Sager NP8170 Options

Looking into getting an 8170, but there's a couple options I just CANNOT decide on. Sager NP8170 (Built on Clevo P170HM) Custom Gaming Laptop

I will be using this laptop for gaming and game development. Also, a note about my budget: I'd prefer not to spend over $1,600, but I believe in proper tech investment. If the upgrade costs $200, but is well worth that $200, then I will spend that extra $200. But only if it's needed, and if it's worth it.

1) The biggest one first and foremost: Which graphics card? The GTX580M is just way too expensive for my budget. So it's between the GTX560M and the ATI6990M.
I know these two cards are in completely different tiers, but here are the factors on my mind. I really don't mind paying the extra $150 for the 6990M's power. Looking at the specs, it leaves the 560 in the dust. But how much more is the 6990 going to overheat the laptop and how much faster will it drain the battery? If I remember correctly, Notebooktechcheck rates the power consumption of the 6990 at like 3x the 560. Also, it looks like going with an ATI limits me on my display options, as it says a lot of them are only available with the NVIDIA cards. Another problem I have are drivers. I've had nothing but nightmare experiences with ATI drivers. Their support has been so godawful for me in the past.
So Nvidia GTX 560M or ATI 6990M?

2) RAM.
Option 1: Save $50 and get 4x2GB for 8GB of 1333MHz RAM. Saving money is always good.
Option 2: Black Friday Sale at XoticPC will give me 3x4GB for 12GB of 1333MHz RAM. I've heard things about having 3 sticks of dual channel memory is a no-no, but I'm not sure how true that is vs 12GB, and it wouldn't be impossible to pick up a 4th stick and throw it in myself for an unnecessary, but even 16GB.
Option 3: Spend an extra $40 and get 1600MHz 8GB of RAM. This would be a $90 price jump for the 1600MHz speed. This option really boils down to: Which is better, 8GB@1600MHz or 12GB@1333Mhz?

3) Wireless Card. Tech specs of wireless hardware is something I have zero knowledge about. Is that Bigfoot Networks Killer card really worth $60? What's the difference between one N card and the next?

4) Display. This option I'm really torn up about, only second to the graphics card. According to the site, only half of my options are available if I get the 560M card. Ignoring that barrier, I hate glossy screens. The default screen is glossy, and it's going to cost me a minimum of $135 to get a matte. Fffffuuuu. However, there are other benefits there that will make it extra worth it. 120Hz refresh rate is very appealing. Also, higher color gamuts? From what I understand, that increases the viewing angle and range of color? Not entirely sure on all the benefits. Also, some of the matte screens dont have a rating listed there. Anyone know which of those are 72% vs 90%?

I know it's a lot of questions, but I'd very much appreciate any feedback, even if it's only answering a part of one question. Thank you!

 

If you haven't done so yet, look at all the resellers for their black friday / cyber monday deals. Malibal has a free upgrade to a 6970 which is the same class of the 560.

If it was me I'd go with 8GB sticks (4x 2GB) and upgrade down the road to save some coin. Toss it at an extended warranty (only 150)

Does your home network support 5ghz mimo (multiple in /multiple out) routing? If not then an upgraded card won't serve you any good. I personally have the Killer network card due to having a 2.4ghz and 5ghz router in my home, so YMMV

If you haven't done so yet, please check the stickied thread at the top of the forums. There is a nice buyers guide to help you with your monitor choice. - http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/583588-np-8150-screen-choices-upgrade-no.html http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/592609-clevo-guide-v3-0-faq-reseller-info-read-before-posting.html

there is a treasure trove of information on these forums. Check them via the search option for anything specific, or ask away... we're here to help. (sarcasm aside)

 

1)I had good driver support with 560...

2)I personally think that 8GB@1600MHz is better; after the 8GB mark, having more would not help much. But then again, when it comes to RAM, the RAM speed would not play much of a role, its clock speed and timings also come into play.

3)Main difference is whether Bluetooth is on the card; only the default and 6230 (I am using it) have them.

 

Thanks for the help guys. I think I've decided on this.
Lotus P150HM - MALIBAL

1) I went with the 6970, despite it being ATI (hopefully they don't screw me over with drivers again). It doesn't benchmark nearly as high as the 6990, but with the free upgrade it'd be stupid to pass up, and it benchmarks closer to the 6990 than it does to the 560. Still some worries here though, I've heard ATI cards run a lot hotter than Nvidia's. I know Clevos have excellent cooling structures, but I'm still worried about overheating. I've never seen a laptop (especially a gaming notebook) that doesn't have heat issues.

2) Went with the 1600Mhz 8GB cause again, free upgrade from Black Friday deals. Woo!

3) I'm never going to use bluetooth (I don't think. I don't have a smart phone and won't be getting one until I get my bachelors unfortunately) and it looks like the Bigfoot cards come with some nifty features + some monitoring utilities that could be pretty cool, so I went with the lower end Bigfoot card.

4) The 15.6" does have better prices on display upgrades, and being honest with myself lugging around a 17.3" daily doesn't sound super appealing. Made it possible to get a 95% gamut matte for $95. Not bad. It doesn't have the 120Hz refresh rate the 17.3" offers, but it's impossible to tell the difference between 60Hz and 120Hz, and I don't care much for 3D glasses.

Again, many thanks for the help. Making it out with a beast of a laptop that's light enough to carry around for only $1,420. Not bad.

 

Nice! Have a good Black Friday! (Y)

 

my dear ssx4life! you might have just woken up from 6months sleep! 560M is NOT the same class as 6970M nvidia fanboy!

1 get AMD 6970M its just 15% to 20% slower than 6990M , you can overclock it, plus its free

2 get the 1333mhz 8gb, you dont need more plus you get $50

3 if you play online games get bigfoot or if you have the money, they have $30 killer card too, with two antennas which is almost as good as the other one

4 if you travel a lot then maybe , if not invest in a 1080p 24/27inch LED monitor!

 

They are both considered High end cards, so I guess that would put them in the same class? The 6990 is the better preforming card though. Anyway that is some pretty harsh words there. How does saying something is in the same class make him a fanboy?

 

You are correct that the 6970 > 560, my apologies.

 

redman stop freaking out! i was a nvidia fan all my life. 560m is mid level. Comparing 570M to 6990M is even pushing it. thanks for your post ssx4life