About the Gateway 7811FX lockups..

So im purchasing a laptop for school/gaming in week or two and was pretty set on a dv5t untill I saw this on sale for 1250$.

Can anyone explain to me what causes the lockups? Can it be solved? Are newer versions fixed? Can I tell what version it is from the store?

Sorry if it seems like a lot. I tried reading through the threads but getting only a few sentences of information at a time is annoying.

 

I guess that most of the issues people had were with the earlier builds of this particular notebook. Those who buy a notebook with a serial number beginning with "P2888" seem to have less issues than those who bought others with "P2887".

 

Are you only able to check the serial number of the laptop when you get it or can you look at it when you order it?

 

The serial number is on the outside of the box.

 

I believe the lock ups are mainly due to the temp sensors as well as the GPU cooling. Just look on the outside of the box for serial number 2888-xxx...

If you get an older model, propping the back of the laptop with a game box (Crysis game box works well) helps solve the temp issue.

 

And say if I went into a best buy and told them about the serial numbers, would they check for me? Im pretty sure everything is kept in the back, so I wouldn't have a chance to see.

Thanks

 

Well if it's Best Buy they have a 14 day return period right? So you could buy it, take the box and look at it, then just say you want another one if it's the wrong serial number. They might hate you for it... but it could save you a lot of trouble.

 

Goblin, they'll give you the box to ring it up. Just look on the side when they give you the box and check the serial. Tell them you want the box that starts with 2888. If they give you crap, speak with a manager and demand them to take you back there and let you look for yourself.

 

Ok well i'll keep you guys updated on how it goes. Im getting a college loan check thats being sent tomorrow. Hopefully it'll be here by sat.

I'll ask if they have it with the newer serial code. If none of the stores have it should I opt for a dv5t?

Is the newer model rare or anything? How many can I expect a BB to carry?

Thanks

 

You just have to check with Best Buy. There's not much of a guarantee if you ask me. Just luck I suppose. Not sure if I'd bite the bullet though and get a dv5t. They are nice, but to me, not a true "Centrino 2" platform like the Gateway is.

 

Can you give me an idea of how much of an upgrade this is over a dv5t with say something like

4gb
2.4ghz
The nvidia 9600 I think

 

Theres gonna be somewhat of an FPS increase with the 9800 vs the 9600, but it's not going to be night and day. The big difference is the screen size and resolution. The 5t is a 15" where the 7811 is a 17". A more reasonable comparison would be between the dv7t and the 7811. However, a similarly spec'd 7T will run you around $1600 and according to the website the highest resolution available is 1680x1050, which is still plenty, but I figured I'd mention it.

I actually find the new HP design to be very handsome and well built. If I had the extra cash I'd probably go that route. Especially with the older, flawed 7811s still circulating. If youre able to cope with a bit less mobility, the 20" HDX Dragon can be had fairly cheap as well, and it has an 8800m GTS.

 

wth, 9600m gt scores around 4k on 3dmark 06 on hp dv7t.
9800m gts is 8750 on stock, 9600+ overclocked on gateway p7811fx.
read my sig:

 

The HDX18 is now up on their website. Love the option for that QX9300, but the 9600M GT is gonna suck for gaming. I wish HP would have chosen a beefier GPU for such a top-of-the-line machine.

As the other guy here said, 3Dmark scores of 4000 vs 8000+ shows a big difference. I think HP hates gamers.

 

Contrary to popular belief, 3DMark is not a true indication of performance. One can sway 3DMark scores over 1000 points simply by using 3Dmark tuned drivers. Hell, I can add 800 points just by updating to one of the newer custom drivers, but in-game performance is not as good as the one I'm currently using.

So again, like I said, OP there will be a difference, but it's not going to be as much as some might lead you to believe. It's unfortunate, but some live or die by 3DMark scores and completely snub anything lower then what they deem acceptable.

 

This is not to question your judgement, but if you pull up the 7811 review on CNET you'll see the game benchmarks they ran alongside the dv7. UT3 ran at over 100 FPS on the Gateway while the dv7 was pushing 44 FPS. That IS a big difference if you ask me.

EDIT: I don't have either machine atm, but I would put them side-by-side if I could and run a few games on both to see the real FPS difference.

 

Oh FFS. This is getting silly.

Nevermind Goblin, I'm making all this up. The 9600m GT is just terrible. Sorry to make you think anything other than a 9800 would be beneficial for gaming.

 

I should of added that I dont play anything too graphic intensive. I think i'll mainly be playing warhammer and TF2.

But getting a 17 inch for the same price is a big plus.

Does anyone know when the BB sale ends? I'll hit up every store and try and find a newer version.

 

Proabably ends this Saturday

Just a wild guess

Ads normally run from Sunday through Saturday

 

Bah crap. So I might have to get a dv5t anyway

 

Well at least you came to your senses, The only silly thing in this thread was you saying that there isn't a a huge difference between the 9600m and 9800m.

It is night and day - medium versus high in most games.

And if games are important to you, yes the 9600m GT is terrible and you will regret buying it.

 

Terrible?

How would it do with warhammer? I always thought it was a decent card.

You guys have any other suggestions?

 

Probably would do fine with warhammer it also depends on the resolution you run the game in as well. The 9600 is a midrange card and should be ok for most games again depending on the resolution and settings but you can play most games on it just not in all there glory .

 

Sorry I know this is kinda turning into a "can I run it" thread. Thanks though.

