Best Gaming laptops? AMD vs Intel

Ok im heading off soon and was looking into buying the best laptop for gaming and performance, I herd from various people that AMD's where the best for gaming and was looking into the SLI dual grafics.

So far I have my eye on the Alienware m9700 and mALX
The mALX is expensivveee, and the m9700 has prety much the same performance. But do you guys have any suggestions for good laptops? Price is kind of important.

What gaming? What performance? What games do you play normally? At what resolution?
I wouldn't recomend Alienware m9700 as it doesnt have a dual core CPU....

custom built with core duo, 2x7900gtx (sli) 2g of ddr2

Now Intel with their duo core chips. If you go AMD with this sort of technology on intel's side your a retard. Sorry, but these $200-$300 chips for intel are whipping the crap out of AMD's AM2 5200s.

I'd go for an intel duo core T2600 in a laptop over an AMD any day. Get a nice PCIE 7600 card, gig or two of ram with a nice 7200 RPM hdd...I'd be set.

I play games such as css, cod2, and want to get oblivion and other high performance games. And can someone give me a link to a notebook w/ a core2duo, 17" screen, and like 3ghz, I can add my own grafic card and ram if necessary.

I just configured an alienware area-51 m5750 with a core duo and it came to about 2,800, as compared to an dell xps which came to about 3,500, Check the stats




[1] Area-51® m5750

Processor: Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2700 2.33GHz 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Display: Alienware® m5750 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD - Saucer Silver
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 1024MB
Hard Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 100GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 7,200 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / 24X CD-RW Combo w/Software
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X1800
Sound Card: Intel® 7.1 High-Definition Audio
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Automated Support: AlienAutopsy: Automated Technical Support Request System
AlienRespawn: Alienware® Respawn Recovery Kit
Alienware Exclusive Offers: GameFly - Unlimited Game Rentals for 15 days - FREE TRIAL
Alienware T-Shirt: Alienware® T-Shirt - Black - Price Includes $5 Instant Rebate -
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager

for that price i'd rather build a badass desktop if all you do is gaming.

I would grab a cheap 9400/E1705 and upgrade the crap out of it . You can find the 7900GTX for them for $300-400 ish, and then you can do all kinds of sutff to them too Make sure you get the E1705 with the 7800Go already, or the X1300 because the other ones don't have the right iconnector for the 7900GTX

Just get something with a single card, 7900 series are good. As goes for sli thing from life experience sli is not future proof and usually perfromance is matched or is close by future generations of gfx. Not mentioning soon enough there will be DX10 out.

Dell E1705/9400 can be found for like $1000 with 7900gs graphic card, plus it allow swiping processor for merom, I think?

once u upgrade the dell E1705 to a 2.16 ghz processor, 2gig ram, and the single 256 7900 gs, and the inhanced screen, the price is over $2.3k

Ok Ive narrowed my search down to 2 two laptops and would like your input in which one you think would be better for gaming. I want your honest opinion
and keep in mind the 9700 has dual 7900's sli enabled

[1] Area-51® m5750

Processor: Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2700 2.33GHz 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Display: Alienware® m5750 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD - Saucer Silver
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 1024MB
Hard Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 100GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 7,200 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / 24X CD-RW Combo w/Software
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X1800
Sound Card: Intel® 7.1 High-Definition Audio
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Power: Vehicle AC Adapter - Belkin® AC Anywhere 300W Vehicle Outlet Adapter
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Automated Support: AlienAutopsy: Automated Technical Support Request System
AlienRespawn: Alienware® Respawn Recovery Kit
Security: APC Personal Biometric USB Pod - Fingerprint Reader
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager


[1] Aurora™ m9700

Processor: AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile ML44 2.4GHz 800MHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Display: 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD with Clearview Technology - Saucer Silver
Motherboard: Alienware® NVIDIA® Mobile SLi Chipset
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR SO-DIMM at 400MHz - 2 x 1024MB
Hard Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 100GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 7,200 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache
Optical Drive: 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW & 24X CD-RW Burner
Video/Graphics Card: Dual 256MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS - SLI Enabled
Sound Card: High-Definition Audio with surround sound
Wireless Network Card: Internal 802.11b/g WiFi Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth® Device
Primary Battery: Alienware® m9700 12-cell Lithium-Ion Smart Battery Pack
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Automated Support: AlienAutopsy: Automated Technical Support Request System
AlienRespawn: Alienware® Respawn Recovery Kit
Free Alienware Shirt: Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager

ibrake4bunnies said:

