Suggestions/Advise for selected gaming laptop

[nere]

Hi All

Please help me with these three questions. I am almost about to order my gaming laptop

1. I have shortlisted Sager NP8170 / Clevo P170HM. My Budget was $1500. This config is for $1579 (Form both xotic and Powernotebooks) after all discounts but I think its worth it.Please suggest if I can add/remove anything to save cost or make it better at this price.

a. 17.3" FHD 16:9 "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Glossy Screen (1920x1080)
b. 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2670QM, 2.2-3.1GHz, (32nm, 6MB L3 cache)
c. IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU
d. ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 6990M 2048MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11
e. 12GB - DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (3 SODIMMS) (SKU - S4R557)
f. 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache) - Default (SKU - S5R207)
g. 6X Blu-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive

I dont need more than 500 GB as I have external hard drive of 1 TB and I will wait for ssd prices to get lower.

2. Any suggestions on how to get more discount / coupons from resellers?

3. In many sites, they have the following option in front of Graphics card - "User Upgradeable". Does this means I can upgrade the graphics card later?



Thanks

 

[SpoiledQueen]

1.You could get a cheaper CPU, I have the 2630QM 2.0-2.9 and it's only slightly cheaper but the performance difference won't be noticeable in game at all.

2.To get more coupons or discounts?? You could try searching online... some online stores offer VIP members special discounts so look for a way to sign up on the site.

3.I would think if it says "User Upgradable" that means the user can upgrade it later lol but that's just me.

 

[BF3onPC1192]

Hey nere, if you are comfortable enough with computers you can buy GPU's (graphics cards) for laptops as upgrades and install them yourself or you can have someone do it for you.

 

[BF3onPC1192]

Another thing, my friend told me that all of these laptops will drop in price when the core i10 processor is out.
http/www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2010/09/14/intel-announces-10-core-cpu/1

 

[gondo]

Get the cheapest CPU that has quad core and the full 6MB cache and not 3MB. I believe this is the 2600 QM. I just checked and that is the base CPU for your laptop. The only thing you could do is drop to 8GB RAM but your only saving $45.

You could upgrade to the hybrid hard drive for increased performance. Also adding the 3d option to the screen might be something to look at.

You can't really drop the price since your at base specs. Your gonna love the Sager...they are awesome.

 

[Pyree]

Another thing, my friend told me that all of these laptops will drop in price when the core i10 processor is out.
http/www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2010/09/14/intel-announces-10-core-cpu/1

I don't think server CPU will have much effect on the price of laptop CPU.

 

[Pyree]

@gondo

The lowest mobile SB i7 quad core CPU is the i7 2630QM.

@nere

Don't need 12GB. 8GB is ok for now and that upgrade from 8GB to 12GB is overpriced. If you need more than 8GB, just get the 2x4GB and upgrade yourself (another 2x4GB upgrade to make 4x4GB cost around $45 DIY).

If you use standard thermal compound and go for 4x2GB, you save yourself a nice $90 to go toward a SSD (only about $100 more and you can get yourself a 128GB SSD like a Crucial M4 or if you go with OCZ Agility 3 ($139 after rebate @newegg and almost $1/GB) where you just need a small saving to get the the SSD.

 

[nere]

Thanks everyone for the answers.

I have taken 8 GB ram as I can always change it and also the processor.

But will still prefer not to open a new machine for IC pasting.

Your suggestns were very useful.

Thanks

Nere