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Precision m90 review - Page 6

post #101 of 115
8/20/07 at 12:38am

ADVICE for M90 QUADRO 2500

Hello people, my name is Javier, i am from Costa Rica, and just wondering if you can help me with some questions i have. I will appreciate a lot your help, whenever you have a free time

I own a XPS 1710, with CORE 2 Duo t7400 2.16ghz, 2 gig ram, 80gig HD 7200rpm, and Nvidia 7900 GS (256mb), and i am considering on getting a new DELL laptop M90. (i have a friend that wants to buy mine)<O</O
<O
My most important reason for changing the laptop is that i use 3dmax (i am an architect) and for me my videocard does not perform as i wish, when the 3dmodel is heavy or complex, it slows down when i try to rotate views or move in the space.
<O
- Do you think that (having the same configuration on the m90 as the XPS but with change in video card) the Quadro 2500 will improve a lot my 3d work environment? make it faster to rotate and move the 3dmodel?<O
<O
- Does someone has the Quadro 2500 and use it for 3DMAX? Can you comment?<O
<O


My other questions are, One year from now, the m90 had the exact same configuration as it is today on the DELL web page of Costa Rica and the SAME price also (has not come down as i expected) so:
<O</O<O
- Do you think is it worth to buy this new laptop now? (I am sure i can get a good discount, i have done it before, i have good practice on that!) Is the Quadro 2500 a too old model now?<O
<O
- There is not an option for a WUXGA screen only WXGA (is there much difference? (my XPS has the WUXGA, colors are great but it has too much reflection) I will ask by phone if I can get the WUXGA, because I guess (if iam not wrong) that the WXGA has a very small RESOLUTION (1440 x 900 maximun)<O</O
<O
-If i suppose, the QUADRO 2500 will perform FAR BETTER than my Geforce 7900GS on 3DMAX (i do not use it for gaming), do you think it is a good time to buy this laptop? considering i will improve also some other components, better Processor, to t7600 3.33ghz, and 4 gigs of RAM. Or should i wait for New kind of processor coming out or VIDEO CARDS?? how about Quadcore (which i have not seen yet on laptops, does someone know if they are coming soon and is worth to wait?)<O</O
<O
Ok , maybe i abused your time, this are too many questions, but anyway, again, if you find some free time and you can give me your advice, i will wil be very very grateful.<O</O
<O
Thanks,
<O</O
<O</O
unrinoceronte.<O</O
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post #102 of 115
8/20/07 at 11:43am
If they can come down on the price and get you a WUXGA screen you would be good to get it. I have the exact configuration you are looking at and find no reason from information I have at hand to believe that the new Santa Rosa platform coming out is going to be any better particularly than what is currently available. Perhaps I am wrong on the Quadro card version, but previous gens are at this point more powerful.

Also, do not purchase 4 GB of ram through Dell as it is far more expensive than simply purchasing the 2 sticks of 2 GB each and installing them yourself. It will take a small screwdriver and 5 minutes of your time to do the installation yourself. This alone should save you money.

If you can wait, perhaps in 2-3 months it will be a clearer picture. However, I have an M90 and have no desire at this point to upgrade to a new laptop.

Hope this helps.
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post #103 of 115
8/20/07 at 4:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by unrinoceronte View Post
Hello people, my name is Javier, i am from Costa Rica, and just wondering if you can help me with some questions i have. I will appreciate a lot your help, whenever you have a free time I own a XPS 1710, with CORE 2 Duo t7400 2.16ghz, 2 gig ram, 80gig HD 7200rpm, and Nvidia 7900 GS (256mb), and i am considering on getting a new DELL laptop M90. (i have a friend that wants to buy mine)<O</O <O My most important reason for changing the laptop is that i use 3dmax (i am an architect) and for me my videocard does not perform as i wish, when the 3dmodel is heavy or complex, it slows down when i try to rotate views or move in the space. <O - Do you think that (having the same configuration on the m90 as the XPS but with change in video card) the Quadro 2500 will improve a lot my 3d work environment? make it faster to rotate and move the 3dmodel?<O <O - Does some has the Quadro 2500 and use it for 3DMAX? Can you comment?<O <O My other questions are, One year from now, the m90 had the exact same configuration as it is today on the DELL web page(ffice:smarttags" /><ST1lace w:st="on">Costa Rica</ST1lace> web page), and the SAME price also (has not come down as i expected) so: <O</O<O- Do you think is it worth to buy this new laptop now? Is the Quadro 2500 a too old model now?<O <O - There is not an option for a WUXGA screen only WXGA (is there much difference? (my XPS has the WUXGA, colors are great but it has too much reflection) I will ask by phone if I can get the WUXGA, because I guess (if iam not wrong) that the WXGA has a very small RESOLUTION (1440 x 900 maximun)<O</O <O -If i suppose, the QUADRO 2500 will perform FAR BETTER than my Geforce 7900GS on 3DMAX (i do not use it for gaming), do you think it is a good time to buy this laptop? considering i will improve also some other components, better Processor, to t7600 3.33ghz, and 4 gigs of RAM. Or should i wait for New kind of processor coming out or VIDEO CARDS?? how about Quadcore (which i have not seen yet on laptops, does someone know if they are coming soon and is worth to wait?)<O</O <O Ok , maybe i abused your time, this are too many questions, but anyway, again, if you find some free time and you can give me your advice, i will wil be very very grateful.<O</O <O Thanks, <O</O<O</O unrinoceronte.<O</O
Don't buy another system. Just upgrade your graphics card to 7900/7950GTX, or 2500/3500M. M90 and your XPS are identical system. 2500M should be plug and play for your XPS, and should run about 200 bucks from Ebay.
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post #104 of 115
8/20/07 at 5:16pm
Thanks Operaman for your advice!. About the RAM, if i buy it i will do as you suggested me.

