Two new Sagers

[powerpack]

In the New Products section the NP5170=$899 and NP5160=$789. I think the NP5170 is really $889? Not yet on the Sager page at Xotic.

NP5170:
FHD Glossy screen.
1GB GT 540m w/optimus
i7 2630QM (stock)
4GB RAM (8GB $70)
320GB SATA 300

http://www.sagernotebook.com/images/products/5170%20Product%20Page%20Header%20790x330%20F.jpg

NP5160:
HD Glossy screen (FHD $65)
1GB GT 540m w/optimus
i7 2630QM (stock)
4GB RAM (8GB $70)
320GB SATA 300

http://www.sagernotebook.com/images/products/5160%20Product%20Page%20Header%20790x330.jpg

All you kiddies who don't have big budgets these are nice. GT540m is about the same as GTX 260m but DX11. So going to do some decent gaming. Probably around the HD5750m, it is above the HD5730m.;)

Edit: Xotic has them up now. But they know I beat them to it.:p;):D

[powerpack]

OK no one wants to comment? These notebooks I think are going to have an overall thin in class look and feel. The 5170 is the lightest 17.3" on this site. It offers the FHD. Asus offers mostly lower resolution in there less than gamer class. Yes when the N73SV comes out this will have competition, until then I think this is alone at the moment. It is almost 2lbs less than the 8170.

The 5160 is just over a pound lighter than the 8130/50. Two Asus weigh less by .03lbs. It is light in class.

Even though battery life is listed at 2-3hrs I am certain they can be made to squeeze out better battery performance than their gamer brothers.

These two definitely have a niche. It is the good performance/more mobility. This would have been a great option for many recent posters. Before these they tended to have to make real sacrifice or upgrade. Settling on lower resolution and weaker than needed GPU. Or the jump up to gamers to get FHD and an over powered GPU.

Of course let's talk cost? NP5170, upgrade RAM to 8GB and add OS, $1059 (w/out cash discount). That is a lot of machine. Now lets be honest these have all the components of the gamers other than GPU. It will do some nice gaming. Not everyone is a hardcore gamer. Most aren't, imagine all the performance smaller package and 1/3 less cost. All you non hard core gamers should give these a very serious look.

I might be getting a computer sooner than I expected. When the AsusN53/73SV comes out I will be looking at these four. Then going back looking at the 13" Asus if that gets a Huron River my decision will be hard. 5160 almost 3lbs lighter than my Asus? U36JC type 4.5lbs less 8+ hrs batt life? Mobility.

[JP@XoticPC]

Great stuff powerpack! I'm sure I speak for most people on this forum when I say that this kind of info is incredibly helpful. I may be buying a laptop soon too...

[Keeper]

I would have to agree. I forwarded this link to our purchasing department at work for some of our mobile solutions. These look like great machines for the value.

[SmogHog]

pp - great find.

Good news for those that were interested in the less expensive Sager models that were discontinued.

+10 rep

[bigstroff]

my understanding is the latest sager offerings have cpu's that support sata3 ssd's so why no options under primary hard drives ? also why offer only intel ssd's for primary drive but other brands as secondary drives ?

[TheMeanHampster]

Wait? why is the 540M weaker then the 460M????? I am a little confused lol

NEVERMIND!!! maybe if I learned to read what Powerpack post's I would realize that I need to read the whole thing lololololololol

[SmogHog]

my understanding is the latest sager offerings have cpu's that support sata3 ssd's so why no options under primary hard drives ? also why offer only intel ssd's for primary drive but other brands as secondary drives ?


The SATA III support is in the Huron River chipsets,not the Sandy Bridge CPU.

Ask XOTICPC sales that question if you're interested in ordering with a Crucial C300 SSD now or next month with a C400.

I don't know if ALL new chipsets support SATA III,especially the ones for the low end entry level laptops.

The Sager NP8150 and NP8170 have the HM67 chipset.

