Alienware M14x vs Lenovo y480

[AlwaysSearching]

Quick question though: Is the GT 650M in the Y480 DDR3 or GDDR5? Notebookcheck says that all the DDR3 versions are bottlenecked by 128-bit memory. 128-bit + already pretty slow DDR3 is a bad combination (Look at the GTX 560M DDR3). GDDR5 version has normal 192-bit memory I believe.

Not sure anyone really knows yet. However, TigerDirect is selling the Y480
with 640M version and it has DDR5.

So one would hope.

[LVJonJ]

This laptop is available on TigerDirect and also in Frys (even though it is not listed on their site) ... I am thinking of picking this up - at a price of $999 - i-7-3610qm - 640m ... any thoughts on this configuration? Price is cheap compared to the Alienware.

[Gearsguy]

640M isnt too bad. Its about the same as a GT555M I believe

[LVJonJ]

It does not mention Ivy bridge.... Is this standard in this y480, or something that is coming along later?

[MidnightSun]

It does not mention Ivy bridge.... Is this standard in this y480, or something that is coming along later?

Standard. The Yx80 series will be the Ivy Bridge refreshed replacements for the Sandy Bridge Yx70 series.

[Xrave]

I hear that the Y480 will also have an optional GTX 660M.

I don't know why everyone thinks it's a 650M max.

Why is that? :P

IdeaPad Y480 - Powerful Gaming Laptop PC by Lenovo (US) <-- lookie
"NVIDIA® GeForce® GT650M or GTX660M* graphics supports the latest DirectX® 11 games and HD video editing" ... "*optional feature"

It also says
"Up to 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i7"

so I don't get it. Why are people calling that IB?

[uopnvidia]

it will probably be updated, IB updates on monday, and i really REALLY hope theres a gtx 660m lol, or atleast gt 650m, this would definetely draw me away from the clevo w110er to the lenovo, if not, ill just stick with clevo

but i think the gtx 660m is meant for the y580

[gadgetrants]

I hear that the Y480 will also have an optional GTX 660M.

I don't know why everyone thinks it's a 650M max.

Why is that? :P

IdeaPad Y480 - Powerful Gaming Laptop PC by Lenovo (US) <-- lookie
"NVIDIA® GeForce® GT650M or GTX660M* graphics supports the latest DirectX® 11 games and HD video editing" ... "*optional feature"

It also says
"Up to 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i7"

so I don't get it. Why are people calling that IB?

A couple of updates:

- First, unfortunately, the Tigerdirect model is shipping with the lesser 640m LE, which may actually be a Fermi (not a Kepler) with only 96 cores. It does appear to have the 3rd gen Ivy Bridge Core i7.

- Second, Lenovo updated their Y480 listings today, and included 4 models. The cheapest ($850) for sure has a Sandy Bridge Core i3, and probably the 640m LE (an educated guess).

- Third, the other three models also say "640m 2GB" -- if you research the specs on the 640m LE, you'll see it goes up to 2GB, so I would BE VERY CAREFUL before assuming those are the standard 640m. I'd also advise AGAINST asking a Lenovo sales rep -- it's unlikely you'll get the same answer twice.

- Finally, it's also an educated guess, but I'd imagine that higher-specc'ed models will appear in a few weeks, along with price drops/promotions. If prospective buyers can wait until June, I think more/better options will appear for the Y480!

-Matt

[wild05kid05]

650m gddr3 should be revised for y480 in future, gtx 660m is y580

[gadgetrants]

Just a quick follow-up note that Lenovo dropped the price on two of the Y480's today:

IdeaPad Y480 14" Laptop | Shop | Lenovo | US

In particular, the 209386U has a dual drive 1TB+32GBSSD and is listed at $950. Still not clear if the NVIDIA 640m is the LE version or not. They also updated their description of the Core i7 to include "3rd generation", i.e., Ivy Bridge.

-Matt