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    Component Dilemma - Sager NP8170

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Auesis, Oct 9, 2011.

  1. Auesis

    Auesis Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm getting a Sager NP8170 for my birthday, but I'm torn in one particular component choice.

    The specs are:

    i7-2630QM - 2.0-2.9Ghz
    8GB DDR3 1333Mhz RAM (2 sticks)
    ATI HD6990M
    500GB 7200RPM hard drive

    With the discounts, it comes to exactly the sort of budget I want.

    The choice is:

    - I can upgrade to the i7-2670QM (2.2-3.1Ghz) for $50 and change the RAM to 4 x 2GB sticks instead of 2 x 4GB sticks (which is $50 less)
    - or I can leave the components the way they are now (2630QM and 2 x 4GB)

    Either way, it's the exact same price.

    Which would be a better choice for gaming? Is the processor worth the switch to 4 x 2GB, and what repercussions would each choice have on gaming? I'm looking to be running games like Skyrim and Battlefield 3 on close to maximum or maximum settings, and with the 6990M, I know that is possible.

    Thanks in advance!
     
    Auesis, Oct 9, 2011
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  2. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    2x 4GB RAM modules give you the option of simply putting in another 2x 4GB sticks in the future for 16GB total RAM. If you went with 4x 2GB sticks now and you did want to upgrade to 16GB RAM in the future, it would mean getting rid of all your current RAM to upgrade. In my case; I would stick to 2x 4GB modules.

    The effects on gaming with greater than 8GB RAM is that your minimum FPS would be higher (as they would be with a better cpu too...).


    As for the cpu...

    See:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/7980032-post3.html

    Good luck.
     
    tilleroftheearth, Oct 9, 2011
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  3. Auesis

    Auesis Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well going by that, would you say it's worth just putting forward that $50 for the 2670QM and leaving the RAM as 2 x 4GB? I'm just trying to work with a budget, but I should be able to push it a bit.
     
    Auesis, Oct 9, 2011
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  4. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    That is exactly what I am saying. :)

    This is like buying the 2012 model vehicle for a mere $50 (and you get to drive it all you want... with no mileage penalties...).

    Good luck!
     
    tilleroftheearth, Oct 9, 2011
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  5. Auesis

    Auesis Notebook Enthusiast

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    Then it's settled. i7-2670QM with 2 x 4GB! Thanks :)
     
    Auesis, Oct 9, 2011
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