AW/DELL Ordering Advice - How to save $$$

[Kovalen]

So that was ALL discounts EXCLUDING the student $200 GC and 5% GC? $3942 down to $3328 (is this before tax)? Also, that's a $614 difference.

Well, as I had said, after tax it was $674 (makes me feel better about spending $3500 if it's the bigger number). Gift cards were another $366.

They were nice enough to let me use the 10% off code, then haggle a bit.

[robininni]

Well, as I had said, after tax it was $674 (makes me feel better about spending $3500 if it's the bigger number). Gift cards were another $366.

They were nice enough to let me use the 10% off code, then haggle a bit.

Well, nice job I say!

[JMDC]

Hello OblastSRT4, could you please email the contact info of that rep?

Thank you.

jmeiri @yahoo dot com

[Platelock]

Hello guys! So glad that I found this forum. I have always been a desktop build your own system guy but now I am realizing that I would much rather have a laptop and am looking at purchasing an M17x R4 in the next week or two.

Spec wise what I am looking at ordering is this..

PROCESSOR 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3720QM (6MB Cache, up to 3.6GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0)

MEMORY 12GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz

HARD DRIVE 750GB 7,200 RPM + 32GB mSATA Caching SSD

VIDEO CARD 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 680M

LCD PANEL 17.3-inch WideFHD 1920 x 1080 60Hz WLED

WIRELESS CARD Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO for Gaming & Video and Bluetooth 4.0 edit

INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)

$2769.00

Also looking at purchasing the Orion Camo Backpack.

Now I know that I was going to spend a ton of money and can afford to spend that dollar amount above. This computer is going to be replacing my desktop and am looking at it to last a really long time.

Now for my three questions....

1. Is the price of the GTX 680M worth the $500 bucks or should I go with the HD7970? Like I said the money really isn't an issue but ofcourse I would like to save some money. Also keep in mind I am wanting the best of the best.. With in reason ofcourse haha.

2. I see that everyone says to call in to haggle.. Realisticaly how much can I look at saving off of that price? I know they have the $100.00 going on right now.

3. Should I tweek any settings?

Thanks so much for your help!

[Kovalen]

1. Honestly, no. Single card support isn't that bad for the 7970m. Dual is more debatable. Performance is roughly equal.

2. Depends on the rep and what you are getting, but at the very least you can get some nice gift cards.

3. Remember you can upgrade some parts yourself and save if you want. Memory and hard drives being the main examples.

[OblastSRT4]

Hello guys! So glad that I found this forum. I have always been a desktop build your own system guy but now I am realizing that I would much rather have a laptop and am looking at purchasing an M17x R4 in the next week or two.

Spec wise what I am looking at ordering is this..

PROCESSOR 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3720QM (6MB Cache, up to 3.6GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0)

MEMORY 12GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz

HARD DRIVE 750GB 7,200 RPM + 32GB mSATA Caching SSD

VIDEO CARD 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 680M

LCD PANEL 17.3-inch WideFHD 1920 x 1080 60Hz WLED

WIRELESS CARD Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO for Gaming & Video and Bluetooth 4.0 edit

INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)

$2769.00

Also looking at purchasing the Orion Camo Backpack.

Now I know that I was going to spend a ton of money and can afford to spend that dollar amount above. This computer is going to be replacing my desktop and am looking at it to last a really long time.

Now for my three questions....

1. Is the price of the GTX 680M worth the $500 bucks or should I go with the HD7970? Like I said the money really isn't an issue but ofcourse I would like to save some money. Also keep in mind I am wanting the best of the best.. With in reason ofcourse haha.

2. I see that everyone says to call in to haggle.. Realistically how much can I look at saving off of that price? I know they have the $100.00 going on right now.

3. Should I tweek any settings?

Thanks so much for your help!

1. Not in my opinion. Is it a great card? Yep. But they are both equal performers from a game standpoint and the Radeon 7970m actually smokes it in OpenGL programs. If both cards were the same price id say go for the 680m just because of driver support but its not worth the extra 350 they are asking.

2. Price out your computer on alienware.com. Then from there, call them up and tell them what you want, then tell them about the $100 off, THEN start hagglin from there. If you want a no haggle rep who will give you great discounts, send me a PM. You can realistically look at between 10-20% savings, sometimes more.

3. Dont tweak too much or else you will spend a lot of time on here asking for help on how to fix it. I find the people who constantly tweak are the ones who get themselves into trouble. Do basic maintenance on your system and play a few games to try it out, then go from there.

[DarkGodKeldon]

M14x R2
i7-3610QM (6MB Cache, up to 3.3GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0)
Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz
256GB SSD SATA 6Gb/s
2 GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 650M with Optimum
14.0" High Def+ (900p/1600x900) with WLED backlight
Killer Wireless-N 1202 a/g/n 2x2 MIMO for Gaming & Video and Bluetooth 4.0
Slot Load Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader

M17x R4
i7-3610QM (6MB Cache, up to 3.3GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0)
Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz (2DIMMS)
500GB 7,200 RPM SATA 3Gb/s and 256 SSD
2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon™ HD 7970M
17.3-inch WideFHD 1920 x 1080 60Hz WLED
Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO for Gaming & Video and Bluetooth 4.0
Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader

I would love to get a great deal on one of these! Do you guys think I can get either around $1400? I tried once this week, but only got off $250 with a $200 giftcard for the M17x without the full HD screen or bluray.

Also, not to be needy or greedy but Origin PC is offering a free 256 Samsung SSD.

[Platelock]

Awesome. Thanks for the responses. OB I'll send you a PM once I get up to five posts. Thanks for the help!

[IWasAPerson]

Wow, I've looked at the M17x, but I backed off because of the price alone, but if I could get one down quite a bit I'd definitely get one. Oblast, I'll send you a PM asking about Laura's info.

Also, quick question: I read that the $100 off any Alienware $999 or higher discount runs out tomorrow. Is this true?

[Platelock]

I hope it doesn't!