GT 60 with 675m vs 680m, worth the extra $500?

I've been doing quite a bit a research guys, would like some things cleared up though. Since some of the models/prices have changed since some of the post and articles I've seen. I'm currently running an Asus u50f (1st gen i3 lol), so anything is going to be a major step up.

Been through several different models, almost pulled the trigger on the Lenovo y500 sli, but kind of glad I didn't. Now I'm torn on the MSI GPU issue, was kicking around the amd model but the upgradability factor has me scared, as the a10 is most likely going to be the last chip on that platform. Also, as novel as it seems, I really like the lighted keyboard. I can't see paying 1200+ for a laptop with no lighted keyboard or blu-ray and at least a 7200rpm drive.

So the gt60 OND model is $1299 after rebate a new egg, can't find the ONE model for any less than $1700. I will most likely upgrade to that card in the future, 5/6 months down the road.

I'm not going to be doing any "SERIOUS" gaming, but what games I do play, I want them to run at a high/smooth level. I watch a lot of movies from my laptop via hdmi, which this dinosystem is really having trouble with these days. Sorry for the long winded post, I'm just torn on this decision if it's worth it, I know the 680m is nice, seen the benchmarks. I'm having a hard time justifying the extra $500 though, especially when can get the card for $375.

If it weren't for the hideous design of the GE model, I'd buy that, plop the lighted keyboard in it and upgrade the chip. Still come out $250 ahead. Then there's the amd model, but it seems to be rather outdated cpu wise and the updatability worries me.

 

I played around with some configs at different reseller sites.

With a power pro 11:36-680, with the i5 3210m, blu ray, win7 premium, 500gig 7200rpm drive @ $1575, There's no tax from them like there would be with newegg, so It puts the gt60 ond, @ right around $200 price difference . It's $1299 after rebate, so I'd still be shelling out 1400+ at time of purchase. Right around $1500 with tax. I never assume that the rebate is going to make it back to me.

Would you sacrifce the MSI warranty/i7 to drop windows 8, get the 680? I haven't seen one game, test or benchmark that really maxes out the i7. I don't do any 3d rendering, but do work with cad and GIS programs, which require a lot of layering and file management.

I have no experience with power pro whatsoever, seem to be just MSI shell/MB, with whatever they feel like putting inside after that.

 

Power notebooks and Abe that works there were both great to deal with. Their Power pro laptops are msi whitebook bare bones systems customized to the specs you want. Probably worth getting the 680m or 7970m if you plan on gaming.

Edit: Avoid the a10/7970m model, that cpu bottlenecks the crap out of the 7970m with no real way to OC it.

Also buy with a visa to extend your warranty on either of them and warranty is a non-issue.

Also also I know you said you don't play serious games buy for the short time I had an i7/67w setup in the msi it struggled bad with far cry 3. I ended up sending it back and now have an i7/7970m p370em and couldn't be happier. Ordered without hd and with a volume discount I think it was like $1300ish.

 

Wow, I'd kill to get that setup for 1300, I could order without an OS but I don't have a key. Honestly, don't want to deal with installing an OS on something I just shelled out money for. Speakers are a major kicker for me, hence why I'm pretty much narrowed down to MSI models. %50 of my laptop time is watching movies or music, the other is gaming/internet... far as home use is concerned.

What do you mean buy with a visa? I don't own one, not sure if I'm able to get one atm with a massive medical bill I'm paying off. I'm really thinking about getting a lower GPU model, with a nice cpu/ssd/bluray/raid setup(1200-1400) then pickup the 680 on down the line.

Thanks for the help by the way, I've looked at so may cpu's everything is starting to blur together.


edit: Got into the p150em/7790/win7 setup for $1549, so I guess that's where I'm at. Give up all the extra hdd/screen/blu ray options for the 7790/680m.

If I could game at medium-high @ 1080p with a clocked 660m, then I'm going with that. Haven't really got a clear answer on that yet.

 

The 660M is significantly less powerful than the cards above it.

 

Hey guys, interesting topic, do you think an Intel Core i5-3210M 2,5GHz would be sufficient for the gtx680m? Would there be any bottlenecking? Would I notice any difference going from a sandy bridge i7 (2360qm) to this ivy bridge i5 with mostly gaming and everyday usage? Thanks a lot in advance for your insights!

 

What chipset is your machine?

 

It would go into an MSI GT70 barebone, so I gues HM77.

 

I work on computers so buying without and installing my own OS isn't a bother at all really.

From my experience the msi barebones/gt70 speakers were probably some of the best I've heard on a laptop, really good. My p370em isn't that great, and I've heard the p150 and 170 weren't too great either.

I meant buy with a visa credit card and they extend your warranty for a year. I only buy things I have the money for so I just pay it off immediately and get a free warranty.

I guess it's about priorities really. I don't use my laptop for movies or music very often so I don't care about the speakers or bluray too much and extra hard drives are super cheap and easy to add later, along with ram. If it were up to me I would buy the most gpu and cpu I can afford and go from there.

Also a word of caution check some threads on the p150em and 7970m enduro issues. It should be mostly fixed by now. The 370em doesn't use it and that's why I paid the extra $49 for it instead of a equally equipped p170

 

I realize that, actually my mistake typing that. In a memory lapse, I forgot just how under powered it was. I've been playing with setups on the different sites and as it stands now, can't get in the i7/680 or 7970 for less than $1650. It's honestly out of my budget, unless I waited a few more checks. I'm worried about my little u50f i3 though, it's starting to weeze and it has MAJOR latency/HDD/sound card issues.


