Test: Alienware Aurora m9700 UK

Technology

Processor
AMD TurionT 64 Mobile ML44 2.4GHz 800MHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache - has been picked as the processor of choice for this system. CPU-Z makes the following information on the core available:



As shown, this is a Lancaster revision. It should perform closely to the 3800+. It is not a state of the art processor but should be quite adequate in union with the two graphics cards to deliver powerful performance. With a choice of AMD as the supplier of the CPU, an X2 would have been appreciated for work besides gaming, but might have had a negative impact on heat generation. Most games a processed using a single thread, so the choice of a single-core processor should provide similar performance but use less power.


RAM
The laptop comes equipped with 2GB (2 x 1024) of DDR memory, which is a must for gaming. The memory operates at 400MHz with the following latencies; 3-4-4-8-12.

Hard drive
Two hard drive slots are available, with the option of a RAID setup. Sadly, the reviewed model is only equipped with a single 100GB 7200RPM disk. The available options are;
4200 RPM - 200GB SATA (2 X 200GB)
5400 RPM - Up to 160GB (2 x 160GB)
7200 RPM - Up to 100GB (2 X 100GB)
The configuration can be set up as either RAID 0 or 1.

Graphics cards
The laptop has two 7900gs graphics cards. As a single card, better performing hardware is available, but in an SLI setup I expect them to be immensely powerful. This will be further elaborated on while benchmarking.

As this is a laptop review, and not a graphics card review, I will not go into further details pertaining to the graphics cards themselves.