Is the upgrade from the 525m 1gb to the 540m 2gb worth the extra $100? I've heard there's debate about whether the extra gb of vram makes much difference. I'd like to be able to play games like oblivion and black ops.
Also wondering about the soundblaster x-fi upgrade. I wasn't impressed with what ever soundblaster software upgrade i got with my inspiron 9400. I this one worth while? Some more info on it would be awesome.
I know in the past there were some pretty great coupons, do they still have that? I was pricing out a system last night ($999 base price with $444 discount) and it had a 2% epp discount too, which is no longer there today.
Any advice on scoring the best deal possible? Does being a student make any difference?
Thanks!
Reply 1 : Buying an XPS15
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Whiskyjack 
Hi guys, I'm planing on ordering an XPS15, seems likes the best value for a 15" notebook, and had a few questions.
Is the upgrade from the 525m 1gb to the 540m 2gb worth the extra $100? I've heard there's debate about whether the extra gb of vram makes much difference. I'd like to be able to play games like oblivion and black ops. Also wondering about the soundblaster x-fi upgrade. I wasn't impressed with what ever soundblaster software upgrade i got with my inspiron 9400. I this one worth while? Some more info on it would be awesome. I know in the past there were some pretty great coupons, do they still have that? I was pricing out a system last night ($999 base price with $444 discount) and it had a 2% epp discount too, which is no longer there today. Any advice on scoring the best deal possible? Does being a student make any difference? Thanks! |
Reply 2 : Buying an XPS15
I own the XPS 15 with 540M card and its not super impressive for a mid range card.
Personally I have used it fine with some minor glitches causing the system to freeze up playing online games (adjusting the GPU speed via nividia control panel is required for me based on what game I play).
From what I have read over last 3 months on various posts on this form and others people who have tested the 525M card show you can actually very safely overclock it to match the performance of the 540M and it will run pretty stable. Where as my experience with overclocking the 540M has personally given me alot of system lock up/freezes when doing this.
The physical memory boost of 2GB and 1GB is where most people are very upset with the 540M performance. Most games/programs will never use that extra 1GB if it needs more as most good games do it usually spends anything over 1.1-1.5gb requests to your shared system RAM so yeah not that usefull for $100.00 extra cost.
(I have not tested that last statement myself but numerous forum posts tesing the cards with GPU monitoring programs explain this ram usage issue on the video cards using this type of GPU)
I would not recommend it unless its part of a nice package deal that requires this video card to be included.
Personally I have used it fine with some minor glitches causing the system to freeze up playing online games (adjusting the GPU speed via nividia control panel is required for me based on what game I play).
From what I have read over last 3 months on various posts on this form and others people who have tested the 525M card show you can actually very safely overclock it to match the performance of the 540M and it will run pretty stable. Where as my experience with overclocking the 540M has personally given me alot of system lock up/freezes when doing this.
The physical memory boost of 2GB and 1GB is where most people are very upset with the 540M performance. Most games/programs will never use that extra 1GB if it needs more as most good games do it usually spends anything over 1.1-1.5gb requests to your shared system RAM so yeah not that usefull for $100.00 extra cost.
(I have not tested that last statement myself but numerous forum posts tesing the cards with GPU monitoring programs explain this ram usage issue on the video cards using this type of GPU)
I would not recommend it unless its part of a nice package deal that requires this video card to be included.
Reply 3 : Buying an XPS15
The 525M can overclock to 540M speeds most of the time, and most games don't need the increase in video memory.
Save the extra $100 to upgrade to the B+RGLED 1920x1080 screen, or to start with a base-config that already includes the 1920x1080 screen. This is the most important upgrade, because the quality of the B+RGLED screen is amazing compared to the 720p, and the higher resolution and realestate makes daily usage of the computer a lot more efficient because you can fit more than one window on the screen. Although running games in native res on the higher resolution screen will result in a performance decrease, you can always run in 1280x720. In my opinion I'd much rather go with a much better screen that greatly increases the usability and quality of the computer, rather than make a tree in Crysis look better.
