Purchasing a Eurocom Sky MX5 R2 from Woodzstack

Hey folks!

There's been a lot of helpful people on these forums, and a lot of topics (old and new) that've helped me learn and grow from the completely befuddled notebook newbie I was when I stumbled here (I've been here longer than this account, I promise.) to the only moderately befuddled notebook enthusiast (it says that under my username, it must be true!) writing this post!

I've had many people respond to the PM's that I sent out, and @woodzstack himself has been extremely helpful in helping me decide what I did and didn't need in a notebook. There's an obvious gap between what I know and what he probably hopes I know, but in the end, we've got there!

It's come out costing a lot more than I intended at the start of this journey, but woodzstack has me confident that I'll be getting my money's worth.

For the interested, the specs:

Spoiler

EUROCOM Sky MX5 R2
Screen:FHD 1080P with G-Sync
VGA:8GB GDDR5; NVIDIA GTX 1070 (N17E-G2)
CPU: Intel Mobile Core i7-6700HQ
RAM: 2x8 GB DDR4 Kingston HyperX Impact 2400Mhz CAS 14
OS: Windows 10 Pro
M.2/NVMe SSD - 128GB SM961
HDD: 1TB Hitachi Travelstar Z5K1000
Wifi : M.2 half card , INTEL 8265

My main interests with this machine are playing Smite, streaming Smite to twitch, writing python code, and futzing about on the internet from random parks so that I can pretend to enjoy the outdoors. I wanted a sturdily built machine that'd let me do all that and probably some more, and last for at least 3 years.

I'm going to leave this post here for tonight and some of tomorrow, and let the fine folks of NBR offer feedback and input - anything you'd change? Suggested additions?

This'll be the most expensive single item I've purchased for purely selfish enjoyment (My homebuilt computer cost me almost $700 less to build in 2014) and while woodzstack has been extremely helpful, it can't hurt to have just a little bit more input before I pull the trigger.

Thanks!

Update #1 2017-04-06 - Payment sent via Paypal. Instantly started to fret. I am terrible at spending money on selfish things. Deep breaths!

Update #2 2017-04-06 - Received a PM confirming receipt of payment. Consciously reminding myself to breathe every minute or so.

Update #3 - 2017-04-14 - Sent a PM asking for a status update. Was told the SSD's were being slow in arriving, likely due to the easter weekend.

Update #4 - 2017-04-19 - Woodzstack emailed me today to let me know the USB controller was a dud, and that he'd need to RMA the board. This'll set back the build by about a week.

Update #5 - 2017-04-25 - After some back and forth with a couple other smaller issues I didn't feel worthy of update, Woodzstack contacted me to say that the system was a dud yet again. He's been really very open and helpful throughout this whole process, and has offered a solution that works for both of us, even if we'd both expected to be done our transaction by now.

Update #6 - 2017-04-27 - Received my tracking email from Canada post. The notebook is on its way!

 

hats an INTEL 8265*

There are cheaper options but none as robust and as capable of mobility.
If future proofing is a concern, I would opt that you get the most advanced CPU and GPU you can afford, and skimp on the other things until you can put money towards them in the long run.
The reason I give that suggestion, is because unlike a LGA laptop this is a BGA, meaning you can not so easily upgrade the CPU or the GPU.
If money is tight, weigh what you can afford now versus what you can get in the future.

I made the suggestion for the SM961 because it will be the fastest NVMe I/O wise in it's price category, thats where we want windows and it's cache, and whatever programs you run constantly.

I always make a case for the 8265 INTEL, but if your not using wifi for the next foreseeable future, then get the realtek, and save 50$
If you have a previous 2.5" drive lying around or a friend has one for cheap or such, theres another small amount you could save.

Right now RAM prices jumped up the last quarter, I think because of the rush in portable consumer products like tablets and laptops etc..
You could always wait until there is a deal, and get whats cheapest option now. Even if RAM is slower, once things are loaded, it's hard to notice.
Infact you could try things yourself, oneday get a DDR4 system running place the ram speed at half what you normally run it, and let the timings run on auto, you will see its not as much a difference as you most think.
The exception is, when your running out of system memory and the CPU is under load.

The screen, can be upgraded very easily anytime in the future, the Harddrives, the RAM, the OS , the WiFi, etc..
So ultimately if you will ever want the 7820HK now would be the time to get it. BUT - think of it as something you'd really only need if you multitask, if you really only run a single thing ever and nothing in the background, you could probably get away with an i5.

