Barebones Sager np6165 or Qal-51 HD

[jorp]

I'm having a lot of trouble choosing a decent ~800 dollar range laptop that can be used for gaming. I was planning on going for the Thinkpad Y580 1080p, but the $1000 price tag after taxes really threw me off. Most recently I've been looking at these two laptops and was looking for some input:

Sager NP6165: http/www.xoticpc.com/sager-np6165-clevo-w150er-p-4344.html?affiliate_banner_id=1&ref=120
GT 650M GDDR5
i5-3210M
8gb DDR3
Glossy 1080p
Two HDD bays
500GB 7200rpm

QAL51-HD: http/www.xoticpc.com/force-qal51hd-compal-qal51-p-4808.html?affiliate_banner_id=1&ref=120
GT 650M DDR3
3rd Generation Intel® Ivy Bridge Core™ i7-3610QM
8GB DDR3
Glossy 1080p
750GB 5400rpm

I'm going to carry my laptop to friends houses and to school occasionally, but it'll mostly be used for gaming (I want to aim for mid-high settings on most games) and also excel/random school stuff.

Also, do these laptops come with HDMI out on the barebones models?

 

[jorp]

The QAL has only 4GB ddr3 - you'll have to replace (better do it yourself)
the sager has better build quality I think

did you check the eurocom fox 4.0?

I was one click away from ordering the eurocom fox 4.0 until I read a couple reviews pertaining to the terrible quality of the speakers. Speakers aren't the highest priority for me, but I'd like to have at least decent sound.

Also, Im not necessarily opposed to throwing another 4gb into the QAL for an extra 40 dollars. Itd bring it to around the same price as the Sager. If both had 8gb of ram, which do you think would be a better buy?

 

[jorp]

It's disappointing knowing that the Sager might also have disappointing speaker quality. Do you know of any laptops in this price range that might have better speakers without sacrificing much power (and 1080p). I really wish I could afford the Y580, lol.

 

[jonathan_569]

It's disappointing knowing that the Sager might also have disappointing speaker quality. Do you know of any laptops in this price range that might have better speakers without sacrificing much power (and 1080p). I really wish I could afford the Y580, lol.

I'm using a Clevo barebone or Sager unit. The only thing i can say about it is that it doesn't product that much bass, but the speakers are quite ok IMO

 

[jorp]

I'm using a Clevo barebone or Sager unit. The only thing i can say about it is that it doesn't product that much bass, but the speakers are quite ok IMO

Maybe I'll just go with it then. How's the fan on it? Any overheating issues? Would it be reasonable to upgrade to IC diamond for 25 extra dollars, or is there no reason? And lastly, should I expect this rig to last for 3-4 years?