One thing i am not very clear, or i understand you wrong... Are you saying that the Previous Models for the Quadro 2500 are more powerfull than the Quadro 2500 that are coming these days with the Dell M90???

Does anyone know if intel is going to releas QUADCORES for laptops??

The configuration i want for the M90 costs $3600 in Costa Rica Web page, i am going to ask for a $1000 discount! and see what happens (considering i have bought 6 other computers from them in the past 7 years), i have asked for good discounts before, and i know, form other people that they have get this amount of discount before. Someone stated that you can get a DELL if you contact them by phone, for 2/3 of the Price.

I let you know if i am lucky., and in the meantime if i can get more opinions in my previuos Questions, i will appreciate it a lot, so I can Make my FINAL DECISION.

thanks in advance.
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post #105 of 115
8/20/07 at 5:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ACHlLLES View Post
Don't buy another system. Just upgrade your graphics card to 7900/7950GTX, or 2500/3500M. M90 and your XPS are identical system. 2500M should be plug and play for your XPS, and should run about 200 bucks from Ebay.
REALLY!!!!?? are you sure about this? can i upgrade my XPS to a QUADRO 2500?! Do you know of a webpage or forum where i can get more info about this? And also how to do it. Well i will look on google for that, but just in case you know of a link, i appreciate it. One more thing, when you say the 2500 costs around $200, is it USED? does it has a warranty? Does other people here advice me to buy on eBAY this card? i have never tried eBay.... thanks again. This can definetely make me change my mind.
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post #106 of 115
8/20/07 at 7:37pm
They are same card, different bios.

E1705, M1710, M90 have identical form factor/mother board, and graphic cards compatibility are the same. E1705 is only system that needs to be modified little (have to break off a little portion of bottom housing due to single pipe & dual pipe difference).

E1705=7900GS (single pipe)
M1710=7900GS(dual pipe) - 7900GTX/7950GTX (dual pipe)
M90=1500M (dual pipe) - 2500M/3500M (dual pipe)

I've modified E1705 to 7900GTX, and you wouldn't even have to do that since your system is made for 7900GTX/7950GTX already.

Google service manual for M90/M1710, you will see basically same pics on installation/replacement of GPU's.

Price on Ebay usually is used/refurb.

You can buy 7900GTX/2500M from Dell if you want it to carry your system's warranty, but expect the higher price (usually x2 of Ebay's cheap prices).

You can research more on on dell 17" section of this forum.
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post #107 of 115
8/21/07 at 6:42am
With all due respect to Achilles, when you MOD your laptop by breaking off internal plastiocs to fit the dual pipe card you destroy whatever warranty you have. If you have someone willing to buy your current computer to offset the cost of the upgrade to an M90 I say go for it. It is a safer proposition with a lot less hassle.

You will find the M90 well worth the money you put into it. I have.
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post #108 of 115
8/21/07 at 9:29am
I was giving him info that they are on identical mobo, and I never heard of single guy whose warranty got voided because someone had GTX card on E1705's, not to mention Dell selling the card to E1705 owners.

Plus, if the guy w/ E1705 HAS to return the laptop to depot, and wants to be on safe side, the person can just get a E1705 bottom housing for 2-30bucks from Ebay also.

This shouldn't even matter for this guy since he has M1710 ANYWAYS (For him, it's just replacement of card, nothing more)

Why the hell would you sell M1710 and go for M90 anyways when they are basically same laptop? It would be down right waste of money, and time.

Ask ANYONE on Dell 17" section of the forum if M1710 to M90 is upgrade, because I doubt it is.

Just buy 2500M/7900GTX card from Ebay at cheap price (I wouldnt pay over 250), I'm pretty sure you will be pleased.
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post #109 of 115
8/21/07 at 2:21pm
ACHILLES and OPERAMAN thanks a lot for your points of view and advice, i think both are very usefull for me, depending in how these days develop, regarding the following:

If i can get only de Graphics Card and Ram, at a good price in COSTA RICA, i will Just UPGRADE (Sounds an Excelent Option, and Cheaper one, altough, certainly prices will be different from those in USA), (or maybe in a trip to USA which i might do at the end of this year) but if i can not do that, and i get the $1000 discount on Dell for the M90,and my friend buys my M1710 (for $2200) i will go for the M90, with the advantage of MORE PROFESSIONAL Look, for my business meetings..., and Newer WARRANTY, and brand new Graphic Card.

