MSI Barebones the Way to Go?

I'm new to these forums and was hoping I could get some insight here.

I'm looking to build a laptop and I'm trying to decide if an MSI barebones would be a good base to build from. I built my desktop a few years ago -- which is getting pretty outdated -- and I'd like to build a solid gaming laptop this time around.

I've read a good bit over the past few days about GPUs/CPUs and I think I've decided on what I'd like to put in the laptop. Bear in mind, I'd like to make this as future-proof as possible, as I usually wait a few years to upgrade. So I think I'd like to go with the Intel QX9300 for the CPU and an NVIDIA 280M GTX for the GPU. If this is silly, subpar, or overpriced setup for minimal performance gains over an alternative setup, the input would be greatly appreciated!

Back to the root of my post, would an MSI barebones be the way to go as a platform for building this laptop? Or are there some different models from other makers that would be better suited? From what I've read, MSI makes a really great chassis that are fairly lightweight, good-looking, and cool well.

Thanks for the help!

 

MSI and Clevo (Sager) make excellent barebone laptops.

280 or 260 is a great choice.

I'm biased towards Nvidia cards, as they have provided the least hassles for me over the last year, but some prefer ATI.

So decide what screen size you want
Decide which GPU you prefer
Make sure the chassis supports Quad Core

Those three choices right there will quickly chop down your potential builds.

 

Thanks for the really quick reply.

I forgot to mention I was looking for a 17" display, and I was going to stick with the 280M.

As far as the chassis supporting quad core, is there something I should look for in particular to distinguish whether or not it supports it?

If you have any models in mind that are worth highly recommending, I'll be sure to take a look at them.

 

Well the new 1722 barebones coming out are 17'' and support Quad Core, DDR3 memoery and the ATI 4850 1GB Graphics card.. Very powerful machine..

 

Nacr05, is that the GT729 barebones model? How does the ATI 4850 1GB stack up to the 280M GTX 1GB?

Edit:
Any idea when/where I could get/look at that model?

 

To be honest, Its preformance is comparable to the GTX 280m.. Yes its the GT729 barebones. There on RK computers site and on MSI's website..

 

If you want a 17", 280M (or equal performance), and Quad core support in a sub ~9lb package, then you have:

MSI 1722 - ID3 (GT729)
MSI 1722 - ID2 (GT725)
Clevo/Sager NP5797

 

Thanks for all the help so far, guys.

What's usually a better way to go as far as CPUs go, OEM or an ES? To my understanding, OEMs come with the heatsink and a warranty, whereas ES don't. If I got an ES QX9300 from ebay, I'd have to get a heatsink and mount it myself? I just want to make sure I understand what all I need parts-wise before I start making any purchases.

 

Very, very true. The 280M GTX and 4850 1gb are about the same in performance I beleive, but you won't find a 17in barebone with as good performance, solid chasis build as well as lightweight. Thats the best thing I think about htis chasis

 

I saw the abrebone on rkcomuter, but I states "out of stock" is it because they sold 'em all, or because it's not out yet, cause they've been out of stock for a while now. Also, a little question concerning these barebones, if I order one with everything(proc, ram, GC, wireless, battery, etc.), will all the pieces come separately, or it will be built... cause I know you can only order the default components that come with it, without proc. etc...

Thank you
frank633

 

The barebone has not been released yet.

 

ok thank you

 

If you feel a little adventurous and have some basic knowledge on laptops barebones is the way to go.
You can save some money and install the hardware you want.
Installing HDD/SDD,CPU's and GPU's is pretty simple just don't forget the thermal paste!

 

lol I think i won't get a barebone after reflexion... I've never had a laptop so never had the chance to open one... I don't want to mess up in the components yet^^

 

Trial and error my friend.

I hate it!

Haha, although its very fun task when your sorted with components, and know what your doing

 

I have no problems in a desktop though^^ but still... it's the thermal paste thing that scares me the most

 

Yeah i have to agree, i worry about shorting things all the time, i will definately need to re-apply some day though ^^.

 

That's up to you in which way you want to go.
At first I was a little nervous opening up laptops, I had no idea what I was looking at or where to start but like everything else the more you do it the easier it gets.
It's really not that hard, If I can do it anybody can
There are many guides out there as to how to apply thermal paste.

 

Like in my signature. I would like someone to try this tutorial, because I can't tell if it makes any sense to anyone else.

Wanna be first?

 

Great guide!
I like it simple and easily explained

 

Thanks. I think you must be the first on to actually read it! Apprecitate it.

 

I read them all when they first appeared in your name And to be honest, its quite apparent that there good guides haha.

Keep them up anyhow!

 

Thanks, I've just got no idea on what to write one on next

 

My MSI barebone had two screws for the CPU/GPU/RAM/Wifi panel and then two more for the hard drive...not hard to put together.