After much internal debate..

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Allan O'D

Bronze Level Poster
I have finally decided on the new laptop spec.. ---*Note reposted this under the correct forum* - Doh!



Chassis & Display Vortex II: 17.3" Glossy Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-2670QM (2.20GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM) 8GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 4GB)
Graphics Card 2.0GB nVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 580M - DirectX® 11 (17.3" Vortex II)
2nd Graphics Card NONE
Memory - 1st Hard Disk 500GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD5000BPKT, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
2nd Hard Disk 500GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD5000BPKT, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
RAID NONE
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive 8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND (£9)
Sound Card Intel 5.1 Channel High Definition Audio + SPDIF/MIC/Headphone Jack
Network Facilities GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS 802.11N CARD INC. BLUETOOTH 3.0
USB Options 2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS AS STANDARD
Battery Vortex Series 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (5,200 mAh/76.96WH)
Power Lead & Adaptor 1 x UK Power Lead & 220W AC Adaptor
Operating System Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Laptop Cooling Stands NONE
Carry Case NONE
Monitor NONE
Keyboard & Mouse NONE
Mouse INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Speakers NONE
Webcam INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Headsets (VOIP) NONE
Surge Protection NONE
Printer NONE
External Hard Drive NONE
Warranty 3 Year Gold Warranty (2 Year Collect & Return, 2 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£69)
Home Installation NONE
Dead Pixel Guarantee 1 Year Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs (£19)
Insurance NONE
Data Recovery NONE
Delivery STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time FAST TRACK 5 WORKING DAY DISPATCH (£39)


For a good few days I was 50/50 as to whether I should opt for the Viper and the Dual 560's..all i could do was to read up as much as I could. I eventually decided that the pros for the 580M outweighed the cons to the sli. There is a nagging doubt that the heat issue that the 580 produces under intense gaming may be a factor, but after reading the testimonials and the various other threads I have confidence in the build quality.

My other concern is that the machine spec is not 'balanced' enough, but in my admittedly below average knowledge I think i've got it reasonably right. Please feel free to comment if any of you think it needs a tweak as i've literally just ordered it and I can amend it (I think).

Many thanks to the various members of this forum that have unwittingly provided valuable information, and have really helped me in coming to this spec.

Please leave a comment good or bad, as to how you rate the build.

Thanks,



(Bear in mind my current machine is a dell inspiron 9400 2 Gig Ram, 7900 card and 140GB HDD)
 
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AndyL

Well-known member
Firstly let me say that your config is balanced perfectly for gaming, it has more than enough RAM, and the CPU is perfectly powerfull enough for any games out there today, as for the GPU - you couldnt have got anything better than the 580M.

In regards to your 580M and the temps it is likely to produce - I have the same chassis (Vortex 17.3") with a GTX580M and the i7-2760 and 16GB of RAM and the temp of the GPU has only once gone above 80 degC (it reached 84 degC once), at idle the CPU and GPU are both under 45 degC.

The only change I owuld make would be to upgrade the wireless card (even if it were only to be a 6230).

Cheers,

Andy
 
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Allan O'D

Bronze Level Poster
Thanks Andy for re-assuring me that My spec is good for todays gaming needs, I'm not a huge gamer but this machine will let me explore about 3 years worth of releases I've missed out on.

Your point Re the wireless card - I'm basically an MMO gamer with some minor RPG/FPS stuff thrown in by the side. I will be able to use my home wireless modem/router (Sky Sagem) with the current choice won't I?

It would be a catastrophe if I get the new machine and find I've blundered over something as simple as the wireless card.
 
A

Allan O'D

Bronze Level Poster
Felt I must acknowledge the remarkable build time that P.C. specialist have just performed on the laptop. Email arrived to say it's ready for dispatch. Very impressed considering I ordered it last night. Wonder if they have a night shift in there...
 
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AndyL

Well-known member
To answer your questions.... I think they are currently working longer hours due to christams approaching and wanting to dispatch orders in time ofr christmas.

Dont Panic about your wireless card, it will connect just fine to your router, the only reason I would have suggested upgrading is becuase the default card only has 1x1 antenna meaning that it wont get as good a signal as the 6230 or 6300 at a given range (6230 has 2x2 antenna and 6300 has 3x3 antenna) But it ownt matter if you arent trying to use a signal that is very far away and weak.
 
A

Allan O'D

Bronze Level Poster
Fortunately, my wireless modem is only about 7 metres from where my laptop resides, so no real loss of signal. All that's left for me to do now is to check out what games i can finally play, and keep a watch on the status page. :)
 
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Allan O'D

Bronze Level Poster
Laptop Built, tested, QC, and has now been dispatched. All Since I ordered it on Wednesday night. Exceeded all expectations, roll on Monday - can't remember if ever I looked forward to a Monday as much..
 
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Allan O'D

Bronze Level Poster
Laptop arrived, looks lovely, pity there screen is powerless - perhaps the build, testing and QC was a little rushed :(
 
Maestro

Maestro

Guest
hmmm, sorry to hear that. Obviously without a working screen we cant install. Give us a bell tomorrow and the tech support guys can check it out. If it is dead then maybe a knock in transit or something. Worst case scenario, it has to come back for a screen change etc, but it will be quick.
 
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Allan O'D

Bronze Level Poster
No backlight, no pics, nothing. Machine powers up, but no response screenwise.

Hello Maestro, I'll call tech tomorrow but as I'm at work I wont be in front of the laptop. I also do 11 hour shifts on average and so getting the courier coverage times for pick ups and deliveries...urgh just ugh. I'll feel better after a coffee.
 
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