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Need a little bit of help on a product decision.

315 views 14 replies 4 participants last post by  darknessrise 
#1 ·
Well, the title pretty much says it. I've been looking at gaming laptops for probably a few months now and I am stuck on two options that are nearly opposites with the cpu/gpu. One thing to keep in mind, I am coming from a computer that anything I buy now would be better, but I'm just looking for something that will future proof me and keep me around the mid range of games in the generations to come. I've been looking at the MSI GT70 and the MSI GX70, but there are some caveats with the decision.

My maximum budget is $1500, so that also comes in to play with them.

I plan to game often, but not quite to a hardcore gamer level. I typically play low requirement games now, but that is only because I am limited. I plan to start playing games like crysis 3, latest CoD games, and I may get into BF3/4. When it comes to settings, I would like to have higher settings, but not necessarily ultra.

Screen size isn't really an issue, since they're both the same; however, if there are any other laptops that could fit the bill better, I'd really prefer a 1920x1080 resolution.

Battery life also is not an issue as it will be treated as a desktop replacement around 80% of the time.

When it comes to build quality/type, I would prefer aluminum, but plastic isn't an issue as long as the quality and feel is sturdy.

I do not have any specific brands I care for, but I would rather not go into Dell/Alienware. I've had bad experience with Dell.
 
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#2 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by darknessrise View Post

Well, the title pretty much says it. I've been looking at gaming laptops for probably a few months now and I am stuck on two options that are nearly opposites with the cpu/gpu. One thing to keep in mind, I am coming from a computer that anything I buy now would be better, but I'm just looking for something that will future proof me and keep me around the mid range of games in the generations to come. I've been looking at the MSI GT70 and the MSI GX70, but there are some caveats with the decision.

My maximum budget is $1500, so that also comes in to play with them.

I plan to game often, but not quite to a hardcore gamer level. I typically play low requirement games now, but that is only because I am limited. I plan to start playing games like crysis 3, latest CoD games, and I may get into BF3/4. When it comes to settings, I would like to have higher settings, but not necessarily ultra.

Screen size isn't really an issue, since they're both the same; however, if there are any other laptops that could fit the bill better, I'd really prefer a 1920x1080 resolution.

Battery life also is not an issue as it will be treated as a desktop replacement around 80% of the time.

When it comes to build quality/type, I would prefer aluminum, but plastic isn't an issue as long as the quality and feel is sturdy.

I do not have any specific brands I care for, but I would rather not go into Dell/Alienware. I've had bad experience with Dell.
Alienwares are actually Manufactured by Compal, but that aside look at this:
http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np8230-clevo-p151sm1-p-5840.html?wconfigure=yes
 
#4 ·
I did take a look at that, but I've read that Sager's have issues with heat and they're made of all plastic. (Don't know about actual build quality with the plastic, but I associate plastic with a cheapo feel.) Correct me if I am wrong.

Sorry about the multi-post. I had an issue with my browser and it didn't seem to recognize a click.
 
#5 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by darknessrise View Post

I did take a look at that, but I've read that Sager's have issues with heat and they're made of all plastic. (Don't know about actual build quality with the plastic, but I associate plastic with a cheapo feel.) Correct me if I am wrong.
The only gaming laptops that are made out of aluminum to my knowledge are the newer alienwares. The rest are all plastic.

I had a sager NP 8150. The Lid behind the screen had a cheap feel but the rest of it was pretty solid.
 
#6 ·
Well, I was going on the fact that the MSI laptops have aluminum accents that add to the quality. What do you think about the Sager on Xotic that can have the 8970m? I can't remember which number but I cannot look atm. I think it started at around $1300 and the upgrade put it right at limit. Is it worth it, or would it be worth it to go 770m with an ssd boot drive?
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by darknessrise View Post

Well, I was going on the fact that the MSI laptops have aluminum accents that add to the quality. What do you think about the Sager on Xotic that can have the 8970m? I can't remember which number but I cannot look atm. I think it started at around $1300 and the upgrade put it right at limit. Is it worth it, or would it be worth it to go 770m with an ssd boot drive?
The MSi laptops have a single fan cooling both a high end video card and a CPU. Totaling to ~145W.

You would be much better off with a Sager.
 