Save the extra $100 to upgrade to the B+RGLED 1920x1080 screen, or to start with a base-config that already includes the 1920x1080 screen. This is the most important upgrade, because the quality of the B+RGLED screen is amazing compared to the 720p, and the higher resolution and realestate makes daily usage of the computer a lot more efficient because you can fit more than one window on the screen. Although running games in native res on the higher resolution screen will result in a performance decrease, you can always run in 1280x720. In my opinion I'd much rather go with a much better screen that greatly increases the usability and quality of the computer, rather than make a tree in Crysis look better.
Reply 4 : Buying an XPS15
Quote:
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Originally Posted by edit1754
The 525M can overclock to 540M speeds most of the time, and most games don't need the increase in video memory.
Save the extra $100 to upgrade to the B+RGLED 1920x1080 screen, or to start with a base-config that already includes the 1920x1080 screen. This is the most important upgrade, because the quality of the B+RGLED screen is amazing compared to the 720p, and the higher resolution and realestate makes daily usage of the computer a lot more efficient because you can fit more than one window on the screen. Although running games in native res on the higher resolution screen will result in a performance decrease, you can always run in 1280x720. In my opinion I'd much rather go with a much better screen that greatly increases the usability and quality of the computer, rather than make a tree in Crysis look better. |
Reply 5 : Buying an XPS15
Thanks guys, that clears a lot up.
Any thoughts on how to get the best deal? Stacking coupons? Calling and haggling?
Any thoughts on how to get the best deal? Stacking coupons? Calling and haggling?
Reply 6 : Buying an XPS15
I think the best way is to find the best deal online, then make it better over the phone... Assuming you are in the states
First, go here
XPS 15 - Intel Core i7 Laptop for High-Octane Entertainment | Dell
Select the one in the middle. This one has 400 in discounts off the top and most of the key upgrades (i7, 1080p display 750 GB hard drive, bluetooth).
Assuming you like it as is, add to cart.
Use coupon 932N$0ZCCHWZB9 for $70 off.
Use coupon HLSKSR06S9ZG0F for free shipping.
At this point, you are at 930 + tax for the XPS.
Next step. During your return period, cancel the 2 year extended warranty. Based on the feedback I've seen, some have cancelled and gotten $175 back (and still have limited 1 yr warranty). Some have been offered 100 back to keep it.
If all goes well, you could be at 755 + tax for the computer pretty well equipped.
I'm pretty excited though. I am in process of doing the same thing (computer arrives tomorrow). I added the 540 card and a backlit keyboard. What is a little upsetting is that when I ordered the computer, they gave the 640 GB drive at the same price that they sell it with the 750 but that is a phone call to resolve.
First, go here
XPS 15 - Intel Core i7 Laptop for High-Octane Entertainment | Dell
Select the one in the middle. This one has 400 in discounts off the top and most of the key upgrades (i7, 1080p display 750 GB hard drive, bluetooth).
Assuming you like it as is, add to cart.
Use coupon 932N$0ZCCHWZB9 for $70 off.
Use coupon HLSKSR06S9ZG0F for free shipping.
At this point, you are at 930 + tax for the XPS.
Next step. During your return period, cancel the 2 year extended warranty. Based on the feedback I've seen, some have cancelled and gotten $175 back (and still have limited 1 yr warranty). Some have been offered 100 back to keep it.
If all goes well, you could be at 755 + tax for the computer pretty well equipped.
I'm pretty excited though. I am in process of doing the same thing (computer arrives tomorrow). I added the 540 card and a backlit keyboard. What is a little upsetting is that when I ordered the computer, they gave the 640 GB drive at the same price that they sell it with the 750 but that is a phone call to resolve.
Reply 7 : Buying an XPS15
Thanks for the tip!
does dell.com not ship outside of the US? I'm in Canada, and I'm pretty sure I ordered my last dell from the states, they have much better prices than dell.ca
does dell.com not ship outside of the US? I'm in Canada, and I'm pretty sure I ordered my last dell from the states, they have much better prices than dell.ca
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