 

This is my primary concern, and I'm glad we've been able to focus on it.

While it's of some import (which is why, for example, I've opted for the 1070 over a 1060), it's not the end of the world - when it's no longer as robust, it'll still be a pretty darn good upgrade for many of my friends. That said, you did originally recommend a tornado. I wonder if that was before you realised I was rather ignorant about the differences, hah.

Question: If future proofing were my primary concern, would you go with an F5 over the Sky? My biggest reason for not going with the Tornado from the start (aside from cost) was the size - it's heavier and thicker - but I don't have practical experience with notebooks. Is it worth sacrificing mobility for flexibility in upgrades down the line?

I knew going into this that I wanted an SSD, and your knowledge on the subject has been helpful. I strongly doubt that the speed is really going to come into my day-to-day use of the computer - I use a plain old 2.5" Sandisk in my desktop, and it's never let me down. But I intend to keep my desktop intact for now. After all, I need some method to contact you about servicing my notebook

Your case was well made here, and given that I expect to be on wireless nearly one hundred precent of the life of this notebook, I have no qualms with this expense.

I strongly considered going with a single 8GB stick of the micron that the machine came with. I use a mere 8GB (2x4GB G.Skill DDR3) in my desktop and have never run into memory issues. That said, the extra ram felt like a 'future proofing' sort of decision, and while I could shave it off now, I strongly feel that getting it now will mean I don't need it later - some people out there find their 32GB is easily taxed. I don't expect to be that person. If I do become that person, I can either add more ram here, or more likely, design a machine that better meets my new needs.

As stated in our pms and this very topic, my only real multitasking situation is going to be playing Smite while I stream it to twitch. I use OBS, which is a pretty lightweight and very flexible program, and it allowed me to stream quite capably on my current computer. I ultimately stopped doing so because I moved and my internet connection could no longer support both. If my current machine could play and stream, the current notebook should be able to breeze through it. I do, however, welcome input from more knowledgeable members.

Regarding the screen: it's already an IPS panel, no? If so, that'll be an upgrade over what I currently use anyway. I considered the 120Hz option, but it seems more geared towards FPS gamers, and I can't truly consider Smite an FPS.

*all emphasis in quotes is mine.

 

Yeah I wouldn't recommend the F5 for you. To get the most out of it requires abit more time and effort, and after 2-3 years that just gets tedious, you would also be better off modding the F5 to help the airflow, its long term viability really is only the GPU and CPU , at the cost of bulk, weight, noise and a bit more time consuming. The F5 is more for an enthusiast on laptops, who wants to have fun tinkering. Whilst powerful is attractive, think of a powerful sports car, you have to tweak it for almost every outside temperature, nevermind climate, and weather and humidity and gas mixtures and suspension and treads etc.. its a hassle, if your just going to the corner store for groceries, you don't use a Ferrari.

The MX5R2 is robust, hassle free mostly, and has just as much potential in your situation, it's a smarter buy for you personally then the F5 would be.

 

I'd go with a larger capacity SSD if you can. While the read speeds on the 128 GB one are OK, the writes are awful. Also, aside from a slight decrease in boot times, you're not going to feel a lot of difference between NVMe and a M.2 drive that uses SATA.

 

We're talking a difference of $75 (admittedly, this is between the 128 and 256 SM961, not a plain old SATA) for space I don't need (I play old games, and whatever newer one had my eye could fit on the 128 without even fighting for space. Are the read/write speeds so different as to be worth that?

On one hand, I feel nitpicky even dithering over $75 at this level of expense - on the other, I feel like spending it simply because I could would be wasteful. The same could apply to getting the suggested NVMe over something less expensive, but since @woodzstack already ordered the NVMe, it's a moot point.

 

I wouldn't back you into a corner if it makes you uncomfortable about the NVMe drive. I appreciate it, sticking to the order, but I'd always rather a happy camper instead !

 

Frankly, I think it's a case of not knowing what I'd be missing, so it's not something I feel compelled to explore. When the time comes to upgrade to a larger SSD (if it ever does. Frankly, it's cheaper to buy a larger external drive and offload whatever doesn't make sense to keep on the main system), I'll have to see for myself if I feel badly about having waited so long.

My guess is, I'm not adept enough to notice the difference.

