Sager NP9260 Full Review

A very great one Chaz !
You really lived up to your siggy with this one
Apart from that, next time, I think I will go with a light laptop - an x400 GPU will suffice - and more importantly a "lap"top - something you can use on your lap.

 

Another great review Chaz! Very thorough. My God, that machine is a beast. I almost fell out of my chair after reading the SuperPi score.

 

That was the most powerful rig (and biggest power adaptor) machine i had seen to date. Great review!

 

Nice review mate, well done. The best review t'ill now IMHO.

Have you guys noticed that this machine in a non SLI configuration compared with a Clevo M570U has only the following advantages in terms of performance?

* CPU: +14% compared with a Core duo 7600
* GPU: Not noticible difference.

So basically this machine is a good bet only if you are really going to go fo SLI or RAID. Anything else is a waste of money (a lot), space and weight (a lot).

I also would like to suggest a 3D comparison of this machine with other SLI notebooks becouse the comparison in the review is not a fair one(designed to put the D900C on the 3D Mark on the top). IMHO comparing a SLI with non SLI is like comparing two runners, one with two legs and the other with one , who would win? I can only suppose this happened due to lack of resources.

This machine is also still not future proof in terms of graphic performance (as of upgradable) as there is yet no official evidence that it will support anything better then the go 7950GTX. We can only hope it will not follow the steps of the supposed Quad Core upgradability that never really happened.

Otherwise the best transportable desktop on the block at a premium price.

Trance

 

great review, it was a joy reading it :-D

 

Seems like someone is a bit miffed! Personally I think its a great review! Thank you Chaz, you have just helped push me over the edge to go grab one of these beasts!

Your also forgetting that the M570U has a 667 FSB while this one has a 1066FSB. Even the new M570RU only has a 800FSB and the maxium proc of 2.8Ghz while this one tops out at 2.93

This is a DTR to confuse it with anything else is foolish.

 

Very good Chaz

 

"Personally I think its a great review!"

1) So do I. I couldn't have done it better myself.

2) Comparisons are there to make a comparison. In any comparison there are good points and bad points.

3) I said it was the best transportable desktop in the block. How am I confusing anything.

4) Even in good review there are things to improve. When I said "designed to put on the top" I attributed to lack of resources (one can only do so much). Another point is that entusiasts tend to be subconscisously a bit biased on their reviews and analysis even when we try not to, I know I'm like that.

Again, thank you Chaz for a good review. I'm more and more informed regarding this machine with your help. Keep to good work.

If possible I would like to see a review of this beast with best overclocking possible (CPU and GPU) with a standard processor and Extreme processor. A Gaming rig is always designed for overclocking at least in the desktop arena, and as you said this is a DTR. Then I would actually see how good is the D900c chassis when it comes to cooling the system down.

Trance

 

Well... can you help me here? I expect to keep the machine for two years+, and would like to run bleeding edge games in spaces with limited ventilation. I also do a bit of computation, and have always found that HD access trumps most anything else for raw computational throughput, so my last box was RAID 0, and I suppose this one will be as well. My best estimate is that dual SLI is going to be increasingly important. And on the flip side, I'm one of those highly employed types, so am not terribly sensitive to money, space, or weight (although am sensitive to heat).

The bad thing is that I'd expected to partition about a third of this beast for Linux, and last time I checked I couldn't get my linux to speak the software RAID that the 9860 used. And dual SLI seems to be a future issue.

Under those conditions, does you analysis still stand?

Is this going to be one of those "ship it back and get a new motherboard" things?

--woody (who is grumbling at the moment because his third power supply has stopped powering the current beast, and is going through withdrawls)

 

Woody,

It seams like you fit the bill. If I felt like you about it I would go for it.

I don't know much about Linux to give you an aswer.

I don't know enough to answer the last question but if the answer was yes, man I would have made my decision a long time ago, I would go out and by it

My main problem with this machine is that there is no garantee of upgradability regarding the video card, neither it has cutting edge multimedia features such as a very good sound card and HDMI output (for the price I think it should have). One of the things I miss most in laptops when the need comes. I never really upgrade CPU's even on dekstops. By the way, currently I don't own a desktop just laptops, this is how mucnh like compact designs.

So basically If you buy it with a dual video card and with a RAID configuration you are effectively using the machine for what it was designed, making up for the base price. Anything else, you will be paying a premium base price for things that you may never use considering the upgrdability issue mentioned above.

I would also mention that I would like to see a review with some X* CPUs and with overcloking to check how the box stands, after all it is designed for gamers.

Trance

 

Pulled the trigger a few minutes ago. Went through XoticPC -- tried Sager Midern (from whom I'd bout the 9860) and PCTorque, but even though I gave Sager Midern three days lead time, and PCTorque two days, XoticPC was first to respond. The FAQ says 'above average', so I can live with that.

 

Awesome, glad to hear another user has bought the D900C. Don't forget to post your thoughts in the forums upon arrival.

What kind of specifications did you get?

 

Gratz woody! I can't wait till July 5th when mine arrives!

 

You have a maxed out NP9260/D900C I see, that's insane. We'd love to see the benchmark numbers for that beast when it arrives.

 

Not quite maxed Chaz. Pro-Star is offering it with 4gb of PC2-6400 Ram. I only have 2gb of PC2-6400. I need to up the RAM by 2 more gb.

But I will be sure to push out some benchmarks to you. I would love to have this thing hit over 10k in 3DMark06.

 

Now that thing is truly a beast.

