Dell M1730 vs Sager NP5792

I had the chance to use the Dell XPS M1730 and the Sager NP5792 last month.

Configuration: Each had T7700 CPU and 1920x1200 screens. I bought a 200gb 7K200 HDD and 4gb RAM from Newegg since Dell was not competitive price wise. I used the RAM and HDD in both systems.

M1730 vs NP5792

Weight: 13.76 lbs vs 11.10 lbs (system with power cord/block)

Cost: $3385 vs $2647 (Website configured with shipping, tax, same proc and OS + Newegg RAM and HDD)

3dMark2006: 8033 vs 8874 (1280x1024 free version)

Crysis FPS: 22ish at 1280x800 vs 34ish at 1650x1080 (Med setting)

3dMark points/Dollar: 2.37 vs 3.34

3dMark Points/lbs: 583 vs 799

With the numbers out of the way, there are some things I liked about the Dell. The backlit keyboard is great, the Logitech LCD is useful, the bling lights are overkill but if you need attention, they deliver. Sound quality is good with a strong range. Toshiba’s still rule in the sound quality.

Down side on the Dell was it didn’t fit in my SwissGear 17” computer padded pocket, but did fit in the overall compartment, which had enough padding to secure it. The power brick is crazy big. It sucks to get oohs and ahs when you pull the laptop out then the sounds of laughter when you pull the power block out.

Ultimately the M1730, with the current 8700GT limitations, just doesn’t deliver top of the class FPS that a machine of its billing should. It will be a great desktop replacement when it has the 8800GTX onboard.


The NP5792 is a more subtle look, but delivers where it counts. It plays everything out with enough resolution and quality settings to enjoy. Avoiding the configuration hassles of SLI is a nice benefit.

The driver CD is the best I’ve ever used when doing a clean install and took the guess work out of which driver to install first and making sure I didn’t miss an important driver, along with clear XP, Vista 32 and Vista 64 support.

Downside is the speakers are side firing and not as strong, the subwoofer helps with the range. Since I often game with headset this isn’t too big of a deal for me.

At the end of the day, the system has to deliver playable frame-rate at a quality that is commensurate with the price. The 8700s just didn’t do it for me and I needed a notebook by the end of December.

Luckily the folks at Xotic PC were able to get me the NP5792 before I left and I’ll be happily fragging away while I’m gone.

 

Well when looking at the results you provided the M1730 got beat in every comparison =P

 

It seems like the NP57092 not only outperforms the M1730, but costs significantly less, too.

 

the m1730 imo looks killer, but the dual 8700's are Mopeds.

my 7900 gtx kills them in High RES.

and yes I'm on a crusade against 8700's cuz they were announced as a superior card. the only thing superior is the 3dmark scores :0. 10000+ huh? but they can't seem to beat my single 7900gtx card in HIGH res Crysis or nearly any game for that matter.

anyways. the 5791(with 7950gtx ) kills the m1730... oops the 5792 does too.

until for that matter we get dual 8800's in SLI in the m1730.

 

Considering 85% of statistics are made up, here are some M1730 wins:

M1730 vs NP5792

Logitech Gaming Keyboard LCD: Yes vs No

Backlit Keyboard: Yes vs No

Decorative LED lights: 24ish (speakers and touchpad change color) vs None

Dell Quickset and Media Center software: Yes vs No (if you like those sort of features)

Return Policy: 21 days vs 15 days

 

And, if built-in Christmas lights are more important than performance and value to someone . . . uh yeah . . . those are "wins"

 

Oops, double post.

 

True, but I wanted to be "Fair and Balanced"

 

LOL! "Fair" enough

 

That's a fair rundown of both models. I have used the M1730 and the NP5791 (same as NP5792 except it has 8700M-GT) and I agree with what you've said. If I had to pick between the two I'd get the NP5792 with no second thoughts. The Dell is simply too expensive and SLI is too unpredictable. The Sager has better quality in my opinion. I like the Dell's backlit keyboard but it has a cheap feel and it flexes.

 

I agree, the NP5792 is very well built. I'm impressed.

 

I'm surprised no-one mentions the noise these machines make. I think this is also a clear difference between the Dell and the Sager.

From reviews it seems that the Dell is on the quiet side (37.7db max) and the Sager (5790) on the loud side (46.6 db max) of the sound spectrum...

Or is there a difference in noise between the 5790 and 5792?

ref:
(German, 5790) http://www.notebookcheck.com/Test-Nexoc-Osiris-E705-II-Clevo-M570RU-Gaming-Notebook.5103.0.html
(English, M1730) http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-XPS-M1730-Gaming-Notebook.7188.0.html