Suggested Changes on this P170HM?

Hi,

I'm looking at the configuration below. I will be using it for work (multiple tasks, large amounts of data on clipboard, some graphics/CAD applications), wathing video, and for casual gaming. I intend to add another HD later for storage. Any thoughts on what is wasted/needed?

Thanks!

Satori P170HM-S1 (P170HM-S1)
Display: 17.3" 1920 x 1080 FHD LED Backlit 120Hz 3D 72% NTSC Matte Display
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-2760QM, 6MB L3 Cache, 2.4-3.5GHz
Memory: (16GB) 16384MB, PC3-10660/1333MHz DDR3 - 4 SO-DIMM
Graphics Card: AMD® Radeon HD 6990M 2GB GDDR5
Hard Drive: 120GB Intel® (510) SATA III 6Gb/s SSD2 Drive
Optical Drive Bay: 6X Blu-ray Reader 8X DVD+/-R DL Super-Multi Drive
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® 7 Professional; 64-bit
Wireless: Intel® 6230 Advanced-N 802.11A/B/G/N LAN and Bluetooth Card
Cooling: IC Diamond 7 Thermal Compound, CPU & GPU

 

That looks very solid to me, but you say casual gaming, a 560m will probably be enough for just about anything you send its way unless you want max graphics on all games including crysis.

Also, my p170hm with a 580m is very audible even on idle, I don't know how different it would be with the 6990m but its supposed to be fairly similar to the 580m in terms of performance. The 560m on my friends p130hm is much quieter.

You also seem to have the same screen as me, are you getting the 3D glasses? If you plan on gaming in 3D then you probably would want the 6990m over a 560m

 

Looks like a pretty solid build there. I would add a secondary hard drive for some additional storage (especially when you start working with some of those larger CAD files) if it were my PC. Also, if you don't need the Bluetooth, I'm a big fan of the Bigfoot cards myself. Otherwise, you should have a really nice CAD/gaming machine there.

 

I always recommend upgrading the wireless card personally.

 

Would it really matter that much? For example, the cost for the Intel 6230 upgrade is $25 at most resellers. I doubt you'd be able to obtain that card for less than that, then you have to take the time (however brief) to install it.

 

Personally, I would go with the 750gb 7200rpm hd option. For less than the price of the Intel ssd upgrade you can get a crucial m4 plus have a great storage hd in the stock mechanical drive. Like you said, since you're planning on adding a storage drive anyways that is the better way. That's what I am doing. Purchasing the ssd separately saves money compared to purchasing from the reseller, and I'm sure the resellers don't like to hear that.

But in the end be happy with what you did research and put time on.

Also as mentioned, upgrade the wireless. Otherwise great build

 

Looks good for what you listed. Are you planning on doing 3D Gaming with it? (As in 3D glasses, not just regular gaming ). The 120hz screen will still be 120hz with the AMD card, but it's best used in combination with the 485m/580m so that you're able to make use of it in Nvidia 3DVision.

Otherwise it's a great config, definitely higher end- so you won't be disappointed! Let us know if you have any questions in particular about the Satori.

 

Thanks for all the input-a couple of notes

I do hope to get around to 3D gaming- that is what pushed me toward the 6990.

I was planning to get the SSD from the builder so all of my boot programs would be set up from the start without any hassle on my end- then boost the memory with an aftermarket HD in the second drive - a bit more $ than getting the SSD aftermarket, but less hassle(?)

I was sticking with the card including the bluetooth since I have an HTC evo and I hoped to tether the two-will that not work/will the BIGFOOT allow something similar?

 

It's a bit less hassle to have it pre-installed, but you just have to see whether that convenience is balanced out by the cost. In my case, I didn't purchase an OS, so it makes more sense for me to get and install the SSD on my own, since there's no previous installation to blow away. If you have partitioning or whatever else that you want to do, you may want to do it all yourself.

Does your Evo have the ability to tether via USB? I know the iPhone does. You should at least upgrade to the 6230.

 

I got the intel 510 120GB with my build, I didn't want the hassle of installing my OS and stuff. It fills up a lot quicker then I thought it would but I''ll probably take out my optical drive and add another 60-120GB SSD.

 

Good point- it should. I just got the USB data cable for downloading pictures, have not yet hooked it up- I expect it will work for tethering! I listed the 6230- but I can probably go ahead and bump to the BIGFOOT.

 

If all else fails for your USB Tether, you could always use PDANet

 

Wow, what a beast you got there!

 

Yeah the Evo can tether via usb. Also, once rooted, you can use the native Sprint Hotspot or Wireless Tether apps to wirelessly tether.

I also ordered my LOTUS without an OS. To be honest, however, I don't feel like it's that much a hassle either way. When you order with an OS, it comes with a Windows 7 dvd. So you can simply install it fresh on your own ssd...but if you're okay with the cost difference go for it!! And you'll be happy regardless

 

Looks like the effective price on the SSD from the builder is $360 (save 260 going with 500 GB 7200 rpm- nominal price 100), and I found a Crucial 128GB m4 SSD for $190- I might have to reconsider!

Did you swap out the original HD with the SSD in the original HD bay or just point to the other bay for start-up?

 

Just to re-emphasize what malibal said because it seems to have slipped by if you want to game in 3D you should look into an Nvidia card. Try the 485m, you'll lose a bit of juice from the 6990m but you'll get Nvidia 3DVision and you'll still be able to hammer through all of this years games on max or close to it.

If you're comfortable doing the paste yourself you can save yourself 30 bucks but it is kind of a hassle. You'll be fine with that wireless card, the Bigfoot is better but you'll really never notice.

 

Glad I could convince ya Killer

I haven't gotten my laptop yet. MALIBAL told me shipping is expected Friday as opposed to today. No big deal, since I did change the screen after the order was processed.

But when I do get the laptop...

On the LOTUS, there is only one hard drive bay unless you use the optical drive as additional hd (which I am doing). Main bay is sata III, while the optical bay is sata II. So of course to boost performance I would attach ssd to the main bay.

As your you, since you're considering the p170hm, you have two main drives. Both are sata III I do believe. So it shouldn't matter which position you place the hd. I would probably put it in the first slot, personally, just to feel better. But they both should be identical. Maybe one of the resellers can confirm. Hope that helps.

Btw. I like how MALIBAL uses Buddhist related terms to name their laptops.

 

GOOD CATCH! I missed that one. Looks like the 485m takes over.

 

I want to thank all of you for your help- I finally pulled the trigger on a notebook. I went ahead and upgraded to the 1600 Mhz RAM- totally unnecessary, but only $75 more . I also ordered the CRUCIAL SSD from TigerDirect, so now I just have to wait- and wait....

 

Is the noise irritating or just noticeable?