Ok Ive narrowed my search down to 2 two laptops and would like your input in which one you think would be better for gaming. I want your honest opinion
and keep in mind the 9700 has dual 7900's sli enabled

[1] Area-51® m5750

Processor: Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2700 2.33GHz 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Display: Alienware® m5750 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD - Saucer Silver
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 1024MB
Hard Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 100GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 7,200 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / 24X CD-RW Combo w/Software
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X1800
Sound Card: Intel® 7.1 High-Definition Audio
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Power: Vehicle AC Adapter - Belkin® AC Anywhere 300W Vehicle Outlet Adapter
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Automated Support: AlienAutopsy: Automated Technical Support Request System
AlienRespawn: Alienware® Respawn Recovery Kit
Security: APC Personal Biometric USB Pod - Fingerprint Reader
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager


[1] Aurora™ m9700

Processor: AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile ML44 2.4GHz 800MHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Display: 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD with Clearview Technology - Saucer Silver
Motherboard: Alienware® NVIDIA® Mobile SLi Chipset
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR SO-DIMM at 400MHz - 2 x 1024MB
Hard Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 100GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 7,200 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache
Optical Drive: 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW & 24X CD-RW Burner
Video/Graphics Card: Dual 256MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS - SLI Enabled
Sound Card: High-Definition Audio with surround sound
Wireless Network Card: Internal 802.11b/g WiFi Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth® Device
Primary Battery: Alienware® m9700 12-cell Lithium-Ion Smart Battery Pack
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Automated Support: AlienAutopsy: Automated Technical Support Request System
AlienRespawn: Alienware® Respawn Recovery Kit
Free Alienware Shirt: Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager

Click to expand...

Well, you must go with the Turion--YOU GET A FREE T-SHIRT! (j/k)

You didn't mention the prices of these machines, so I guess I get to talk about performance.

The Core Duo is the faster processor, but dual SLI 7900's might even things up if you are planning on using the machine mainly for gaming.

I also noticed that the Turion mentions 12 cell Li-ion batteries. There was no mention of batteries on the Intel machine. Are they comparable? Does it matter if you plan on leaving this plugged in most of the time?

Turion rig has bluetooth--could be useful if you use a wireless headset often (they are sure convenient--no wires).

Intel rig includes fingerprint reader. Doesn't do anything for me unless you are paranoid about someone stealing it and getting at your sensitive gaming data.

Oh wow I went to the Alienware site and configed both of his computers and they were both the exact same price $2779 usd.
Id take the sli config, the 7900gs has 20 pipes while the 1800 has only 16

Alienware just released a Core 2 Duo laptop, replacing the Core Duo in his above config with the Core 2 Duo, would everyone say the SLi is better to have or is the Core 2 Duo? Also, the Intel platform has DDR2 while the AMD has DDR.

Sludgemonkey said:

Alienware just released a Core 2 Duo laptop, replacing the Core Duo in his above config with the Core 2 Duo, would everyone say the SLi is better to have or is the Core 2 Duo? Also, the Intel platform has DDR2 while the AMD has DDR.

Click to expand...

That's hard to say without running benchmarks on your favorite game(s) and app(s).

Core 2 Duo (Merom) looks good on paper, but it draws more power too. And, as always, you gotta $PAY$ if you wanna play!

Here's some links for you:

Merom Overview: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2009195,00.asp
Dell: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2008177,00.asp
Gateway: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2008149,00.asp
Alienware: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2008138,00.asp
Winbook: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2007082,00.asp

Oh, and BTW, Welcome to the forums, Sludgemonkey!

I assume you are heading off to college.
IMO, I would get a dell (build quality is ok for the price), and get an E1705 Inspiron. They have most of the features of the XPS line, minus a huge price tag.

You aren't going to want dual sli or hard drives at college (no battery life, plus you should be busy stidying).

I have the laptop in my sig, works great; put ac5 on it.

