NP5165 customize options??

Hey guys! I'm planning to get a Sager NP5165, and I have a few questions regarding its customization. (Some of these questions might seem noob-ish, and that's because I'm not familiar with Sager laptops, so please bear with me)

1) Which is better - the stock Glossy screen, the Super Glossy 95% NTSC Color Gamut or the Matte 95% NTSC Color Gamut?

2) What exactly is a thermal compound? Having said that, what difference does the IC Diamond Thermal Compound upgrade make? Will the difference be huge?

3) There are 4 kinds of Wireless Network Cards that I can choose from:

- Internal 802.11 B+G+N Wireless LAN + Bluetooth Combo Module
- Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 - Wireless LAN + Bluetooth
- Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 - Wireless LAN
- Bigfoot Networks Killer™ Wireless-N 1102 - Wireless LAN

What's the difference between these cards? Which is better?

4) Is the audio and webcam for the NP5165 good?

Thanks for your help!

 

Most of the answers to these questions will depend on how you intend to use the system.

The 95% color gamut screens can display a wider range of colors than the stock ones. It's designed mostly for professionals, photographers and graphic designers where color accuracy is of the utmost importance. However, there can be benefits for gaming as the high gamut screen produces more vivid colors.

The upgrades to the 95% screens used to cost $200 or more. Since it's only $95 now, I think it's a worthwhile investment even if you're not going to do any professional work.

As for matte vs. glossy, if you're going to be using your machine outside or anywhere where it's not always dark, get matte. Glossy screens have greater contrast ratios and have more vibrant color, but it doesn't really do you a whole lot of good if you have to stare at a reflection of yourself while you're working, gaming, whatever. If you have a Best Buy or similar electronics retailer nearby, go check out their laptops, as the vast majority of them will have glossy screens. Play around with them to see if you like it. If you can deal with the reflections, fine. If not, go with matte.

Thermal compound helps facilitate the transfer for heat from the CPU and graphics processor (GPU) to the heatsink. Some people here will tell you to buy the thermal compound and put it on yourself, but since you're apparently not experienced at the process, I think it would be worth the money to have your reseller do it for you. Properly applied, high-grade thermal compound can lower temperatures by several degrees, with the main benefit being less fan noise.

I would definitely upgrade this component from stock, but which one you select depends on what you plan to do with your machine. The Intel 6230 is probably the best all-around card because it has dual-band wireless (2.4 and 5 GHz) support as well as built-in Bluetooth. Even if you're not going to use Bluetooth, it's still a great card. I personally went with the Intel 6300 for my notebook because it has 3 internal antennae (versus 2 for the 6230 and Killer) which gives it a bit more range. It also allows it to support 450 Mb/s wireless-n (you have to have a router that's capable of this, however).

Regarding the Killer card, some folks are saying that it makes a difference when playing games and streaming media because its controller software allows it to prioritize traffic. I personally don't have issues with my 6300, and I think plenty of people here with the 6230 will tell you the same thing.

Can't comment on the webcam, but the audio is probably the weakest link on this machine. It's OK, don't misunderstand, but it's not as good as what you'd find in something like the Dell XPS 15. One thing that really helps is the THX software that's included on these machines. You need to register/activate the software when you get it, and it makes a big difference.

Any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. If you have reseller-related questions, you can PM any of the reps that frequent this forum (MALIBAL, XoticPC, Mythlogic, LPC Digital, Powernotebooks, etc).

 

Would the stock thermal compound be good enough though?

 

If you're not going to be doing a lot of strenuous activity (intense gaming, HD video editing, etc), the standard stuff should be just fine.

 

true, but the upgrade on that model is only $25, and it help reduce fan noise, by keeping the temps lower, and therefore improving battery life.

 

Plus, anytime you can reduce the heat in a unit (even if it is small) it is a plus in my book. At $25, I think the upgraded thermal paste is a good option.

 

Hmm ok then. And about the THX software - does it come together with the laptop as a full version, or just a trial version?

 

It's a full version, you just have to register it to enable the subwoofer and get the best out of your speakers. (and registration is just clicking a register button in the software)

 

There's a subwoofer on this thing? How exactly can I enable it? (Be very specific please )

 

Enable the THX software and that's about all you can do (It's unfair to call it a sub though, it's more of a downward facing speaker that's a bit larger than the rest)

 

Wow that's great then. Thanks