Between these, which would you pick?

[kill dank]

So, I'm getting a laptop for my next year of college. I have narrowed my options down to the following couple notebooks. I would like some opinions as to what you would buy if you were in my situation.

What I will need to do with it.

Gaming. I want to be able to play whatever game I want on the max settings. (specifically Crysis 2, since I've been addicted to that for the last few days)
AutoCAD. For the first part of an Engineering-type course.
SolidWorks. For the same reason.
Any 2 of the above at the same time.
Hard drives don't matter, I have a huge external.
Cost does matter

Here are the options.


Dell XPS17

i7 2820QM [quad core::2.3clock, 3.4 turbo, 32nm]
Nvidia Geforce gt 555m w/ 3gb
8GB dual channel 1333mhz

$1800


Sager NP7280

Dual Nvidia gtx 580m SLI [256bit, 2gb gddr5(4total I think)]
i7 990x [3.46~3.73, hexacore, 32nm]
12gb 1333mhz triple channel

$4200


Alienware M17x

i7 2820QM [same as above]
8GB dual channel 1333mhz
2gb gtx 580m

$2800 or $3000 for 12 gb of ram


Battallion 101

i7 990x
12gb 1333mhx dual channel
gtx 560m 1.5gb gddr5
80gb SSD

$2600



X7
i7 990x
12gb 1333mhz triple channel
2x gtx 560m sli 1.5gb, 3gb total.
SSD

$3500

Feel free to suggest others.


Use Passmark if you wanna know how the two processors compare.

Thanks. =]

 

[Noodles :)]

Limitless budget, the $4k one.
otherwise the xps, but if you can downgrade the processor and upgrade the gpu(IMO)

 

[Mr.Guthan]

Alienware? my friend has one and he had no problem with games/ anything.

 

[Noodles :)]

Oh and btw, SLI doesn't double the memory, it just shares it so there'd only be 2gig gpu mem(it's not like you need more then 1gig unless your running eyefinity anyway.

 

[zedarkplauge]

I mean, the x7 is superior but a lot more expensive.

You can't go wrong with building your own computer. If you don't need a laptop I would highly suggest a desktop.

 

[kill dank]

Limitless budget, the $4k one.
otherwise the xps, but if you can downgrade the processor and upgrade the gpu(IMO)

Why downgrade the processor? Just for cost? I do suppose it's relatively the same thing, just clocked higher and more expensive.

And upgrade the gpu from what? What would you suggest other than dual 580m's? Do you think I would be able to run whatever I want with those? I wish I could get a couple hd6970m's but I haven't found any yet in a laptop. And xps comes with just one, not-as-good gpu. I'd like to stay within the top 5-10 mobile GPU's.

I mean, the x7 is superior but a lot more expensive.

You can't go wrong with building your own computer. If you don't need a laptop I would highly suggest a desktop.

Superior to what? I would have to say the Sager is the best of the bunch, just because of the GPU's. And, I have a beast desktop that I built, but I am in need of a laptop.

Basically, can the cheaper ones on my list still do everything I want them to? I don't really know much about mobile GPU's or how much the programs (CAD and Solidworks) use your gpu.

 

[Arashi]

Ill put it like this, if you have good money to spend then get sager np7280.

If not get the M17x one of my favorites.

EDIT: If you don't need a laptop pm me i will link you to a custom built pc part by part for around $1500 could run any game do anything you want at the fastest speed possible.

 

[Noodles :)]

Nevermind, ya no upgrades to the xps 17 with gpu :/
go with whatever fits ya proice range

 

[kill dank]

Ahh alright =\

Would the 2x 560m's run everything the 2x 580m's would run? The 580m's aren't on the site I use for benchmarking.

 

[oxodium]

Sager has the best spec.
Alienware is just a fancy brand, like Gucci.

If you're looking for value for money get the dell.

 

[Noam]

As far as I can tell, you get the best Bang for the Buck with either an Alienware 17x, or a Battalion 101. Though honestly, with those prices, Your budget isn't really that small and you could go with the Sager as well

 

[Noodles :)]

2x 560ms would run most stuff at high i would think. I'm not heaps good with lappie gpus tho.

 

[PublicityFtF]

If I had a gun to my face, I'd buy the first one then another, cheaper laptop that doesn't sound like a fighter jet when you turn it on.

 

[Conclusionz]

I'd suggest the AlienWare just because they have quite a good reputation for computer performance especially when it comes to gaming.