HM 67 Chipset Key Information
• Support for new Sandy Bridge line of Intel i5 and i7 Core processors
• Support for 4 memory modules
• Support for high speed storage interface: Serial ATA 6 Gb/s and 3 Gb/s
• PCI-E 2.0 Interface
• Support for HDMI, DVI, USB, eSATA,
• Intel 82579V Gigabit Network Connection.
• Intel FDI
• Intel RST
• Intel AT
• Intel Wireless Display

The HM65 and QM67 have SATA III support.

[TheMeanHampster]

Is SATA III going to be like a huge difference in whatever it does when it comes out lol sorry I dont really know what SATA is to be honest

[powerpack]

Wait? why is the 540M weaker then the 460M????? I am a little confused lol

NEVERMIND!!! maybe if I learned to read what Powerpack post's I would realize that I need to read the whole thing lolololololololNot sure what you found? I can only assume the angry gerbil started digging?;) If you did congrats.

But the simple answer to your initial confusion is easy. With Nvidia (let's not talk ATI/AMD but similar) the first # is the generation/series. They got up to 9's (9800) and had to drop back. They went to "1" (160m) and dropped a digit (4 became 3).

2nd number tells you where in class it is. 460 is higher in class but back a generation from the 540m. There is very little intuitiveness on what that means as far as performance goes. It is memorization nothing more. Sometimes the first # might tell you DX capabilities or it may not. It may tell you a die shrink, not in this case.

What is the 3rd #? A tweak, say 480m vs 485m. Once again you can't from your gut tell what it means. You need to read and kind of memorize. 480m to 485m is a big jump if you ask me.

Nvidia marketing makes up the numbers, ergo the lack of any sense of continuity.

ATI/AMD is just as bad. 4 digits if you read above just ignore the last digit. ATI/AMD might of been more true to the 1st digit telling you DX but with 6xxx series and no new DX what are they going to do?

I don't have the answers. Nvidia and ATI/AMD make it up as they go. I just hang on for the ride.

I wish I was smarter and could explain the importance of the 1st and second digits. I have come up with crazy stuff like add 1st and 2nd. 460m=10, 540m=9? Guess what 460m is both the greater value and a higher performance card. In this example DX is not an issue. In others it is? But in general the higher # wins.

ATI is the same but the 3rd integer comes into play. 30,50,70. Add the 1st 2 but 3rd is not equal. I have a headache! Been a while since Thought this stuff.

I might be insane?:p;):D:)

[TheMeanHampster]

My eyes crossed reading this information :p

[SmogHog]

Is SATA III going to be like a huge difference in whatever it does when it comes out lol sorry I dont really know what SATA is to be honest

As of 2009, SATA has replaced parallel ATA in most shipping consumer PC and laptops.

Serial ATA (SATA or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) is a computer bus interface for connecting host bus adapters to mass storage devices

3 Revisions
SATA Revision 1.0 (SATA 1.5 Gbit/s)
SATA Revision 2.0 (SATA 3 Gbit/s)
SATA Revision 3.0 (SATA 6 Gbit/s)

Most if not all ODDs are SATA I

Shipping notebook HDDs are mostly SATA II

Shipping SSDs are SATA II with the exception of the Micron/Crucial C300 that is SATA III

Future SSDs should all be SATA III.

HDDs and SSHs????

What does this all mean.

SATA II drives are limited to 3gb/s reads and writes

SATA III drives are limited to 6/gb/s reads and writes.

For the gamer,SATA III drive will lower in game load times and an overall better performing PC and OS.

The question is:why are new SATA III capable laptops shipping with SATA II primary drives?

[Keeper]

I think I may need to go throw frags at people after reading all that, not that it wasn't good or anything, simply...... /hate marketing sometimes.

[JBossch]

Haha, that's about the most sensible explanation I have heard on GPUs.

