Sager 5760 vs 5170

Thanks to the wonderful advice on this forum 5 years ago, I currently own a Sager 5760 (T7200 2ghz processor, 3-3.5gb memory, 7900GTX gpu). It’s served me great for the past 5 years and I really don’t need a new computer right now. But I’m an online poker player and I’ve recently started using a program that fetches stats from an online database to my computer constantly, and it takes a serious toll on my resources: I’m usually at 85%+ CPU usage while it’s running and everything is quite laggy. Naturally, I’m starting to feel symptoms of the upgrade bug once again.

Now, like I said, I really don’t need a new computer. All I use my computer for is surfing the web, playing poker, and playing SC2 (I have no problem with low settings though medium would be nice). Some viability in the future would be nice, as I could see myself getting into Diablo 3 when it comes out. But for 95% of what I do, the 5760 feels plenty fast, and I actually really like the screen. I have my doubts as to whether or not an upgrade would be worth it, so I’ve come to you guys once again (I know little about processors and benchmarks). If I do jump for the upgrade, I would likely use my laptop as a desktop replacement. Budget isn't a big issue and I would like this computer to last as long as possible, but spending $1500+ given my uses seems unnecessary, no?

Here are my questions:

1) About how significant of an upgrade is it from the 5760 to the 5170/8170 (with standard specs and an SSD)?
2) How noticeable would this upgrade be given that I only use my computer for SC2, online poker, general tasks like surfing the web/chatting? Keep in mind that poker programs tax my cpu to 85%+ constantly.
3) The 8170 is $500 more than the 5170 with the same specs (aside from the GPU). Is the sole benefit to the 8170 the fact that it has a better and more upgradeable GPU and room for 2 hard drives and an optical?
4) Would it make any sense, given my uses, to consider the 8130 or 8170?

Really appreciate the help, guys!

 

I think the 8130 or 8170 sound like overkill for your needs. I play SC2 and have the 5170, and like you I can handle playing on low but like to be able to play on medium. I can play medium, but on 4v4 at 1080p resolution, I prefer to drop it to low because it will occassionally get into the teens fps (aka a little too laggy for my tastes). Everything I read about the CPU makes it sound like a big leap forward from what you have. You will also be pleasantly surprised by the long battery life possible when you turn off the GPU.

I did not spring for the SSD, but the 7200 rpm hard drive is pretty snappy, so I don't regret that choice. I am sure if I used one with an SSD, I would spoil myself, but this is a nice improvement from my HPdv7 with a 5400 speed hard drive.

 

if you're looking for longevity and not concerned about battery/optimus i say opt for the 8170 with 460/485. you'll meet your graphical needs, have a cooler running desktop replacement and it will probably meet longevity desire for the next few years for an extra ~$500. if graphics really don't mean as much as you might think, wait for the next announcement of cpu/gpu's combos and compare what is on the table now and upcoming. if it isn't that big a jump, you could decide then on the 8170/5170 and maybe even save a couple hundred more than what's on the table now.

 

I think the 8170 at default specs would be more to your linking. the 460m will last you much longer than the GT 540m. You're much better off with that to future proof your laptop.

But if you were to go with the SSD option on the 8170 you'd break the 1500 budget. You can always upgrade to an SSD in the future when prices fall.

 

Which program are you using? Pokertracker, HE Manager?

 

I think the investment into the 6970 would be well worth it for him.

While he might not run much, it will last him quite a bit longer, and it runs SC2 very well (even better than the 485)

 

My computer runs HEM smoothly, but I've recently been trying out Poker-Edge and it really drains resources.

Thanks for the help so far! So you guys think the $500 and $700 jumps just for a 460m and 5970 respectively are worth it even though I don't game much and don't mind low graphics? Does the 8170 have some other upgradability that the 5170 doesn't, ie options to swap to a better cpu in the future?

 

You're basically ponying up for the better GPU, and the Extra HDD slot (which could actually save you money if you plan on going the SSD route, because you don't need to invest in such a big SSD to hold everything, and can put a bigger, cheaper HDD in your second slot). There could be something else, but I dont really know what the 5170 comes default with so I'm not totally qualified to answer.

It will definitely have more flexibility toward upgrades than what you have now, but realistically, you wont need to upgrade your Sandy Bridge Processor or your GPU for probably 2-3 years with that setup, maybe even longer.

The 6970M is currently the 2nd most powerful mobile GPU on the market (behind SLI/Crossfire configs) and it edges out the 485M on SC2 by a few FPS. You could probably play SC2 on ultra setting with more FPS than you do on low settings right now (it averages 58 FPS in ultra). The price really isn't that bad either, considering what you get.

I think it's worth it, so long as you take advantage of what it gives you, but it's up to you man.

 

I'm trying to stay within his $1500 budget.

 

I really don't think the 6970M is necessary for his workload.

I personally think he doesn't have to spill money to "futureproof" himself from some unpredictable barrier he most likely will never encounter.

I say go with the 5170, higher end i5, 4gb ram, 120GB SSD, and be done with it. 'Futureproofs' you on the processor angle, which is the only angle I could see your requirements reaching, and has a decent enough GPU to get by. (And dual core will suffice for gaming/resource heavy single core applications, such as the ones you're having issue with.) Comes to only about $1250. Pretty powerful, and pretty reasonable.

You could also wait for a 5170 w/ GT555M graphics card, if you really need the 460M's power, but in a more modern package, and still significantly cheaper.

 

Well if you're not in a hurry Tim, I can give you my impressions in a month. I've been using my Dell XPS M1530 for similar purposes (HEM, Full Tilt and Tradestation, plus many multiple browsers, no games). It has been getting a little taxed lately, so I ordered the 5170.

I'll have a faster cpu (i7 2630QM vs. T8300) and much faster gpu (GT 540M vs. 8600M GT ), plus 8 GB memory vs. 4 GB. I didn't see any need to spend an extra $500 just for a faster gpu that I will never come close to utilizing.

 

And yet you got the lower clocked quad vs the higher clocked dual (which is better for you), and you will never use that much memory. Infact, memory over 4-6GBs is technically useless unless you're doing some really heavy things.

Ref:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-module-upgrade,2264-4.html