[$1500-$1600] Looking for a good gaming laptop...

[eddysanoli]

So, I've been looking around the internet for about two weeks, but I can't seem to find an actual laptop that would seem good enough to invest more than a thousand dollars on. I'm not very picky in terms of the screen size (Even though a 17'' screen seems nice) nor the hardware that it's packed within the machine (The weight or size does not matter), the only thing I've been REALLY looking after, is having a GTX 970m. The two laptops that I have found and fit this limitation have mixed reviews due to their poor longevity and optimization:

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152817&ignorebbr=1
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232202

In other sites, people have reccomended to me a custom built Sager, however, I'm not particularly familiar with this brand and don't feel comfortable investing without advice. What do you think about it?

http/www.sagernotebook.com/customize.php?productid=821

Maybe you have better suggestions?
Thanks in advance

 

[TechyInAZ]

I personally do not recommend custom built laptops since they usually cost a lot more than a regular laptop you can buy with the same specs.

I would suggest that MSI model which looks the best, however I've found another one that's even better.

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152938

Has a IPS screen and a very powerful unlocked i7 CPU. But it lacks a SSD if that's important to you.

 

[naturesninja]

You can get an MSi GT72 with a 980m from XOTIC PC for under $1600. http/www.xoticpc.com/force-msi-1781-221045-980m-msi-gt72-barebones-p-8111.html?wconfigure=yes The $1395 price doesn't include an OS, so make sure to add that. These laptops have upgradeable GPUs as well.

 

[eddysanoli]

You can get an MSi GT72 with a 980m from XOTIC PC for under $1600. http/www.xoticpc.com/force-msi-1781-221045-980m-msi-gt72-barebones-p-8111.html?wconfigure=yes The $1395 price doesn't include an OS, so make sure to add that. These laptops have upgradeable GPUs as well.

That looks awesome! And don't worry about the OS, I have a new copy of windows 8.1 ready. The only thing that worries me is a potential bottleneck thanks to the 4th generation CPU being coupled with a 980. Do you think there will be any trouble with that?

 

[eddysanoli]

I personally do not recommend custom built laptops since they usually cost a lot more than a regular laptop you can buy with the same specs.

I would suggest that MSI model which looks the best, however I've found another one that's even better.

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152938

Has a IPS screen and a very powerful unlocked i7 CPU. But it lacks a SSD if that's important to you.

I have a SSD on my desktop and it works like charm. That's why I was trying to get a SSD, but how big of a difference will it make on a laptop? Do you thinks its worth it?

 

[naturesninja]

I have a Dominator Pro 208 with the 4710HQ and a 980m, no problems whatsoever or in the foreseeable future (the 4th gen mobile i7 performs pretty close to a desktop i5). You can add a M.2 SATA SSD for I think around $70-120 on there depending on capacity. I like them for booting times and game loading/level loading, and the M.2 will only add a few ounces to the weight, but ultimately it's your decision. You can also pick up the Samsung Evo 850 M.2's on newegg, and install it yourself if you want to save a little money. It's a good buy, and I think you'll be hard pressed to find another 980m laptop at that price.

 

[naturesninja]

I forgot to mention that the GT72 has the ability to upgrade it's graphics card down the road, and according to the tech representative I spoke with from MSi, that will carry on into the next generation of GPUs as well.