Try using a coupon from www.notebookreview.com on an e1705 and getting your 2gb ram from www.newegg.com

Any questions, PM me!

ibrake4bunnies said:

I just configured an alienware area-51 m5750 with a core duo and it came to about 2,800, as compared to an dell xps which came to about 3,500, Check the stats




[1] Area-51® m5750

Processor: Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2700 2.33GHz 2MB Cache 667MHz FSB
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Display: Alienware® m5750 17" WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 LCD - Saucer Silver
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 1024MB
Hard Drive: Single Drive Configuration - 100GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 7,200 RPM w/ NCQ & 8MB Cache
Primary CD ROM/DVD ROM: 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-RW / 24X CD-RW Combo w/Software
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X1800
Sound Card: Intel® 7.1 High-Definition Audio
Wireless Network Card: Internal Intel® PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g Mini-Card
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem
Warranty: 1-Year AlienCare Toll-Free 24/7 Phone Support w/ Onsite Service
Automated Support: AlienAutopsy: Automated Technical Support Request System
AlienRespawn: Alienware® Respawn Recovery Kit
Alienware Exclusive Offers: GameFly - Unlimited Game Rentals for 15 days - FREE TRIAL
Alienware T-Shirt: Alienware® T-Shirt - Black - Price Includes $5 Instant Rebate -
Desktop Enhancements: Exclusive AlienGUIse Theme Manager

Click to expand...

Just ordered this from Dell, will probably change memory later and maybe upgrade the Hard drive but for the money this system seemed hard to beat. I will reformat to get rid of the bloatware and then good to go.

Item Number Quantity Item Description
222-4795 1 Inspiron E1705, Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7200 (4MB/2.00GHz/667MHz)
320-4926 1 17 inch UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-screen WUXGA, for Inspiron 9400/E1705
311-5635 1 2GB, DDR2, 533MHz 2 Dimm, for Inspiron 9400/E1705
320-4779 1 256MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GS, for Inspiron 9400/E1705
341-3318 1 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive for Inspiron 6400/E1505
412-0689 1 Image Restore
412-0751 1 Dell Media Experience 3.0 Basic
420-4770 1 Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Service Pack 2, English, for Inspiron
420-4830 1 DELL SUPPORT 3.0
420-4928 1 Windows Media Player 10
420-5460 1 Complimentary courses: Look for EU icon
420-5476 1 Dell Direct Download
420-5769 1 Internet Search and Portal
420-5924 1 Icon Consolidation Application
463-2282 1 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access
310-6845 1 Backup media for XP Pro
430-0493 1 Integrated 10/100 Network Cardand Modem, for Inspiron
412-0917 1 Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0, for Inspiron
313-3866 1 8X DVD+/-RW Drive, for Inspiron 9400/E1705
420-5775 1 CyberLink PowerDVD v5.7 Decoding Sofware for DVD Drives
313-4218 1 SoundBlaster Advanced Audio for XPS M1710
430-1897 1 Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11a/g Mini Card (54Mbps) for Inspiron 9400/E1705
430-1777 1 Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0 + EDR),for Inspiron
465-6691 1 Trend Micro PC-cillin InternetSecurity, English, 3-Year Subscription
312-0375 1 Primary Battery, for Inspiron 9400/E1705
412-0787 1 AOL for Broadband
420-3224 1 Broadband Icon for Inspiron
412-0687 1 NETZERO ISP
412-0915 1 Microsoft Works 8.5 Plus Office Trial, for Inspiron
950-3339 1 3 Year Limited Warranty
412-0359 1 Soft Contracts - Qualxserve
950-5442 1 Warranty Support,2 Year Extended
983-8367 1 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Initial Year
970-1910 1 Type 15- Third Party At Home Service with Nights and Week ends, 24x7 Technical Support, Initial Year
983-8368 1 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Extended Year
960-5662 1 Type 15- Third Party At Home Service with Nights and Week ends, 24x7 Technical Support, 2 Year Extended
960-2780 1 Warranty Support,Initial Year
983-0299 1 Dell On Call, 30day, Getting started Assistance, unlimited incidents
960-9188 1 CompleteCare Accidental DamageProtection, Inspiron, 3 Year
412-0358 1 Soft Contracts - Consumer Complete Care
310-8314 1 Intel Centrino Core Duo Processor
464-9631 1 Thank you for choosing Dell
310-8314 1 Intel Centrino Core Duo Processor
412-0865 1 Basic digital Music,Photo and Game experience
464-7523 1 Special Offer - $250 off


Subtotal: $1657.20
Shipping & Handling: $0.00
Tax: $0.00

Total: $1657.20

There's no way I could spend shy of $3000 on an alienwaste lapcrap when I could build two mid-high end desktops for the same price.

Anyways, when you do buy a high performance laptop, I would highly recommend investing money in a good cooling pad for it, and only playing the latest in an ACed enviroment. Especially if you go SLI or Crossfire.

I would build a desktop. You can get better gaming performance for a much lower price. If you're going to college I would still recommend the desktop, I thought I would really care about having a laptop, but now that I'm here I never move my laptop anyway and I would be fine with a desktop.