This site has helped me a lot: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Comparison-of-Laptop-Graphics-Cards.130.0.html

You can see some performance comparisons there along with some game benchmarks. I have gotten to where I have a decent sense of mobile Nvidia GPUs but as soon as I wander into ATI Radeon GPUs or desktop GPUs I am lost again.

[thaidiver]

The release of the NP5170 made my decision much easier. As I'm buying a laptop each for me and my wife in early April, I was stressing having to drop $1574 x 2 for the NP8170. Now I can just get the same specs on the 5170 (except GPU) for $1079. I can sacrifice the second hard drive and GPU for $500 savings. All she plays is WoW, though I play a few other games as well.

I'm assuming the 540M GPU in the 5170 will be powerful enough to crank the settings on WoW Cataclysm pretty high while running at 1080p (we have 23" external 1080p monitors). If it is, I'm sold!

Edit: I realize a lot can change in the next 2.5 months, but it's nice to have something to obsess over ;)

[Shadow20]

Wow those look awesome, and love the explanation powerpack:) lol I always get mixed up with those generation numbers as well...

I noticed that they both only come with quad cores, i have read that the quad core burn much more power and generate more heat so in this case, how badly do you think the 2nd generation i7 will affect the heat and battery of these laptops considering they have the optimus support?

[TheMeanHampster]

Would the 540M be able to play games like guild wars WoW and diablo at max res lol probably going to be a yes but just wondering

[JBossch]

Would the 540M be able to play games like guild wars WoW and diablo at max res lol probably going to be a yes but just wondering

This might help answer your question: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Computer-Games-on-Laptop-Graphic-Cards.13849.0.html

It looks like the 540m can run most games on mid to high graphics settings at an acceptable frame-rate, but not the top settings. They don't have the new WoW listed but the old one can supposedly run at medium with no problem and on high its a little iffy.

[powerpack]

NP5170 comes w/ICD stock.

[singleshot71]

NP5170 comes w/ICD stock.

Meaning, they are worried about heat as well? Always better to let somebody else test it out first then buy the next/better generation. PP if only we would've waited for the 740(right)?

[powerpack]

I am not sweating it (740).:D I would consider what you say about the ICD except they offer the 485m in the 8150. Size is a natural thermal dissipater.;):)

[Shadow20]

hmm. I am guessing ICD=IC diamond thermal compound?(sorry feeling stupid to ask this)
if it is stock why does xotic offer to put it in for $20 in the 15" sager?(havent check the bigger one)

EDIT: my bad it comes stock in the 17" not the 15"

[powerpack]

Houston we have a problem! It just keeps getting worse.

[erisalit]

I am comparing the NP5170 to this ASUS:


ASUS N73JQ-XT1 17.3" Silver Laptop Computer
Display Type: LED backlight
Screen Size: 17.3"
Maximum Resolution: 1600 x 900
Memory Type: DDR3
Memory Size: 4GB
Memory Speed: DDR3 1066
Memory Slots (Total): 3
Maximum Memory Supported: 12GB
Capacity: 750GB
Hard Drive Speed: 7200 RPM
Processor: Intel Core i7 Quad-Core 1.73GHz i7-740QM
Operating Systems: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
GPU/VPU: NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M 1GB DDR3
Optical Drive: DVD Super Multi Burner
5-in-1 Media Reader
Media Types: Memory Stick
Memory Stick PRO
Multi Media Card
Secure Digital
xD-Picture Card
Audio Description: Integrated Audio
Integrated Microphone: Yes
USB Ports (Total): 3 - USB 2.0
1 - USB 3.0
LAN Ports: 1
Audio Out Jacks: 1
Microphone Jacks: 1
VGA Ports: 1
HDMI Ports: 1
eSATA Ports: 1
Communications Description: Integrated LAN
Integrated Wireless LAN
Integrated Bluetooth
Interface Type: RJ-45 Ethernet Connector
Bluetooth™
802.11b/g/n Wireless Networking
Data Transfer Rate: Up to 300 Mbps
Bluetooth 2.1 +EDR
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN
Protocols: 802.11b
802.11g
802.11n
Width: 16.8"
Height: 1.62"
Depth: 11.48"
Weight: 7.5 lbs
Keyboard Type: Fullsize with Numberpad
Battery Type: 6-Cell Lithium-ion
Color: Gray
Integrated Webcam 2.0MP

