Quick questions about the new GT660

Hi there.

I wouldn't call myself a complete noob with computers/notebooks, but I certainly don't know much about them.

So I have some questions about the new MSI GT660 that seems to be coming out in a few months (or so I've heard). I'm in desperate need of a new computer (this one is 5 years old...) and laptops are awesome. I'm looking for a laptop that will be able to run WoW on ultra settings and SC 2 on highest (or just high) and some of the games that wil be coming out in the next few months. I have enough money to spend (1700 euros more or less) so I found the new GT660.

I read that it has like 1400x1000 resolution (can't remember the exact numbers) and alot of people are whining about it. Should I care, as a mainstream laptop user? Does it really make that much of a difference? I'll also use the computer for everyday things as internet, films, music etc. And I'd like the laptop to be able to play the new games on reasonable quality for the next 3+ years. Is this the laptop I should buy?

Thanks,

JustYourAverageUser.

 

The resolution is actually lower, but if you like the resolution on your 5 yr old laptop, then its probably fine. The GT660 does have great specs, but most people are only interested in it because of the 2 hdd, 3.0 USB, most 16" can't use 2 hdd. The GT660 weighs 3.5kg, which is a bit more than normal 16" laptops but still bearable. The GT660 comes with Nvidia GTX 285M which will last 3 yrs, but lacks DirectX 11, and it has fancy lights.

It comes down to whether you like the laptop for its, style and specs, or purely want a laptop purely for the specs. You could probably get a Sager laptop with GTX 480M, 17'3" screen and 2 hdd within your budget. It will weigh like 5kg, and look a bit ugly and bulky.

I am also getting the GT660, mainly for the lighting effects, speakers, TDE+, and cooling system, and as long as it runs the games I play its fine.

The GT660R-004 is already out, its the one with 2 hdd, the 003 is coming out next week, which is simply without 1 hdd and with dvd rom instead. There is also a GX660 coming out middle of next month. It will have HD 5870 with DX 11, which is better than the GTX 285M, but it does have its issues. It will have a i5 processor, 4gb(8gb max), 1 hdd only(no 2nd hdd slot, I think). It will still have the same features as the GT660 though. I am not sure about the release in Europe, since this is for North America.

 

Current info available says the GX660 will have the 2nd HDD bay but no raid. It is also supposed to have 3 x 204 pin slots supporting 12GB max same as the GT660.

 

no raid? :S
i remember it distinctly being marketed at computex and some other conventions as being awesome because of raid

 

The only model listed now is with an HM55 chipset. Unless they come out with a PM55 chipset model in the future then it could support raid.

 

He's talking about the GX660 having no raid setting, the GT660 will have raid.

 

I am seriously interested in the GT660.....Amazon is showing them for $1599 and $1499 with free shipping....

Still looking for the downside on that machine.......vs the Sagar 8760.....

The Video card is not a deal breaker as from what I have been reading DX11 will slow down frame rates and the benefits visually if turned on won't be earth shattering. The Radeon card 5870 is faster than the GTX285 but again not enough to want it bad enough to buy a machine for that reason alone. Thr Radeon is around 8% faster which is only useable at frame rates below 30. Above that all games run pretty smooth,

Likewise, one can't help but be underwhelmed by the performance of the Mobility Radeon HD 5870. The performance of NVIDIA's mobile graphics parts has been a sitting target for a long time now, and while the victory is still technically decisive, it's really not the supreme triumph it ought to have been. G92 has been around for a long time now, with NVIDIA resting on its laurels. Anyone hoping AMD's new chip would shock NVIDIA out of its complacency has to be disappointed by these results. Needless to say, GTX 480M shouldn't have too much trouble reclaiming the mobile crown (albeit with higher power requirements that might make it difficult to fit into a 15.6" chassis).
-Anandtech


Processor speed is more important to me. Plus the Video card is upgradeable anyway