Which would you play your games on? M11x r3 or this older gaming desktop?

CZroe

Lifer
Jun 24, 2001
24,195
857
126
I'm likely trading up from my max-spec'd Alienware M11x r1 to the min-spec'd M11x r3 and I'm wondering how this may affect my choice of systems to play most games on. The M11x r1's Core Duo U7300 couldn't do much in any game that was known for high CPU usage, even older ones like GTA IV and Ghostbusters, so I stuck with the aging C2Q Q6600 + GTX 280 (GPU) + 9800GT (PPU) gaming desktop for most games. The r3 has a much better Sandy Bridge ULV Core i5 CPU, so I doubt those are going to be a problem. Also, the r3's 1GB GT 540M sounds a bit better than the r1's 1GB GT 335M, but how comparable is it to my GTX280 setup (especially when you consider that my GTX280 is paired with a Q6600)? It's probably more like a DX11-capable 9800GT. :D
 

KevinH

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2000
3,110
7
81
Well, on the M11x you'll be gaming on resolution that is really, REALLY low.

All thing's being equal, your desktop's gpu crushes the 540M (except for the lack of dx11).

Of course, your desktop gpu is probably driving a screen that's significantly higher in resolution.
 

CZroe

Lifer
Jun 24, 2001
24,195
857
126
Well, on the M11x you'll be gaming on resolution that is really, REALLY low.

All thing's being equal, your desktop's gpu crushes the 540M (except for the lack of dx11).

Of course, your desktop gpu is probably driving a screen that's significantly higher in resolution.

Ah. Yes. Good observation. The desktop is connected to a 24" 1200p LCD as opposed to the r3's 11.6" 768p panel.

Well, on the r3, I'd likely be playing on the HDTV so 720p is fine. That said, I usually run games off the desktop at 720p or 1080p on the TV as well (speakers blew and I've been too lazy to buy more), it's just far more inconvenient than plugging in the M11x. If the r3 can now play most of the same games at 720p (as opposed to the r1), I think I'd prefer to play them on it. Of course, Crysis is staying on the desktop, but I'm sure a lot more are going to be "good enough" on the M11x.