So the NP5170 has a better processor and GPU, better screen resolution, and better port placement (I strongly prefer especially the usb ports to be on the left side, so there are not a bunch of wires sticking out on the right where I like to use my mouse, on my lap desk). The speakers on the ASUS seem much much better, which will be a factor when I watch movies.

Price is roughly the same but the NP5170 seems a little cheaper. I could get the ASUS for $1,129 at another website (or here if they would match the price on this website's version of the N73). I think the ASUS has room for a SSD and the HDD without removing the optical drive, whereas the NP5170 would require removal of the optical drive to put an SSD and a HDD in it. But I am not sure I would bother with an SSD anyway, given the expense and hassle in setting it up (reinstalling the OS etc.).


I am concerned about heat on the Sager, due to bad prior experiences with Sager laptops. However, my last Sager was years ago, when they used to put desktop processors into notebooks. All gaming laptop makers seem to have come a long way in dealing with heat issues, which were once quite bad on almost all gaming laptops, especially Sagers.

I intend to use it to play Starcraft 2, surf the web, watch movies, word processing, occasional powerpoint presentations, and maybe some video editing if I ever learn how. I won't travel with it too much, but would like something that can play a whole 2 hour movie without the battery running out, for when I go on planes and stuff like that.

Any thoughts guys? Many thanks in advance.

[SmogHog]

Houston we have a problem! It just keeps getting worse.

The spambots join the site mostly at about 4 AM Eastern time when they estimate few if any moderators are on the job.

That's dinner time here so I see them join in groups sometimes.

We are on the easy target list.

Weekend are also prime time for forum joining and attacks.

[Maverick494]

The spambots join the site mostly at about 4 AM Eastern time when they estimate few if any moderators are on the job.

That's dinner time here so I see them join in groups sometimes.

We are on the easy target list.

Weekend are also prime time for forum joining and attacks.

maybe a solution to that is to have some trusted members with some moderation privileges. Like community reps that can delete posts, but not ban users.

[majid25]

not entirely sure but, in the technical specs it says it uses a HM55 shouldn't that be 65?

[SmogHog]

maybe a solution to that is to have some trusted members with some moderation privileges. Like community reps that can delete posts, but not ban users.

"With power comes great responcibility"

I've been both an Admin and a Super Moderator.

A moderator needs access to the moderators section of vbulletin where a member can be given a warning,limited ban or forever ban.

If they cannot ban then there's no way to stop the bot from posting.

Just to be able to remove their posts is no remedy.

Who wants to click open links to see if it's the members personal legit site or malware etc?

Having all new members 1st post reviewed before it appears is a better solution IMO.Then the user name,IP address and email address can be checked in databases besides the post itself.

There's no really good reason to allow links in signatures.

The link may say phones but really be malware or child pornography.

Administrators can ban known spammers IP address in their area of vbulletin.

[SmogHog]

not entirely sure but, in the technical specs it says it uses a HM55 shouldn't that be 65?

Good observation.

HM55 chipset is not Huron River platform chipset.

Also in the NP5170 overview there's mention of USB 3.0 but in the specs it list 4 USB 2 ports with no USB 3.0 listed.

The NP5160 lists 3 USB 2 and 1 USB 3.0 in the specs.

[erisalit]

I am comparing the NP5170 to this ASUS:

ASUS N73JQ-XT1 . . .