If i can not sell my XPS m1710, i will go to the Dell 17" section Forum as sugguested and start learning the best ways to upgrade my computer.

One last question to you guys: Which Graphic Card will be better for me using 3DMAX , the Quadro 2500 or the 7900GTX ? i get very frustrated when i try to move or rotate my 3Dmodels and it does it very SLOW. Is mainly for Architectural Renderings.
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post #110 of 115
8/21/07 at 3:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ACHlLLES View Post
I was giving him info that they are on identical mobo, and I never heard of single guy whose warranty got voided because someone had GTX card on E1705's, not to mention Dell selling the card to E1705 owners.

Plus, if the guy w/ E1705 HAS to return the laptop to depot, and wants to be on safe side, the person can just get a E1705 bottom housing for 2-30bucks from Ebay also.

This shouldn't even matter for this guy since he has M1710 ANYWAYS (For him, it's just replacement of card, nothing more)

Why the hell would you sell M1710 and go for M90 anyways when they are basically same laptop? It would be down right waste of money, and time.

Ask ANYONE on Dell 17" section of the forum if M1710 to M90 is upgrade, because I doubt it is.

Just buy 2500M/7900GTX card from Ebay at cheap price (I wouldnt pay over 250), I'm pretty sure you will be pleased.

Well, I read incorrectly. I thought he had an E1705. Still, in looks and professionalism, hands down the M90 spanks the M1710. Still an upgrade is also a likely way to go in this case. I say upgrade as well, since my reading comprehension has been corrected...
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post #111 of 115
8/21/07 at 4:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by unrinoceronte View Post
ACHILLES and OPERAMAN thanks a lot for your points of view and advice, i think both are very usefull for me, depending in how these days develop, regarding the following: If i can get only de Graphics Card and Ram, at a good price in COSTA RICA, i will Just UPGRADE (Sounds an Excelent Option, and Cheaper one, altough, certainly prices will be different from those in USA), (or maybe in a trip to USA which i might do at the end of this year) but if i can not do that, and i get the $1000 discount on Dell for the M90,and my friend buys my M1710 (for $2200) i will go for the M90, with the advantage of MORE PROFESSIONAL Look, for my business meetings..., and Newer WARRANTY, and brand new Graphic Card. If i can not sell my XPS m1710, i will go to the Dell 17" section Forum as sugguested and start learning the best ways to upgrade my computer. One last question to you guys: Which Graphic Card will be better for me using 3DMAX , the Quadro 2500 or the 7900GTX ? i get very frustrated when i try to move or rotate my 3Dmodels and it does it very SLOW. Is mainly for Architectural Renderings.
As for buying M90, I wouldn't unless you can find excellent deal like I did on Ebay - 1450 shipped, brand new w/ 3 yr CC warranty(same deal on Dell was 2600 before taxes). The main reason I'm suggesting not to buy M90 is because Dell is rolling out next generation M90 very soon-I hear end of this month. As for speed of the GPU, you should visit the 17" forum and try over clocking your GS card first. The card will run hotter, but GS is very OC friendly. OC'ed GS will perform close/surpass to GTX/M cards, but GTX/M will run cooler/smoother in games. As for rendering, I hear 2500M renders/optimizes better than GTX, and that's all I can say-I only play games lol.
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post #112 of 115
8/21/07 at 4:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by operaman View Post
Well, I read incorrectly. I thought he had an E1705. Still, in looks and professionalism, hands down the M90 spanks the M1710. Still an upgrade is also a likely way to go in this case. I say upgrade as well, since my reading comprehension has been corrected...
Yes, and that's why I have M90 also. I love the looks on M90.
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post #113 of 115
8/21/07 at 6:02pm
NEXT GENERATION M90!!!! hmmm, that sounds pretty tempting.. i will wait a bit more then for either buying or upgrading.

The overclocking idea sounds great too, did not thought about that(never done it), i will definetely try it next week. Hope i dont burn my laptop... i have it on most of the time, and work a lot on it.

thanks guys.
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post #114 of 115
11/1/07 at 3:15am
I've got an M90 coming (withxp64 !)

Does vista run ok on the M90? any driver issues?
I shall be dual booting XP32pro and vista on seperate drives, but would like to use vista in the primary drive

Good to go, or headache time? appreciate your input, thanks
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post #115 of 115
11/5/07 at 5:41pm
Hi! Which are safe and which are max OC values for the 3500m? I am using 600 / 700 MHz (GPU/Mem Clk) with temps around 172. Could you consider that a safe mid-value for long gaming?
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