Higher Ghz or Higher Cache?? ( M1730 )

[shippuuden]

Ive been convinced to buy an DELL M1730, But i dunno what cpu to go for, the 2.8ghz 4mb cache looks nice, but would the 2.5ghz 6mb cache perform any better?

Also on there website, even though you can choose 4GB of ram, you cant choose Vista 64bit...whats the deal with that? when you order will it automatically know you need 64bit for the 4gb of ram ?

And on a side note, the complete package ive choses adds up to 4.3K, for around the 4k-4.5k mark is there a better performing laptop than the M1730?

[NSanity]

The 2.8ghz chip is overclockable - not sure about the 2.5.

No Vista 64bit doesn't ship with the laptop - however all the drivers are availiable from Dell. Your Vista Ultimate license entitles you to the 64 bit edition (so I'm told) and thus its a matter of getting the media.

As far as can you do better for 4-4.5k? Depends how much you value after sales support.

I wouldn't buy a 1730 right now anyway - unless the 8800 GTX's are an option now (if they aren't - they will be soon).

[shippuuden]

8800's are not an option at the moment.

i was considering the SAGER that has them, but on the website now they are saying they wont have them until the end of the month, and for only 1,000 extra 3d marks i don't think its worth waiting for anyway.

edit : also the only vista options are "vista home premium", "vista ultimate 32bit" and "windwos xp pro"..

so even the ultimate only has 32bit available...

[NSanity]

Originally Posted by shippuuden

8800's are not an option at the moment.

i was considering the SAGER that has them, but on the website now they are saying they wont have them until the end of the month, and for only 1,000 extra 3d marks i don't think its worth waiting for anyway.

Err. Its a significant improvement - almost 50%. Dell are claiming 13500-odd 3DMark06 marks vs 7000-odd.

edit : also the only vista options are "vista home premium", "vista ultimate 32bit" and "windwos xp pro"..

so even the ultimate only has 32bit available...

You misread what I said. Dell has drivers for Vista 64 - and the Ultimate license ENTITLES you to Vista 64. What doesn't happen is Dell doesn't ship you the media.

As far as SAGER etc goes - they don't have a factory presence in Australia, I'd never buy one because I simply wouldn't get the support.

[shippuuden]

hang on, maybe i read it wrong but if i remember it correctly..

the m1730 gets 8000 3d marks with 2x 256mb 8700GT's, and the sager gets 9000 3d marks with 2 x 8800 512mb cards? how is it 50% increase? the sager would need to clock at least 13k to be a 50% increase?

Also, on the dell website i cant change the m1730 from 2x 8700GT's into 2x 880GTX's, so im guessing its not available yet? or do you buy it separately as like a card expansion or something?

so confused right now

edit : also, if we buy the one with the 8700gt's, can we later upgrade it to the 8800M's? or once we buy it are we stuck with that config?

[NSanity]

Originally Posted by shippuuden

hang on, maybe i read it wrong but if i remember it correctly..

the m1730 gets 8000 3d marks with 2x 256mb 8700GT's, and the sager gets 9000 3d marks with 2 x 8800 512mb cards? how is it 50% increase? the sager would need to clock at least 13k to be a 50% increase?

I thought the Sager was only 8800M's, not 8800M GTX's. That can perfectly explain the difference.

Dell claims the 13,500 points with their laptop - not Sager.

Also, on the dell website i cant change the m1730 from 2x 8700GT's into 2x 880GTX's, so im guessing its not available yet? or do you buy it separately as like a card expansion or something?

Obviously its not availiable in AUS yet. It is availiable in the US - usually we follow soon after. I actually own an M1730 - and am looking at upgrading (which you can, see the picture of the card in the Dell Blog).

PM HellsAngel here on these forums - he is an Account Manager from Dell (as far as i can gather) and may have info about their release for you.

[shippuuden]

your looking to upgrade the video card only? or are you going to sell yours and buy the new one with the 8800's? or do you send it back to them and they swap or upgrade?

if we can upgrade just the video card later in time then i don't really mind, i just didn't think that was possible with laptops for some reason.

[NSanity]

I'm not sure how the upgrade process works - Until the part arrives, I can't comment with authority.

I'd imagine its an exchange service with a reduced cost.

[shippuuden]

Ok i just spent about 30 mins trying to configure this laptop so i can buy it from the dell website.. but everytime i try to change the cpu to the 2.8ghz cpu it sais my value code is wrong..

cant i just get rid of the value code and start from scratch?

im using the 3,000$ one as a base to build on, the only thing i want changed is the CPU to 2.8ghz and the RAM to 4GB..

if i used the 4,000$ one as a base to start with it gets way to expensive, i dont want there crappy blue ray drive and 400GB hdd's, i got over 5TB worth of hdd now so i dont need it lol..

any help?

Also, with direct deposit can we do it online through an internet banking thing, why do we have to go into a bank and do it ?