The usual "which one should I buy" post, should I get this Sager NP9170?

I suppose most of the details have been included in the form NBR asked me to fill. However, I do have one piece in mind. It is a Sager NP9170.

I customized it to the following settings -

Core i7 3820QM
AMD Radeon HD 7970m 2G
16 GB Dual Channel @1600
60 GB Intel 520 Series SATA 3 SSD as Primary
500 GB @7200 SATA 300 as Secondary
6X BD Burner
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN + Bluetooth Combo Module

This comes with a 3 year limited parts and labor warranty and is going to suck $2553 American from my pocket. I would like suggestions as to whether there are some things in the specs that might cause sub-optimal performance in some pieces of hardware. For example, I read that if you have 4GB of dedicated VRAM, you would want at least 12 GB of RAM for optimal GPU performance for some technical reasons the website explained that I don't remember right now (should look that up again). Does anything similar matter? Also, I'd appreciate if you could explain why or post a link so I could increase my technical know-how.


What is your budget?
$2600 (INCLUDING A MINIMUM THREE YEAR WARRANTY)

What country will you be buying this in?
United States

What size notebook do you prefer?
Desktop Replacement (17-inch + screen)

Would you consider a refurbished laptop?
Maybe

What are the primary tasks you need this notebook for?
Video Editing, Computer Programming, Video Chat and Conference, Movie Streaming and Viewing, Graphic Intense 3D Gaming

I will do some multi-threaded processing (for work).

What games will you be playing?
All FPS/3PS, some RTS

Where will you be using this laptop?
Will be used different places and Will stay on desk

How many hours of battery life do you need?
2

Will you be buying online or in store?
online or in store

Which OS do you prefer?
Windows 7

List the screen resolutions that interest you:
Max Resolution (1920 x 1080)

Do you prefer a glossy or matte screen?
Glossy or Matte is fine

Is the laptops design important to you?
Yes

Approximately what date will you be buying this laptop?
Around 06/29/2012

How long do you want this laptop to last?
4 years

How much storage capacity do you need?
160 GB

Are you interested in SSD for storage?
Yes

Do you want a built-in optical drive, what type?
Blu-Ray

Thank you.

 

Welcome to the forums. I'm going to move your post to the Sager/Clevo forum since you're pretty set on what you want here. The members there will have in depth knowledge and be able to better answer your question.

 

Hi, as a Clevo User, Id suggest a few changes to your config as follows:

1.) CPU i7 3720QM (cheaper than 3820QM by a lot, performance is identical) That would save you some of the cost. Reason behind this change: Intel will do a clock update in the fall of 2012 (september-october). That means - you can upgrade to 3760QM for the same cost as 3820QM and still get +100mhz more than 3820QM. Last year, it was +200mhz increase for all CPUs. If 3720QM is 100mhz slower than 3820QM, then you can surpass the 3820QM with +100mhz when 3760QM comes out. And it will be cheaper.

2.) 60 GB Intel 520 Series SATA 3 SSD as Primary....I dont agree with that. Get the 120GB Intel 520 SSD. More space so you can do your video editing/streaming/caching/rendering on it. Another reason: its faster than the 60GB version. Trust me on this, its a better decision. And you need space. And speed.

Other than that, great!

 

You might want to spring for a screen upgrade and calibration. If you'll be doing video editing and multimedia you'll want the better color display and video chat/conference you'll want the better viewing angles. It's also well within your budget.

 

You need display glossy 92% NTSC Color Gamut for video editing better than matte 72% and more better than stock display. And completly agree with b0b1man about 3720qm

 

Thank you all for your responses.

• 
  Regarding the color gamuts - These are dependent on the screen right? So basically how well the screen can replicate the RGB info coming out of the GPU. What happens if I, in the future in case I am not satisfied with the normal gamut screen, purchase a monitor that I hook up to my laptop? If the monitor has 95 or let's say 142 (I saw on that claimed that number) color gamut, wouldn't it work the same? Agreed that I would throw in more for the monitor but a 100 bucks to increase to the 95% vs a whole new monitor for 4 or 5 times that is what I am considering.

• 
  Regarding the processor, I have a few questions. If we assume Intel stick to their trend (which they probably will), then like b0b1man suggested, they will increase the clocks of the 3710qm by 200MHz to take it 100MHz above the 3820qm. However, that will be in September which is 4 months from now. I was being practical and thinking that if I can wait 4, then I might as well wait another 5 and get Haswell instead. I mean isn't it just a cycle? Also, with only a 100MHz increase per core, considering the L3 is 33% more, would processing really be that faster? I have read many a literature stating that the CPU very often has to wait to get data from the memory because that is the weak link. If it can store more in its own brain, would 100MHz make that big a difference?

