I Need Help Before Considering HP Envy 17

On the HP website, I was looking at the Envy 17, however it was sad to not see the i7-2720QM processor available for an upgrade, is it possible to purchase the standard i5-2410M (dual core) processor and then order the desired processor (i7-2720QM) separately? Then just open and put it in yourself? I guess the real question I'm asking here is that, are the motherboards different for Dual Core/Quad Core processors?

I don't want to pay $500 for the i7-2820QM as that's an obvious rip-off and the even though the 2630-QM is only $100 for the upgrade price, I'd rather just get the 2720QM for $325 later as a much more manageable purchase.

 

The warranty will not cover the processor upgrade if you do it yourself. Also note that is is a pain to open up the Envy 17.

As for doing the upgrade, there is no difference between motherboards for quad and dual. However, there may be a difference in the heat sink used.

 

Also, just wondering, I noticed that the HP Envy 17" comes with an optional 300GB SSD Flash Module, is that an mSATA SSD Module or a standard SSD in the form of a 1.8"/2.5"?

Furthermore, would it be possible to use my current 2.5" 500GB 7200RPM Drive as a second drive for the HP Envy 17", if I order it with the standard 750GB HDD and nothing else?

 

It's the intel 2.5" SSD.
And yes you can use your 'old' drive as a second drive. You'll have to get a drive caddy though. Either for waaay to much oney from HP or here
Hard Drive Caddy & Cable for HP Envy 17 (also works with SSD) [HP-ENVY-17] - $38.55 : NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks
I have it in mine (flipped my 1TB that the Envy came with into this caddy, put it into bay 1 and installed a C300 SSD in bay 0)

 

I think for that price, I'd probably be better of just upgrading to the dual hdd wouldn't I? I mean, after you including shipping. Do you know if that HP Envy can take on a mSATA Drive? I'd rather just get an 80GB mSATA and boot from that as opposed to another alternative HDD/SSD.

 

Not quite sure what you are trying to achieve here. If you order a dual harddrive, you ahve to take oine out anyhow to make space for the SSD, so just buying the Caddy is definately the better option. When I bought it, regular shipping was free.
In regards to the mSATA, I believe the Envy does support it, but why spend the money, and I would not even know how to fit it into the regular HDD slot.
Envy has 2 HDD slots (both support a 2.5 or 1.8 SSD). There is no additional spot for a flash module as you mentioned it.

 

Perhaps it's a misprint when I go to customize the laptop in the hard-drive section. I'll figure it out eventually, but thanks for the help.

 

Why not consider the Quadro 2000M? I haven't heard of any issues with the OpenGL. Although it is DDR3, the 2 GB of VRAM is there just so it can store the 3D data. I have the W520 (FHD comes w/ 95% gamut), it came with nVidia 3D Vision (no glasses) and it rendered 3d objects in Photoshop realtime (Photoshop does take up quiet alot of RAM). The 2000M can come with the Dell Precision m4600, but the 10 bit IPS screen kills the Optimus compatiblity.

 

Real world performance difference between the i7-2630QM and i7-2720QM will be minimal. I would just get the 2630QM and save ~ $285.