Desktop Replacement Gaming Laptop

[RiddlelddiR]

The extra money for a Sager is worth it; you'll get a lot more gaming performance that way. However, you don't seem to play many games that really require more than a 650M for the best experience. So if you really don't want to spend the extra money for a more powerful GPU, getting an HP with a 650M wouldn't be a bad choice.

[Burtonjp]

I'm personally not a fan on HP, but if the fit makes sense then I'd go with your wallet on this.

[Yuroshock]

Out of curiosity what don't you like about HP?

[contradude]

Upgradability. Mxm based graphics cards mean that I can drop in a $400 graphics card in 2 years (and sell my current one as spare parts for $150) and get a good fraction of the performance of a new laptop. The HP rig is pretty much as-is until end of life.

Edit: HP customercare also was pretty bad 4 years ago or so and has only recently improved. I know a guy who wrote his masters thesis on how bad customercare used to be

-- Sent from my Palm Pre using Forums

[Yuroshock]

Alright so with the help of you guys and research I've done I've talked myself into spending more and waiting for the 7970M. So here's what I'm thinking so far. Thoughts? Thanks!

• 17.3" FHD 16:9 "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Glossy Screen (1920x1080)
• Should I get the 60 day dead pixel warranty?
• 3rd Generation Intel® Ivy Bridge Core™ i7-3610QM (2.3GHz - 3.3GHz, 6MB Intel® Smart Cache, 45W Max TDP)
• IC Diamond Thermal Compound
• AMD Radeon HD 7970M (2048MB) GDDR5 DX11
• How much of a difference does the 1600MHz ram have over the 1333MHz? Is it worth the extra $50?
• 120gb Intel 520 Series Solid State Drive
• 500gb 7200rpm (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)
• I already have a PS3 so will blu-ray be worth having on a laptop in the next few years? It seems like most things are going digital download anyways.
• How much of a difference do the different wireless cards make?

[Karamazovmm]

I wouldnt get the intel 520, I would either go for the crucial m4 or the samsung 830, the former can be found quite cheap and the latter search for discounts.

Basically just get the ODD caddy and buy it yourself the SSD, it WILL be CHEAPER, we are in the business of bang for the buck are we not?

There is no difference from going for a high speed memory or not, save yourself some money

the intel 6300 is a solid buy, however it doesnt come with bluetooth, it will give you more range

[harmattan]

• 17.3" FHD 16:9 "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Glossy Screen (1920x1080)
• Should I get the 60 day dead pixel warranty? - I've never had a screen with a dead pixel so far (knock on wood). However, you might still want to consider this, especially if you plan on using your laptop as your primary display.
• 
  3rd Generation Intel® Ivy Bridge Core™ i7-3610QM (2.3GHz - 3.3GHz, 6MB Intel® Smart Cache, 45W Max TDP) - If you're just doing gaming, the 3610 will be more than enough
• 
  IC Diamond Thermal Compound - Wouldn't spend extra for this. In my experience, the difference is only a couple degrees from stock and you can always repaste yourself if temps are high
• 
  AMD Radeon HD 7970M (2048MB) GDDR5 DX11
• How much of a difference does the 1600MHz ram have over the 1333MHz? Is it worth the extra $50? - Barely noticable in day-to-day use. If you're trying to save every dollar, going with 1333 isn't going to hurt you
• 120gb Intel 520 Series Solid State Drive - Get an SSD on your own and install with your OS, it will be cheaper
• 500gb 7200rpm (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache) - I might spend the extra $20 for 750GB
• I already have a PS3 so will blu-ray be worth having on a laptop in the next few years? It seems like most things are going digital download anyways. - In my experience, I've almost never used a blu-ray when I've had one in a laptop. I'd say pass
• How much of a difference do the different wireless cards make? -If your laptop will be close to a wireless hub most of the time, and you don't have a crazy fast network, the standard card will be fine. If you plan on traveling a lot, get a better card

[Yuroshock]

Thanks for your replies MrMM and harmattan.

So I should just select the 500GB (or 750GB) hard drive as my primary, no secondary and then buy the SSD separately? Since the 17" has room for 2 hard drives I don't need the caddy do I?

[Karamazovmm]

sorry I thought it was a np9150, thus the caddy.

but no you dont need a caddy, there are 2 drive bays in there

You really should buy the SSD separately, I told you the 2 models to look for, since they are faster than the intel 320, and as reliable

[Yuroshock]

Thank you very much! Now I just need to try to find the extra copy of Windows 7 I had or else add that to my order and I'll try to find some good deals on the M4 or 830.