MSI GT660-003 vs GX660R-060

[DaBoatOfUs]

I hope I'm placing this post in the right Thread ... here's my question -

Based on just the specs below, which system’s video card would you prefer? (Both systems have the Intel® Mobile Core i7 740QM and 6GB DDR3 1333MHz (Up to 12GB)

MSI GT660-003US
1024MB DDR3 nVIDIA GTX 285M

MSI GX660R-060US
1024MB DDR5 ATI Radeon HD 5870


(I know the screens are different between the two systems, but that aspect's not an issue for me.)


Also, if you have any other input on these (e.g. build, sound, is the keyboard nice to type on, how's the touch pad and mouse buttons, etc) I'd really appreciate it. (I can't seem to find any good video reviews or posts from any users that have reviewed these systems to any degree. And if I missed them, please tell me where to find them.) Thanx.

[tabuburn]

I'd go with the one with the ATI 5870. It's way more powerful than the 285M.

[SmogHog]

If you like MSI and maybe prefer Nvidia graphics,then research the MSI GT-663.

It has the i7 740QM cpu and the nvidia GTX460M gpu.

There's also an i5 cpu model with the GTX460M

[DaBoatOfUs]

Thanx all.
Spent the day hitting bookoo stores around here to see who carried Asus and/or MSI brands so that I can could check them out in person (screens, touch pad, keyboard, sound, and stuff) and of course, the few that I did find weren't the models I'm considering from Xotic (darn it).

This whole choosing-a-laptop experience is brain-draining to say the least.

Now that I see that I can't get everything that I'm looking for in one complete system, I'm now down to figuring out which of the items on my wish list I'm willing to part with or downgrade on. Argh!

[jmoseley53]

Thanx all.
Spent the day hitting bookoo stores around here to see who carried Asus and/or MSI brands so that I can could check them out in person (screens, touch pad, keyboard, sound, and stuff) and of course, the few that I did find weren't the models I'm considering from Xotic (darn it).

This whole choosing-a-laptop experience is brain-draining to say the least.

Now that I see that I can't get everything that I'm looking for in one complete system, I'm now down to figuring out which of the items on my wish list I'm willing to part with or downgrade on. Argh!/may be come up with a list and have it sent off to the designers at asus,msi,sager /.saying what gamers would really like to have in a lap top . and let them no stores arent stocking what we would like to buy or check out befor we buy. it be nice to be able able to change out parts with out having to send back to the factory.and of coarse lower the prices. i like to see more stores carry say the 17" asus ,msi,and sager with the i7 most dont .staples,office max dont carry much top of the line .they would sale them if they would order them i be leave.

[SmogHog]

/may be come up with a list and have it sent off to the designers at asus,msi,sager /.saying what gamers would really like to have in a lap top . and let them no stores arent stocking what we would like to buy or check out befor we buy. it be nice to be able able to change out parts with out having to send back to the factory.and of coarse lower the prices. i like to see more stores carry say the 17" asus ,msi,and sager with the i7 most dont .staples,office max dont carry much top of the line .they would sale them if they would order them i be leave.


Dream On!

Laptops may be the only thing left that allows a good markup for PC makers.Desktops and parts still have the largest segment but loosing ground continuously.

A Toshiba notebook I bought in 2003 had a 3 year global warranty and it was very simple to swap out the HDD,ODD,CPU and memory.Slide releases on the bottom allowed the ODD to be removed and replaced with a drive bay and HDD to be swapped for another quickly.Cleaning the fan and heatsink a breeze after 2 screws and a plastic cover were removed.Appling thermal compound a simple task.Removing the heatsink exposed a CPU that could be removed and upgraded easily.

The GPU was hard to get at and upgrades impossible to find.

The optical drive bay could also be used for a second battery.

Seven years with no major problems then,zap,the mainboard died.

So why are many laptops today very difficult for owners to maintain and upgrade thenselves?

Probably the primary answer is money.Notebook manufacturers don't want you updating/upgrading.They want you to buy a new model.

The secondary reason could be they don't want unqualified owners screwing up their machines and sending them in for warranty repairs.

The third is it's the only way they can get everything in the case.

[powerpack]

Smog of all your possible reasons I honestly feel the last one is the primary one. Space has never been at more of a premium.

[DaBoatOfUs]

If you like MSI and maybe prefer Nvidia graphics,then research the MSI GT-663.

It has the i7 740QM cpu and the nvidia GTX460M gpu.

There's also an i5 cpu model with the GTX460M

Thanx Smoghog. Next question ...

Given those configs, but taking into consideration:
noise level
build quality
keyboard (are keys cramped, a lot of flex, tinny sound when you type?)
which of those MSIs would you prefer? (or Asus or Sager)

(When I was out visiting stores on Fri to check out different laptops, I came across some that absolutely drove me nuts when I typed on them ... sounded like some toddler's toy.)