Soldier needs some help here.

[Sanosukeafo]

Hello, i'm a soldier currently deployed to Iraq. My wife is going to order me a NP9262 in a day or two, so that I can play games while i'm out in this dirt hole lol. She is ordering me the following set up.

3.0ghz C2D cpu
4 gigs DDR2 800
1 8800M GTX
200 gig 7200 RPM HD
Windows vista 64x

I've always been a huge fan of building my own PC's, and I was wondering, I seen some posts on these forums about "Adding another 8800M GTX" and such and was wondering how it works with a laptop. Is it just like a PC where you put it in the slot, close the case and configure the Bios / install the right drivers and you're good to go. Or is it a bit more technical with a laptop?

I was just wondering about this, because it seems that would be a great way to add a lil more power to the laptop in the future without having to go out and get a brand new laptop.

Also, Newegg.com doesn't sell laptop GPU's from what I can tell. Where do you get laptop 8800M GTXs? LOL. Sorry for the newb questions.

Anywho, thanks in advance for your responses, I can't wait to get a hold of this machine. Give me something to do and help keep my mind off the normal day to day crud on my down time. :)

[Justin_W@XoticPC]

Thank you for serving in the military for our country

Laptop video card installation is very similar to desktop card installation.

Laptop video cards are only carried by certain laptop manufacturer's. You can purchase a second 8800 video card found in our accessories section on our website.

[Sanosukeafo]

Good stuff! Thank you for the quick response. I can't wait to get a hold of this monster of a laptop!

Another question. Seems this NP9262 is running a Desktop CPU, 1333 FSB and everything!

How upgradable are the CPU's? Would a Wolfsdale 6mb cache 3.0ghz(or faster future model) CPU work on this laptop? I'm sure the Conroe one it's coming with will work great, but i'm just curious on the this laptops upgrading capabilities.

[Justin_W@XoticPC]

The only processors that are supported on this laptop are listed in our configuration menu :)

[Sanosukeafo]

Ok cool deal. Thanks again for the response! :)

[Mosaic]

Whats going on troop. I just got back two weeks ago from my second tour in the combat zone. I also ordered a 9262 and I have to say im really glad I chose XoticPC to build my computer for me. I have a Q6600 with 4 GB RAM and 2 80 GB HDD in RAID0 config, and will be purchasing my second 8800GTX for my system as soon as Xotic will allow me.

These guys have great tech support and outstanding customer service. the 9262 is a great choice, for a great price. An Alienware with the same configuration was going to run me $5,000+.

Be safe on the rest of your tour, and dont lean on the doors of your guntruck.

-SGT Domokos

[Sanosukeafo]

Haha thanks man. Ya I shopped around online for a week and looks like these guys at xotic really got some outstanding prices. XPS's and alienwares all run for 1000-2000 bucks more then same build Sagers on this site. Thats pretty amazing difference in price. I'm really glad I came accross this site!

I'm curious on why you went with the quad CPU though. I didn't think there were any games out that supported quad core. I know Supcom and a few others have great duel core support, but other then that most games only benifit from the speed of the CPU, not the cores. Or so I read.

Just curious on why you went with 2.6ghz quad core over the 3.0ghz duel core. Just future proofing your rig or are there games out now that support the quad cores?

[pad11]

I echo everyone's sentiments and thanks to you for your service and to stay safe, get home when your current tour is over so you can enjoy your lappy!

I went w/ the QuadCore on mine as a 'future ready' thing. No, games right now don't utilize QuadCore..but I will be using my Sager of NO LESS than three years (more actually, as it's flat out loaded :D ) and by then, who knows???

So that was the reasoning behind my choice, but others will certainly have very valid reasons for choosing different...

Again, THANK YOU for keeping us safe and free.

later,
pat!

[OregonCoastGamer]

Again, THANK YOU for keeping us safe and free.


I coin this the most misused and misunderstood statement by Americans today, but yea. thanks for serving (too bad it couldn't be for a more just cause at the moment :wink: ).

[pad11]

Again, THANK YOU for keeping us safe and free.


I coin this the most misused and misunderstood statement by Americans today, but yea. thanks for serving (too bad it couldn't be for a more just cause at the moment :wink: ).

I respectfully disagree :D

But now, back to your original topic!

The choice between duo core and quad core is indeed a conundrum...either way, you'll probably be okay!

pat!

