Sager NP9850 Upgradeability???

I agree - the NP9850 is a C2D mobile type processor which is near end of life. The quads QX9300 is fastest out there for the 9850 but runs hotter than say some of the C2Ds. We may see one or two more models with better efficiency but I doubt it based on the current intel roadmap. Also you have the less expensive processors (i3 and i5's) coming out among other mobile models near the end of year / early next year (forgot their nomonclature name).
The D900F is an i7 desktop processor (not a moble processor) and Intel is likely to produce additional models of their top end processors but also there will be another newer top model in another 1.5 years based on a smaller footprint (32 nand I think) but it probably won't be compatible with the i7 socket (highly doubtful).

D900F - i7 fastest processor out for applications with potential for additional newer CPUs (if Clevo/Sager release BIOS updates to support them) with one 280m (no slouch there) and potential to upgrade to maybe a 3xxM (whenever they come out).
NP9850 - Latest graphics cards (280m) in SLI with older processors (C2D or Q2D) but not slow by any means. Potential for updating graphics cards to 3xxM just like the D900F. CPU upgrades unlikely.
As others have mentioned upgradability depends as they may not fit either laptop due to connectors, heat, size, fans, slot etc.

Likelyhood of upgrading is smaller for these parts rather you could upgrade to a latest SSD or additional memory and see increased performance from that.

In my experience, after 2.5 years it's time for a newer laptop cause things change so drastically but with these two you wouldn't have to but you won't know till then for sure. In either case you are buying one of the best fastest laptops out.
You could also look at it this way if you spend a thousand ($1000) each year on a new laptop that was lower standards (15-16 screen, slower cpu) would you be happy and be able to run everything for that next year till you buy another one. OR spend 3 grand now and be happy for those 3 years then look at a new one.
It's never an easy decision spending your hard earned money. I debated but I'm on pre-order for the NP9850 with PNB. Sorry for being long winded.

 

No, but I have run real apps, Like 3DMax, Maya, Photoshop and ProTools, and had them run some features I know will use the processor heavily - and even after 2 hours of heavy rendering, I have yet to see any of the cores reach 80 degrees (celsius).
Where is this OCCT thingy to be found?

 

I think you have summed it up quite nicely, in my opinion. All of the above arguments went into my decision to opt out of my M980 order and to get the D900F. I do like to game on it too, but I am not fanatic about absolutely having to have the extra 10-15 fps's...
The Core i7 more than weighs up for the lack of SLI, for me. And this before I have installed my new Gen2 Intel SSD - that is due to arrive in a week or two.

 

D900F probably won't have another revision for years. It looks to be a highly upgradeable rig...it's the beginning of MXM 3.0, this is only the first round of LGA 1366 i7's, 3 HDD bays, 3 DDR3 RAM sockets...all it needs now is a true dsktop bios

 

thats pretty much what i was thinking really, i mean how long is it before a X9100 or a Qx9300 will bottleneck a system?

im hoping by the time it does we will be on another laptop anyway

Pete

 

The CPU has an effect on games but not nearly as much as the GPU right?That is why the M9850 is better because of the SLI. However, it the D900F's CPU's and GPU's keep updating lets say it like 1-2 years would it ever performance wise be greater than the M9850?

 

no the d900 will never beat the m9850 in games, no matter what cpu you put in there as whatever GPU upgrade the D900 gets, the M9850 gets 2 of em !

heh fact is fact

 

Yes that's probably true so if a new GPU works in the 9250 it will work in the 9850. 9850 downside would be purchasing two of them. Also I seriously doubt in 1-2 years the QX9300 or X9100 will be the bottleneck for 90%+ of the programs albeit it will take longer to process and that's where you would determine if your time is worth more than a new CPU (i.e. newer i7) or laptop.

 

by the time the qx9300 bottlenecks your games, the new mxm will be out and there will be no benefit from having the d900 in games as the latest GPUS wont fit anyway meaning you will upgrade, so in the meantime i would rather have SLI then not

More games then not have some benefit from SLI, maybe <5% of games have zero benefit from SLI, and lets face it if your playing old games which SLI wont matter, go buy a dell inspirion and be happy

 

Hello all! New here, just wanted to check out others' opinions on the Sager!

I just pre-ordered the NP9850 from xoticpc.com yesterday! Hope that I will not be disappointed!

But after reading this, it seems that it will suit my needs fine until I'm out of law school at least in 3 yrs.

 

Luckily, i7 (1366) is slated for the upcoming 6-core and fits Xeon processors. No end in sight in comparison to the Core 2.

OR you go with the M980NU which is already EOL processor option wise and with the best underpowered Core 2 versus the D900F CPU options now not including those in the future.

The D900F is not for those who game primarily but do game along with other things. I like to game on the go if able, but I wouldn't center a $3000 budget around playing games on the go. Then again, we're blessed to be able to even toss out this much dinero for something let's face it we don't really need probably and we're all spoiled.

But then again, if gaming is that important AND your #1 priority over everything else, and you're comfortable with the still insanely capable Core2 CPU architecture that is last generation, go for the M98/M17X.

I do like the 18.4" screens though.....

 

Yes, yes, we've all run real apps. I'm talking real world stress tests that take your system to the brink knowing it will never, ever face those situations in 99.99% of situations elsewhere but also that your system is rock solid.

Everything I've run, decoded, converted, benchmarked and more won't take my Extreme over 80 either, but OCCT specifically taxes your CPU (and other components) to the edge. It is specifically created to tax your system to the fullest. If it can pass OCCT, it can handle anything.

Try here: http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/OCCT/1166796118/1

 

It should suit you fine. There's a lot of discussion going on about upgrades to them (D900F and M980NU) and the what-if's of what's coming next - all valid points have been discussed. Now we all wait and see what's next and hope we all enjoy our purchases (those of us buying).
I have a NP9850 (M980NU) on order as well from PNB.
I have gone over my purchase many times about going with the NP9850 rather than the D900F (aka. Sager NP9280) but I'd be happy with both and going to move forward. I will enjoy the 18.4 inch screen that's for sure and the looks of the NP9850 over the NP9280 / D900F.

 

Still can't decide from the D900F or the M9850.