Help me configure my MSI GT780DXR this weekend~!

Dear All,

I currently have a Asus C90S (still alive and kicking) that I bought in 2007. Currently looking for a replacement laptop for gaming and graphics design. Ken from GenTechPC has been giving me some suggestions, and he pointed me to the MSI GT780DXR.

I would like this next laptop to also last me 4-5 years, so I wouldn't mind paying for higher-end components if it is well worth the investment (unless it really is expensive now but will become cheaper in the near future). I say that because I am a novice when it comes to computer hardware and set-up, and would prefer to avoid upgrades that are difficult to install (hardware) and/or configure (software). And I do not want to have to buy another laptop in 3 years because it can't keep up with the market. I would rather spend more now, which saves in the long run.

Yes, I understand this is a fast-changing industry. But I take good care of my electronics, and if in 5 years it can still play games (maybe on the lowest settings) then it would be money worth spending.

With that said, my budget is from $1700-$2000.

Now, like I've mentioned, I've been talking to Ken from GenTechPC.
He suggested this one for me:
GenTech PC - Customize System

The $1549 pricetag made me really happy. But then I noticed that there are some options for configuration, and that's where I need help. I am assuming Ken wouldn't be around until next week, but I would like to purchase this laptop this weekend.

I am wondering how to configure that for the following categories, because I am not sure if the default is enough for my purpose (again, a long-lasting gaming / graphics design laptop):
- Screen: I know the matte version is better most of the time. But does that still apply if I will be inside mostly? Although somehow the glossy version is a lot more expensive...
- Processor: Would the default (2nd Gen Intel Core i7-2630QM, 2.0-2.8GHz,32nm, 6MB, 45W ) be enough? Or is it better to spend more now?
- RAM: I'm not sure what difference is there between "1333" and "1600/PC3." I'm also not sure how much RAM to get. 8GB is more than enough now; would it still be sufficient 5 years from now?
- Primary/Secondary Hard Drive: Basically not sure between regular HD and SSD, and which one should be the primary one. My concerns with SSD are: 1) Do you guys think Solid State Drives would suffer greatly due to loose protection from electrostatic discharge during manufacture? 2) Or other sort of damages that will not be evident until a few years later, because SSD is still a relatively new technology? 3) Basically should I get SSD now or wait until it is cheaper (more memory per dollar) and proven durable/reliable?
- WiFi: I'm assuming the default?

Of course, if anyone has suggestions on another laptop, please let me know.

All help/advice is appreciated.
Thank you very much!

 

First of all. i highly recomend gentechpc. so great choice!!!

now,

screen: stock is great both indoors and outdoors, great screen over all.

processor: 2630 is good for a couple of years, but the high price upgrade to 2920xm is most defenitely UNWORTHY. With the money i would go as high as 2720 but no more. basically 2720 supports 1600 ram natively plus some other tech stuff that may come in handy in the future.

so bottomline i would only pay for the 2720 and no more.

ram: i have tested both 1333 and 1600 with little to no difference in both productivity programs and games. no difference for now.

if its necessary that u need 1600, then i suggest u keep stock 1333 for some time and save up to buy 1600ram from newegg and do it urself later. basically its an economy decision, but then again if u have money now then go for the 1600. future programs may benefit better.

SSD: i share same opinion with u. ssd is indeed new and some people hate it for the headaches caused. but the real prob with ssd is firmware updates, the famous BSOD, dead drives, data loss, and compability.

my decision was to buy a HDD for now and wait for reliability/price drop and then switch to SSD using original HDD as storage only.

Again, if u have the money go for it. gentech techs will get u the right config to get everything working perfectly, so ull be good.

Wifi: personal experience tells me the more expensive the best, BUT a card that still uses 2 antennas, such as centrino 2x2 or killer 1102. honestly we've tested both 1102 and 1103 with third antenna mods and got same results. perhaps its the router (modern n router) or something, but for now same.

again, money= get it.

hope i could help

 

Thank you! That was definitely helpful.

Few questions:
Processor: Would I be able to install a better CPU later for the MSI GT780DXR?
Otherwise I may indeed go for the 2720 (or is that already treading the unworthy territory?)

RAM: Thanks for letting me know about the 1333 and 1600.
Another question I have is how much RAM to actually get?

Harddrives: The hard drives I may indeed go for the standard primary (750GB 7200rpm SATA II 16MB 3GB/s) and then add the free Labor day secondary (640GB 5400rpm 2.5-inch 9.5mm 8MB SATA II 3Gb/s)

Or maybe the SSD (160GB Intel 320-Series G3 Solid State Drive 25nm SATA II 3Gb/s), depending on what I get for the CPU.

Wifi: So which would you suggest? The default then upgrade later?

Thank you!

 

Good Choice GT780DX is an amazing machine.

My recommendations:

1) Don't waste money upgrading your processor. Save that money for an SSD. Upgrading even to 2720 won't really help your gaming (GPU is the main thing).

2) Get SSD!!!! as your primary drive. Intel 510 series 120gb .. way more reliable that vertex crap. (RAID should be disabled)

3) Wireless 6230 + Bluetooth. Don't fall for the Bigfoot crap.