 

Chaz & others:

I want to purchase a Sager NP9260/Clevo D900C. It will have:

1. Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme Processor X6800 / 4MB L2 Cache, 2.93GHz, 1066MHz FSB
2. Dual Nvidia GeForce GO 7950 GTX Graphics with 512MB DDR3 Video Memory operating in SLI mode
3. Windows XP Pro
4. 4GB of RAM, knowing only 2.8GB is addressable in Windows XP. I plan to move to Vista in the future when the programs I run get re-written to be fully Vista compliant, and will then be able to utilize the 4GB of RAM. I figure the 4GB of RAM "future proofs" me for a while... I am of the mindset that once you buy a notebook, you don't plan on upgrading it, as you don't know what will be upgradeable.

It will NOT be used for playing games. It will only be used for video editing and graphics design work on location. I do a lot of multitasking. I am ordering every full blown option on the notebook.

My question is: I have the option to go with 4GB DDR2/667Mhz - 2 DIMMS or 4GB DDR2/800Mhz - 2 DIMMS of RAM for an additional $325. Is the price worth going to the 800Mhz, and will I even notice a current or possibly future (Vista 64 Ultimate) performance difference? Everything I have read shows there is little difference, but that reading was on Intel single core chipsets. I am challenged to find anything comparing the 667 vs 800Mhz RAM benchmarks when used with the Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme Processor X6800.

Pointing me to known benchmark data and real-world experience is preferred.

Thanks in advance.

 

Vista 32-bit won't see 4GB so make sure you get the 64-bit version.

I doubt you are going to notice the difference between 667MHz and 800MHz RAM. I suggest upgrading the RAM aftermarket to save money: RAM DEALS. I upgraded to 4GB of RAM in my laptop for under $190. You can probably do it for even less now.

 

TLarsen, if you want to save some money, at the expense of some work, you can pick up a new X6800 off of Ebay for $ 490 to $ 560. I just got one for $ 539, including shipping.

I'm thinking of upgrading 2gb to 4gb, as long as I have the Laptop open anyway. Is there any problems with Windows XP 32 bit running with the 4gb of 800 mhz ram installed on a D900C? I realize that it won't see or use all the memory, but will it cause any problems, such as slowing down the System?

 

It shouldn't, no. Honestly, save yourself some money and stick with 2GB.

 

Thanks, you're probably right. I figured I go into the Laptop once and get it done. Then I would be already set up for the move to Vista when the dust settles and the SLI support is stable.

 

AlanP,

I have the same feelings. Do it once and stay out of it again.

Thanks Chaz and the rest of you for your help.

T

 

How much are the video editing and graphics apps likely to really leverage the dual GPUs vs a single 7950?

Same scenario for SLI... I was under the impression that non-gaming apps didn't benefit much from SLI?

 

I wish it were made out of metal alloy instead of plastic.

 

Hello every one
This is my first post on the forum and I want to say all of you HELLO
Chaz great review. I want to buy sager and I saw today that sager has now Quad processor and dual Geforce 8700 MGT. Its surprised me Pity that I live in Poland and I must buying this notebook in USA

Sorry for my poor English.

 

If you are in Europe, you can get this notebook there.

Read the Clevo Guide... and look at the last pages for more european vendors.

 

Thank you Gophn. I will check this guide.

 

Thanks for the compliment.

Yes folks for those who do not know, the NP9260 has been refreshed and is now the NP9261; it has a new motherboard revision that allows the use of Intel Quad-Core processors and also supports the new 1333MHz FSB. And the dual 8700M-GT 512MB cards are a new option too.

 

An all metal casing would have made this a lot heavier, like 15 or 16 pounds instead of the 12 that it is. Though, since this is a DTR, I guess it really wouldn't matter...

 

Hallo Clevo owners! I have a question for you: I have the possibility to buy the 901C in Germany with Quad Processor and 8700 card. Since I sent already the M570RU back because it was too loud, can anybody tell me if the 901c is more silent compared to its little brother?
Besides which RAM is compatible with this laptop? (I will try to save some money ordering only 2 GB RAM but I want to upgrade immediately buying myself 2X2GB). Kingston offers only the 1G 800...

 

Check the Clevo Guide for a list of resellers. According to what I have heard there is a delay on the D901Cs with the quad-core + SLI. I am not sure how widespread the delays are.

The Sager NP9261 can take either DDR2-667 or DDR2-800 200-pin memory.

 

I don't need a reseller....I have already one... Do you need a special compatible Memory for the Clevo or I can buy any DDR2 667 - 800 200pin?
What is about the noise? Can anybody answer my question?

 

Did you check the review? First page of this thread, I wrote all about the noise. You could also check in the Sager/Clevo forum.

And yes any 200-pin DDR2-667/800 module will work.

 

Yes I read everything but I can't really understand if it is loud or not. Many people were saying that the Clevo M570RU wasn't loud, but in my opinion it is terribly loud. So I hope that somebody had worked with both laptops can tell me if the 901 is less noisy than the 570RU...

PS: in Germany I was not able to find any 2 GB module 200-pin 800 they sell only the 1GB ones or the 2GB 667...
Update: I found the 800 200 pin... from OCZ.

 

One hell-of-a-review!!!...Sorry I had to revive a dead thread...i'm a recent Sager NP9260/2 Fan. (due to NBR) HP who?
+Rep Chaz

 

I'm impressed by the vertical viewing angles in the review.
Can anyone tell me the manufacturer of the screen?

 

LG Philips is the LCD of choice for Clevo and their vendors... usually.