Sager NP9150 / Clevo PM150EM Configuration Questions

Hi,

I posted here yesterday and got some great feedback and insight on the Sager NP6370, and I eventually decided that it was not for me. Long story short, while researching with my original intention of finding a 17'' laptop, I fell in love with the Sager NP9150. I will be ordering through XOTICPC. Here is my build:

Sager NP9150 / Clevo PM150EM

• 15.6” FHD 16:9 LED Backlit Wide screen (1920x1080) Super Clear Matte Type Sager Screen (SKU - S1R316)
• Sager - 3rd Generation Intel® Ivy Bridge Core™ i7-3630QM (2.4GHz - 3.4GHz, 6MB Intel® Smart Cache, 45W Max TDP) (SKU – S2R174)
• IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU
• nVidia GeForce GTX 675M 2,048MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11 with Optimus™ Technology [User Upgradeable] - ($100 Value: FREE!) (SKU – S5R520)
• 8GB - DDR3 1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (SKU - S4S423P)
• 32GB Crucial M4 mSATA SSD - Preconfigured for Intel SRT ( Smart Response Technology )
• 500gb 7200rpm (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache) - Default (SKU - S5R207)
• Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti DVDRW/CDRW Drive w/ Software (SKU - S7R455)
• Sager - Intel® Advanced-N 6235 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module + Bluetooth™ 4.0 (SKU - S8R111)

Subtotal: $1395.83 (after 3% cash discount)

I love the expandability of this laptop, literally everything is user-serviceable. It touches on just about every design preference that I have and the inclusion of a backlit keyboard is great. I just need to get the configuration set in stone.

Questions:

I am somewhat confused on mSATA, but I think I understand after viewing a teardown. Forgive my ignorance, I have been out of the Laptop world (and computing as a whole) for a while, and have only ever used just one single hard drive.

I read up on what mSATA actually is, and from my understanding it is basically a mini-SSD that has it's own bay in the internals of the laptop, correct? I chose the 32GB M4 because I believe that should be enough for the OS to boot up on. It specifies on some of the mSATA SSD options that it is preconfigured with the OS, but on the 32GB it just includes information about Intel SRT - is it also a pre-configured Windows 7 drive?

How would the combination of an mSATA SSD and a regular HDD work? Would I simply install programs and the like on the HDD (would it be D:?) and then just have the OS on the mSATA (C:?)?

Thanks in advance to any and all replies, and my apologies for another lengthy post, just really trying to do my homework here, as I want this to be a solid purchase that will see me years into the future.

 

Hi Droks,
The build looks good.
How the mSATA will work when its SRT is basically a large cache for your HDD. All your programs will still be installed on the HDD but commonly used things will be stored on the mSATA which has a much faster read/write speed. You could also configure it as a OS drive so Windows and your programs are directly stored onto it, if you went that way you'd want a larger one as 32GB would fill up fast then you'd be back to putting programs on the HDD.

 

You can have your msata set up as either another drive, or as a cache for the main drive. 32GB is pretty small, so would probably be used more as a cache. It's pretty much the same as a hybrid drive in operation so you wouldn't see the msata as a separate drive. If you want it for the OS and other programs you may want to consider a larger msata or a proper ssd in the main bay. It's common these days to have an ssd in the main bay, and an hdd in the optical bay for storage.

EDIT: Damn, not quick enough again

 

It's a lot cheaper to go to NewEgg or Amazon and buy the mSATA yourself. It takes about 20 seconds to install it, that includes unscrewing the backpanel and screwing it back on.

I would suggest the same for ram. I saw 16GB of CL9 ram for AW setup from Xotic is a $200+ upgrade, I got CL9 16GB of low voltage ram, even better than the HyperX for about $70. I got the Mushkin for $120, I think Xotic charges $175. Just doing that saved me almost $200. I bought the ICD7 from MicroCenter here for $6, saved another $29 there. I did my own copper/foil mod, saved about $70 there. I bought my external USB X-Fi THX card for $25 at Best Buy, saved about $65 there. You can save a bundle by doing what I did.

Just an FYI of what I did.

 

Thanks everyone for your responses!