• 
  Thanks for the SSD suggestion. I will upgrade it when I make the purchase. Just out of curiosity, do you know what significantly changes SSD speeds? I mean there is no RPM or NCQ to help

Thank you all for your help.

*EDIT* I should add that I already waited about 6 months to get the Ivy so I am not very eager to wait another 4. However, I will consider if it is really a good worth for my money.

 

I don't think he's saying wait another 4 months to order. get the 3720 now, sell it and upgrade to the 3760 in a few months if you want.. the money you save by not upgrading to the 3820 now would probably cover the cost of getting the 3760 later on..

Definitely add the screen as other have mentioned.

I agree on the upgraded SSD. For the space more than the speed though. There doesn't seem to be much difference in speed going from the 60GB (550Mb/s read; 475MB/s write) to the 120GB (550MB/s read; 500MB/s write). The IOPS don't even jump that much until you go from the 120gb to the 180gb..

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/solid-state-drives/solid-state-drives-520-series.html

edit: I might even recommend getting the 500gb as the main drive, buying the ssd separate from newegg, and setting it up yourself. Easy way to save ~$50..

through xotic:
+$70 to make 60GB Intel the Primary ---or--- +$140 to make 120GB Intel the Primary
+$95 for secondary 500gb drive
=$165 ---or--- $235

buy SSD yourself:
+$0 for 500gb Primary
+$180 for 120GB Intel 520
=$180

 

The screen upgrade is a must, and get the calibration, it's pretty decent color reproduction for a laptop.

I say order the machine with a 750GB in it, or even a hybrid if you're really hardcore, and then do the SSD yourself. It'll be cheaper, and if you don't need to pay for the OS, then you can add the SSD and install the OS when the machine arrives. Installing the SSD is literally 6 screws. 2 on the door and 4 on the drive itself. It's really easy to do. You'll still get the driver disc anyways. Use the 750 as a data/backup drive (automated backup in win 7 = win). The 9170 has two bays for HDD.

With regards to SSD's specifically. I have a Intel 520 120GB in my 8150, that's the absolute smallest I'd go for anything but a netbook. I put a 64GB in my fathers netbook, and it's pretty full even with just the basics. I'd say go for a 520 180 or 240GB, or a Crucial M4 256GB (cheaper, slightly faster) Especially if this is going to be your primary machine. It's nice to have the space when you need it.

Oh and yeah, these guys are right, save some money and go with the cheaper processor, you really won't see the difference between the two.

Finally, do you need the ability to burn BD? Because honestly, the media is expensive, and DL content is pretty much the way things are headed. You could put a DVD burner or a 3rd hard drive and run them RAIDed for a large storage array. Windows 7 can be installed from a USB key easily (and it's faster )

good luck!!

EDIT: Oh BTW, nice name

 

woah, got confused for a second..

"...why is OP giving us configuration advice all of a sudden...hmmm-OHHHH!" lol..

 

Doesn't opening the cover to put my own stuff in void the warranty? Or does that not stand for Sager/Clevo/AvaDirect and other customized gaming laptop manufacturers?

 

Also, this post was moved from the "What notebook should I buy forum" but if anyone out there that has suggestions for other manufacturers, those are welcome as well. This Sager config was just what I stumbled upon while doing research.

 

Nope, doesn't void warranty. They just don't cover what you put in the laptop. If you bought an ssd from newegg, you'd simply have to use the manufacturer's (Intel, Crucial, Samsung, etc) warranty to get the drive fixed/replaced.

It's actually a pretty painless process, I had to get a 128Gb M4 drive replaced through Crucial. Called em up, they did a bit of troubleshooting, determined it was bad and gave me two options:
- Pay the cost of a new drive, they'll overnight it to me, and they refund my money when I send in the bad drive.
- Send in the bad drive and they'll ship a new one UPS ground once they have confirmation of shipment of the bad one.

I went with option A, bought a 256Gb M4, and sold off the new 128Gb Crucial sent me. Worked out great and the whole process was done (including refund) within 10 days.

 

^Well if it doesn't void the warranty then I might as well go with that. Does anyone that own a Sager know if the screen refreshes at 120Hz? Or is it 60 in which case I'd have to buy a monitor to do 3D?

