Sager NP9261 build

I'm STILL stuck between an NP9261 and the NP5791...configured how I want, the price difference between the two is about $500 USD, give or take a little.

With the NP9261, I'm uncertain as to which CPU I want, or rather, which will be better in the long run. It will be used almost exclusively for gaming and will likely be a replacement for my desktop when I get back from the desert (where it will be used HEAVILY, lol).

This is the build I'm looking at.

SAGER NP9261 Ultimate Custom Laptop (Built on Clevo D901C)
- 17" WSXGA+ "Matte" Super Clear Ultra Bright Screen (1680x1050)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 3.0GHz w/ 4MB L2 Cache - 1333MHz FSB
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 7950GTX w/GDDR3 (User Upgradeable)
- ~ 2,048MB DDR2 800 (1 SODIMM) Memory
- Standard Finish
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- ~160GB Seagate Momentus 3GB/S SATA 300 7200RPM Hard Drive (9260)
- HDD Raid Settings - OFF
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Built in 1.3Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Integrated System Speakers - Included
- Internal Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965 802.11 a/g/n
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (12 Cell)
- 110/220V 120W Auto Switching AC Adapter - Included
- ~Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
- 3 Year Labor* 1 Year Parts Warranty Lifetime Toll Free Tech Support (Extra 2 Year Labor Warranty through Xotic PC)

The problem I'm running into is the CPU. It's only a $5 difference for the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4 Ghz w/8mb L2 cache 1066mhz FSB...BUT, the Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 3.0GHz w/ 4MB L2 Cache - 1333MHz FSB has a way noticeably higher clock speed....yes, yes, I have read all the arguments regarding the CPUs. Here and now, I think the E6850 is the better buy, but in the long run? Probably the Quad...ugh, decisions, decisions. I need a new laptop before I get to the desert and I only have about a month to make a decision!

I'll mostly be playing games like Oblivion, MTW2, Sim City Societies, Half-Life 2, Bioshock, etc...I know MTW2 will benefit from higher clock speeds. And is the 160GB Seagate Momentus 3GB/S SATA 300 worth the extra money? It seems like it, the reviews on it give it a thumbs up. My first upgrade will be an extra 2 Gigs of RAM, though I may add a TV Tuner for the hell of it.

I know some of you have chimed in on some of my builds before, so I'd love to hear more feedback. $2600 plus shipping is a lot of money, I just want my money's worth.

Mike

 

personally, I would go for the quad-core since it will be more efficient for gaming and heavy CPU usage applications as time goes by.

 

The way I see it, either way is a good choice... I ended up going with the 5791. I personally couldn't justify spending another 500-600. I also wanted it to be slightly more mobile since I will be carrying it around with me everywhere I go. Some people don't mind that though and if I had more money I probably would've gone for the 9261.

 

Your in the same boat i'm in...I can't decide between the two, I have a similar build, execpt i'm looking at the 2.66 dual core, the 8700 plus no operating system since I already have XP 64bit and Vista 64bit. I just can't decided.

I like the 9261 because I can upgrade it more easily, add an additional video card, much better proccessor, multiple HDD so I can dual boot, but I'm sacificing mobility that the 5791 has. My only concern is how cheap will addition upgrades cost me, i.e. get an additional 8700 for SLi? or the 8800? if I decide to upgrade sometime next fall. Granted the 9261 can be easily upgraded but by the time it needs it(1.5-2 years, hopefully 3) will it be cost effective, or would be easier just to buy a new one?

 

For newer games, that single 7950 GTX will be the real bottleneck. If you plan to add another in the future, don't worry about it, but just know that having an SLI setup will give you better performance than simply switching to the Q6600. Of course, you probably won't be gaming exclusively, and the quad will help with non-gaming stuff...

 

I've used both of these notebooks and here is my take . . .

If you like sleek notebooks and want something moderately portable (as in, take it to a coffee shop or move it between rooms frequently), then the NP5791 is the way to go. I am typing on one right now - even though it is rather heavy it is nothing compared to the NP9261 and is much thinner. I take this notebook with me a lot of places and it is not that bad. Battery life is great with the NP5791 too, I get 2:40 while surfing the Internet. Gaming on battery is possible too!

However for sheer power the NP9261 cannot be beat. For hardcore gaming you should get the NP9261 with SLI because performance will be far better for the latest games. I just got done playing the Crysis demo on the NP5791 with the 8700M-GT 512MB and it struggled (looked gorgeous though).

The full review of the NP5791 will be coming up this week.

 

As soon as possible please .

 

IMHO the 9261 is the way to go in the long run as it is more upgradeable then the 5791. the upgrades are easy... I just added a second HD and it went in like butter.... and I'm a techy geek gimp...

 

Yeah, but it's heavy and not really portable... I just watched that video comparing the size of this to a X61. I was like...look at that little thing on the keyboard... Even the AC adapter weights the same as a X61.

 

Man I just ordered the 9261 a few days ago. Almost the same configuration except i grabbed XP pro instead. Who cares about the weight and size because the thing is going to be shear power. I say you should stick with what you got up there.

 

9261 is the best... and it is much more silent... you won't get crazy during normal work... it is a bit bulkier but you are young and it will help to stay in shape...