Building a Gaming Laptop for College

After doing some research I finally decided to build my own laptop from the MSI-1651 barebones. This is my parts lists:

Barebone MSI-1651 (with 15.4" WXGA 1280x800 screen, GeForce 9600M GT DDR3, Built-in Intel PRO/Wireless 5300) http://www.xoticpc.com/msi1651-barebone-laptop-p-2478.html?wconfigure=yes $726.53
CPU Intel Core 2 Duo T9600 2.8GHz 6MB L2 Cache Socket P 35W Dual-Core Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819111006 $569.99
RAM OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227251 $82.00 ($57.00 after rebate)
HDD Western Digital Scorpio Black WD3200BEKT 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136280 $179.99
Total $1558.51
($1533.51 after rebate)

I was just curious to see what you guys think about building laptops over ordering them custom-built from a reseller/what you think about his particular parts list. Any insight towards possible compatibility issues/ways to improve the laptop/advice for a first time builder is much appreciated.

And for all you skeptics out there who think you can't save money building your own laptop, a similarly-spec'd FORCE 3515 laptop (xoticpc's custom-built model) costs $1797.41

 

wow nice deal on the ram! i am gona pick myself up an upgrade. but thats about what i paid for my Cyberpower notebook and even online i scraped building it completely how i wanted it and did some custom upgrades for a lot less then they wanted. in my eyes building your own if you have the skills and even if you're a beginner is far cheaper and more rewarding.


edit:you inspired me i might build a second gaming rig lol =]
edit 2: after looking at the bare bones for 60 bucks more you can get a better display....go for it. i prefer the 1680x1050 alot crisper gaming to me.

 

True you can save if you build one on your own....but:

Look at this retailer laptop
$1450. Though it's a 17"; so it is different size.

Specs are similar, just the processor is weaker; but the GPU is much much better. Of course with a 17" screen, it reaches a higher resolution. And comes with an operating system (if you are not going Linux).


Or there is this guys laptop

 

smaller harddrive and 2.26 GHz processor speed? he has a build with a 320 harddrive and a 2.8 GHz processor. they would equal out in price with those changes the gateway might even be more

uhhh right beat to the punch by the original poster lol.

 

I ignored the hard-drives because I felt it was insignificant. Also, you missed out on my Operating System comment.
look up the second link though.
The P-6860FX has close enough specs. With a better GPU. He can just upgrade that CPU, gets the OS it comes with, no taxes. Saves big and is future proof. Can even add a second hard-drive in that model and will still be saving moolah.

 

@SquaredAce:
I was considering upgrading the screen but when I called xoticpc they said that the higher-res models wouldn't ship until September 1 whereas the one I have selected would ship August 25. I leave for school on September 8 and I would like to leave enough time to build and get acquainted with the laptop before I go.

I don't really mind going with a lower res for this added security as I would have to bump it down for games anyway and I'm already used to 1280x1024 on my desktop so it's not a huge difference.

@Infoseeker:
Although those are some great deals I am only in the market for a 15.4" laptop or less. Since this is a laptop for college first and gaming second, the greater portability of a 15.4" is important to me.

Thanks for your speedy replies. Any other comments before I order this bad boy up?

 

Yeah, the screen size does make a big difference for portability. If its college first 15.4" would be much better with a carrying-bag and all.

Oh and you should probably pay the $60 for the higher resolution screen. Your video card should be able to handle that native resolution.

 

have you build a notebook before? if you have def chance the screen upgrade its very possible to assemble a laptop in the lesser part of a day as long as you have the parts.

 

the question should be, why do you need a gaming notebook for college?
It is a much better idea to buy the school laptop, cause you will be warrantied through everything, and a replacement is a short walk to the tech building. If your system dies, it will be weeks before Xotic gets it and sends you it back working.
Plus, why are you planning on gaming? College is all about working hard and making your parents pay actually go to something, rather than blowing it off on gaming.
I have seen many buy gaming systems at rpi, but when they realize gaming drops their grades, they put the gaming system aside and hit the books. So basically the system just sits on the sidelines and only is used on the weekends, if they find the time.

I would check with the school, and see if they offer a laptop, cause it will be the best bang for the buck, and it will have all preinstalled software, which your custom build will not have.

K-TRON

 

Finally, someone giving out the truth. Now I can even back this whole statement up. My brother's roommate had a dell XPS M1710 w/ 7900GTX and gamed all night, until his grades fell. After that, he used the campus' library computers to do work because it was so tempting to game, instead of study.

But, to give you a little insight on building notebooks. 1. K-Tron has it right with the warranties, especially when it comes to buying parts separately. If your in college, every day without a computer is a huge blow. 2. You can get a better value by purchasing a whole notebook retail, such as the Gateway P-7811FX at BB, for example. Building laptops is more for the hobbyists or the enthusiast who has to have that experience or building a notebook. The only time building something is a deal, is desktops.

 

true, hardware wise, you get more bang for the buck from a custom build. But their is one major drawback, and that is the software. I do not premote illegal downloading of software, so the only way to actually get the software you need for school, is to either buy the school laptop, or buy all the software separately, which could be a huge cost.
I am an architecture student, and I got a school laptop for the software, cause auto cad and RHino cost like $7000 each, and I cant afford to buy both. The school will be able to get student licenses for much less than what you can buy, so if your major requires expensive software, you will have to get the software through the school, or you will have to buy it separately. It is up to you, I am just trying to give you an alternative.

K-TRON