Gaming Laptop - Final :)

[pez]

Hey folks.
Basically, I've left the other thread as this is a dedicated section for it, so makes a little more sense. Plus, the likes of Sle, Nem and PCS can let me know the answers
I've also had the Boss confirm I can spend circa £1200 inclusive, so can order in the next week or so

The games: Steam, CSS, L4D1/2, UT4 - Possibly MineCraft if the system can manage it?:helpsmilie:
The Software: CS3, Music software, Office
The O/S: To be installed on the SSD as boot drive: Linux/Win Duel Boot
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Chassis & Display Vortex II-17: 17.3" Full HD LED Backlit 16:9 Widescreen (1920x1080) Super Clear Glossy
Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-2630QM (2.00GHz) 6MB Cache
Memory (RAM) 4GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (1 x 4GB)
Graphics Card 1.5GB nVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 460M - DirectX® 11
2nd Graphics Card NONE
Memory - Hard Disk 120GB OCZ VERTEX 2 Serial SSD, SATA 3 Gb/s (upto 285MB/sR | 275MB/sW)
2nd Hard Disk 250GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD2500BEKT, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
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)
Network Facilities ONBOARD GIGABIT LAN & INTEL ULTIMATE-N 6300 WIRELESS - UPTO 450Mbps
USB Options 2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS AS STANDARD
Bluetooth & Infrared Options NONE
Battery Vortex Series 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (3,800 mAh)
Power Lead & Adaptor 1 x UK Power Lead & 90W AC Adaptor
Operating System NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
Office Software NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Stands & Port Replicators NONE
Carry Case NONE
Stand-Alone Monitor NONE
External Keyboard & Mouse NONE
Notebook Mouse INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
External Speakers NONE
Webcam INTEGRATED 1.3 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Headsets (VOIP) NONE
Surge Protection NONE
Printer NONE
External Hard Drive NONE
Home Installation NONE
Insurance 1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
Warranty 3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)
Data Recovery NONE
Delivery STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time Standard Build - Approximately 5 to 7 working days
Quantity 1
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---- + A Targa Bag

Total cost: £1269 inc VAT

My questions are:

1) Should I go for an i3/i5 and a better GPU - i.e. the 470m, or am I better with a i7 and stick with the 460m (I believe the games I play are more processor than GPU intensive?)
2) Whats the difference between the OCZ 120gig SSD and the 120gig Intel x25 SSD? The Intel is more expensive - but does it work better with the intel cpu/sandybridge mobo?

 

[Nemesis]

BUMP

Hmm i do see your dilemna
Normally for gaming i would say i5 with 470M
but as you rightly point out those games are not so GPU intense

Actually looking at the spec the 470M overshots you to £1340 even with the i3 so how does that work??

 

[pez]

I would have to sacrifice the SSD as well - or, go for a lower screen size and were sorted.

I want the best I can get for the 1200 i have i guess Any ideas on the difference between teh OCZ or the Intel SSD?

 

[Nemesis]

Just checking and will edit this post soon

As far as the screen size goes that might be a good idea if you can bear it as 17.3"inch laptops arent very portable (Heavy and large)
15.6" is a better compromise and your still looking at full HD

not sure how the other features are affected though hmmm

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-460M.33612.0.html
id stick with the GTX 460M it can handle most games on high playably apart from some obvious exceptions (Crysis and Metro 2033 and the like)

However the 15" doesnt offer x2 HDD so unless you wait for the Intel 310s to be tested (if the vortex II 15 supports them) then youll have to give it up or go for just SSD

------------------------------------------------- Read ----------------- Write
120GB Intel® X25-M SERIES SSD------------- Up to 250 MB/s ----------- Up to 100 MB/s
(around £205)

120GB OCZ VERTEX 2 SATA II 2.5" SSD-------Up to 285 MB/s ----------- Up to 275 MB/s
(around £186)

Basically the OCZ is faster in both ways and cheaper
Not sure what reliability or other features are like on these though

 

[Nemesis]

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-460M.33612.0.html
id stick with the GTX 460M it can handle most games on high playably apart from some obvious exceptions (Crysis and Metro 2033 and the like)

However the 15" doesnt offer x2 HDD so unless you wait for the Intel 310s to be tested (if the vortex II 15 supports them) then youll have to give it up or go for just SSD

Sorry bout double post


SSDs are now mentioned above

Though thats not off experience thats merely from the provided specs

Oh and i thought id graft this up here for clarity

Just to clarify - the only new chassis that supports two hard drives by default is the 17" VortexII: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/vortexII-17/

However, with the new Intel SSD 310 series drives (http://www.intel.com/design/flash/nand/310series/overview.htm) any chassis with a full size mini PCI-E port can in theory support 2 drives. However, the SSD 310 option will not be added to our configurator until we have fully tested this product. Realistically it will be April before this option is added.

If you want hands on experience opinion then wait for someone from PCS / PM someone who can

 

[pez]

SLI'd post Loving it

Right, so stick with original spec then with the 460m and i7.

What's your / anyone from PCS's thoughts on the difference between the Intel and OCZ SSD?

oooooooooo, and also, a VERY important question, any pics on the "Carry Case/Back pack"? Tempted for the extra £30

Is it this one? :

 

[Nemesis]

This one!! :

So same brand yes

If you click on the ? mark to the right of the selection box it brings this pic up

 

[Luckless]

Go OCZ over Intel for the SSD. The OCZ is cheaper and faster - I never could figure it out myself! I guess you're paying for the brand name?

The 460m will be able to run the games you've mentioned nicely

 

[pez]

That was my impression on the 2 SSD's - but for the 20quid difference, if the Intel combo is a better, more stable platform, I'm sure I could miss the slight performance difference......although.....