Potential CPU choices.. Help me decide

So I have a feeling I am almost ready to purchase my new Clevo M860TU barebones along with the other parts.. Here is the spec:

Clevo M860TU 15.4" WSXGA+ 1680x1050..
Nvidia 280m GTX..
500GB 7200RPM Western Digital Scorpio Blue HDD..
4GB DDR3 PC-10666mhz RAM..
DVD+RW drive..

Now, I can't make my mind up on whihc CPU to purchase. Firstly, yes yes I am aware you're not really supposed to put the 280m GTX into this laptop, but I consider myself quite the handyman and am up for the task, as well as the fact that all the threads I have read about people installing this GPU in this system has concluded that it works perfectly with some CPU undervolting aiding that (which I will be doing)

I am going to purchase my CPU from ebay.. As I am confident to do so.. My choices are of these three, all relatively priced the same:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9200 2.40Ghz 1066mhz 12mb Cache:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/INTEL-CORE-QU...0acd488c9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_3701wt_1109

Intel Core 2 Duo T9800 2.93Ghz 1066mhz 6mb Cache:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Intel-Core-2-...0acd4857f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_3494wt_1109

Intel Core 2 Duo X9100 3.06Ghz 1066mhz 6mb Cache (and apparently, overclockable):
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Intel-Core-2-...0acd4857f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_3494wt_1109

So those seem to be my main choices. I can see that two of these are Engineering Samples, and somewhat risky to buy I am told. Howcome I do now understand the initial on the CPU's so if someone could shed some light on what may be wrong or missing on them I would be grateful

Thanks to anyone who can help. I know that a topic on this forum showed that the QX9300 and 280m GTX on this laptop just didn't work fully (such as on the battery and issues with undervolting), but would this be a similar story with the Q9200? Core Quads are the future I believe, but this laptop only has a 120 watt power supply so power is an issue..

Lastly, this system will primarily be used for gaming now and in the future for games such as Dirt 2, Race 07, Assassin's Creed 2, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, Sims 3, Need For Speed Shift, Blur.. All these games will be quite demanding and common sense tells me somewhat that one or two of these games may utilize four cores rather than just two..

 

Go with the Q9200.

 

My Q9200 doesn't have temperature sensors. It's kind of annoying; thats one thing you want to look out when buying ES CPU's.... but I think the one in your link is fine. And I second Kevin, go with it. It'll also give you a good resell value should you ever want to get some money for it.

 

Certain versions of the Q9200 should have temps sensors, right? That said, it's a hot CPU for the chassis, combined with the 280M the system will be thermally stressed. I'm leaning towards the T9800.

 

I will be in a boarding school envirounment.. So fan noise and heat are also issues at certain times, however I believe the laptop has a "silent mode".

 

It does. A quad core on the M860TU will work fine, but not a the best temperatures. A quad core and a GTX 280 will need some undervolting to get some proper temps, and you may run into some power problems (the machine not being able to power it up on battery).

Check this link. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5076089

The Q9200 on your link is QAVR, which has temp sensors. Mine is a QAJF, which doesn't. Do NOT buy QAJF, especially if you plan to put it in a M860TU.

 

Do you mean GTX 2 80M, or 2 60M? If you're getting the 280, where are you getting it from and are you aware that you will have to remove the backplate from the 260 that will come with the system?

 

Q9200 is the way to go, even my Q9000 is great for pretty much every task I do. I can't recommend a Core2Duo when your Quad will do everything just as well and other tasks much better.

I would just go for the GTX260M and over clock instead of risking a GTX280M along side a Quad that is not officially endorsed.

 

Yes I am aware.. The reseller is selling me the 280m GTX, with the Heatsink and backplate seperate.

Yeah I guess that makes sense, but will the temps be too high? And is there enough power for the Q9200? Would excess heat cause the fans to spin faster and noiser more often? That could be a problem during prep times for homework, etc..

 

Your temperature should be fine as long as you keep up with the regular chores (cleaning vents etc)

However power is another thing. The one part that has put me off the 280M upgrade is that the M860/2 battery can't handle the power demanded with 280M when gaming. This has put me off buying one. It's alright for normal apps, but as soon as you power up Crysis you'll find the laptop will power down.

Not that I care to game on battery but if you go to resell when the W860CU comes out and the buyer complains / can't don't anything then you'll be up the creek. It also voids warranty too so you better hope you have a spare 260M that 'WORKS' lying around. And buying two new, top-range GPU's is too much for most of us.

 

You do have a very valid point.. My reason for getting the 280m GTX is the fact that I am paying so much money for this laptop and therefore I want "the best".. I might settle for an 260m GTX.. Could you overclock this to 280m GTX level? And is it possible to unlock shaders, etc? I want to be able to play the games I stated in my first post at almost max quality at 1680x1050 (with or without AA, depending on how the game looks.. but I would settle for max quality with no AA on these new games)..

This laptop is almost my mobile Xbox 360 replacement, as I cannot take the 360 to boarding school. The laptop is also going to have to be used on a small desk during prep, so really for me a 17" laptop just isn't an option, especially with having to move it around alot and using the laptop on the train often when I travel home..

Just don't want to pay so much money but still settle for a laptop that can't play games at high/max quality.. I want games to look as good as my 360 on 720p.. Not downgrade.. And I have this ever growing fear that when I buy Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, for instance, I'll have to settle for just "medium" quality settings simply because games have taken the next step up.

 

A slightly overclocked 260M, let's say 580/1450/900, should have no problem playing the majority of games fluently on max settings, even with 4xAA 16xAF. I would go with a T or even P series CPU, since noise, heat, and battery life would be a concern on campus.

 

How do you overvolt a GPU? And what about with an Q9200 cpu? Would this require too much power?

Would getting an 1440x900 monitor be a better idea? I currently have a laptop with a 1440x900 monitor.. It does the job but it would be nicer going for a 1680x1050 res one.. But if this would kill performance then I won't..

 

err, I meant overclocked.

 

So any other opinions on the Q9200?

 

Anyone..?

*bumpage*..

 

Get the Q9200. But I'm wary about your choice of installing the GTX 280M with it. You may run into thermal and electrical issues.

 

Yeah think I'm going to just stick with the 260m GTX.. Money is abit of an issue too.