well as schoolwork.

1) Is this much RAM overkill?
2) Is it even worth the 1080p on a 15inch screen for games? Will I encounter problems?
3) Will I encounter problems with overheating?

Thank you.

 

the 1080p is the option you should definitely keep.
1366x768 720p in a 15.6" screen is only about 100 pixels per inch, which is about the same for desktop screens. Laptop pixel densities should be higher, because generally you're a bit closer to the screen.
It may be hard to work efficiently on 720p, as content will be huge.

While downgrading the CPU, RAM, or GFX might be a disadvantage for high-performance applications, downgrading the display will be a disadvantage for basically everything you do.

The resolution on the 1080p screen will make your computer feel like it's worth more than a cheap store-bought laptop.

RAM: depending on the games, you'd probably be OK with 6 or 4, but I'm not too much of a gamer so I've never monitored memory usage during a resource-intensive game. (only gaming I do is Wii emulation, and the M4400 in my sig is enough for most Wii games besides Mario Kart in multiplayer mode)

Also, the quad core processor will not support Optimus (switchable graphics), so your battery life will be slightly worse, combined with the fact that the 435M draws more power than the 1GB graphics option.

If you have to downgrade, here's the order you should do it, ranging from "(1) you can probably do without it" to "(4) definitely keep it"
1. 8GB of RAM
2. 435M (because the 435M won't let you select the i5)
3. CPU (to an i5)
4. 1080p Display (I highly recommend keeping this)

 

Thank you, you have been extremely helpful!

Since the gap in price between 6GB and 8GB of ram is pretty minor I intend on keeping all of my specs the way they are.

How will the heat be though? With my specs the way they are should I invest in some sort of cooling pad?

 

I have the same specs as yours except I got the 720p screen. It runs pretty cool, The fan turns goes from med to high and back to med again playing games but the temps stay under 85c.

 

Wow why didn't you opt for the B+RGLED 1080p while everything else having good specs??

 

I bought it from Dell Outlet, $800 after the discounts.

 

You're telling me you got a i7, 435m, and 8gb for $800 even if its refurbished? That's unbelievable!

 

Yea, I got really lucky, my brother wanted a new laptop so I was browsing the Dell Outlet. I saw Dell was giving out a 20% off coupon on Dell Outlet's Twitter so I bought a laptop for myself as well. His was only $650 after the discount.

my specs:
Core i7 740QM
8GB RAM
640GB HHD
Intel 6200-N with Bluetooth 3.0
nVidia 435m with TV tuner
Backlit keyboard
720p screen

 

Just upgrade it to 1080p
There are a few WLED 1080p's around that are cheaper than the B+RG 1080p panel, such as the one used in the Studio 15, that should work inside the XPS 15.
Shouldn't cost more than $125 for a panel. You might even be able to find a B+RG for that cheap, you just gotta look

 

Yup, I actually have two 1080p panels right next to me but it seems the ribbon that comes with the 720p screens don't work with the 1080p screens I purchased. I'm calling dell tomorrow to see if they can sell me the ribbon cables.

 

I can confirm that this is correct. I had my screen upgraded to the 1080p and the Tech did not originally swap the ribbon. When he turned on my laptop we thought at first something was wrong with the new screen. Then he went back in and replaced the old ribbon with the new one and presto, it worked perfect. Although both ribbons look the same, they are not.

 

Do you by chance have the part number for the 1080p ribbon cable?

 

^ Don't have the part number, sorry.