Solved! Gaming/Rendering laptop from USA; which to buy?

[stianbl]

Hi guys..

I need a new laptop, and I got a friend in USA who's coming to visit us in 18 days. So he'll be helping me to get a laptop from USA, which would save me a lot of money.

My only problem is, which should I buy?

This was the first I thought of, but then I read that the GPU is downclocked?

ASUS G72Gx-RBBX09 - 1299$
-quad Q9000
-GTX 260M (nedklokket!! )
-6GB DDR2
-17.3" 1600x900
http/www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+...p;skuId=9568149

So I dont know which to get. maybe another with i7, 250M and no downclocking?

Anyways, I'll list what I want first, then I'll list some more laptops I've looked at.

What I want:
CPU: quad or i7, going to render also, so need the CPU power.
GPU: 250M and better, as I also want to be able to play new games in good (high) quality.
MEMORY:4GB DDR2 or more..
MONITOR: I dont want a crappy monitor of course, but I dont want to pay a lot of mony to get full HD. Sice? doesnt matter. (probably something around 15-17", 1600x??? forgot what it was)
WEIGHT: Doesn't matter.
BATTERY: Doesn't matter.
PRICE: Hopefully not more than 1300$. Can be pushed to 1500$ if it's worth it.

-

Some random laptops I've been looking at:

ASUS G51J-A1 - 1405$
-core i7-720
-GTX 260M
-4GB DDR3 1066Mhz
-15,6" 1920x1080
http/www.xoticpc.com/asus-g51ja1-p-2674....?wconfigure=yes

Sager NP8690 - 1700$ a bit too much i think
-core i7-720
-GTX 280M
-4GB DDR3 1333Mhz
-15,6" 1600x900
http/www.xoticpc.com/sager-np8690-built-...?wconfigure=yes

Toshiba - Qosmio - 1399$
-core i7-720
-GTS 250M
-4GB DDR3
-18,4" 1680x945
http/www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+-+Qosm...p;skuId=9575532

ASUS G60VX-RBBX05 - 945$
-core 2 duo P7450
-GTX 260M
-4GB DDR2
-16" 1366x768
http/www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+...p;skuId=9556072

-


I'm looking for better deals, so please guide me to the right choise. =)
Looking forward to hear from you!

Thanks a lot in advance,
Stian Berg Larsen

 

[stianbl]

Thanks a lot for guiding me to this answer Maziar. =) I really appreciate all your help!

Now I just dont hope they reduce the price a lot right after I buy it ^^ Either way it's still a great deal. I cant wait longer, as I have a friend in USA whos bringing it to me in Korea, and I need it for school in Australia next semester. Buying the same specs from Norway (my home country) would cost more than 3600$, so this is a great deal for me.

 

[Maziar]

No problem glad i could help
Hope You'll enjoy it

 

[stianbl]

Hmmm... Me again

So, been reading way too many BSoD reports on the G51J-A1 lately, and I dont really know. My main problem is that I will have a friend bring me the laptop from USA, which means I cant return it if something goes wrong. I mean, if the BSoD is caused by some RAM errors or any other hardware errors, I dont think I'll be able to return it for service for free?

So 2 quick questions:
-
1. The resolution on the G72Gx-RBBX09 is 1600x900 instead of FHD. Is there some way for me to compare what this will mean? Like, what is it equivalent to, on a 15" monitor. (Pixels per inch, or something).

2. The i7-720 is suposed to be better than the Q9000, but after reading more I see that the Q9000 would actually performe better than the i7, as not many games handle all 4 cores yet, and not the 4 physical either. Which means I'd be better of OC'ing the Q9000 a bit, if at all, to get the same or better performance. Do you know if this is true?
Also; hyperthreading. Runing 2 threads in 1 core at the same time. I dont understand how this can make it work faster? I do understand, if the threads dont require a lot of power.. But if it's true, that games cant take advantage of the 4 cores fully yet, and cant use the hyperthreading yet either, then we're left with 3d and video software. I'll be using 3ds max a lot, but I would guess rendering should use 100% cpu power either way, so that hyperthreading wont be of much help? Or am I way off here? =P

Sorry for asking so many questions here.. I just dont have a lot of money to spare, and I want a computer that will work and not just die on me.. =/ Hope you understand..

And thanks a lot for all the help.. really! =)

 

[Maziar]

1_Well 1600x900 isn't a common resolution but its a good resolution for gaming with GTX 260M
2_Q9000 is still a good choice,the difference between i7 and Q9000 is mostly in multi threaded apps but in gaming the difference isn't really much.
Also Q9000 can handle 3Dmax fine too

 

[ibnsina]

Stianbl; the warranty is international for ASUS G51J-A1, so I wouldnt worry too much. Bios update is out, it should fix lots of problems. And get a cooling pad, so heat wont be an issue.

If I were you, I would buy it from Newegg though, it might cost $50 more, but it would be easier to get it exchanged or rufunded. If for what ever reason you didnt like it, give it back to your friend to bring back to usa for exchange/refund.( He can ship it back to you, with insurance).

You need to relax, dont strees your self for no good reasons

 

[stianbl]

Hehe, I guess your right. I always stress when I have to spend a big amount of money, as I want the best out of it. Still just a student, and aint got too much money =)

But yes, the international warranty is good, so I guess I might try the G51J-A1 anyway. Howcome newegg is better than gentechpc.com? Are there any problems with them? I dont know, but I got recomended gentechpc by others who have the machine, so I dont know =) Personaly never done business with any of them.