4) IC Compound

5) 8-12gb Ram at 1333 is good enough don't waste your money on 1600

Good luck with what ever you decide!

 

You should upgrade the hard drives to an ssd+storage drive, Intel 510 would be good.

You might want to upgrade your wifi card aswell, Intel 6300 is great, if you don't need bluetooth.

I'd suggest also going for a blu-ray reader, it never hurts to be able to read those .

Default processor and screen are good, and the reason why the glossy is so much is that you pay the full price for it, it's not just an upgrade. 8gb ram should be more than enough, but you can always upgrade in the future.

 

i really dont know what connector type will the new processor have, but is the same then yes, you will be able to upgrade.

the hard drive is depending on ur budget. i would also go with the ssd cause gentechpc will configure it to make it run perfect. second hard drive for storage.

wifi get the 6230 with bluetooth. havent seen any difference with the 6300 cause its the same as the 6230 but with a third antenna. plus with the 6300 u loose bluetooth. i would go with the 6230.

 

Thanks everyone for the inputs!

I guess I need to rethink about the hard drives and the CPU.
Anyone has more inputs?

How long has SSD technology been around exactly?
And is upgrading the CPU truly not worth it?

And yes I will go for the blu ray
I hope to make the order tomorrow afternoon. Thank you all =)

 

I'm thinking it will go something like this...?

CPU: 2nd Gen Intel Core i7-2630QM, 2.0-2.8GHz,32nm, 6MB, 45W
Thermo Compound (although I don't know the differences): IC Diamond 24 Carat Thermal Compound on both CPU/GPU
Primary Drive: 160GB Intel 320-Series G3 Solid State Drive 25nm SATA II 3Gb/s (Wow expensive... Almost $300.. is it worth waiting for a price drop or is that not likely anytime soon?)
Secondary Drive: 640GB 5400rpm 2.5-inch 9.5mm 8MB SATA II 3Gb/s
Optical Drive: 6X Blu-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive (I don't write many DVD's so I don't think that will change with blu-ray. Probably?)
WiFi: Intel Advanced-N 6230 Wireless-N + Bluetooth Combo Card

Wow SSD is expensive! Exceeding the high spectrum of my budget.
I'm curious if SSD has been around long enough (5+ years) to have enough time to proof itself reliable?
And if the price will drop dramatically in the near future? If there's not going to be much difference then might as well buy it now.

Thank you~

 

As with any technology price will drop but who knows when. I really recommend getting the Intel 510 series instead of the 320 series. 120gb should be around $279.

The rest of your setup seems good. IC thermal compound is good to keep things cool better then the stock compound & it's only $35 so worth the upgrade.

Also, you can save some money with the 4X blu ray read. 6X is not really necessary.

 

I've seen the crucial m4 c400 128gb on sale for $160 on newegg.com, but it sold out very fast. If you're willing to try ebay, they have the same SSD for around $190 buy it now price with free shipping. If you're going to get the SSD custom installed, expect to pay around $40-$50 more for the m4. Also, 128gb (I think it's around 111gb formatted) will definitely be more than enough storage for your OS. I think the windows 7 64-bit versions take about 20gb, so you'll have more storage for other programs/files.

 

Good choice on the Wireless upgrade, I just got the same computer you are looking at and I am happy with it so far. I would definitely do more RAM just because you have a good processor and you need a healthy amount of RAM to make it worth it. The Solid State drive is a great choice too.

 

Kk.
Seems the major necessary change might be the changing the SSD from 320 series to 510 series?
Is there a major difference?
If i were to go for SSD I will just order it with the laptop and have it pre configured, instead of going on newegg. Saves me from doing something I'm not good at.

I was wondering about how much RAM to get but most people suggested 8GB?

And does the blu ray read speed not make too big of a differencce?

Purchasing this evening; I'm excited =)

 

Made my purchase tonight =)
Over my budget, but I hope it will be worth it.

Already sent a similar message to Ken, but I might as well post it here too:

Want to show my configuration and to ask a few things

Laptop:
MSI GT780DX-215US GTX 570M
(What is the 215-US? Is that a GenTech number? How is this different from the GT780DXR-099US or GT780DXR-095US?)

CPU:
2nd Gen Intel Core i7-2630QM, 2.0-2.8GHz,32nm, 6MB, 45W

RAM:
16GB DDR3 1333 Dual-Channel (4G X 4)
Is this overkill? Or a good investment for the future?

Primary Drive:
120GB Intel Solid-State Drive 510 Series SATA III 6Gb/s
Never quite understood the difference between 320 series and 510 series. What is the difference?

Secondary Drive:
640GB 5400rpm 2.5-inch 9.5mm 8MB SATA II 3Gb/s

Optical Drive:
4X Blu-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
Is 4x a good speed to watch blu-ray movies with? Or is 6x better?

WiFi:
Intel Advanced-N 6230 Wireless-N Bluetooth Combo Card
Yea? yea?

Thank you all!!!
I'm so excited =)