Hi all looking for a new laptop

[McDaddy]

Hi all, well my dell xps m1710 finaly broke and ended up with a bad vid card. Warrenty ran out early last year and they dont have a replacement vid for it anymore.

Anyways I thought i would shop around for a new one but wow ... there are soo many to choose from now a days lol i just cant make up my mind on which one to get. I take my laptop with me to work everyday and I do some traveling through out the year.

I do moderate gaming also watching movies lol. Can someone help me decide which laptop would suite me best?

Thanks guys , i filled out the questionary below.



1) What is your budget?
up to $2000
2) What size notebook would you prefer?

I like the 17 but the 15 i would not mind having as well

3) What country are you buying this in?
USA

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Not really, as long as there build quality is great.

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Games, surfing the net, video playback,

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
I travel a few times a year so i would be takeing it with me every trip and to work as well.

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
rpg, mmorpg, shooter games

8) How many hours of battery life do you need?
2 hours maybe

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
not at all

10) What OS do you prefer? (more details below)
Windows 7 64bit. I have windows 7 ultimate cd with 2 keys
Screen Specifics

11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer? (more details below)
Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non glossy screen?

Build Quality and Design

13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
No, I put build quality and customer service first as my decision to get the laptop.

14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
Got my tax return lol and would like this new laptop to last 2 years or so.

Notebook Components

15) How much hard drive space do you want; 80GB, 160GB, 250GB, 320GB, 500GB, 1TB, or 1.5TB?

320 to 500gb no more no less

16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, CD/DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?
Prefer the blue ray but not necesary

17) What speed CPU/Processor would you like? Dual core or Quad Core CPU?
i7 maybe

[powerpack]

So I can get a better idea of your needs what GPU and CPU did your DeLL have. And how did they work for you?

Also lots of people are getting extra life out of fried DeLL GPU's by baking them. I still think replacement is the best idea but baking is free and will give a notebook while the new one ships.

[McDaddy]

So I can get a better idea of your needs what GPU and CPU did your DeLL have. And how did they work for you?

Also lots of people are getting extra life out of fried DeLL GPU's by baking them. I still think replacement is the best idea but baking is free and will give a notebook while the new one ships.

Hi there,the specs of my dell is T7600 core 2 duo (2.33ghz), Nvidia Geforce go 7950 GTX, with 4gig mem.

I did try the baking it but it didnt work unfortunantly :(.

As far as having it do what i needed ... it was great. But if there are better out there within my price range then that would be even better. playing left 4 dead was not bad with it and resident evil 4 was ok as well.

[powerpack]

Anything with the Nvidia GT 240m or HD4650m should be on per with the 7950m GTX.

Force 1656 15.4", $1288. i7 and GTS 250m, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/force-1656-built-msi1656-p-2661.html?wconfigure=yes).
Force 1727 17", $1356. i7 and GTS 250m, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/force-1727-built-msi1727-p-2662.html?wconfigure=yes).
Asus N61JQ-A1 16", $1065. i7 and HD5730m, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-n61jqa1-order-p-2734.html?wconfigure=yes).
Asus N71JQ-A1 17.3" $1355. i7 HD5730, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-n71jqa1-p-2733.html?wconfigure=yes).
MSI GX740-079US 17.3", $1415. i7 and 5870. Way above your old one, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/gx740079us-order-p-2765.html?wconfigure=yes).

I left off many in your price range because serious gamers and you said moderate gaming. Do you want more serious gamers?

[McDaddy]

Anything with the Nvidia GT 240m or HD4650m should be on per with the 7950m GTX.

Force 1656 15.4", $1288. i7 and GTS 250m, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/force-1656-built-msi1656-p-2661.html?wconfigure=yes).
Force 1727 17", $1356. i7 and GTS 250m, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/force-1727-built-msi1727-p-2662.html?wconfigure=yes).
Asus N61JQ-A1 16", $1065. i7 and HD5730m, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-n61jqa1-order-p-2734.html?wconfigure=yes).
Asus N71JQ-A1 17.3" $1355. i7 HD5730, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-n71jqa1-p-2733.html?wconfigure=yes).
MSI GX740-079US 17.3", $1415. i7 and 5870. Way above your old one, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/gx740079us-order-p-2765.html?wconfigure=yes).