Thanks in advance,

 

[Maziar]

Both are good,which one sells it cheaper ?

 

[ibnsina]

Which one got better customer service ?

 

[stianbl]

The GentechPC is cheaper. Service; no idea.. I would guess maybe gentechPC, as I've got very good response by email from them. And I just dont know about newegg..

Think I'll go for the G51J-A1 from GentechPC, if you dont recomend another reseller =) I think it will be good either way. =) looking forward to recieve it!

 

[Maziar]

Xotic is very good too and has a great customer service

 

[stianbl]

but they dont have it in stock yet?

I'm going to place my order tonight, but now I cant desice =P

G51J-A1: 1450$
G72Gx-A1: 1650$

Gain of choosing the G72Gx-A1:
15" FHD -> 17" FHD monitor
4GB DDR3 -> 6GB DDR2
i7-720 -> Q9000 (easier to OC to gain same performance I believe)
2x320GB 7200 -> 2x500GB 7200 HDD
DVD -> BlueRay reader
BSoD -> much less chanse of BSoD
all this for only 200$ more... But still.. Gah, if the G51J-A1 would be working as it should, I would have had no problem choosing... =/

- -

I started this research expecting to pay around 1299$, for the BestBuy version. But as this has a low resolution monitor, and no blueray (which I dont really need), and only 1 hdd, and no mouse or bag (which I dont really need, but is a bonus), and only 1 yr warranty, I started to reconsider.

Also, the G51J-A1 is a GREAT laptop, but I'm scared about the BSoD. Also, it does get hot, so OC is out of the question here I guess. It has got the i7, but the Q9000 is supposed to be about the same, at least with a little OC.

How can the i7-720 beat the Q9000 when it only runs at 1,6Ghz in 4 cores, while Q9000 still runs the original 2,0Ghz in 4 cores? (more if OC'ed. Around 2.3 I guess)
And hyperthread only gains 20% at most, but usualy not that much.

i7-720 @ 1,6 = 1,6*4 = 6,4Ghz + 20% = 7,68 Ghz
Q9000 @ 2,0 = 2,0*4 = 8Ghz
Q9000 @ 2,3 = 2,3*4 = 9,2Ghz

if both are good enough to run games, then i dont need the extra juice the i7 can performe while runing on 1-2 cores, as this would be enough anyway. But when I want to render with 3ds max, I could sure need all the power i can get out of all the cores. =) I'm probably forgeting something important here, so please corect me where I'm wrong! =D

Also, feedback on computer choise please.. :S performance wise, how does these 2 computers compare?

How does the monitors compare? Both are FHd, but quality..

I cant believe i have to stress this much.. i just want a good laptop! =)

 

[Maziar]

I didn't first saw the complete specs of the G72 one lol,i would choose it over G51J because with $200 more you get BluRay,More HDD and more RAM,bigger screen the only downside is Q9000 which as i said is a good performer even if not OC'd,because in games the difference between i7 and q9000 isn't much and in rendering tasks etc i7 beats q9000 but q9000 still does well in them too Judging the specs and prices i would go for G72

 

[ibnsina]

I missed the Blue Ray too, I agree with Maziar, if weight is not big issue, go with G72. But be quick, it might go out of stock or late delivery.

 

[stianbl]

ok. I might choose the G72 then.. It's not easy :S =P
It has 6GB vs 4GB memory, but it is DDR2 vs DDR3.. I still think 2GB more memory will be better than the difference in DDR2 vs DDR3.. Right?

And the heat will probably be better (lower) on this, so OC is a posibility.

I think I'll go for this if you dont have anything to add.. Gah... I only planed on spending 1299, but ended at 1645$. 350$ more than planed. Well.. I guess it'll be a nice laptop then =)

The 17" still fits inside the same backpack that folows the 15" ? or is it a bigger backpack? I dont want a monster backpack..

 

[stianbl]

yes. BlueRay is good. But I dont think I need it.. So it shouldnt be a factor.. But rather a bonus

my biggest consern with the G51 is the BSoD, and the heat. With the G72 I can OC a bit too, both CPU and GPU, so performance should be better. Also more Ram, but lower speed. More HDD, and bigger screen..

 

[stianbl]

You know what... I cant decide.. =S Garh!!! I'm getting crazy!

There is one thing though; seemes the G72Gx is back-ordered, so I will have to go for the G51J-A1.. Which is what I want anyways I think. I would love the 17" monitor, but I'd loose the i7, and I cant get it yet..

I will just hope asus can fix the BSoD problem. otherwise the warranty should cover this if they dont fix it? Right?

 

[ibnsina]

Stianbl Order the G51J-A1 then, if you didn’t like it, give it back to your friend for exchange/ refund, but again I think small companies will not exchange it for you that easily, so is best to stick to Newegg.

 

[stianbl]

Bus asus has the 2yr Global warranty. Wont this cover a BSoD problem? Or do you think I'll have problems returning and refunding the laptop if it does turn out to give BSoD all the time..

 

[ibnsina]

If BSoD is caused by hardware, then it will cover you (which is usually is the case).Honestly you worrying too much, you have 2 years warranty from a respectable company, Just buy it and relax .

 

[stianbl]

yes, your right.. I think I've finally settled on the G51J-A1.. Love everything about it, and fingers crossed for no BSoD... =)

Thanks for all your help here.. ^^ Really appreciate it!