P150HM config help.

Hey, I have two configurations to throw at you guys, each from a different reseller.
Both have the i7-2760, 12gb ddr3-1333mhz ram, matte screen, and no OS. However because of special pricing on each website, I have either the choice of this config with:
an Nvidia GTX 485m, and a 500gb HYBRID HDD.
OR
an ATI 6990m, with a 500gb standard hdd.

both are about the same price, and I know the 6990m is slightly better than the gtx 485m performance wise. I don't really care too much about each brand as i have used both before and find the support easy enough. I am looking to play games though more than design work, however I am going to be using it throughout university while I do a computer science degree.

What would you choose?

 

The second config, 110%.

The 6990M is newer and better. The hybrid drive is a great compromise to a SSD so that is definitely better than the standard HDD. It's a clean sweep for the second config.

 

Agreed with gwilled. Being a Nvidia fanboy, I'll be honest on this one and say the Hybrid HDD would seal the deal, the 6990M is just the cherry on top

No but jokes aside, the second option is a lot better.

 

3rd in agreement. Better video card, better hard drive for the same price? No-brainer.

 

I agree on the video card being better. I would assume the hard drive is better, but I don't know anyone that has used one or seen a system using it, so can't say I know how well they perform in real life.

 

WOOOPS. sorry guys i got it mixed up
its the 6990m with the standard hdd
and the gtx 485 with the hybrid hdd

sorry about that... thoughts?

 

It kind of depends what you want.

With the 6990M, you'll get a few extra FPS on the higher/ultra settings on most games (I'm sure you can play BF3 on high comfortably at 720p). Not to say you won't be able to do the same with the GTX 485M.

Hybrid HDD will decrease your start up loading time and loading time for applications/games etc.

It's a choice between slighty more fps or slightly faster load speed.

Take this with a grain of salt since I'm not that knowledgeable on the subject of HDD vs Hybrid HDD.

 

I have a hybrid drive I've been using for the past 2/3 year. It's been terrific and breathed new life into my old Inspiron. In fact, the boot-up speed and everyday speed-up have been so nice that it motivated me to switch to a real SSD for my new laptop. Some people have problems with them, but most don't and I sure have not had any trouble at all.

Also keep in mind, that it will be easier to install a hard drive yourself than a graphics card.

FYI, if you wish to look into hybrid drives aftermarket, a 500GB used to cost $90 when I bought it. Then came the Thailand flooding crisis and prices went haywire. There was a Black Friday sale online though, and the price was back to $90 for a day. Wait until the prices come down again and grab one if you feel the need to. Then pop the original drive into an external enclosure.

Alternatively, you can decide to do the SSD + HDD + external DVD drive set-up that some folks do.

 

I can't decide! All the points you guys bring up are the exact same thoughts I had...
I know gtx 485 will run everything fine.. but i'd love to have just that extra bit of power
Then I look at hybrid reviews and comparing boot up times etc with the SSD memory compared to normal hdd's and want that.

 

If it helps you i had a similar choice and didnt think twice to take the 485m + 750gb xt over 6990 + 750gb conventional hd. For roughly 10% more gpu performance over 485m with either 6990 or 580m i just dont think it is worth paying 124€ or 372€ more or sacrificing the hybrid (and if you go with 6990 you also loose physix, cuda and in my expirience slightly better driver support).
(Ill also probably give the xt to my gf actually and use a Plextor M2S im getting in mine yet i still chose the 485m.)

 

I've just never had an SSD or hybrid drive so I don't really know the difference. Everyone online and at work says theyre amazing though.

 

SSD is the best thing to hit the computer world in a long time. The speeds are just unreal. Opening up large programs in a mere second and booting into Windows within a mere 8-12 seconds.

 

May I ask what reseller is selling the 485?

 

I bought from MYsn, most EU resellers are offering it though, but only MYsn is offering it cheaper than even 6990.

 

The 485M was discontinued by NVidia. I know some resellers may have some leftover, but they are getting harder to come by with the 500 series GPUs being out.

 

Yes they probably have leftover stock, but at the price offered its a steal .

 

I'm buying mine from australia, logicalblueone.com.au

i may upgrade to an ssd myself later on. I just can't afford it right now.

So which setup do you guys actually reccommend?

 

6990m and the Hybrid.

 

the original post was a mistake lol, I meant to say 6990m with standard or gtx 485m with hybrid

 

sometimes just that little bit extra is what you need to run a game well. 6990. standard hard drives work just fine, and later down the road you can swap your hd out for the hybrid one or even get an ssd.

 

you guys have good points. I'll go for the 6990m with standard hdd, might even get an ssd halfway through next year when stocks are back up and prices drop.

I have another question thought, most of the pictures I've seen of the p150hm are blue, but a couple are black. can anyone verify what colour it is? I don't mind either they're both fine.

 

They're all black in color unless you pay extra for decals/painting/etc.