[OregonCoastGamer]

I really would push towards the dual processor considering the advances of technology from a different perspective. By the time games really take advantage of quad core processing, you may well be in the market for a new laptop. If you want the biggest bang for your buck at the moment (and most likely the next few years) in gaming, then a dual processor may be the way to go. Five years from now, the quad core may become the more efficient processor in gaming, but by then your processor will be dated. Unless the next few mobile GPU and CPU series are compatible with the NP9262 motherboard, then I would personally choose a dual processor over a quad at the current time. Then again I can't accurately predict the future, but by the time quad cores are refined and used to their full potential, you will probably have 6-8 core processors to choose from too :lol: . If all else fails, I suggest flipping a coin :wink: .

[pad11]

. If all else fails, I suggest flipping a coin :wink: .

THAT is beautiful!

[Sanosukeafo]

Again, THANK YOU for keeping us safe and free.


I coin this the most misused and misunderstood statement by Americans today, but yea. thanks for serving (too bad it couldn't be for a more just cause at the moment :wink: ).

I respectfully disagree :D

But now, back to your original topic!

The choice between duo core and quad core is indeed a conundrum...either way, you'll probably be okay!

pat!

Haha, well I think we did a good thing getting Sadam out of here. That imo was a just cause. Hell we had an iraqi who worked with us at our last base and most of his family was killed off by Sadam's goon squads. You better believe he thought us being there was a "just cause" .

What we're still doing here, is anyone's guess. I sure as hell don't know lol. Personaly I wish I was home having a bbq and spending time with my wife. 15 months away from your wife/kids/family is outragous to say the least, and I got friends that are on their 3rd and 4th tours atm. I laugh when people get upset when their husbands have to go out of town for a 2 week business trip. LOL try 50-60 weeks straight!

Anywho, enough RL drama ranting from me.

About the duelcore/quad core thing. I went with the duelcore. Like I thought, and was confermed by another poster, no games benifit from from the quad core atm, hell most games don't even benifit from 2 cores. so in the end 3.0ghz > 2.6ghz. And like what was said by the other poster, by the time games support quad core CPU's, I'd guess the 2.6ghz Q6600 will be weak in contrast to newer quad+ core CPU's that are out.

P.S. , i'm getting to go home on RnR leave in about 18 days, hopefully the laptop will have come in by then, and I plan to bring it back with me to iraq for the last few months of this tour to play games on my down time. Probably be more entertaining then what I currently get to do. Thats the main reason I want a hardcore laptop, because my job always has me all over the place and it would be nice to be able to bring my gaming addiction with me where ever I go. :)

[jrwomack]

Hello, i'm a soldier currently deployed to Iraq. My wife is going to order me a NP9262 in a day or two, so that I can play games while i'm out in this dirt hole lol. She is ordering me the following set up.

3.0ghz C2D cpu
4 gigs DDR2 800
1 8800M GTX
200 gig 7200 RPM HD
Windows vista 64x

=========Clipped for brevity==============

Anywho, thanks in advance for your responses, I can't wait to get a hold of this machine. Give me something to do and help keep my mind off the normal day to day crud on my down time. :)



Two things, well three actually. One, I can't answer your questions due to ignorance on my part. Two, THANK YOU for your service to the country. Three, I'd appreciate it if you email me from time to time to let know how the NP9262 stands up to the heat and possible hard knocks in Iraq. I have an NP9261 that I use mainly for video editing. I'm courting the idea of using it in location that might not be fully air conditioned so a bit more warm than its usual location. But if it can stand up to use in Iraq and the demands of a soldier, I imagine I can have faith it will stand up to what I'm thinking of doing with it. ----jrwomack@copper.net---

[Sanosukeafo]

Right on. I'll write back here about how it stands up iraq weather when I finish up this tour. I go on RnR next week, and i'll be bringing the laptop back with me. So it will be tested from mid may till the end of july.

It just got to my house a few days ago, my wife says it's a beast lol. I can't wait to see how big this laptop is, I'm guessing the pictures don't do it justice lol.

Anywho, We'll see how this laptop stands up to 130 degree heat and Iraqi moondust. If it doesn't die in those 3 months I'll certify it as "Indestructible"

[jrwomack]

Right on. I'll write back here about how it stands up iraq weather when I finish up this tour. I go on RnR next week, and i'll be bringing the laptop back with me. So it will be tested from mid may till the end of july.

It just got to my house a few days ago, my wife says it's a beast lol. I can't wait to see how big this laptop is, I'm guessing the pictures don't do it justice lol.

Anywho, We'll see how this laptop stands up to 130 degree heat and Iraqi moondust. If it doesn't die in those 3 months I'll certify it as "Indestructible"


I don't know you personally but come just come back home safe.
The NP9262 is very like the NP9261 I have. I think the only difference
in 1-2 internal items like the video card and maybe the processor. So your
wife is right. It is a beast. It's a 17 inch video screen, all black, and so easy to see I've decided o forego an external monitor for now. Mine has 3GB OCZ DDR2 800 RAM so it loads pretty quick and even with Pc-cillin and Ad-aware 2007 coming on line at start up doesn't slow it much.