Well I ordered the NP5170 but have no idea how long it could take to arrive and am considering cancelling that order in favor of the ASUS N73JQ-XT1. The price has now gone up to $1199 which sucks. But on the upside, I don't think this particular ASUS is affected by the Sandy Bridge recall, and therefore I would have it much much faster.

I already gave my old laptop to my wife and she has started using it for her home business. I am making due with her old laptop, which cannot even play SC2. So now I can only game when she is not using her (my old) laptop. She uses it almost a lot so gaming time is cripled as of now. Any thoughts on whether the NP5170 is worth the indeterminate wait?

[erisalit]

well now the shipping date for the NP5170 is looking like mid March, according to the Sager website, so I guess I will hold out for that rather than cancel. Waiting until May would have been rough.

[erisalit]

I read that the i7-2720QM supports DDR3-1600 So-Dimms for RAM. But when I configure the 5170 (Build Yours button), and I select the upgraded i7-2720QM CPU, the optoin for 1600 speed RAM does not magically appear. Is that because the 5170, even with the 2720QM, cant use 1600 speed RAM?

Another possibly stupid question: Given that the 540M GPU on the NP5170 uses the Optimus thing to access the IGP on the CPU for longer battery life when not doing graphics intense things (like gaming), is it also the case that the IGP contributes to the total graphics performance for the machine (i.e., does the IGP help boost the normal performance capability of a 540M GPU alone)? Seems logical that you would harness the graphical processing power of both the GPU and the IGP on the CPU to maximize graphics performance when doing graphics intensive things (like gaming)?

[Keeper]

I read that the i7-2720QM supports DDR3-1600 So-Dimms for RAM. But when I configure the 5170 (Build Yours button), and I select the upgraded i7-2720QM CPU, the optoin for 1600 speed RAM does not magically appear. Is that because the 5170, even with the 2720QM, cant use 1600 speed RAM?

Another possibly stupid question: Given that the 540M GPU on the NP5170 uses the Optimus thing to access the IGP on the CPU for longer battery life when not doing graphics intense things (like gaming), is it also the case that the IGP contributes to the total graphics performance for the machine (i.e., does the IGP help boost the normal performance capability of a 540M GPU alone)? Seems logical that you would harness the graphical processing power of both the GPU and the IGP on the CPU to maximize graphics performance when doing graphics intensive things (like gaming)?

I would check with Xotic on the ram question, as it may just be something they have not updated because the 2720 does indeed support 1600 speeds. As for the other question I seriously doubt it works that way, though I do not know off the top of my head, perhaps smogbot, mav, or pp have something better to say on it.

[erisalit]

I would check with Xotic on the ram question, as it may just be something they have not updated because the 2720 does indeed support 1600 speeds. As for the other question I seriously doubt it works that way, though I do not know off the top of my head, perhaps smogbot, mav, or pp have something better to say on it.

Thanks, I will check with XOTICPC on the first question. Do you think if 1600 speed RAM is available with the 2720 on the NP5170, would it be worth the $150 for the 2720 upgrade plus however much more expensive the 1600 RAM is? I will use it mostly for gaming (SC2), web browsing, and MS Office applications (mostly word processing on Word and some PowerPoint and Excel). I am getting the hybrid HDD to boost boot and program load speeds. Not sure what effect a faster CPU and RAM would have? I will be just getting by with the gaming capability of the 540M. Won't be able to play games on high (oh well). I can live with that, given the price savings and better battery life over the 8170.

On the 2nd question, I know I am engaging in somewhat wishful thinking. I was just thinking that NVIDIA has that SLI technology for harnessing multiple GPUs on one machine so just maybe Optimus would work that way too.

[powerpack]

OK #1. Yes the 2720QM does support 1600MHz. That said MoBo support/BIOS support might be needed? I have no idea and I fear Xotic and Sager might not know. From past experience this might just be to differentiate system price points and not a technological limitation. Short of testing not sure you will get an answer.

#2 I am no expert but Optimus is an on/off switch as far as I know. So the answer is no. I could be wrong.

