Opinions on changes of my P170EM order

Hi everyone,
I started considering what changes I could make to my order since the AMD 7970m might not make it in time. I'm on a deadline, unfortunately a friend is bringing me the laptop from the US so it has to arrive before they leave.

I've come up with 2 configurations and I would like NBR's opinions on this
1)
660m
stock screen --> 90% GAMUT glossy or 72% GAMUT matte
2nd hard disk: 250GB 7200 RPM HDD
costs around $61


2)
675m
500GB 7200RPM HDD
costs $2


I've decided to get another hard disk and put my 500GB Momentus in my old laptop and make it my Linux software development computer. Instead of dual boot, I'd have 2 laptops. And as for the graphics card, I will either get the 7970m later or wait until next year's graphics cards come out, depending on how satisfied I am with what I get.

So to summarize quickly:

Screen update and better temperatures vs better graphics card, more disk space and less money

All input is greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

Having selected the 7970m I assume you'd be gaming with this laptop. So I'd go with the 675m for now, and upgrade later on. I've also read in other threads that the regular Matte screen is just beautiful for gaming, etc, and you really wouldn't notice much of a difference as those high gamut displays are more crucial for those working with colours, ie. photography, etc. But glossy is apparently the best for gaming, however the whole seeing reflections and things in my screen during daytime annoys me to no end. I'd also look at getting the IC Diamond thermal paste as well, which will run your temps lower for yea.

 

I'd say 660M if you are really going to upgrade in 2-3 months. It's cooler and the performance is pretty nice for the price. Yeah, the 675M is about 15-20% faster but it's a hot pig. You don't want to skimp on the screen, ever - so get the best you can afford and you can always upgrade the GPU later.

 

You are correct. I will be gaming on this laptop. The stock screen, however, is glossy. I will be getting IC Diamond.It's standard service from Mythlogic.
I really cannot choose between glossy and matte. I like them both, but haven't gamed on a matte screen yet.

I am going to upgrade, but probably not in such a short time. I'm worried about the 675m temperature, that's why I'm considering the 660m. As for the screens, the options are:
17.3" Full HD (1920x1080) Glossy LED Backlit LCD
17.3" Full HD (1920x1080) Glossy 90% NTSC Color Gamut LED Backlit LCD +$190.00
17.3" Full HD (1920x1080) Matte 72% NTSC Color Gamut LED Backlit LCD +$190.00

What's your experience with Sager screens? My original order has the stock screen (first option) and I've heard people are satisfied with it.

Thanks to both of you, btw

 

You are definitely welcome - but, sorry - this is my first Sager/Clevo and I haven't received it yet so I can't help you there.

If you are fine with glossy, I have heard the 90% color gamut glossy 17.3" screen is the best one.

My preference is matte - so I went that route. I have heard great things about that, as well.

 

The higher the Gamut % the better it looks don't forget to Calibrate for the best experience.

 

No problem!

Apparently Nvidia quotes that the 675m is 60% faster than the 660m but I'd say it is a bit of an exaggeration:
GeForce GTX 675M - GeForce

And the benchmark at preset:
GeForce GTX 675M - GeForce
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M - Compare

For ex. with Diablo 3 at max:

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Diablo-III-Benchmarked.74918.0.html
^That's pretty substantial (and excites me)

Yes, the 675m run a bit hotter, but with the extra IC Diamond, it will be golden. Temps should be lowered by 5-10 degrees from norm.

As for the screen, I'm sure the stock glossy would be just fine for your purposes, when I ordered mine there was a fourth Matte option for $30, so that's why I went with it. I've always liked Matte for the anti-glare. I haven't seen Sager's screens, but from what I've been reading in these forums, either or seems to be great. Like I said, unless you're working with colours that need to be dead on, I doubt you would notice any huge difference gaming especially for $190.00, but if money isn't a problem then go for it!

