Dell XPS M1710 - GeForce Go 7900 GTX 512 Mobile Gaming, Part 1
by Jarred Walton on April 18, 2006 9:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Laptops
Test Setup
Since this is the very first notebook that I've had the opportunity to review, and it's also the first notebook we've received with the new GeForce Go 7900 GTX GPU, I felt it would be better to compare this against a couple of similarly equipped desktop computers for starters. Most of our readers are more familiar with desktop performance, and since this is a DTR notebook it seems fair to compare it with a couple relatively current desktop computers. The two desktop computers are also equipped with a 7900 GTX graphics card, at both stock clock speeds (650/800) as well as clock speeds matching the laptop's GPU (500/600).
All three systems have 2GB of RAM and dual core CPUs, helping to keep things "fair". Of course, the T2600 processor in the laptop costs about twice as much as either of the desktop processors, and if you were to overclock the desktop CPUs you could likely get another 30-40% in clock speed. Basically, this is not an apples to apples comparison, but the two desktop systems are thrown into give you a better frame of reference.
We ran a typical battery of tests, including games, applications, and a couple other areas. Time constraints limited the amount of testing we could get done before the NDA lift (and it's already a few hours late), but we will be providing a follow-up article with further testing and information. That said, if there are any specific areas that you'd like to see tested, feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment.
Since this is the very first notebook that I've had the opportunity to review, and it's also the first notebook we've received with the new GeForce Go 7900 GTX GPU, I felt it would be better to compare this against a couple of similarly equipped desktop computers for starters. Most of our readers are more familiar with desktop performance, and since this is a DTR notebook it seems fair to compare it with a couple relatively current desktop computers. The two desktop computers are also equipped with a 7900 GTX graphics card, at both stock clock speeds (650/800) as well as clock speeds matching the laptop's GPU (500/600).
All three systems have 2GB of RAM and dual core CPUs, helping to keep things "fair". Of course, the T2600 processor in the laptop costs about twice as much as either of the desktop processors, and if you were to overclock the desktop CPUs you could likely get another 30-40% in clock speed. Basically, this is not an apples to apples comparison, but the two desktop systems are thrown into give you a better frame of reference.
| Dell XPS M1710 | |
| Processor | Intel Core Duo T2600 (2.16 GHz 2x2MB) |
| Chipset | Intel 945PM 64-bit Dual-Channel |
| Memory | 2 x 1024MB DDR2-667 |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GTX 512MB (500/1200) |
| Hard Drive | 100GB 7200 RPM |
| Intel Socket 775: ASUS P5LD2-E Deluxe | |
| Processor | Intel Pentium D 920 (2.80 GHz 2x2MB) |
| Chipset | Intel 945P |
| Memory | 2 x 1024MB DDR2-533 4-4-4-12 |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GTX 512MB (650/1600) |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital SATA-2 250GB 16MB 7200 RPM |
| AMD Socket 939: DFI Infinity | |
| Processor | AMD Athlon X2 3800+ (2.0 GHz 2x512KB) |
| Chipset | NVIDIA nForce4 |
| Memory | 2 x 1024MB DDR-400 (2-3-2-7 1T) |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GTX 512MB (650/1600) |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital SATA-2 250GB 16MB 7200 RPM |
We ran a typical battery of tests, including games, applications, and a couple other areas. Time constraints limited the amount of testing we could get done before the NDA lift (and it's already a few hours late), but we will be providing a follow-up article with further testing and information. That said, if there are any specific areas that you'd like to see tested, feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
69 Comments
View All Comments
IntelUser2000 - Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - link
At DDR2-667 it will be better because it can run synchronously with the FSB. Probably add another 2% :).