I understand now in regards to the mSATA. I figured it is more of a cache thing considering I went with a small drive. If I can simply always add my own mSATA (was not certain that it had it's own bay or if it was some sort of more in-depth modification) drive later on, I will simply do that and leave it alone for now, and simply go with the stock HDD in the main bay. I am aware of the optical bay mod, but I would like to keep my optical drive - I'll just go with the stock HDD and add a mSATA later on. That's the beauty of this laptop in my opinion - so many options and so expandable.

I am aware of RAM prices as well and I am going with the stock 8GB (2x4GB) 1600 MHz and later on I will add more. I am comfortable doing simple RAM, HDD, and now mSATA installations but not messing with the heat sinks and thermal paste, hence why I am going with the IC Diamond application. Here is the new build:

Sager NP9150 / Clevo PM150EM

• 15.6” FHD 16:9 LED Backlit Wide screen (1920x1080) Super Clear Matte Type Sager Screen (SKU - S1R316)
• Sager - 3rd Generation Intel® Ivy Bridge Core™ i7-3630QM (2.4GHz - 3.4GHz, 6MB Intel® Smart Cache, 45W Max TDP) (SKU – S2R174)
• IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU
• nVidia GeForce GTX 675M 2,048MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11 with Optimus™ Technology [User Upgradeable] - ($100 Value: FREE!) (SKU – S5R520)
• 8GB - DDR3 1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (SKU - S4S423P)
• 500gb 7200rpm (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache) - Default (SKU - S5R207)
• Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti DVDRW/CDRW Drive w/ Software (SKU - S7R455)
• Sager - Intel® Advanced-N 6235 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module + Bluetooth™ 4.0 (SKU - S8R111)

Subtotal: $1318.23 (after 3% cash discount)

I plan to use the laptop as-is for a while and do some upgrades later on. I am going to continue to read up on the NP9150 and check out some reviews, benchmarks, teardowns, etc. Thanks everyone, and any more responses would be much appreciated!

 

That looks like a great setup! I'm really glad you are considering the 9150 and Xoticpc the 9150 the best value for the money out of all Sager models imo. It is extremely easy adding/changing components in this laptop. You only have to remove the battery and 4 screws on the bottom to access every bit of the internals. Here is a video from a different builder showing how to disassemble and reassemble the Clevo P150EM (NP9150) Puget Systems Traverse Pro M550i Component Replacement - YouTube

As you can see in the video, the msata looks kind of like a big wifi card, and it's really easy to add. The video also shows the improved cooling system of this model; the gpu and cpu each have their own fans instead of sharing one.

Getting the 675m for free is a great bonus. I originally chose the 675 when placing my order last week, but I changed it yesterday when I saw that the 675MX would be available at the end of the month. Only problem is I'll be waiting a LOT longer than I anticipated for my laptop now lol. I'm happy though, and I hope you find what's right for you

 

That video is very helpful, thank you for linking it. I have a much better understanding of the components now, definitely a visual learner.

Perhaps a silly question, but would you happen to know the size of the screws used in the Sager NP9150? Are they Philips #00? I want to get a proper screwdriver and other tools as well in order to do everything correctly when I go do some upgrades later on. I'd like to avoid stripping any screws as much as possible by purchasing the right equipment.

Again though, I will use this laptop for quite some time as-is and upgrade it later on according to my usage. I'm not really for immediately tearing it open the second I get it and performing all of these aftermarket upgrades - the configuration will be great for me right now as it sits. It's something I want to do much later on in order to "breathe new life" into it so to speak, basically revive it and use it for as long as I can.

I want this laptop to last for years, and it seems like a solid build, brand, and XOTICPC seems like a great reseller.

Thanks for your response.

 

np man, happy to help. good question about the screws, somebody around here is sure to know. I haven't gotten my hands on mine yet either, but I'd like to know that too.

 

You don't need any specific size screwdriver. If you get a small screwdriver set, you will find a few of them will work fine, and be useful if you need to remove any smaller screws.

 

I usually use the ones from a precision screw driver kit. If you wanted specific screw sizes they use M3, M2.5, and M2 sizes

 

Personally, if you can wait a couple weeks, hold out for the 670M X. They are replacing the old Fermi architecture for the newer, cooler, less power hungry (i.e. more power efficient) Kepler, and may gain 10-20% performance in the process.

