choices..choices

just joined the website recently and was wondering which of these two systems would give me better performance for gaming?

P-173XL FX

Intel® Pentium® Core™ 2 EXTREME processor X9000
3.0 GHz | 6 MB L2 cache | 800 MHz FSB
Chipset : Intel® PM965
Display panel: 17-inch Ultrabright™ WUXGA+ TFT (1920 × 1200)
Memory: 4 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (2 × 2048)
Operates at 667 MHz
Total slots: 2 DDR2 slots | Available slots: 0 DDR2 slots
Video controller: NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800M GTS
With 512 MB of GDDR3 Discrete Video Memory
Hard drive: 400 GB 7200 RPM SATA hard drive (no Raid)

P-7811FX

Intel® Core™2 Duo processor P8400, Intel® Mobile PM45 Express chipset, 1066MHz frontside bus, 3MB L2 cache and 2.26GHz pocessor speed
# 4GB DDR3 memory for multitasking power, at 800MHZ
NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTS graphics with 512MB of GDDR3 discrete video memory

thank you for all those that respond to this thread

 

p-7811fx. the price of extreme cpu's are not justifiable.

 

First one has less issues. Second one has more potential. Both are nice systems. Gaming vise with the settings you have 173xl will perform better with an overclocked gpu.

 

p-7811fx, uses centrino 2, newer tech.

 

I agree with this conclusion. If it were me, I'd go with the 173.(that rhymed)

 

I thought it was 4gb DDR3 @ 1066mhz? If they are the same price, I'd go for the 173 as the 8800gts can be OC to the stock 9800gts and with that extra X9000 chip, it'll pack a powerful punch.

 

wow, when did they change the cpu that the 173 comes with? it used to be a 2.53 ghz

p.s., my personal opinion would be the 7811, not just because I hvae one. I actually spent about 2 weeks trying to decide between the two models, and I even had a 173 shipping to me when I changed my mind and went for the 7811 (I had to deny the package and wait for a refund before getting my 7811). I think the 173 has had just as many problems as the 7811 when it comes to ratio of problems/sales. The 7811 is a best buy exclusive, so much more people bought it, and therefore much more people reported problems (however, the ones being sold now have been seen significantly less problems). the cpu can always be upgraded later. it's nice to have now, but it's not really needed yet. as someone said, the centrino 2 system vs the centrino 1 alone would make me pick the 7811. cooler, less power, longer battery life, more upgradable, newer technology.

 

the missing factor in here is the price.
if you get the 7811 at 1250$ and the 173 at 2000$ the answer is quite clear.
if at same price i think the 173 is more fool proof choice.
performance wise, the difference in real life gaming will probably be negligible.

 

^ agreed

They will preform about the same. Though the 173 will dominate in CPU intensive applications.

But the biggest factor would really be price.

If they are about the same, i would go for the 173, if not then just get the cheaper one

 

when you guys say "problems" are those regular issues that can happen with any laptop, or are there extra problems with these Gateway laptops because they are dirt cheap?

 

the 7811 managed to fill our little forum with "issues"
the 68xx (including 171 172 173) had nothing like that.
my 6831 is running as strong as it was on day 1, zero problems.

 

i think another thing that made this forum fill up is because the 7811 is so cheap, people are intentionally trying to find out what's the deal with it.

 

Go Montevina...Why buy the older platform for more?

 

Because if they are the same price then the 173 is the better deal and more powerful computer.

Plus theres also no indication if the 7811 is a first gen POS or the 2nd release which was finally a decently made machine.

Still... the price would be the telling factor. But since the OP didnt think to tell us we cant really give an honest reply

 

P-7811 FX = 1,772 CD (Canadian Dollars)

P-173 XL = 2,068 CD

sorry for not including the price the first time

 

That's ok. Just make your way on over to the electric chair.

 

Hmm.. The 6k models of the FX did have some issues, and I ran across quite a few threads about those issues when I started reading posts from a *while* back. But, those issues were resolved, and like the 7811.. you don't have any questions or complaints several months later. Heck, the 7811 is a *hot* item, that got a ton of publicity. More people jumped on the wagon than the previous FX models, so odds are more people will present their issues. I'm not saying the 7811FX doesnt have problems, and that the 6k series did.. but just baseing it off of what I've seen, there are a lot less issues now, than 2 months ago. *shrugs* doesn't matter really. Just my 2 pennies.

 

well said e-wrecked... rep for you.

yeah basically the more people who buy these laptops, the more issues are going to submerge or at least more issues will be posted here... out of 1000 people who buy the laptop, let's say 100 go no NBR, then let's say about 20 have different issues...

7000 7811fx's => 700nbr readers ==> 140problems (very very rough image of what's happening)

2000 6860fx's => 200nbr readers ==> 40 problems

something like that. im not trying to be smart or anything. it's just that i think what's happening looks a bit like that...

 

sorry nbr is telling me to spread some love... argh...

 

so where does your numbers coming from as to 68xx 17x sales ?

and do remind me what issues the previous fx line had that made people replace their machines several times straight out of the box.
as to pricing the 68xx were priced outrageously, nothing even came close that was less than double the price (maybe )

all i am saying the 7811 was a bumpy release, its a very good machine and by far the best value 17" out there.

 

i also think the 7811 is an excellent rig. my guess is not very many bought the 173's so not many posted problems. unlike the 7811 being very reachable that more people bought it.