 

I'm reasonably sure it's 120Hz now. Honestly though, 3D is overrated

 

Actually all current models are 60hz. Hopefully the 3D 120hz will be added back on as an option someday.

 

I see. That's unfortunate. Does anyone have experiences with nVidia 3D vision as opposed to AMD's HD3D? Is the HD3D truly as poor as many claim it to be? Also, if you use AMD, whose 3D packet did you purchase?

 

Honestly, like I said, 3d IMO, is gimmicky. I'd rather grab a new 7970 (30%+ better frames than 675M) and deal with 2d. just my $0.02

 

30% better PLUS a smaller fab process. Yes I know. I'm not saying that I will be doing 3D ALL the time. Or even sometimes. However, if I am paying over two and half grand, I'd like to know that if I ever want to do it, it should be readily available. And with the current 7970m, I have heard it is not. Doesn't mean I won't get it. No way will I get a rebadged marketing gimmick. I just wanted to know what options I would have WHEN I got the 7970. Also, nVidia has a thing for catching up if they lag behind. I would love to see what the 680m can do. Those two are really the only options for me. I want a 256 bit bus because I know it is one of the BIG factors that contributes to how long I can keep my settings maxed on games.

 

If you want to do 3D, Nvidia 3D Vision is significantly more mature and stable than AMD's version. I have and use 3D Vision at home on my desktop (and occasionally P150) and I'm pretty happy with it. Yes, it does cut your gaming performance in half though because it has to render twice as many frames.

 

Yup that's what I thought. The 680m is too far away though so I suppose I might have to stash the 3D for now and get the 7970m (by now I mean in June when I purchase the laptop). Thanks though.

 

i don't see the options on getting a 3d ready screen in any of the sager reseller website and the official one, does that mean even if you're getting the nvidia 675m you won't be able to use its 3D capabilities in 9170?

the NP 8170 have the matte 3D ready screen + 3D glasses options which i assume the predecessor of NP 9170.

just curious, i've never gamed anything 3D mode (i assume it will be very tiring wearing the glasses for 3 or more hours) plus "anthony@malibal" also states that they will severely hinders the game's performance. any more in depth thoughts or facts on this matter? thx

and for 3D movies you just have to buy those big 55" 3D ready LED TV which i might say are very affordable nowadays.

 

No I believe not. Unless you get a 3D capable monitor.

Either ways, benchmarks here show that most games run at over 60 fps in at least high, if not ultra. Only a few drop below. That would mean even if it did need to do twice the rendering, it would still remain over 30 (here I'm assuming not much else is added in terms of computation). That means you would still be able to play most games in 3D.
The GTX 680m should better the 675m so I am assuming the numbers would only improve. Like others have said, the 7970m is also much better than the 675m but with a lack of good 3D support package like nVidia's 3D Vision, it will be discouraging to play 3D games on the 7970

 

not just discouraging... you just can't if you're using amd... and i've been having driver update problems with my 5870m when i first bought my asus, i wonder if the nvidia m have the same problem with drivers update?

and theres no indication when the GTX680M will be available at least from trusted sources, plus if the 9170 won't have the option of having a 3D screen its pointless anyway.

 

What do you mean you can't? It is not possible to play or YOU can't get it to work? Coz these guys did. That being said, like I and others have said, HD3D is not easy to set up and as you have discovered, there can be a lot of problems with drivers as you need third party drivers and hardware.

Exactly so the question isn't IF - it is WHEN. The 680m exists, that much is almost guaranteed. What is not is whether like the 480m it would come out end of May or end of June like the 580m. Or they could continue the trend of delaying a month every series and reveal it in July. Regardless of when they reveal it, I don't see why people would care to play 3D games on a 17 inch screen. When I asked that question some posts ago, I asked it out of curiosity. If you want to do 3D gaming, you would most certainly buy an external monitor. And THAT is when the nVidia's 3D Vision bundle coupled with the 680m would NOT be pointless.

 

exactly out of curiosity indeed like what i said earlier, hence what i forgot to ask earlier, why the 9170 removed the option of having 3d screen bundled with the glasses like the one in 8170? is it because 3d gaming in laptop is not very appealing? or other reasons?

and thanks for the link info, i just knew that the 5000 series amd have the 3D capabilities albeit troublesome to setup.

 

No idea. I heard Sager are revamping their entire line up. Read it somewhere on this forum. No sources though so it could just as well be one poster's opinion. Malibal still offers the 3D screen on their laptops, so do Mythlogic and Alienware.