Qualification Sample vs Retail

Hi all,
I have been trying to decide whether to go for a QS CPU or not. As it is, I could probably upgrade to an 840QM at very little extra cost which is a very attractive option but I'm not sure whether to go for it or not. I've only read good comments but then again the people who weren't so lucky aren't going to brag about it. Just looking for some advice on whether you think it's worth it or not.

Thanks

 

I don't think it is worth it to upgrade at all. I doubt you will notice any difference, unlike upgrading to a 5870 and a SSD. Its better to wait until prices for the 940xm go down, or go for a 920xm instead.

If you are going with a QS, keep the 720qm with you in case you have to send the notebook back for repair (otherwise they might send it back and void your warranty).

 

if u really want to upgrade , 920xm is best bet.. i would get a QS one for $500 and keep ur i7 when sending back for warranty purposes.. but 840qm might be enough.. depends on ur needs.

 

So if I were to get 920XM would you say its worth it? Is it that much of a risk getting a QS?

 

Or just put the old one back in when you send it.... and they won't be wiser.

 

Yeh I would either keep my i7 or just buy a cheap i3 and put it in if I need to send the laptop off. What I'm worried about is the fact it's a QS. I've checked prices and I could get a 920XM for a decent price so I would probably do that but is it worth getting a QS? are they reliable? or would you just keep the i7?

 

And the 920XM comes with 1 month warranty so if I tested it thoroughly and it fails I can just send it back.

 

The 920xm is 1000$ OEM and 460$ QS.
The 840qm is about 600$ and 350$ QS... Thats my point.

Yes, thats what I meant to say.

 

In general, there is no problem with QS or ES samples, they are more or less the same as there OEM equivalents, however there is the off chance that you could get a QS that is inferior to the OEM. For example, i have heard that the 940xm QS can run a bit warmer than its OEM version, but not at all too sure about that. In any case, I went for the OEM 920xm to avoid any problems and it has higher resale value.

 

My understanding, although I'm at a loss for a link right now is that ES's are not so great an idea, (and often are missing features such as cache, HT, etc) but QS's are basically the finished product released before the launch date for testing by OEMs in final configs.

EDIT: The wikipedia article seems to think they're not a bad idea, lol: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_sample_(CPU)

here is Intel's official stance on ES/QS: http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-030747.htm

 

Yeh I would go for a QS not ES. I think I'm gonna go for it, I've just seen LaptopMonkey, who I would get the 920XM off, offer a 3 year extended warranty for £18! So if the product fails at any time during the 3 years then they will either repair, replace, or refund. I would like to thoroughly check the CPU for around 24 hours when I get it though. What tools would I have to use?

 

great idea.. tell me how too ... i was thinking off buy a 920xm qs from him too.