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Potential Laptop Build

Post Date: 2011-12-13
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fatboytyler View Drop Down
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Posts: 2 		  Quote fatboytyler Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Potential Laptop Build
    Posted: 13 Dec 2011 at 9:06pm
Hey guys, I am not looking forward to buying immediately but will be within the next year. I am looking to get a laptop for when I go off to college, but I want this thing to last the next 5+ years. So I am willing to drop some money in it.
I am really interested in x17E with the 990x and GTX 580M. I was wondering since that is a desktop module, how is the battery life and is heating an issue? Also, what kind of loads can the single 580 hold? Would it be better with the 6990 or 2x 560? I can not do the 2x 580 or the quadro due to them costing quite a bit more.
I plan on going with 12gb or 16gb of ram with this build.

-OR-

Should I go with the x17 with a 2860QM and a GTX 580M. I would go with 12 or 16gb of ram on this build as well.

Basically I would like a comparison of these two. I will be in college and using this for general college purposes, but will also do some heavy gaming. I also like to screw around with graphic processing and drafting programs in my free time.

Thanks,
Tyler
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covfam View Drop Down
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Posts: 32 		  Quote covfam Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 13 Dec 2011 at 11:51pm
From what ive read in several places 5 years for a bleeding edge gaming laptop is a pipedream. they burn out before them they just dont cool well enough to last that long,  most places ive read they suggest gaming laptops to last 2 years and replace it with a new one because the costs of trying to upgrade the laptop will cost more than buying a new one 2-3 years from now.
 
Now im not an expert but my brother in law who babies his gaming laptop as he is on the road 200+ days a year for his job and in the last 7 years he has had 2 sagers (clevo) 1 MSI,1 Compal based laptops burn out and is now on an Asus republic of gamers laptop. every one of them played his games quite well and he liked the Clevo and Asus laptops the best but by his experience, id never bet on a gaming laptop for 5 years.
 
Perhaps would be better to save money trying to get something that will last 2 years and use the saved money to upgrade sooner <shrugs> 
 
Good luck on your search!
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Unlicensedhitman View Drop Down
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Posts: 292 		  Quote Unlicensedhitman Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 14 Dec 2011 at 10:46pm
The X17e will last about less than an hour on battery because it's a desktop replacement. If go with this, then you need to keep it plugged in.

The x17 (without the "e") will get about 1 to 3 hours with the GTX 580m and with Nvidia Optimus (ask Alex if the x17 model has Nvidia Optimus).

For both laptops, heat won't be an issue because the laptop has good cooling. It will also be loud during gaming.

For laptop graphics card, you're better off with Nvidia because they have better drivers and software to switch graphics card (Nvidia Optimus). The GTX 580m is like a GTX 560 desktop graphics card.

Since you're buying a high-end gaming laptop, you should also buy extended warranty, "Life-time Expert Customer Care with 5 Year Limited Warranty,"which is five years of labor and three years of replacement parts. The standard one that is included with the laptop is three years of labor and one year of replacement parts.
Digital Storm xm15 laptop
-15.6" (1366x768)
-Windows 7 HP 64-bit
-Intel Core i5 2.4 Ghz
-Nvidia GeForce 330GT 1GB + Intel HD w/ Nividia Optimus
-6GB DDR3 ram
-Intel 80GB SSD
-Intel Wireless N 6300
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fatboytyler View Drop Down
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Posts: 2 		  Quote fatboytyler Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 15 Dec 2011 at 5:33pm
Okay. Thanks for the info so far.

I guess I my question is this now: Which one should theoretically last longer? And the ones I have customized out is essentially the base line 3,500$ X17e or the highest end X17, which would give me more bang for my buck?
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LaneHayes View Drop Down
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Posts: 90 		  Quote LaneHayes Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 16 Dec 2011 at 8:12pm
Laptops are never going to last more than 2 years(to feel 'brand new' in gaming). The problem is the video cards have to be custom made/assembled to fit inside the case, so replacing them is a much more intense process than replacing desktop cards.

Unsolicited advice: Buy a desktop for the gaming, get a tablet/cheaper laptop for the portability. You'll spend the same amount of money for two products that are each superior at their own tasks. If you're spending 3500, get a 2500 ode and an iPad2.

This is from someone who got a gaming laptop for college. You either ruin it by lugging it around all the time or it just sits on your desk anyway. A 17 inch laptop is not portable at all, its bulky and heavy and huge, and if you're using it as portable you're going to ding it up. Especially in early college living situations.

Like covfam said, gaming laptops only really make sense for people who travel extensively. For light couch web surfing and such, a tablet/netbook will serve you much better.
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