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by darknessrise View Post

Well,on that note, 770m with ssd boot or 8970m with HDD? I could raid 0 it with my previous laptop drive and gain a bit of speed.
It depends what is more important to you. SSD will increase boot times and loading times, but in gaming the GPU is the biggest issue.

If you arent a super hardcore gamer I would go witht the 770m and SSD..

You could get the 8970m and add a SSD down the road.
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by darknessrise View Post

I would feel a lot safer adding an ssd rather than a graphics chip. Do you think. A raid 0 with a 320gb 5400 rpm drive would increase or decrease performance?
I would stay away from a 5400 rpm hdd, but that is just my preference.

I am a SSD and WD Black kind of guy..

My new laptop has the 750gb with 8gb hybrid ssd 7200 rpm hdd.
 
#12 ·
Take a look at the ASUS G750. I bought one at my local Microcenter for $1500 a couple of weeks ago, and I've been very satisfied with it so far. It's almost the same specs as the MSI GT70 on display at the same store, but I noticed a few key differences:

1. I preferred the ASUS keyboard layout, especially the separated full-size cursor keys. When I do game, I mouse with the left hand and use arrow keys right the right hand. For me, the keyboard was a big selling point on the ASUS.

2. The styling of the ASUS is a bit more "stealthy" and subdued looking. The MSI has no less than 8 different surface textures and colors on the keyboard plane alone. If garish styling doesn't bother you, the MSI GT70 is a strong choice. I consider MSI and ASUS equal parity when it comes to build quality and features.

3. The ASUS has 802.11ac Broadcom WiFi + Atheros 10/100/1000 Ethernet. I'm not sure the MSI has 802.11ac, something in my mind tells me it's just b/g/n. I have a AC wireless router already, so AC WiFi was a bonus.

4. I prefer the display panel on the ASUS. 1920x1080 with a nice matte finish. No dead pixels, and a no bright pixel guarantee out of the box.

My G750 came with a 750GB 7200RPM HDD. I added a Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, and reinstalled Windows 8 Pro and my applications on the SSD. I reformatted the 750GB HDD as a data drive. Boot time from the logo to Windows 8 desktop is about 2.5 seconds. Performance with just the HDD was acceptable, but I'm a speed freak when it comes to boot up/shut down times.

When it comes to 5400 RPM 2.5" hard drives, just say NO. Even in RAID 0 the performance sucks for random I/O. If you must run 5400 RPM drives (say for a 1TB HDD) then at least get a small SSD and configure the system for SSD caching (such as Intel RST).

Some people poo poo the Asus G75/G750 line because they use proprietary ASUS MxM video cards. I don't worry too much about it, as I consider laptops a hand-me down device and I'll buy a newer faster one when the time comes. LOL.

Greg
 
#13 ·
I think I've decided on the sager, due to user upgradeable parts. Its just a matter of what to choose.

EDIT: Well, I think I've made the decision and would like opinions. I think it make sense to get the sager, and upgrade the gpu to 8970m, then later when I can have a bit more to put towards it, I can put in an ssd and the like. By then, I assume Windows 8.1 will be out and I can just clean install and all will be well. What opinions do you have on not starting with an ssd? Would the 770m be able to overclock to levels near the 8970?

EDIT 2: Is the 95% color gamut worth the $50 over getting the IC thermal compound upgrade?
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by darknessrise View Post

I think I've decided on the sager, due to user upgradeable parts. Its just a matter of what to choose.

EDIT: Well, I think I've made the decision and would like opinions. I think it make sense to get the sager, and upgrade the gpu to 8970m, then later when I can have a bit more to put towards it, I can put in an ssd and the like. By then, I assume Windows 8.1 will be out and I can just clean install and all will be well. What opinions do you have on not starting with an ssd? Would the 770m be able to overclock to levels near the 8970?

EDIT 2: Is the 95% color gamut worth the $50 over getting the IC thermal compound upgrade?
Yes, the 95% color gamut is worth every penny. Screen will look amazing!!

IC thermal upgrade is something you could do yourself.

When I ordered mine the July 4th special included both.
 
#15 ·
Well, I don't want to have to take it apart. I figured I'd like to save that part for years to come and upgrade the GPU then.

EDIT: The 15.6in. Sager won't have any cooling issues, will it? Also, for those who own Sager laptops, how are the keyboards? I tend to like chicklet style keyboards, however, I know that won't be the case. How does it feel compared to a desktop keyboard or other laptops of its class?
 
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