 

Jaug, Mythlogic's standard service (base price) includes colour calibration I feel like I'm leaning towards the 90% gamut glossy display upgrade + the 660m. I'll keep thinking about this until it's too late to wait for the 7970m, then I'll change my order. I might (probably will) change my mind (several times)

 

I saw a post some time ago by someone showing pictures of the different gamut screens. I don't get how we would be able to see the differences on laptops that do not have a high gamut screen. I tried looking for youtube videos but that didn't help. So I simply went for the glossy. Usually, I am not under direct light and if I turn up the brightness high on my current laptop, I can get rid of most of the glare. So I went with the glossy.

Oh and I would go with the 675m. To be honest, if you compare the numbers, the only place where the 7970m would really matter is in games where the 675m falls below 30. The thing is, the 7970m only improves by about 33% (okay that is not only). For 25 fps, 30ish % is, at most about 10 fps. If you are not bothered by 25-30 fps, 35 fps won't seem all that big a deal. On the other hand, a jump form 50fps to 68 fps is high, but for me, the difference is not really noticeable. It might be different for you. I was going around recommending the 7970m to everyone but if you are planning on upgrading, I would keep the 675m until next year and get the 7 (or 8 if you go AMD) series GPUs.

 

Sorry for double posting. MrLost's post wasn't there when I was writing my reply.

The 3rd link in your post doesn't work for me. I think it's the "..." in the middle of it lol. The performance difference between the 660m and the 675m is something I'd really like. I just was worried about the temperatures. So with IC Diamond and a laptop cooler, I should be getting low enough temperatures to consider it over the 660m right? Confusion, confusion, confusion

 

Same here. Matte looks good but I do not need it. This is why I went with the stock screen at first, and now I'm considering the glossy upgrade, if I am to go that route.

Aaaaand now I'm leaning towards the 675m. I'm glad I posted here. By next week, I'll have considered every possible scenario thanks to you guys

 

Yes you should easily be able to get a 675m in there. Those with the 580m do not have a problem

 

Hmm, not sure why it wouldn't be working;
Diablo III Benchmarked - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

So far I haven't heard of anyone with overheating problems, right now I'm actually looking for any, but can't find anything. I read in another thread, someone's is running at around 60 degrees, and when in max performance, around 70s. You will only have a real problem if it's running at like very high 80s - 90s. And even though it is not on the new kepler tech, they've been using fermi for years, so it can't be that bad. In a year or two upgrade yourself to a better one (that's what I plan on doing).

 

Okay firstly, heating with a laptop cooler AND a good thermal paste should be a non-issue unless you are gaming in an unventilated attic in the middle of the mid-west summer.

Secondly, you need a good cooler. Not all coolers are for all laptops. The fans of the cooler need to align roughly with those on the laptops. Also remember not all fans run in the same direction so some actually blow air INTO the laptop while some try to act as suction and take hot air away from the bottom of the laptop. There is an article here on NBR about laptop coolers and how to choose one that is the best for your laptop.

 

^ yes sir!

 

^ Also our laptops are very similar. I would PM you in a few weeks with some numbers if you don't mind. The only difference is really the extra 4GB memory, the conventional HDD. I would be very curious to see how much those two affect the tests.

 

And don't keep feeling guilty about changing to the 675m. Old tech or not, the point is performance. Sure the 7970m is better. But like I explained, at least to me, the only place I can see a difference is for only those who really need to see numbers above at least 40 fps. For me, I don't care if I game below 30 as long as it doesn't fall too low around 20. Above 60 doesn't matter because, well, screens cannot refresh that fast and honestly, I have not been able to see any difference between 35 and 55 fps. Where it WOULD matter is if there is a sudden load and you are at 33fps, it would drop down and to some, that is a problem. I don't really care.

 

Alright thanks everyone! I think I've made up my mind. 675m it is, until next year's tech comes out.
OR if by some miracle, AMD sorts out the 7970m deal and the laptop can be received by June 10th, it'll be that.

 

I mean still, people argue so much. The 675M/580M is really good. It can handle games very well. Also do take in mind that several drivers have made the 675M slightly better versus the 580M

And don't forget to OC if you want more power heh
good luck ya'all with the 675M ordering, it's worth it no matter what.