I had three 250GB HDs put in and also have three 300GB USB drives hooked up along with one 500GB HD (video work eats a lot of space)
plus an external multi-read DVD/Burner. The computer hasn't belched or hiccupped with all this load abuse. It has convinced me to never again go back to a desktop or tower case.

One thing I'd suggest for you. Get a GOOD hand vac to clean the dust from the fan vents. If possible get one that also has a blower function so you can blow the interior with the covers off the bottom. I wouldn't recommend vacuuming the interior as something might get sucked out.
I say that because the hand vac I use (Dirt Devil: Scorpion) is POWERFUL.
I'd be scared to death to stick into inside the computer or anywhere near it with the covering off. But vacuuming the fac vents is OK. Inside, I go with canned air.

[Sanosukeafo]

When it comes to gaming, you can't beat a full on home PC. But my reason for wanting this laptop was so that when I get deployed over and over again (God knows i'll be here next year... again) i'll have something that can play some nice games. This laptop and accessories will fit in my blackhawk bag, where ofcorse, I can't lug a PC and a monitor around from fob to fob.

It's nice to see a lot of people giving these laptops good reviews. I can't wait to put my hands on it. RnR leave in 7 days! woohoo!

[Sanosukeafo]

Wow, I see that they are offering the wolfsdale CPU's with the NP9262's now. Thats awesome considering the laptop got to my house back in the states 3 days before they started offering the new CPU. Talk about feeling hosed. Not to mention my wife did the order wrong and we didn't even get to use the 90 buck off coupon for some reason. Double burn.

Anywho, anyone know if the wolfsdale is a noticeable difference over the conroe cpu's?

[jrwomack]

When it comes to gaming, you can't beat a full on home PC. But my reason for wanting this laptop was so that when I get deployed over and over again (God knows i'll be here next year... again) i'll have something that can play some nice games. This laptop and accessories will fit in my blackhawk bag, where ofcorse, I can't lug a PC and a monitor around from fob to fob.

It's nice to see a lot of people giving these laptops good reviews. I can't wait to put my hands on it. RnR leave in 7 days! woohoo!


I'm not a gamer, I'm a video editor (of sorts) but I think you can safely assume that NP9262 is equal to a full on home PC. It's very similarly equipped. You can hook it up to almost anything (TV, Porjector, external Monitor or what have you, even HDV devices) and when ordered for it, handle anything games today throw at it. For example, in my earlier post the heavy duty set up I have would handle games easily though a purist would snub at the three 5400RPM drives and prefer smaller storage 7200RPM drives. The only negative for the NP9262 is it has a S T I N K-ing battery life. BUT then with all that high stuff they put in it, the power draw is going to drain a battery fast.

If I had my way, I'd build the machine to work with solar panels or solar accessories. The idea isn't farfetched as it's sort of being done now:
http://www.ascscientific.com/solar.html
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/01/portable_solar.php
http://www.bornrich.org/entry/solar-powered-laptop-case-can-charge-your-laptop-too/
http://www.tuvie.com/solar-powered-notebook-concept

The bad thing about it is if directly on the notebook itself, you have ot expose the machine to the sound and heat is electronic devices' mortal enemy so an accessory is probably best where it and not the computer faces the sun's direct heat. Until a solution comes forth, I'll jut dream. As it is, Japan, I think it working on rechargeable devices or batteries that use kinetic energy such as our body motions for walking, common place arm movements, all attached to special conductive fibers woven into your clothes that convert and transfer the resulting electricity to devices for storage and usage.

The machine is usually black or other dark color (Blue) so in the Iraq heat, espect it to get really warm when not in use. Thus try keeping it in as cool a place as possible. Enjoy, man, and again stay safe.

[Sanosukeafo]

Where i'm not trying to poop on this laptop, from the reviews I read it will play most games on some serious settings, but the problem lies in the GPU. Many people compair the 8800M to the 1st gen 8800GTS for desktops, when compaired to the 8800GT it's almost 3 times slower. Not to mention they just came out with 9800 GTX which is even faster, but not by much from what I hear.

Bottom line is, i'm sure this laptop is serious business, top of the line when it comes to laptops, but when it comes to playing new games like UT3 and Crysis at 1080p res and on max settings, can't beat a desktop :)

And who cares about battery power, even my Inspiron 1705 can't play games when it's un-plugged. Batterys in laptop imo is just a backup-PSU incase the power go's out, so you don't have your computer slam off.