np8278 upgrade help.

I just want to get some smarter opinions on upgrades for this model as im not very tech savy compared to most of you. and i don't want to overlook anything. Plus I don't really understand the HD msata ssd thing all that well.
I want to stay around 1500 range so a little room to work with.
SO any opinion on what YOU would do, I would appreciate.

first off i game but not real heavy. ill turn graphics down and never care, what i play is just an hour here and there of civ 5 or skyrim and want to be able to play a few upcoming games (camelot unchained when it comes, maybe elder scrolls online)

1. Graphics: i assume the 860m is perfectly fine for lasting me a few years? No need to upgrade
(im currently using a 260m lol so anythings a huge upgrade..and it finally quit on me constant "display adapter" black screen error if i try to run any game.)

2. CPU: for 35 buck upgrade i7-4810MQ looks like the good bet here

3. Cooling. i dont plan to add the diamond or extra heatsinks I don't overclock or marathon game much

4. RAM. as far as I know i shouldn't need more than 8gb but I tentatively plan to upgrade to the 16 for no real reason other than big numbers are sexier and for some reason i like 2 sticks at 16 better than needing 3 for the 12mb..does that really matter at all?

5. OS. im adding windows 8 because my current copy of windows 7 will stay on my current laptop that can't game anymore but still is fine for the wifes facebook/pinterest addiction.. so factor in that 90 bucks or w/e

6. HD/SSD this is where I need the most help. From reading countless threads, what I think I want to do is no mSATA, and get SSD as primary drive.
Do I need more than 120gb?
was considering 250GB Samsung 840 EVO Series SSD [SSD2 - SATA III]
with the basic second hard drive
750GB 7200RPM [SATA II - 16MB Cache]
for videos and pictures.


other than that everything is left basic as is. am i missing anything ?

 

I would get as big an ssd as you can afford, maybe an m500 240 if you can swing it and maybe an 870m if you want this to last a few years. That's for the longevity since it will have more oomph but also make sure to repaste it every once in awhile whatever you get.

Sent from my SM-N9005

 

For SSD, get at least 250GB if you can. The 840 Evo is a good choice.

8GB of ram is enough for gaming and most other uses, but you can't really go wrong with more. Just to give you an idea, with 10 tabs open in Firefox, a song looping in Media Player and playing Crysis 2 at the same time, I'm still "only" using about 6GB of ram. That being said you can't go wrong with more, so if you really want 16GB, go for it. And make sure you get 2x8GB instead of 4x4GB -- less sticks = less strain on memory controller, plus it leaves the other 2 slots open for upgrading in the future.

 

thanks for the advice.

maybe i will cancel the 2nd hard drive and put that money toward a bigger SSD as primary drive and just use 1 of these?
480GB Crucial M5 Series SSD [SSD2 - SATA III] (SKU - SSD096) ( + 245 )
500GB Samsung 840 EVO Series SSD [SSD2 - SATA III] (SKU - SSD079) ( + 290 )

ive had the np8662 for over 5 years and am still under 250gb currently used and thats with having some games i haven't played in years still on here so i would think 500gb would be plenty

 

Better choice. M5 seems to be better overall. I would pick the ego though if you're more concerned with battery life.

Sent from my SM-N9005

 

Honestly, buy the mSATA SSD from amazon, for me it was almost $50 cheaper for the mSATA SSD Crucial m500 256GB vs spece'd out online and it is stupid easy to install, as for memory, the price is so close, get 16Gig from the seller, asuming ti isnt more than $90.


Def get the CPU upgrade, can't go wrong for $35..


Normal SSD the 500G Eva is $40 cheaper if you buy it separately + maybe what $10 in shipping?

Amazon.com: Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Single Unit Version Internal Solid State Drive MZ-7TE500BW: Computers & Accessories

But depends if your comfortable undoing about 5 screws...

The Samsung is better in raw speed, but in the end, you won't notice, get the Crucial.

 

Yeah the ssd are cheaper to get elsewhere but OTOH if bought with laptop covered under warranty. Not a bad idea to get what is needed for the OS drive for those just in case moments. All the other drives should be expendable and you should be making backups anyway of crucial data so definitely get extra drives elsewhere.

Sent from my XT1053 using HoFo app.

 

For sure, i did go weith 16G of memory vs 8 as the cost was so minimal and one less thing to deal with. I was on a tight budget but if you can splurg $100-$200 more i would say get it all in one go with from place you plan to buy it.