I left off many in your price range because serious gamers and you said moderate gaming. Do you want more serious gamers?

Actualy I would.

[McDaddy]

Anything with the Nvidia GT 240m or HD4650m should be on per with the 7950m GTX.

Force 1656 15.4", $1288. i7 and GTS 250m, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/force-1656-built-msi1656-p-2661.html?wconfigure=yes).
Force 1727 17", $1356. i7 and GTS 250m, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/force-1727-built-msi1727-p-2662.html?wconfigure=yes).
Asus N61JQ-A1 16", $1065. i7 and HD5730m, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-n61jqa1-order-p-2734.html?wconfigure=yes).
Asus N71JQ-A1 17.3" $1355. i7 HD5730, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-n71jqa1-p-2733.html?wconfigure=yes).
MSI GX740-079US 17.3", $1415. i7 and 5870. Way above your old one, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/gx740079us-order-p-2765.html?wconfigure=yes).

I left off many in your price range because serious gamers and you said moderate gaming. Do you want more serious gamers?

Actualy I would like to know more gamer type laptop

[McDaddy]

ya id like to see more gamer types

[powerpack]

My favorite and many others if hadn't noticed. Asus G73JH-A1, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-g73jha1-order-p-2731.html?wconfigure=yes).

Also the Asus G51JX-A1, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-g51jxa1-order-p-2724.html?wconfigure=yes).

Sager NP8690, link (http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np8760-built-clevo-w870cu-custom-gaming-laptop-p-2660.html?wconfigure=yes).

I think on overall build quality the Sager is going to win.

[McDaddy]

Thanks alot .... I like the sager 8690 and the Asus G73JH-A1. But do have a question thought about there vid cards. The ATI 5870 is the newer cards of the two?

But i see that on the sager its user upgradable and is that vid card there offering for the sager an older model?

Thanks for all your help thus far

[Anewbus]

They are both newer.

[McDaddy]

Ah ok, thanks alot :)

[powerpack]

As said both are newer. But in case you are not up to date on all the confusion that is called GPU wars. I will try to limit my opinion (easier said than done).

Nvidia is getting a rap for just rebranding current/old cards not really doing real upgrades improvements. Just tweaking what they have. Sure some truth in that. Also the mobile line naming convention is not honest as related to the desktop line. By that they don't use a chip that is similar to the desktop even just a mobile version. But they do name it like the desktop. Is that honest? Some do not think so. But regardless Nvidia for a while has been tweaking old designs both mobile and desktop. They are surprisingly good at it for what ever that is worth. And since for many the end performance is all they care about Nvidia still has a dedicated core of support from consumers.

ATI has been pushing the development envelope for several generations now. As far as gaming goes falling short to Nvidia in end performance. So their high end top tier cards have to compete with Nvidia 2nd tier. Well all ATI's efforts in R&D appear to finally be paying off. They finally have started eclipsing Nvidia in raw power and performance. And while new so currently not widely utilized the 5 series ATI's are DX11. Nvidia currently has no DX11 cards.

So both cards while "new", the ATI is clearly ahead in current technology and I thought the ATI 5870 edged out the GTX 285m I can not be certain at this time. I know that in theory the ATI is far superior in computational power but that does not always translate to real world performance for many reasons.

I would likely not let the GPU be the deciding factor. I like ATI pushing new architecture but DX11 is too new to sway me. Nvidia has a proven track record as a gaming card leader. I would call these two a draw. I mean other than I am a closet ATI fanboy. But a draw I would say.

I like the Asus G73, it is mixture of performance newest technology GPU i7 all at a great price. The design intrigues me, looks like badass thermal solution, backlit keyboard and that stealth fighter look? Nice.

Sager solid proven uber systems with solid build history. If you are interested in upgrades the Sager is much more economically friendly. If I say wanted to do a CPU upgrade to an extreme the Sager is like half the cost so overall makes pricing much closer.

