Alienware X17 RTX 3080 Edition - is it Worth the premium price?
TLDRIn this review, David from MashIT shares his experience with the Alienware x17 laptop, specifically the 3080 model. He highlights the laptop's new two-tone color scheme, RGB touchpad, and the powerful performance with the 3080 GPU and 11th gen CPU. Despite the larger power brick, the 3080 model delivers impressive gaming capabilities, especially at higher resolutions, and manages heat well. David also mentions the value of using vouchers for a more affordable purchase.
Takeaways
- 💻 The Alienware x17 with RTX 3080 model is the reviewer's choice for personal use due to its impressive performance and features.
- 🌈 The 3080 model distinguishes itself with an RGB touchpad, enhancing the laptop's aesthetic appeal and offering customization options through Alienware Command Center.
- 🔌 A downside for the 3080 model is the switch back to a traditional 330W power brick due to its higher TGP of 165W, as opposed to the redesigned 240W power pack used for the 3070 model.
- 💡 Despite the larger power brick, the reviewer prioritizes the laptop's full power capabilities over a slimmer power supply, emphasizing the importance of performance over form factor.
- 🖥️ The laptop's performance is maximized with the 16GB of VRAM and 165W TGP on the RTX 3080, making it ideal for gaming at higher resolutions like 4K or on an ultra-wide display.
- 🔥 The cooling system in the Alienware x17 handles the increased power and heat well, maintaining performance without compromising on user comfort during gaming sessions.
- 📈 The benchmarks show a modest improvement with the RTX 3080 compared to the RTX 3070, with slightly higher scores in GPU-intensive tests.
- 🎮 In gaming benchmarks at 1080p, the RTX 3080 offers only a marginal increase in performance over the RTX 3070, suggesting the latter may be sufficient for 1080p gaming.
- 💻 The reviewer recommends the 3080 model for those seeking an RGB touchpad and planning to game at higher resolutions, but advises the 3070 model for 1080p gaming to save costs.
- 🛍 The reviewer suggests keeping an eye out for vouchers and deals on the Dell website, as they were able to purchase the high-spec 3080 model at a significantly reduced price.
Q & A
What is the main difference between the Alienware x17 3070 and 3080 models?
-The main differences between the Alienware x17 3070 and 3080 models include the GPU, with the 3080 model having a more powerful graphics card, an RGB touchpad, and a higher TGP of 165 watts. The 3080 model also comes with a larger power brick compared to the redesigned 240-watt power pack of the 3070 model.
How does the performance of the 3080 model compare to the 3070 model in terms of gaming?
-In terms of gaming, the 3080 model offers a better experience, especially at higher resolutions. It has 16GB of VRAM, which is double that of the 3070 model, providing smoother gameplay at 4K or on ultra-wide monitors. While the benchmarks show only a slight improvement over the 3070 model at 1080p, the 3080 model excels when pushing higher frame rates at higher resolutions.
What are the cooling solutions implemented in the Alienware x17 to handle the 165 watt TGP of the 3080 model?
-The Alienware x17 utilizes a four-fan cooling system to manage the heat generated by the 165 watt TGP of the 3080 model. This advanced cooling solution helps maintain optimal temperatures during intensive gaming sessions, ensuring that the laptop does not overheat and performance remains consistent.
How does the battery life of the Alienware x17 3080 model compare to the 3070 model?
-The battery life of the Alienware x17 3080 model is quite impressive, offering just over five and a half hours of YouTube streaming over Wi-Fi. This is similar to the 3070 model's battery life. However, when using the dedicated graphics mode with the new mux switch, the battery life reduces to two to three hours of light use.
What type of keyboard does the Alienware x17 come with?
-The Alienware x17 comes with two keyboard options: a Cherry MX mechanical keyboard and a standard membrane keyboard. The choice depends on the user's preference for typing feel and response.
What is the storage capacity upgrade option for the Alienware x17?
-The Alienware x17 can be upgraded to a 1 terabyte hard drive, which is a cost-effective upgrade over the 512 gigabyte option in the 3070 model. Users can also opt for a 2 terabyte drive, which comes with a Gen 4 SSD if ordered.