I can get into the PowerPro R 11:36-675mx 3630qm setup, with blu ray, win 7 and otherwise default components for $1465. The mx model is the new kepler design, and seems to have good enough benchmarks. Buying a dual core processor in 2013 seems kind of asinine, just to get the 680m gpu. Unless I'm mistaken.

 

Well a dual core CPU + 680M is going to outperform a quad core CPU + 675MX and a CPU is a much cheaper and easier upgrade later on.

 

I
Thanks man, yeah the blu-ray is more a novelty than anything, just nice to have to the negligible amount It adds to my order. I don't have a "legit" copy of 7 or 8, so I'd have to either buy one anyways or go that other route to acquire it. It would save me $100 though.

 

Really? Thank you for that info, been looking for a comparison test between the two.

The i5 11:36-680 puts me in with no OS at $1436 (forgoing all other options), seems to be a good deal. That's the problem with research though, I was only prepared to spend $1100 tops when I started looking a month ago.

 

The 675mx is the next thing below the 680m /7970m but it's about 60ish% of the 680m in terms of performance. Supposedly you can over clock it to stock 680m levels but that may require a vbios flash. If you quoted a system with an i7/675mx and meets all of your other requirements that's a good buy IMO since it leaves nothing out

 

You can flash it, but a flashed 680M and dual core CPU will steam role that so it's not really a fair comparison.

Some select titles like a quad core, but you can still turn the eye candy up higher with a 680M over a 675MX.

 

What meaker said is accurate. Only a few games are core dependent right now. Search around and you'll find some stuff.

Something to consider if your laptop is dying. If you do buy from Power Notebooks the build time will probably only be a couple days before it ships since they stock the barebones and configure them in house. If you buy a Sager from anyone the turn around will be a lot longer. Most people wait like 7 to. 10 days before it's built and shipped. Even with rush build sager took 7 days on mine.

Personally if it's even on the table I would wait and buy a 680m.

 

double post.

 

Hancock, I tend to agree with you on both points. Waiting for the 680m, and installing ssd down the road. Can always pick one up on a weekend sale or something of the sort.

Guess I was worried about the i5 being like the a10 is to the 7970, but that's gone now. After doing some reading/digging, makes me feel better about my purchase(and forgo a crazy $$ warranty) going through someone like xotic/power/gentech. They seem to care about their product, it's not just soldered together by whomever and constant presence on the forums lets me know their not going to fall of the face of the earth if I have a question.

I get accidental damage covered through my insurance and I've been trying to find instances were these things just break down... I can't.

Edit: thanks again guys

It defintiley doesn't hurt that the new 16f33 is a MUCH better looking shell than it use to be, add in the blue backlight and it's a really nice looking machine. Aesthetics have to be a main factor, when you're going to stare at it for the next 4+ years.

 

Yes, the barebones do look quite a bit nicer compared to the 16F2.

 

Yes sir. Thanks for the help Meaker. (I'll be sending ya'll some money real soon)

Here's side by side 7970m vs 680m shootout, judging by the date, it's old drivers on the 680m.
GeForce GTX 680M Review • Reviews • Eurogamer.net

 

Thanks for your insights!

Cheers,

Mate

 

Not a problem man, most of this info is already out there. Helps for me to put my thoughts in writing though, keeps me from jumping all over the place logically.

For the sub $1500 range, there's only 2 options to get into the 7970/680m

The sager np150 with the 7970/i7 3230 $1405 with the matte screen

Or

the power pro 11:36-680 with the i5, $1483 with no options checked

Sager pros-
Customizable keyboard, cpu, dual fans

Power pros-
Sound, keyboard itself, gpu (marginally), aesthetics (for me at least)

From looks, the sager seems to be a bit more "durable".

 

Between these two choices, I would get the PowerPro. Also consider the 16f3 barebones at GentechPC.com. In my experience, that site is cheaper than PowerNotebooks. You could also get a branded MSI GT60 with 670m or 675m. Just downgrade the optical drive and apply the 2% discount for NotebookReview members ("NBR" in the checkout box).

If you insist on a Sager, LPC Digital would be a good reseller.

Good luck.

 

Gentech is a solid $250 more, b/c there's no i5 option.

 

We do have i5 options.

 

I customized a MS-16f3 barebones on GentechPC for less than the price of the PowerPro.

 

I customized several options through every retailer. Ken at GenTech is awesome, they're pricing was on point, cheaper than everyone else I tried prior to deciding on GenTech. Cheaper, with awesome presale customer service. Couldn't recommend more.

 

Don't know how I missed that guys, good looking out.

Gentech setup ran right at $1459, No options checked, the 5400rpm drive doesn't really bother me b/c I will be putting a ssd in, might even opt for it at checkout. We'll see how my next couple of paychecks lay out, I've heard nothing but good things about gentech/power, really enjoy gen's reviews and youtube vids. Their version also comes with 16 gig vs 8, negligible difference as it may be.

Not to mention it's only $60 for the i7 6310 setup, rather put that toward a ssd. Found out my IT dept at work can hook me up with legit version of win7pro, so that saved me a grip.

Edit: Did a quick search on ebay for the 680m card, it cost half as much as the entire laptop. Insane, that was a deciding factor to say the least.