Ordering np9150, any suggestions

Im about to go ahead and order the 9150 (through Xotic).

I think I am going to go ahead and upgrade to the 680m.
I was thinking about just sticking with the 675m because the price difference is huge. However, if the performance boost is huge, I'm okay paying that. Honestly I am quite confused about the whole Enduro thing, so I think I will stay away from the 7970.

I'm also not going to upgrade to the 95% gamut screen because I don't want to mess with having to calibrate it, and I have read that some games don't use the color profiles. But I do want the matte screen.

I'm also going to get the free upgrade to the 500gb with 4GB SSD Memory Seagate XT 7200RPM and load my OS on the SSD. Is that something the reseller will automatically do if I order the notebook with Windows, or do I need to specify that?

There is also a free upgrade for 16gb of ram, which I will do.

I don't really plan on upgrading the CPU, how much of a difference in performance is there?

I know I am capable of applying thermal paste myself, but I just don't trust my lazy self to actually do it, so I may have them apply it for me.

Any thoughts?

Also any advice on the warranty is appreciated. I have never dealt with Sager customer service.

 

The 500gb hybrid drive uses the ssd as a cache, not a separate drive. It acts as one drive.
The cpu and gpu will come with stock paste anyway. You can pay more for better paste or do it yourself, but if your temps are ok when it arrives, it isn't much of an issue.

 

hi bamoram,
I would go with the 680M its performance gain is quite nice over the 675M. We see about 80% better scores in benchmark programs. And with Nvidia cards they often release new drivers which will make it even better.
The 95% matte screens are really nice. While its true some games dont take advantage of the higher gamut you'll still like it. Keep in mind the thing you use the most is the screen. Regardless if you're gaming or not your using that screen. If you look around some posts here you'll see everyone who's gotten it loves it.
How the hybrid drives work is they will learn over time your commonly used programs and automatically put their start up files along with Windows start up files on the SSD. You cant actually pick what goes on there, its fully automatic. After a few boot ups like 7-12 of them it will learn what you like to start up every time and you'll see those programs and Windows start quicker.
The 3610QM is the most popular CPU to go with and for gaming its all you'll need. If you were doing alot of CPU intensive programs then you could consdier upgrading it but most likly you wont need to.
IC Diamond does help to keep the CPU and GPU cooler as it transfer heat better. I use it on everything. If you're not comfortable doing so yourself i'd suggest adding it on the configuration.
When you get a Sager through us you dont have to deal with Sager customer service, just let us know and we'll set up any service needed and also provide the tech support which is available 24/7 via phone. Its always nice to have a longer warranty if you need it, thats the tough part to decide because you can never predict what may or may not happen. If you plan on keeping the computer for a few years before you replace it having a longer warranty will help ensure that.

 

I am definitely going for the 3 year warranty. I have had a few gaming notebooks crap out after 1 year.

I also knew that about the SSD, I have no idea why I typed that

 

I agree about the screen. There is nothing on the laptop you look at more than the LCD. Its the best upgrade I think. Better than SSD, ram or GPU upgrade.

 

Aren't the stock screens on these pretty nice?

 

Not really. Compared to desktop monitors, the stock would be low quality, not even average. 60% NTSC is worse than even the cheapest desktop LCD, which is prob around 72-75% NTSC. It's only recent quality LCDs for notebooks have become affordable.
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What happens in a game where the color profile isnt used? Does it still look good?

 

Although I have the NP9170, I went with the "stock" matte upgrade and I must say that I do really like this screen and that it is brighter and more colorful than my 23" ASUS monitor... of course, I've never even heard the word "gamut" until I started looking for a new gaming laptop.

 

dude, let's not get carried away.

i'm pleased with stock gloss. it's very bright, i've experienced no issues with glare, and the colors are quite vivid and true to my naked eye. unless you need a reference monitor, you can be sure that you have little to no need for 95% gamut. gloss or matte is sheer personal preference.

what you should do instead (and i really can't stress this enough) is take the money and put it toward an ssd. whether you get it as an upgrade or add it afterward and save a few chucks, go with an ssd as your primary drive. seriously. the performance in real world, everyday computing is extremely noticeable. cold booting the two machines i have in my sig next to each other is nothing short of amusing. ~12 second boot, and i mean from pressing the power button to launching a program, on my 9150 with the intel 520 series ssd. and that's just the benefit gleaned when booting. anytime i access the drive continues to wow me three months later.

 

I would like to upgrade later to SSD.

Im still not sure about the screen

What happens in games that don't hold the calibrated profiles? And is that all directx games?

Also, are there calibrated files readily available or would I need to buy software?

 

calibrated files for what software? there's a utility built right into windows. keeping in mind that that's pretty obviously not the most effective "calibration" (and not even really the same thing as professional calibrations typically require specific hardware), how much would you be willing to spend to calibrate a display that costed you almost $100 to upgrade?

 

I know when people first started purchasing the screens, resellers had some preset files for calibration. I didnt know if you could only use these with software, like spyder.

Im not going to be spending any money on software for this, which is why Im not sure if I should upgrade the screen.

 

so then i think you got my point.

 

I just ordered a 1612 from mythlogic. I went with the msata 128gb ssd drive. Maybe an msata would suite you?

 

Sager does still have some color profiles for the 95% gamut screens you can download for free in their drivers section.

Getting it calibrated by a program like Sypder will get you the best results.

 

first place i found them was in the 8150's drivers section (they aren't available in any of the current models' driver listings). would the 8150 have shipped with the same display, assuming that matters? does xotic offer any calibration service that uses hardware?

 

I would like to know this also.

 

Yes you can use the same ones listed on the NP9150. We do offer monitor calibration which uses the Syper 3 hardware/software combination.

 

what do you charge?




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EDIT:

there aren't any listed in the 9150's drivers.

 

What is the gamut on the stock matte?

 

72%

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I think that is totally fine for me. I do edit photos, and if I find its not enough, Ill upgrade later.

 

haha now you mention it.

 

Its only a hobby I play games more than I edit photos.

 

bump, how much does xotic charge for this service?

 

By looking at their customization page, it costs $49.

 

oh ok, thanks.

welcome to the board, btw.

 

Lol, thanks. Been lurking here for a while... I've also decided to buy an NP9150 soon