Decisions... NP5796 vs. NP296

Edit: Title should say NP2096...

So I haven't really seen much of a comparison between these models in the searching I've been doing on here...

Here's the deal: I need a laptop for college. I've done some research and decided I'm going with a Sager one way or the other. At first I was pretty set on a 5793, until I saw the new models coming out at which point I obviously wanted the 5796. However, that's a lot of money.

My question, really, is whether the NP5796 is really worth the rather large price difference for a similarly equipped machine. I plan on getting the P9500, 4 GB of memory, and 320 GB 5400rpm HDD no matter which one I decide on. Specwise besides the 5796 running DDR3 and a 9800M GT the specs of the two would be very close on paper.

The 2096 is kind of blah looking whereas I think the 5796 is a work of art. I do want a 17 inch machine despite the added weight, 2 pounds really isn't that much of a difference between the two models. And I would prefer to get a Clevo model if possible as well. But, I've been reading about some issues with the 5796 that have been cropping up, and that and the price difference between the two is at least enough to make me think twice about my decision.

I guess I'm just looking for someone to reassure me that the NP5796 is the way to go so I can go ahead and order the thing . I don't do a lot of gaming now with my work schedule and all the other stuff I've been busy with but I get the feeling that may change soon, and I'd like a machine that I can have with me and be at least respectable for at least a few years.

Also, what is the advantage of ordering the machine from a retailer like XoticPC instead of directly from Sager.

Sorry I made that so long... Looking forward to seeing what you guys have to say.

-Darren

 

Well, the $900+ decision comes down to the DDR3 and 9800, and to how much of a gaming machine you want. It's average mid-range versus the high-end. Come next year, the 9600 will really start showing it's age, while the 9800 will be running through everything you throw at it.

If the 5796 fits comfortably within your financial situation, I'd choose that one.

As far as cost cutting goes, the default P8400 is more than capable. The CPU can be upgraded at a later time, if you see fit.

 

The fact that the 9800 will be a strong card for some time as well as the fact that I can always upgrade to the GTX if I feel the need eventually is one of the factors pushing me towards the 5796.

The way I'm looking at it, the P9500 is only $165 more than the base processor for a decent performance increase. It's not a big enough price difference for me to warrant the trouble of getting the cheaper one and then deciding later to upgrade.

Thank you for the reply.

-Darren

 

I have to disagree with Kevin_Jack2.0 on the GPUs life time frame. Given what's in the gaming industry today, I think both cards perform quite well, although it depends what your throw at them (settings). Both cards, considering there aren't any major breakthroughs in the gaming industry, should be more than enough for the next two upcoming years.

As Kevin_Jack2.0 stated, you're looking at approx. 900$ more. If you're a fan of maxed out graphics and high resolutions, than the NP5796 is for you. Otherwise, if you can enjoy mid-end to low-end graphics (considering the upcoming years), than I believe you're better off with the NP2096. Plus, nothing limits you from buying another notebook in the years to come with the money you saved today (that's if any major breakthroughs happen or if you feel unsatisfied).

Anyhow, I agree on the processor, as I usually run several tasks at once.

 

Thanks Corbs,

Mid-end to low-end graphics typically aren't my thing . I know it's not an extremely accurate guage of performance, but what kind of difference between the two machines, with the same processor and 4GB of memory, would I see in 3Dmark numbers?

My intention is to graduate in 3 years with an electrical engineering degree (gotta love taking college classes in high school, eh?) and I plan on just getting one notebook to last me that whole time. Once I get out of the dorms and live in a house next year or the year after, building a rather nice desktop is not out of the question though. But I probably wouldn't do that until my notebook starts becoming obviously dated, at which point I'll likely just start using it for the "normal" college stuff.

Now, another thing I didn't mention before is that I do a fair amount of photo editing, but more so than that I'm going to be setting up a "home studio" of sorts eventually (I'm a guitarist) and will be doing a good deal of recording and audio editing with this machine most likely. This is another reason why a faster processor is pretty important to me. I don't intend on doing much if any video editing as this point, but that may change. I may be doing some CAD work though.

Now it looks like I'm trying to talk myself into the 5796... lol. Unless someone posts some profound revelation about the two I'm pretty sure I know what I'm going for

-Darren

 

Uh, I'm not 100% on the 9600, but I think it'll be in the 5-6ks, where the 9800 will definitely be in the 9ks.

 

(Emphasis added)

If that's your long term goal for what you want to do with the computer you're buying now, then you'd really better consider the NP9262 with a quad-core; from what I've read on the forum, the audio studio folks as well as the hard-core graphics folks tend to gravitate to the quad-cores because the apps for those areas can generally take advantage of a quad-core, and give a noticeable performance boost.

 

Disagree. It should be somewhere around 6-7K if I am corrent

 

Maybe the DDR3 version gets that high, but I no one I know who has the ddr2 have been that high at stocks.

 

That is a pretty substantial 3dmark difference...

The NP9262 was a consideration for a while. Believe me, If I wanted to absolutely go all-out I would be getting one. But, I want to keep the price sort of reasonable . My parents already think I'm insane for wanting the 5796. Plus, I do have to carry the thing around campus. A hair over 8 pounds for the 5796 sounds a lot better than 11.5 for the 9262. But if being able to pound holes in drywall with my notebook was on my list of requirements I'd definitely get one . I get what you're saying though, I'm just not sure it's a viable option for me.

Thanks guys.

-Darren