[erisalit]

Thanks guys. I will post here with any info I get from my email to Xotic.

I did know know Optimus was a manual switch. That is good if it is. Then I can decide when I need more graphics oomph. :)

It is a shame though, if the IGP just sits there except when working all by itself in Optimus mode. Heck, the IGP on my old Celeron CPU Vaio laptop is capable of playing SC2 (at intolerably slow FPS, but capable) all by itself. I gotta think that if the IGP were helping carry the load in some SLI type fashion, it would be a noticeable boost in graphics performance over a 540M standing alone.

[powerpack]

It is not manual.

Your thought on splitting the work like say SLI/CF while advantageous is easier said than done. How do you expect them to split the load?

[erisalit]

It is not manual.

Your thought on splitting the work like say SLI/CF while advantageous is easier said than done. How do you expect them to split the load?

I don't have the technical knowhow on that question, so I didn't have an expectation as to how exactly it would work, just hoped somehow it would :)

Unfortunately, looks like the answer to question #1 is "no," at least as far as XOTICPC is concerned. They said that the NP5170 "doesn't support the 1600 MHz RAM." Not sure why anyone would spend on the bucks for the 2720 on this machine in that case?

Edit:
Advantages of the 2720 (other than the stated processor speeds):
-While both the processors have base graphics clock frequency of 650 MHz, the core i7-2720qm has better 1.3 GHz turbo core frequency, as compared to 1.1 GHz for core i7-2630qm.
- The core i7-2720qm has support for the Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) while the core i7-2630qm has none.
- Intel core i7-2720qm has support for WiDI diplay – the core i7-2630qm doe has none.
- The core i7-2720qm supports Intel My WiFi Technology which core i7-2630qm does not.
- The core i702720qm has been listed with support for 4G WiMAX Wireless Technology

Would the improved turbo frequency of the graphics section make a difference for gamers? I could see why someone might want the WiDi capability, but other than that, do an of the other items above make any difference for gamers?

[Keeper]

I don't have the technical knowhow on that question, so I didn't have an expectation as to how exactly it would work, just hoped somehow it would :)

Unfortunately, looks like the answer to question #1 is "no," at least as far as XOTICPC is concerned. They said that the NP5170 "doesn't support the 1600 MHz RAM." Not sure why anyone would spend on the bucks for the 2720 on this machine in that case? What does the better CPU speed and Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) really get you? Improved performance if you plan to run multiple operating systems or have multiple users sharing devices? Doesn't seem it would have much relevance for gamers (the primary market for these machines)?


I don't know that I agree with you there. The CPU does not have a ton to do with gaming performance, but if you did run applications that were CPU intensive (though it looks like you're not) it would be a great help regardless of the ram speeds being 1333 or 1600. As for that machine being a gaming machine I don't know, will it plays games? yes, but it seems to be a more middle of the road machine versus a true gaming rig.

So basically a solid machine for a student or someone who seeks a decent amount of battery life and portability that would also like to frag some newbs at night. But I am not sure anyone would label that an answer to someone who is seeking a mean gaming machine.

[erisalit]

I don't know that I agree with you there. The CPU does not have a ton to do with gaming performance, but if you did run applications that were CPU intensive (though it looks like you're not) it would be a great help regardless of the ram speeds being 1333 or 1600. As for that machine being a gaming machine I don't know, will it plays games? yes, but it seems to be a more middle of the road machine versus a true gaming rig.

So basically a solid machine for a student or someone who seeks a decent amount of battery life and portability that would also like to frag some newbs at night. But I am not sure anyone would label that an answer to someone who is seeking a mean gaming machine.

I would call it a budget gaming capable machine with good battery life (and good cooling and all the other good stuff that comes with Sager as a brand). I know hard core gamers would not settle for this one unless they really needed the battery life. Thanks for confirming that the CPU upgrade would not have great impact for gaming (if I understand the implications of what you wrote above). I am curious what types of applications are "CPU intensive?"