As long as a 9600 could run warhammer i'll be fine. I used to play WoW on a 4 year old 400$ acer with 1gb of ram and an integrated card.

Some medium settings will be amazing to me

 

No point mincing words - If you were my friend and wanted to run games on a notebook that was $1499 or less there would only be one option.

I have no loyalty to any brand. The minute a better perfromer pops up in the price range, I'll buy it. For now, nothing beats the 7811FX.

 

Fanboy opinions notwithstanding, the 9600 is a decent card and as Quad stated, is fine for most games. I have an Acer 7730G with a 9600m GT, that I use at work, which has run, pretty much everything I've thrown at it. Contrary to what some questionable people may tell you, you don't need 100FPS to enjoy a game. Hell, I played Crysis on my old 6850 with an ATI 2600...and fluently I might add, and with some settings on high! GASP!

That being said, I'm most certainly NOT saying the 9600GT is better than or even equal to a 9800, or even an 8800. What I AM saying is that it's not as crippled as the ridiculous fanboys lead you to believe.

If you like the HP, get it from a retailer with a good return policy and try it out. If you find it doesn't meet your needs, simply return it for something that does.

There's more to a laptop than just the GPU. Some people prefer build quality and/or finish and don't mind paying more for a somewhat less capable machine. Especially those who aren't (OMG!) hard-core gamers and are drawn to a machine for reasons other than it's gaming ability. I love my 6860, LOVE IT, but don't think for a second that I haven't been interested in the other brands(ie.HP Dragons, the Dell XPS', the Sagers), all of which(with the exception of the 20" dragon), at my price limit, are more expensive than the 6860 and have less GPU ability.

 

Well I was looking to spend about 1250$, exact price of the gateway.

Anyway I could get BB to give me the sale price maybe next week

 

Its worth a try. Never hurts to ask!

 

Right.

Dook: So tell the guy to spend his money on the 9600m and time how long before the 'how much can I OC my 9600m thread' appears.

OP: You asked for opinions. There is not shortage of them here. Go with the guy who claims to have played Crysis fluently 'with some setting at high' on a 2400 (menus screens and intro movies don't count) or the one pointing out the undisputed value champ at the moment (who also has 50+ reviews so far so the fanboy comment is BS).

Plus look at Dook's signature - looks like he is having fun with his FX.

~Gateway P-6860FX~
Intel C2D Extreme [email protected]/2-320GB 5400RPM WD Scorpios in RAID 0
4GB RAM/8800 GTS/17" WXGA+/Vista Ultimate 64bit/Logitech G5/VX Nano
Undevolted to 1.212V/Idle 37C/Max Gaming 66C/Max Orthos 1 hour/74C

 

LOL. Did you even bother actually READING what I posted previously, or did you just pick out random points that looked like fun things to dispute? I tell you what, go back and actually READ what I typed and if you still feel the need to debate this, PM me. Lets allow the thread to get back on topic and away from biased opinions and such.

PS-Yes, I certainly DO have fun with my 6860, but that's all in the previous post that in your haste to point out your 50+ "reviews", you forgot to read. Again, if you still want to argue, PM me, if not, thank you for your opinion.

 

If gaming is your main concern build a desktop.

 

Well my major in college is a "laptop program" so I need one

Otherwise I totally would.

 

Do you need a high end laptop for this program ?

P7811fx- $ 1500
or
Budget lappy ~ $500
Gaming Rig~ $1000

 

I actually hadn't really considered that. How much better would a 1000$ rig be than a dv5t/7811FX?

Im hoping to major in computer science so I dont really need an amazing laptop. Not sure if a 500 would cut it though.

 

A lot better. Just think about it radeon 4850/4870 vs 9600gt (desktop equivalent of 9800mgts). Also gaming on the go is not all it's cracked up to be. Unless you are gaming with a power adapter you can expect low battery life and slightly reduced performance. The downside of all this is that a desktop monitor will put you above that $1000 mark.

edit: you could also go for the gtx 260 if you love Nvidia, but I would lean towards the 4870.

e8400 $170
Asus P5q Pro $119
hd4870 $240
4gb GSkill pc2 6400 $63
OCZ GameXstream 700w $90
Western Digital caviar 500gb $70
Antec 300 $55
CD/DVD drive $30
AC Freezer7 pro $20

There... took Eurasianman's suggestion into account.

~$857

 

Yeah I thought about it some more and I cant really do it right now. My budget is more around 1300$ anyway. And I would need a moniter (I think the 7811 is bigger than mine now rofl).

 

It's your call you could save up some $$$. The rig I posted will smoke the 7811 and then some. As I said the monitor is the problem.

edit: For a gaming laptop the 7811 is the way to go though, even if you have to return it a few times to get a perfect unit.

 

Rampage is overkill... I know. He could get away with a < $150 P45 chipset and still manage a good overclock. Antec 300 can be had for around $50 and is a good enough case.

 

Well I had my mind set on a laptop for a while. And I dont think i'll be bringing it to school enough to even justify spending 5-600$, but I will NEED it once and a while. I figure thats a good of enough reason to replace my 4 year old 400$ acer

Kinda hard to understand. What im trying to say is, if im going to be spending money on a laptop I want it to be pretty good.

EDIT: Another reason that im almost leaning towards the dv5t is that this will pretty much be my desktop replacement and I really dont want to run into tons of problems. Hopefully I can get the new serial one.

 

Bottom line then, get the P-7811FX. And make sure you get the one with the serial number 2888. And don't let Best Buy give you any crap about it!