Anemone - Sunday, April 23, 2006 - link
However the 533 runs much cooler which could be an issue for some users.Personally I went with 2gb of 667, but do be aware that the stuff gets pretty toasty :)
JarredWalton - Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - link
Oh yeah, sorry about not including that information. Things slip through the crack now and then, but I've updated the spec table.spinportal - Thursday, April 20, 2006 - link
Thanks for the explaination. I upgraded my laptop to DDR2-533 1GB for 63$ instead of DDR2-667 for 90$, which is almost 27% price differential for maybe 4% gain, so on the price-perfomance curve, it doesn't rate as a good buy.spinportal - Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - link
Why hasn't anyone called Jarred on this? Why is the article linking to the M170 laptop for 1300$ and not putting the link to Dell's M1710 which is 2600$ starting?? Come on, stop with the bait & switch advertising.Also, I'm peeved with Dell as I got the E1710 with the Go 7800 GTX, and now, a month later, they pushing the ATi X1400 mobility! What a joke!
Also, Dell didn't offer a CD replacement install disc for XP MCE for $10 at the time of my purchase. Dell won't renegotiate with me to extend that offer which is bad business. Corporate Greed and Penny Pinching at its FINEST!
And Also, why is there DDR2 2GB Upgrade obnoxiously high at 300$? OCZ / NewEgg has a super deal for 1 GB DDR2-533 SODIMM PC-4200 for 73$ with 5$ S&H and a $9 rebate!
Also, the E1705 had a promotional rebate period. I got $400 off mine, nearly 33%. Now with the M1710 there is nothing happening. I'll be damned if I paid stock price.
Also, it'd be nice if Dell would think to offer an upgrade (reasonably priced) to replace the E1705 with a Go 7900 GTX graphix mini-board. It can't be that hard to manufacture a common board and PCI-e interconnects for all their laptops?
In closing, Dell better wake up and offer a Merom upgrade path as well for all these new laptop lines for enthusiasts. Its long due that laptop upgrades, especially for DTR machines, are commonplace and easy for DIYers.
Anemone - Sunday, April 23, 2006 - link
The CD replacement disk, write to Dell and CC Microsoft support in the email. Microsoft doesn't need the rep that comes with this double dealing. They should send you the install CD without issue. A call to your Attorney General's office would further enforce the point. That disk is your ultimate proof of ownership if the hardrive goes south or the laptop gets destroyed. It is illegal in many states to deny you that.The 7900GTX doesn't fit the power spec of the 1705. There are ways around this, but they are not for the faint of heart :) Notebookforums.com has some pointers if you look around.
Merom is pin compatible with Yonah (per Intel) and "should" (with some people out there having done it already) be a drop in replacement into a Yonah notebook (like the 1705 and 1710). Some risk of proprietary design issues is there, but likely with Dell being Intel's kid sister, you could expect they'd get it right. :)
RogueSpear - Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - link
I think it's fantastic that Intel is finally back in the game again, especially in the desktop arena. They never really did cede much in the portable market. Now if ATI could finally get something worthwhile for portable graphics. See this is what makes me smile. Good old fashioned competition. I think AMD has gotten a little too smug with themselves after 3 or 4 years total dominance, much like how Intel was around 3 years ago. As far as I'm concerned, all of the Intel vs. AMD and nVidia vs. ATI back and forths is fantastic. In the end it almost always results in progression of technology and increased performance. Oh yea, that's one hell of a laptop too :) I hope that I can stand to stick it out until we see a version of this laptop with Merom. If I'm going to spend 4 G's, may as well get 64-bit capability even if I don't take advantage of it right away.timmiser - Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - link
With my M170, I am unsure how to update the Nvidia driver to the latest version on the Nvidia website. They have specific drivers for the 7800 GTX Go but they are not supported by Dell so when I try to install them, it won't let me.Is there a mod tool somewhere that will allow me to force the driver to be installed? Dell never updates their official video drivers so this is important.
(I know for my old XPS with the Radeon 9800 I had the same problem but there was a mod tool available to get around this.)
Anemone - Sunday, April 23, 2006 - link
Video drivers (all versions to the latest) for M170/Gen2 and all similar:laptopvideo2go.com
Should find more than enough there to guide you :)
timmiser - Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - link
Thanks for the link. :)