NP9270 vs... a desktop

Okay, so I found this interesting. I've been waiting for the NP9270 and have it configured pretty much the way I want on Xoticpc site:

• Intel® Core™ i7-3930K, 3.2-3.8GHz (32nm, 12MB L3 smart cache - 6 cores / 12 threads)
• IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU
• SLi ENABLED DUAL (2) 2048MB PCI-Express nVIDIA GTX 675M's (4096MB Total) w/ GDDR5 DX11 Video Cards (User Upgradeable)
  + Extra AC Adapter & Power Converter Box (SKU - S3R707)
• 16GB - DDR3 1866MHz Quad Channel Memory (4 SODIMMS)
• 240GB Intel 520 Series Solid State Drive (SSD2 Serial-ATA III)
• 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)
• Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti DVDRW/CDRW Drive w/ Software
• Sager - Bigfoot Networks Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 (3x3)
• Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers &

Total Cost: $3,654.00

Then I went over to mythologic and configured a very similar looking desktop machine

• Chassis Antec Dark Fleet DF-85
• Power 1200W Antec High Current Pro 80PLUS Gold Power Supply
• Motherboard ASUS, P9x79 Pro, 2011, SATA6, TRI SLI/XFIRE, Btooth, PCIE Gen 3.0
• Intel Core i7-3930K 3.20GHz, 2133MHz DDR3, 12MB Cache, Hex Core Processor
• IC Diamond Thermal Compound
• CPU Cooling Corsair A70 2 x 120 mm - 2000 rpm
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 1.50GB GDDR5
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 1.50GB GDDR5
• 16GB (4 x 4GB) , PC3-14900, 1866MHz (Patriot - x79)
• Optical 1 24x DVDRW Super AllWrite Drive with LightScribe
• Patriot Memory 240GB Wildfire SATA III 6Gb/s Solid State Drive Sandforce Powered
• 500GB Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM, 16MB Cache, SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drive
• Operating System Windows 7 Ultimate

Total Cost: $3,597.07


Obviously, the desktop is going to have better performance. If nothing else, a single GTX 580 beats a GTX 580M SLI. Of course, if we're trying to achieve similar prices, the NP9270 doesn't need a monitor so you can probably knock out one of the 580s on the desktop and call it even. Since when buying the desktop you're going to want to drop a few hundred on monitor(s). But CPU and memory should be identical, and drives should be comparable.

So any guesses as to the % difference in frame-rate when playing games / benchmarks?

 

Moot point comparing a laptop to a desktop... depends whether or not you want it to be mobile.

 

If you're not going to be moving your computer at all you should just build your own desktop and save some cash.

Oh yeah, get a Kepler card with that budget.

 

Well, the N9270 isn't called a desktop replacement for nothing.

 

Not a problem if performance and cash aren't a deciding factor.

 

The price is similar because one should not order a preconfig-ed high end desktop? (Unless for business or commercial use)

 

Those exact same parts on Newegg is $3000. The $600 saved could be put towards a 2560x1440 monitor.

 

Yeah, a desktop would be cheaper and faster but in reality, there's no need for anything beyond an entry level quad core CPU and a 2x580M/2x6990M. It's all about bragging rights

 

The NP9270/P270WM's advantage over a real desktop is its ease of bringing it around with you. For professional usage, like CAD, it would be extremely cumbersome to lug around a big desktop PC tower, monitor(s), keyboard, mouse, all of the cabling, etc. frequently. The P270WM may be heavy, but its ~13lbs makes it a feather compared to all of the other kit's combined weight.

Another advantage is that the P270WM has a much smaller 'footprint'. You can set up a work area in a very small space with the only required wire being the power brick cable.

 

Agreed, If you're not going to move your laptop at all then get a desktop, even if it's just for that once a year LAN party, still not worth it.

 

That depends, it might be one hell of a party!