[McDaddy]

Thanks for all the info everyone. I will sleep on it tonight and order tomorow :). You guys have been GREAT!

[McDaddy]

YAY!!! All done Got the Sager :)

[Anewbus]

Well described Powerpack. As you know I used to be an ATI fanboy until a few years ago when everyone I got turned to crap in weeks.
Currently though I'm once again starting to consider ATI seriously again, but like you, I feel things are looking fairly even at the moment in the GPU war. What bothers me is the detection of dishonesty I'm sensing from the GPU makers. Time will tell as we watch how they perform and maybe there will be a clear winner. The GPU is one of the things that is tripping me up about my desktop I'm fixing to order very very soon.
(I see conversations with Justins in my very near future):):XPCS::notworthy

[powerpack]

Way to go! Looks like you had a bigger budget than I will. You bought a bitchin notebbok bar none!

[powerpack]

Anew how many times have I told you not to post at the exact same time as I do?:p:D

[McDaddy]

NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ......... BACK ORDER!!! lol ... just my luck. Oh well just crossing fingers sager gets them in soon lol.

[Anewbus]

I wouldn't worry too much as "Sager" may be better at getting product to the reseller than Asus is right now. Sager may just be running a little low and will remedy in short order while Asus seems to have mis-calculated severely in their estimate of how popular their new line would be.
I'm only speculating, mind you.

[McDaddy]

WOW that was fast lol. Changed my order to the ati card on the 4th of march. and got the laptop to my door step yesterday lol didnt even know they had shipped it untill i heard a door bell and a big suprise lol.

Xotic is awsome thanks again :) !!!!!!

[powerpack]

Great to hear! Now can you put it through the benchies and stress tests? Tell us how it does? Scores, times, temps?

[McDaddy]

Sure would be glad too.

[powerpack]

Do you know the free ones or want input?

[McDaddy]

i have cpuz and 3dmark06. What else do i need?

[powerpack]

I like orthos it is free. It is a stress test. It will tell you about thermal capabilities. It is a stress test with no end so shut down if thermal issues present. HWMonitor is good because it shows the highest/lowest/current so if say gaming you can see how high you went? Free.

wPrime is fun but just a CPU bench, free?

There are other ones. A replacement for orthos is the Intel burn in test. While I know more extreme it is just intentionally offensive so skip. But it is free. It try's to fry your CPU?

Many more for monitoring your system. I like NotebookHardwareControl. Start with these.

[McDaddy]

here is a shot of 3dmark06
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n168/Maganja001/i7%20rig/test.jpg

I'll load up the other ones as well

[powerpack]

I can see say a 13,4?? but can you link so we can see? Far short of the 17,000+ but that was a 920XM OC'd?

[McDaddy]

I can see say a 13,4?? but can you link so we can see? Far short of the 17,000+ but that was a 920XM OC'd?


Hi all, here is a shot of my score.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n168/Maganja001/i7%20rig/3dmarkscore-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n168/Maganja001/i7%20rig/3dmarkscore-1.jpg)
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n168/Maganja001/i7%20rig/3dmarkscore-1.jpg

[powerpack]

I just can't read as too small. When I zoom it blurs. But looks like you are doing well with what little I can make out.

[McDaddy]

I just can't read as too small. When I zoom it blurs. But looks like you are doing well with what little I can make out.

Sorry lol, i just edited the pic and got it bigger :biggrin:

[McDaddy]

Im searching around for something that will let me oc the cpu a bit .

[Maverick494]

Im searching around for something that will let me oc the cpu a bit .

Supposedly the EVGA utility Eleet will do it, but you have to know someone that can get their hands on it or find a download for it somewhere other than EVGA.

[McDaddy]

Supposedly the EVGA utility Eleet will do it, but you have to know someone that can get their hands on it or find a download for it somewhere other than EVGA.

Ya i got one as i have there classified x58 motherboards on my main gaming rig. I tried it and doesnt seem to work. You cant change any values in the software.