Looking for opinions on my NP2090 configuration!

Alright, I'm finally going to pull the trigger and get the Sager instead of the Dell 1520. I feel a lot more comfortable about ordering it (first time Sager buyer) now that the lack of WSXGA+ screens seems to have been fixed.

I'm looking at getting the following NP2090 system:

15.4" WSXGA+ Matte Display
Intel Core 2 T7300 (2Ghz)
2 Gigs DDR2 ram
PCI-express Nvidia GeForce 8600GT with 512mb vram
8x DVD Burner
160GB Serial ATA at 5400 RPM
Intel Pro/Wireless 4965 802.11 a/g/n
Vista Home Premium
9-cell battery
3-year labor, 1 year parts, lifetime tech support warranty (XoticPC)
~$1450
Seeking effective lifetime of around 3 years

Optional additions I've considered are the 160GB HD at 7200 RPM, Bluetooth, the TurboMemory, and the T7500 processor. I'm interested in hearing if these are actually worth upgrading too. My budget is about $1500 but I can go over that to ~$1700 if it's justified.

I play a few games that aren't overly taxing on the system (Tiger Woods PGA Tour, C&C3), but I do run a ton of applications at once and dual boot Ubuntu. I also program and run some financial analysis programs, both for school. What do you recommend? Thanks a bunch!

 

Looks great to me as you have it. As for T7500, I talked with Donald from PNB and he told me that the difference you would get from going up from 7300 to 7500 would be barely noticable, maybe a whole 8% total. The 2 gig is more then sufficient, the upgrade from 7100 to 7300 is the only upgrade worthwhile, and you got that covered.

Bluetooth--not really needed unless you wanna sync a smartphone to outlook or something.

The 7200 RPM would give a slightly noticeable loading boost, but it isn't really needed. I sprung for it because I'll be playing games such as Oblivion and such with longer loading times. For what you are using it for, 5400 is more then ample. Since you are dual booting I would recommend a bigger HD, but it isnt needed--just nice to have.

Overall, looks good!

 

I have the exact same configuration as you do. A T7300 is very adequate for the tasks you may do, it's a powerful processor; the 200 extra MHz in the T7500 honestly doesn't justify the extra $135 or so.

 

awesome, thanks for the replies guys. Yeah I'm not wasting the money on the T7500, I've done a little research and it seems that the hard disk is the slowest part of a notebook, so if I want more performance I should upgrade that first.

I understand that Bluetooth is pretty much personal preference.

Did anybody get the TurboMemory though? Does it actually do anything?

 

I got turbomemory in mine, but its not here yet so I can't really say. The technology seems sound and there will be better support for it come SP1 for Vista.

 

Yep bluetooth is a very much a personal preference. But if you plan to get any kind of PDA or a smart phone that can sync with your computer, I would strongly suggest getting bluetooth. It is possible to sync using a USB cable and it works fine, dont' get me wrong. But just the act of fishing for the darn cable and plugging it in is annoying. There's nothing like just hitting the sync button and having the everything sync through bluetooth without having to plug anything.

I've got bluetooth for the first time with my NP2090. I'm very happy to be able to sync my Treo 650 with the computer without a stupid cable!

 

turbo memory will only be useful if your system has 512MB or 1GB of RAM. anything higher, and the performance differece will be negligible.

 

many thanks everybody. I'm going with the T7300 without TurboMemory, and adding on Bluetooth and most likely the 7200 RPM drive.

 

looks like a very nice config..i would bump the hdd to a 7200rpm drive (imo)..i like the extra speed.

 

alright last question - I noticed that Newegg sells ram a lot cheaper than the resellers. Which is better:

2x1gig dual channel directly from the reseller -> 2gigs ($80)
1gig from reseller + 1gig bought on Newegg -> 2gigs ($45 - maybe dual channel?)
1x1gig from reseller + 2gig from Newegg -> 3gigs ($97 - maybe dual channel? - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220229)



Thanks a lot, I promise I'll just shut up and order it after this

 

Don't worry about dual channel. It's an old technology that's quickly going out of benefit as it only gives like 2-3% performance boost which normal computer users won't notice.

 

Thanks so much guys, I really appreciate it. Laptop ordered from xoticpc with the 3gigs.

And now the wait begins...

 

Nice to know!

The laptop will be well worth it, believe me! The NP2090 is amazing, it's always nice to have a gaming laptop in a package that really doesn't look the sort, but the possibility of playing Medieval II Total War during a boring history lecture is always nice.