How much RAM does the Alienware x17 3080 model have?
-The Alienware x17 3080 model initially came with 16 gigabytes of high-density RAM. However, the reviewer upgraded to 32 gigabytes of low-density RAM for better performance.
What is the CPU configuration in the Alienware x17 3080 model?
-The Alienware x17 3080 model features an 11th gen Intel Core i7-11800H processor, which is the same CPU used in the 3070 model. The reviewer chose not to upgrade to the i9 processor, as they were already impressed with the performance of the i7.
What is the display panel like on the Alienware x17 3080 model?
-The Alienware x17 3080 model comes with a 165 hertz bass panel. The reviewer was happy with this display panel and also mentioned the addition of a mux, which was added in a recent BIOS update, addressing one of the previous concerns.
What is the reviewer's recommendation for users planning to game at 1080p resolution?
-For users planning to game at 1080p resolution, the reviewer recommends the Alienware x17 3070 model. They suggest saving money by opting for the 3070 model, which still offers amazing 1080p performance, especially if the user does not require the RGB touchpad and is okay with the slimmer power pack.
What is the reviewer's advice on purchasing an Alienware x17?
-The reviewer advises potential buyers to always look out for vouchers on the Dell website, as there are often discounts available. They shared their experience of purchasing the 3080 model at a significantly reduced price with the help of a voucher, highlighting the importance of keeping an eye out for good deals.
Outlines
💻 Reviewing the Alienware x17 3080 Model
In this paragraph, the speaker discusses his experience with the Alienware x17 laptop, specifically the 3080 model which he purchased after reviewing the 3070 model. He highlights the new features of the 3080 model, such as the RGB touchpad, and compares it to the previous model. The speaker also mentions the change in power supply from a redesigned 240-watt unit to a 330-watt power brick due to the higher power requirements of the 3080 model. He emphasizes that despite the larger power brick, the performance and lack of throttling make it a worthwhile trade-off.
🎮 Performance and Gaming Experience with the 3080 Model
The speaker delves into the gaming performance of the Alienware x17 3080 model. He notes that while the benchmark scores do not show a significant improvement over the 3070 model, the 3080 model excels when gaming at higher resolutions such as 4K or on an ultra-wide monitor. The speaker also discusses the laptop's cooling system and how it manages temperatures during gaming sessions. He shares his external temperature readings and fan noise levels, indicating that the laptop remains comfortable to use during gaming. Additionally, the speaker touches on the battery life of the laptop, comparing the performance in different power modes.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Alienware x17
💡Performance
💡Cooling System
💡RGB Touchpad
💡Power Pack
💡Benchmarks
💡MUX
💡RAM
💡Storage
💡Gaming Resolution
💡Battery Life
Highlights
David from Mashit reviews the Alienware x17 with a 3080 model.
The Alienware x17 3080 model has an impressive performance and cooling system.
The 3080 model features an RGB touchpad, a unique addition not present in the 3070 model.
The 3080 model requires a 330 watt power brick due to its higher TGP of 165 watts.
David prefers the 330 watt power brick for its ability to provide full power without throttling.
The Alienware x17 comes with a 165 Hz bass panel, which David is happy with.
A mux was added in a recent BIOS update, fixing one of the previous issues with the laptop.
David upgraded the RAM to 32 gigabytes and the hard drive to a terabyte in his 3080 model.
The 3080 model's performance benchmarks are similar to the 3070 model, with a 11800H CPU.
The 3080 model is better suited for higher resolution gaming, such as 4K or ultra-wide monitors.
The new cooling system effectively manages temperatures even with the 165 watt TGP.
External temperatures of the laptop remain comfortable during gaming sessions.
The battery life of the 3080 model is impressive, with over five hours of YouTube streaming.
Using the dedicated graphics mode in the mux switch reduces battery life to two to three hours.
David recommends the 3070 model for 1080p gaming and the 3080 model for higher resolutions.
David managed to purchase the 3080 model at a great price using Dell vouchers.
The Alienware x17 3080 model is a great deal when purchased with discounts or vouchers.