Considering NP6165

So I am considering ordering a NP6165 through XoticPC. I am hoping to make this laptop last about 3 years, and be able to play games anywhere from medium to max settings. Specs would be:
15.6" 1920x1080 screen
nVidia GT650m
8GB 1600mhz
750 GB 7200RPM sata hard drive
(Second 500GB 7200RPM hard drive from old laptop)

My questions come in at the processor.
i7-3610QM or i7-3720QM?
Is it worth the extra $160? To go from $989 to $1150? Also, is there anything else I should upgrade? Is XoticPC the reseller to order from?

 

Please tell us what games you had in mind.

I don't believe you will be able to max out any game settings with examples such as Skyrim or BF3 using the GT650M, but maybe someone with one of those cards can comment more on the matter.

I would recommend the 3610QM if gaming is your main task with this laptop, I really don't see the benefits of bumping up the CPU.

An SSD is always an excellent upgrade to any system and would benefit you more than the CPU upgrade.

 

Generally I play FPS, RTS, and RPG, with hack-n-slash being most common recently (diablo 3, torchlight 2, path of exile). Also, in the case of an ssd, which would be a good one?

 

I'm not sure about Skyrim, but I know that older games such as Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas CAN in fact be maxed out easily. Anno 2070 maxes out too, albet at a bit lower frame rates (I'm not sure exactly what they were, but it's more than playable as an overhead view kind of game).

 

After reviewing the choices of hard drives, the 750GB hybrid is rather tempting. Is the performance boost from it worth it?

EDIT: Maybe two 750gb, i do keep lots of video... WHY SO MANY CHOICES?

 

I got the 650&3610 in my dv6. I can max out skyrim, D3, WoW and almost everything else I have thrown at it. Don't underestimate the 650.

 

Ah... hp... I have had "experiences" with them. They have all overheated. Without exception. First one burnt its own motherboard. This one has a desk fan next to the heat vent to keep it from literally melting. I mean it. Hits 103C w/o it, and only runs a 230m and 720qm. Not the time to discuss hp's terrible design, however. Any advice on the HD configuration?

 

A 128GB or 256GB SSD for OS and your favorite games, and a 1TB or a 750GB HDD for your videos and other games.

Also keep in mind that CPU turbo boost is turned off when the 650M kicks in, so if you have CPU intensive games (e.g. some MMOs), they'll take a performance hit.

 

Hmm... configuring with a 128GB ssd and 750GB 7200RPM puts me at 1164. Thats pretty good, though a bit pricey for me.

EDIT: And I just realized OS is extra 80. That is definitely out of price range now. Slower startup isn't that much of an issue, so maybe I could go for just one 750GB.

 

Yeahhh really old computers like that tend to over heat lol. For the HP go with the 750, 7200rpm hybrid for $20 extra. You might actually be able to make some use of it after you install a ssd.

 

I am not going HP again. Customer service on both occasions was downright terrible, and the computer ends up costing more for a slightly weaker setup.

 

SSD prices are dropping like crazy now, so you can always get the 750GB now, and then buy and install an SSD when you can.

 

That does sound good. Looks like I know my config, time to choose a reseller. Is XoticPC the best choice?