[Keeper]

I would call it a budget gaming capable machine with good battery life (and good cooling and all the other good stuff that comes with Sager as a brand). I know hard core gamers would not settle for this one unless they really needed the battery life. Thanks for confirming that the CPU upgrade would not have great impact for gaming (if I understand the implications of what you wrote above). I am curious what types of applications are "CPU intensive?"

Yeah that's pretty much the gist of my long winded reply above. CPU intensive programs like heavy photoshop usage, video editing, processing algorithms, data conversions, serious number crunching, and similar.

[singleshot71]

Bad Company 2 is cpu intensive. And I have a feeling that with newer cpu's coming out, it will not be the last.

[Keeper]

Bad Company 2 is cpu intensive. And I have a feeling that with newer cpu's coming out, it will not be the last.

You're very probably right, though to be fair I cannot imagine the 2630 or even the 740 to not be enough for the near future.

[erisalit]

thanks guys, these replies are helpful. I feel like I really understand the pros and cons of this option and am looking forward to receiving my np5170, hopefully within a few weeks.

[erisalit]

Just to avoid spreading misinformation, these 3 were wrong, I found out:

- Intel core i7-2720qm has support for WiDI diplay – the core i7-2630qm doe has none.
- The core i7-2720qm supports Intel My WiFi Technology which core i7-2630qm does not.
- The core i702720qm has been listed with support for 4G WiMAX Wireless Technology

The 2630 supports WiDi, and the the other 2 have nothing to do with the CPU. Note however, that in the Sager 81xx models, where the IGP on the CPU is not used, WiDi no worki :).

[erisalit]

I did not know Optimus was a manual switch.
It is not manual.

Actually, now that I have the thing, I can confirm that it does have a manual switch for the GPU. Pretty cool to be able to turn it off when you want longer battery life.

[powerpack]

Actually, now that I have the thing, I can confirm that it does have a manual switch for the GPU. Pretty cool to be able to turn it off when you want longer battery life.That is cool. You can do it whenever you want correct, no restart? Can you set to run only on the discrete GPU, not sure why it would be needed but is it an option?

Can you confirm that 1) Optimus cannot take advantage of both GPU's simultaneously 2) when using Optimus (not disabling GPU) switching is automatic? 3) Seamless switching no buggy or glitchie performance?:)

Edit: Does it affect CPU temps in anyway when on IGP vs GPU?

[erisalit]

That is cool. You can do it whenever you want correct, no restart? Can you set to run only on the discrete GPU, not sure why it would be needed but is it an option?

Can you confirm that 1) Optimus cannot take advantage of both GPU's simultaneously 2) when using Optimus (not disabling GPU) switching is automatic? 3) Seamless switching no buggy or glitchie performance?:)

Edit: Does it affect CPU temps in anyway when on IGP vs GPU?

Yes, you can do it whenever you want, without restarting. There is a message that pops up when you do it. I don't have it with me at the moment so I can't tell you what that message is, but I think it is a type of message you can click "don't show me this message again."

You cannot set it to run only on the GPU. You can only disable the GPU or enable it. My understanding is that if it is enabled, it automatically chooses for you whether to disable it.

I have not seen any buggy or glitchy performance, either due to automatic switching or otherwise, or when I pressed the button, but I haven't used it much yet.

I have to imagine it would raise CPU temps to switch to IGP only, but I will try to check that.

I don't know how to confirm that Optimus cannot take advantage of both IGP and GPU simultaneously. Open to suggestions on how to check that. I can tell you that the display is routed through the IGP, so you could not get to the display with the IGP totally turned off. But whether it is just a conduit or actually boosting the graphics performance when the GPU is engaged, I could not tell you.

[SmogHog]

There finally NP5160 and NP5170 entries listed on Sager's support site for downloads.

http://www.sagernotebook.com/index.php?page=support