 

I actually have a Torx/Phillips set, I was just going to go for a specific sized magnetic screwdriver if there was a specific size that I could look into.

Thank you!

I definitely can, I was simply considering this model (will most likely go with it) and have been continuing to read up on it. Thanks for the useful information, I may be purchasing within the next month or so. I need to gather some extra funds first. =)

Thanks everyone!

 

I ordered the 675MX, it'll cost $250 to upgrade but it's about 20% more powerful than the 675 and much more efficient, with lower temps and better power consumption

For the same price, you can get the 7970, which is about 20% more powerful than the 675MX, but I'm sure you've heard about the Enduro issues with the AMD cards in Clevo/Sager laptops. There is a possible Enduro fix coming next week though.

 

I have, and in any case I don't really need the most powerful card possible, and I can always upgrade which is simply great.

I am strongly considering LPC Digital and XOTICPC. Not sure which one to go with - I love the affordable 3 year Warranty offered by LPC Digital and I have been reading about so much positive feedback in regards to them.

Now I've got the laptop down in my mind but need to decide on a reseller now! Hah, it's okay though, I want to put a lot of thought into this purchase and will definitely be waiting around a month or so before pulling the trigger - allowing for time in which upgrades may arise apparently.

I am going to look more in-depth in terms of a resellers tomorrow as well as continue to look at the actual NP9150 itself.

 

This is going to seem terribly ridiculous but I just noticed the Microphone placement on the NP9150 is the same as the NP6370. It's little things like this that really bother me. It may seem like a petty concern, but the design is something I really take into account with notebooks - not necessarily whether or not it's flashy, more/less the placement of things. I once owned an Asus where the exhaust vent was to the left, next to the power input (therefore it had to be placed a certain way to where it wouldn't be exposed to the heat from the vent) which was also next to the Ethernet Port (which I also utilized) and I had to "rig" it in a way where it would all sit properly. Since then I have been quite observant with the placement of ports and such as far as the design goes, and the Microphone in the middle of the laptop where my hand may brush over it at times isn't something I would want. I realize how stupid that may seem, but it's a genuine concern of mine.

... with that being said, are there any lower-end Sager models that use the microphone up near the webcam or at least not in the center of the chassis?

I am now back to the drawing board. =(

 

Sorry to hear you're having trouble deciding

As far as I know, the microphone is located in the same spot on all the sagers I've seen. Perhaps you could call or send a private message to a reseller with any questions; they would be happy to help you out.

This may be a dumb question, but is there another preferred spot for microphone that is more common than above the track pad? I've never really paid attention to the mic placement before bc I've never used on lol. Would it cause problems while you were on webcam or recording? Perhaps the sound of your finger on the trackpad interfering or something? Just curious

 

It's usually located next to the camera at the top of the display bezel. I don't understand why it is next to the trackpad, which will cause the noise of the keys and hands brushing over it to interfere and what not. It's also just poorly placed if those things weren't a factor, as your voice projects out towards the camera when you are facing that way, I feel like you'd have to direct your head down towards it to speak properly.

It's more of a design gripe than anything. It's going to sounds stupid (I have OCD) but a random, un-centered dot near the trackpad makes my brain hurt a lot.

In just about every review I have seen on the NP9150 someone has said something about it, for some it's a livable negative feature but for me it's sort of a deal-breaker, I just really dislike it. I realize it still sounds dumb, but hey, I'm not going to purchase something I am not fully content with when talking about thousands of dollars.

I've made progress anyway. My new #1 is an MSi barebone model through XOTICPC - their FORCE models, specifically the FORCE 16F3. It's a 15.6'' 1920x1080 Matte, i7-3610QM, GTX 670M 1.5GB, 8GB 1600 MHz with support up to 32GB, and two HDD bays (1 500GB 7200RPM stock drive) for $1003.95.

Thread can be found here. Check it out if you'd like, Thank You for all of your continued responses and support!

 

lol I totally understand man, if I actually used the mic or webcam it would bother me too. I'll head over to your new thread and check out your build