Feedback for my Pascal notebook config?

[moheli]

Feedback for my 17.3" Pascal notebook config?

I bought an i7 GTX 970 computer last year from PCSpecialist but have come to realise that I'm not as much a gamer anymore. The most intensive game that I play is Dark Souls 3 and probably COD: Infinite Warfare when that comes out but, apart from that, none of my games are graphically demanding... at all. And I don't even play them that much anyway. Furthermore, it's rather inconvenient re-connecting, and moving, my PC from monitor to widescreen TV whenever my friends come over to chill and play.

With this realisation, I've decided that I no longer need a bulky PC and that I'd find greater convenience in a laptop. Especially since I'll be going University this year and may consequently benefit from a portable system. Even so, I wouldn't want to limit my gaming experience nor forsake future-proofing so this is what I've configured. And since I'll be sitting behind a desk most of the time, I'm okay with a chunkier laptop given that they have better cooling systems. I'm planning to make this purchase sometime September, preferably after I've sold my current PC, and would like this laptop to last me at least 4 years.

Octane Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD IPS LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Intel® Core™i5 Quad Core Processor i5-6600 (3.3GHz) 6MB Cache
4GB HyperX IMPACT 2133MHz SODIMM DDR4 (1 x 4GB)
Nvidia® GeForce® GTX 1060 - 6.0GB GDDR5 Video RAM, DirectX® 12.1, G-SYNC
250GB Samsung 850 2.5" EVO SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (upto 540MB/sR | 520MB/sW)
500GB WD BLACK 2.5" WD5000LPLX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 32MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
Genuine Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence

Arctic MX-4 Extreme Thermal (Paste) Conductivity Compound
Integrated 6 in 1 Card Reader (SD /Mini SD/ SDHC / SDXC / MMC / RSMMC)
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jac
GIGABIT LAN & KILLER™ WIRELESS-AC 1535 M.2 GAMING 802.11AC + BLUETOOTH 4.1
4 x USB 3.0 PORTS (1 x POWERED) + 1 e-SATA/USB 3.0 PORT COMBINED
Octane Series 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (82WH)
1 x UK Power Lead & 230W AC Adaptor

3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
30 Day Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
PCS Extra-Care Diamon Delivery, Mon-Fri
Standard Build Time​

Relevant Notes:

• I would prefer a 15.6" variant of this Octane III design but that doesn't seem to be available. Also, I often hear complaints about "backlight bleeding" with 17.3" laptops.
• The "Octane III" seems quite plasticy so I'm a little worried about how well it can handle heat and its general build quality.
• PCSpecialist does not offer a (2x4GB) config. so I'm planning to install an additional 4GB RAM module myself, I was told this does not void the warranty.
• Is a "Dead Pixel Guarantee" really necessary? I hear dead, or stuck, pixels disappear themselves anyway or are easily fixed otherwise.
• Is it worth another £9 to apply for the "PCS Extra-Care Diamond Delivery"? Whatever that means.

This comes at £1,500 which is very much at the bottleneck of my budget.
[Link removed - sorry its against forum rules to link to a PC you (or anyone else) are selling]

Thank you for your time.

 

[Frank100]

Hi,

My first observation was the 4GB of RAM but you've explained that. It might be worth phoning PCS and asking if they can just put 8GB in there and give you a price for that. It might be an oversight that 2x4GB isn't an option in the build.

With regards to disk space I think it is worth considering whether you get the second internal disk if you are using that just for storage. Having only a SSD inside means less noise, less dust, less power drawn and therefore longer battery life on a charge. You could attach a USB disk as and when you need it. If you already have some USB external storage you might be able to use that. Instead of having a 240GB and a 500GB, how much for just a 500GB SSD? That should be plenty for all your programs and currently needed files. Perhaps somebody can buy you a cheap NAS as a going away present? Then you could keep that in your room and sync notes from lectures and other coursework with it as a means of backup. All your music and videos could go on the NAS and be accessible in your room or via a router from your mobile device whilst out and about.

What will you be studying and how were your results (which came out today)?

Frank100

 

[moheli]

It might be worth phoning PCS and asking if they can just put 8GB in there and give you a price for that. It might be an oversight that 2x4GB isn't an option in the build.

I did contact them, they didn't really give an explanation. I guess it's just a sales decision they made.

Instead of having a 240GB and a 500GB, how much for just a 500GB SSD?

I was planning on getting an SSD for the OS and any other relevant data and a HDD for all my work and games storage but I may have to reconsider from what you've told me about HDDs.
A lone 500GB SSD costs £4 less than my storage config. but I only want to buy Samsung's SSDs as the've been good to me in my experience. Except the only 500GB Samsung SSD available is a 750 and not an 850 EVO which is apparently much more efficient and lasting. The other 850 EVO SSD available is 1TB and, consequently, out of my budget's range.

I considered going with a 480GB HyperX Savage 2.5" SSD since it's aesthetically pleasing being that it's from the same manufacturer as my RAM but, after taking a look at this, I decided against it. I wouldn't mind making the purchase without storage and buying a 500GB Samsung 850 EVO from Amazon UK but then PCS wouldn't have anywhere to install, and test, the OS on.

Perhaps somebody can buy you a cheap NAS as a going away present?

Given my results today, I fortunately don't have to move out. My first choice is a local Uni. Thanks for asking! <3

 

[Rakk]

Is a "Dead Pixel Guarantee" really necessary? I hear dead, or stuck, pixels disappear themselves anyway or are easily fixed otherwise.

If its stuck sometimes they can be fixed; if its dead, then it's dead and won't come back. If I ever got a laptop then I'd more than likely go for the dead-pixel warranty just because I know that one would really irritate me - also depends if you'll be mostly using the laptop screen or mostly connecting it to a monitor or TV.

Is it worth another £9 to apply for the "PCS Extra-Care Diamond Delivery"? Whatever that means.

The PCS Extra-Care Diamond Deliveries are just deliveries that will turn up before the specified time, so if you need it before midday then £9 is worth it, if it doesn't matter when it turns up that day then it's not really worth it, the other PCS Extra-Care Diamond Delivery is delivery before 10:30 and is more expensive but if you need it before then well you pay for it

 

[moheli]

Thanks. At this point, I'm just waiting to sell my PC and I'd like to see some reviews on the chassis. PCS may offer a 15.6" variant of their new design by then.