New 9170 build, help. Thanks!

Greetings folks,

I'm wanting to get a 9170.
Below are the specs:

90% NTSC glossy screen
3820QM processor
IC Diamond thermal compound
nVidia GTX 680m
8GB DDR3 1333MHz (-$50 at Xoticpc)
256GB Crucial M4 SSD
Standard dual layer DVDRW/CDRW
Intel Advanced-N 6235 wireless card
Sager 2yr warranty

Any suggestions or comments?

As you can see, I currently own a m17x-R1 which has served me very well.
Few regrets are not getting a faster processor and more RAM.

So on my new Sager a few questions:
1. Should I go with more then 8GB of RAM? (mainly just game. FPS, RTS, and MMOs)
2. Should I go with 1600MHz RAM? (If I add back in the -$50 discount and go up to 16GB, is an extra $130. Worth it?)
(I would choose 12GB of RAM, but I see it is not dual channel in that configuration. I assume you lose some performance. ??? )
3. How is Sager's or XoticPC's support when not purchasing the OS from them? (With Dell, I purchased my m17x-R1 with Vista, then later upgraded to W7, and I always got grief on the phone with tech support because the unit did not have Vista on it....though I did end up getting support after a lengthy discussion....Just don't want that with Sager...if that's the case I'll but the OS from them.)
4. Anyone paid with PayPal and was able to use BillMeLater?
5. If I where to purchase more RAM from Amazon or Newegg, what sticks to folks recommend? (like 16GB total)

Thanks!!!!!

 

Hey AlaskanGeek

8 GB is all you really need for gaming. If you're going to do any graphic work I'd recommend going with 12 or 16 but for what you've said 8 should be fine

There isn't a significant performance difference between 1333 and 1600 but there is a difference. We usually recommend getting as fast of Ram as possible at the amount of Ram that you'll need. In your case 8gb at the fastest speed that fits your budget. If you feel safer with 12gb, It used to be the case that you lose Dual Channel but not anymore.

I don't believe I'm allowed to toot our own horn on this one so I'll let others chime in.

We have had customers say they've had success with Bill me Later through PayPal but it's not officially supported. We have heard success and failure stories. I can confirm that when you add Bill Me Later to your account on PayPal it does show up in the payment options when we redirect you to their site.

I have had great luck with Gskill in my desktop and have had numerous people say their laptop Ram is just as good.

 

im also getting the 15" soon
3820QM is overkill for your need especially the price. go for 3720QM like me and save some bucks.
defo upgrade the ram to 1600mhz. im going for 16gb ram but i do quite a bit of HD video rendering but 8gb would be fine for you.
680 is a must
i was going for the 256gb samsung ssd and a 128gb msat samsung which has the fastest read/write speed but im now going for the 512 crucial which is roughly the same price for over 200gb more.

ever since ive owned gaming lappys ive always upgraded my warranty as you are spending 2-3000£/$ so an extra year cover in my mind is well worth it. (depends what it includes though as each reseller is different).

 

Thanks for the reply's.

Interesting about the 12Gb and dual channel....so even with three sticks, the laptop still takes advantage of dual channel access? So no performance loss?

 

No performance loss