Help me build a Sager 8150

Im attempting to build a Sager 8150 with xoticpc, and would like to stay aaround $1500 (before the $100 discount). Could I please get some suggestions for must have specs? I would like to at least have the 6990 gpu a 750g hd. Other that that my biggest question is what screen and wireless card to get. I've heard the 95% gamut screen is good, but is it that much better that the normal matte screen? As far as wireless cards are concerned, is it worth the upgrade to the bigfoot card? Thanks!

 

CPU: at the minimum a i7-2630QM
RAM: at minimum 8GB
Wireless: at least Intel Advanced-N 6230
Thermal paste: Get IC Diamond 7 upgrade.

Don't forget to select Windows if you need the OS.

From there, reevaluate based on how much money you have left and what you're going to use the machine for. The next upgrade choice if you have funds left is a Momentus XT hybrid drive or SSD.

 

We've got a bit of a backorder on the 2630QMs right now, so I suggest grabbing the 2670QM and then using the RAM promo to knock off the extra cost for that CPU upgrade.

Also, same thing on the Bigfoot card, seems the supplier for that card is having a shortage right now. I usually suggest the Intel 6230 since that has bluetooth on it and has saved me on more than one occasion.

 

I have the 6230 with blue tooth and dual channel wireless N and its a great card. In fact I scored #1 on Sisoft Sandra worldwide best score witrh the 6230. It might be hard to get everything with only $1500.00. The 2760 CPU would be an awesome choice. I have the 2720 and it plain flat rips.

 

If you are not in a rush of getting the system and willing to wait for the 2630qm, that's a saving of $50 from going to 2670qm on top of another $50 off from 4x 2gb RAM. I also agree with others recommending the 6230 wireless card since it does come with an additional antenna with greater range and blue tooth over the stock card. Take your pick

 

Personally, I think you will be more satisfied with your purchase if you prioritize the screen upgrade over a CPU upgrade (of course, QC is mandatory) or a WLAN upgrade.

 

Can anyone from malibal tall me if you are also out of the 2630 cpu?

 

Hi, we have the 2630 in stock!

 

Would you mind if I PM'd you? I had a few questions

 

Of course, please send a PM anytime.

 

for $1500 you can get 2670qm, 8gb ddr3, killer bigfoot, 6990M, 500gig hdd and get a hybrid too

 

Before or after the $100 discount? I want to stay at $1400 after the discount. I wasn't able to get that price with all that! lol

 

To minimize the price on a 6990M config at Malibal, while making minimal compromises, get the 2630QM and get the 8GB RAM in four sticks (not two). You have to stick with the IC Diamond 7 paste upgrade though, if you aren't going to repaste it yourself. I suppose you need Windows 7 as well, so stick that in. Let's assume everything is left at the stock config.

From there, you have several options as you are left with ~$60 under $1500 (before discount). To get there with maximal benefit but minimal overshoot, you have several good options.

1. Get one of the fancy screens. That puts you at $1431 after the discount.
2. Upgrade the HDD to the 500GB hybrid drive. This will put you at $1421 after the discount.
3. Upgrade the processor to the 2670QM. Upgrade the wireless card to the Advanced-N 6230. These two additions put you at $1412 after the discount.

The first option will look the best as you're using it. The second option will easily feel the snappiest. The third option is not worth considering, but I just threw it in there. I think these are the optimal ways to stay as close to a concrete $1400 ceiling minimal compromise.

 

Gwilled basically nailed your options on the head. It's all a matter of how you prioritize your needs in the laptop.

 

wait till friday, malibal might have something up their sleeve for holiday promotions!

 

I've been lurking in these forums for the past week and thanks for all the great information. So is upgrading from a 2630QM to a 2670QM not worth the money?

 

Well, I wouldn't so far as to say that is always the case. It depends on your budget and where you are relative to the budget when you decide on the processor. If it means you can't afford a good SSD or hybrid drive, then it is not worth the cost. If it means you can't afford to jump from the 6970M to the 6990M, then it is not worth the cost. However, if you get everything else you need and still have a little budget space, then a little extra situational speed never hurts.

 

Check out my stats below... $1419 from XoticPC WITH NBR discount and free shipping and including Windows 7 Premium.

I did bump it to 1468 for the expedited build process. You should be able to get the upgraded 2760 processor in the 8150 model, or some better ram if you up your budget just a bit..

The exact same stats are $1384 in the 8150 model BEFORE your $50 NBR discount..

* the crucial was bought seperate.

I'd imagine Malibal or PNB or any reseller would match the price.

 

That makes sense gwilled. I'll have to make a post of my own when I'm ready to buy. Waiting to see if there is going to be a nice sale closer to the end of the year. I keep customizing a 8170 but haven't hit a price that I like yet. Still gathering data from all of you guys. Thanks again!

 

For 1700ish - I kind of like the 8180. It's definitely worth consideration if you don't need maximum portability.

 

8180 does not look as good as p170m . for 18x might as well get alienware! it looks real nice! plus you can get gtx580m for less!

 

I was hoping Xoticpc or Malibal would offer another discount as it got closer to Christmas, but no luck so far. Can anyone comment as to whether or not either either site typically offers Christmas discounts?

 

There is the "Price Protection Policy" that several resellers here offer... till January 1st.
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I want to order from xotipc
Is it true that the difference between the 2630 and 2670 is not noticeable
in games like BF3 and ARMA 2??
Slight back order = approx. how long do I need to wait ??, I live in Hong Kong...

 

Not too much of a difference! Usually the GPU is the main component used in gaming. Right now we're looking at about 1-2 weeks for the backorder, worst case scenario.