Second Opinion on Alienware Configs, please!!!

Blaxplosion

Honorable
Apr 19, 2013
8
0
10,510
So, I'm looking at getting a new laptop to use for college work and mid-high level gaming. I've been looking at getting an Alienware laptop (due to a membership benefit I get from my job, it's easier to buy a Dell and have the cost deducted from my pay over time than it is to pay a lump sum for a better laptop).The configurations I'm currently torn between are:

-Alienware 14 (Config 1):
*Processor: 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-4200M processor (3MB Cache, up to 3.1GHz)
*Memory: 8GB DDR3L at 1600MHz (2 x 4G)
*Hard Drive:750GB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s
*Graphics Card:NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 750M with 1GB GDDR5
*Display:14" WLED HD (1366 x 768) Anti-Glare Display
*Price:$979.02 USD

-Alienware 14 (Config 2):
*Processor: 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-4200M processor (3MB Cache, up to 3.1GHz)
*Memory: 8GB DDR3L at 1600MHz (2 x 4G)
*Hard Drive:750GB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s
*Graphics Card:NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 765M with 2GB GDDR5
*Display:14" WLED HD (1366 x 768) Anti-Glare Display
*Price:$1,126.02 USD

-Alienware 17 (Config 1):
*Processor: 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-4700MQ processor (6MB Cache, up to 3.4GHz)
*Memory: 8GB DDR3L at 1600MHz
*Hard Drive:750GB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s
*Graphics Card:NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 765M with 2GB GDDR5
*Display:17" WLED HD+ (1600 x 900) Anti-Glare Display
*Price:$1,371.02 USD


Some of the games I'm looking to play on this laptop are: Fallout 3, Fallout : New Vegas, the Half-Life series, Skyrim, and Dishonored. Given that, which configuration seems like the best/most suitable for the cost?

*Also, with each configuration, I have the option of upgrading the Displays to WLED FHD (1920x1080) for about $150. Is it worth the cost? I didn't originally think so, but I wanted a second opinion before deciding on it.
*Although I know getting a desktop is more future-proof and better cost-wise, I need mobility.
 

Blaxplosion

Honorable
Apr 19, 2013
8
0
10,510
Thanks!

Also, do you know if the 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-4200M processor (3MB Cache, up to 3.1GHz) in the 1st and 2nd configs would cripple the capability of the GTX 765m card, or would it be able to function well (albeit not optimally)?

 

Blaxplosion

Honorable
Apr 19, 2013
8
0
10,510
Thanks!

Also, do you know if the 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-4200M processor (3MB Cache, up to 3.1GHz) in the 1st and 2nd configs would cripple the capability of the GTX 765m card, or would it be able to function well (albeit not optimally)?

 

Blaxplosion

Honorable
Apr 19, 2013
8
0
10,510

Are the chances a bit lower if the resolution that I'm using is 720p (1366x766 HD screen) (I also don't plan on using peripherals when I game)?