 

You could even buy another and RAID them in the future. Would double the write/read sequential speeds and double the "Volume's size"

 

First post updated with the progress so far. @woodzstack has been as communicative as one could hope, which is nice.

I seem to have poor luck, though, which is less nice. The waiting game is my least favourite game!

 

Damn man, sorry to hear about that! I am incredibly excited, going to be purchasing this laptop too! Did you decide to go for the Sky mx5 r2?

Also as for SSD's may I ask which one you went for?

Hope you get this thing soon!

 

Yeah, sorry, something was not perfect so back it goes, by the numbers right ?
But this is what you get with my services, would be remiss if a 3rd party/reseller service didn't pickup small discrepancies.
I honestly find something small in 25% of laptops, and about another quarter of those has something bigger, but usually not noticeable until tested thoroughly or examined.
This is pretty much true with almost all brands, some are worse then others, but it happens, and it will always happens, just how things are.

 

Hey, man. I think it was you who sent me to W oodzstack in the first place, so.. thanks!

As for both of your questions, they're answered in the first post - well, accurately, the first question is answered in the thread title.

 

I will be able to ship you out a working system with all the services, if not later today by friday for sure.
Staying up late to work a few extra hours and build you a new system, with the same specs and then do all the same things.

 

Woah! How'd you pull off that miracle, I thought you didn't have the spare parts for this model? Not that I'm complaining - but I can wait, if I gotta. Either way, I know you'll do great work.

 

well, by friday it will have been 3 days . Even my supplier is only 30 minute drive away, what would be my excuse then ?

 

Hah, wonderful news! Thanks for keeping me updated. I'm excited!

 

First post updated once more. Hopefully, the unit will be ready to ship to me by the end of the week. Woodzstack is even more optimistic than I!

Fingers crossed!

 

I should have the laptop today. I will have it worked on overnight and shipped out by morning before noon tomorrow (unless some random disaster happens - oddly enough fire alarms were going off yesterday for 2 minutes and deliveries were rescheduled for today....)


Oh I see you updated the first page to mention they were duds... not that I would ever let a faulty system leave my presence to a customer, but it's the sort of details I shared in confidence with a customer, that normal business practices would suggest NOT to share openly, because it could potentially tarnish a business relationship with partners.

Personally I do not mind sharing the details, as a sign of good faith and all, but companies usually do not share what goes wrong for a plethora of reasons. Many times I judge I can not share details with someone and just stall while I fix the issue. About 25% of the time there's an issue, and if I didn't address it, I'd be stuck with RMA's all day everyday in the long run.

Not really sure how these sort of QA issues leave a warehouse or distributors possession, but they do. This is why I test everything, it sucks when you run out of stock and have to make a customer wait mind you.

I'm probably alternatively better suited and priced to test things then the increase in price these things would get if they thoroughly tested things in Taiwan perfectly.

Anyways just some thoughts for you, I'm excited fro you to have your laptop, I will take some pics of the work done, I have some of the previous one, but it was faulty so no point...

 

Here's hoping everything goes swimmingly!

The thing is, it's the fact that you did mention it, and the fact that your testing found these issues, that sets you above less reputable businesses. I don't wish to tarnish your relationship with anyone - but, the sort of people who read these forums could deduce for themselves even if you or I had used nebulous terms like 'issue', or at least suspect the cause. I found your candour refreshing, and it's the major reason I was not discouraged or moved towards asking for a refund when the setbacks seemed to come one after another - I knew that you'd been straight with me from the start, and that you'd do what it takes to get a machine worthy of your reputation out to me.

That 'plethora of reasons' is why there are so many sellers and resellers out there. Companies are founded to create or ply a product to the consumer, and if there's only one choice, people accept what service they get and move on - but there are a myriad of choices for notebooks, and part of that is because someone figured at some point that they could provide better service and create better quality end products with the same parts. If every one of the resellers out there fended off the inevitable issues that come with high end electronics with bland apologies and empty statements, nobody would have any loyal customers, and there likely wouldn't be so many businesses operating in the same field.

The fact that you were candid with me is what gives your reputation weight. Anyone who does research before their purchase and ends up looking to you for their product can find ample proof that you are a very capable individual that cares about the quality of goods he sends to his customers - and it's that reputation that allows a business to flourish. Anyone who has owned any type of machine can attest that sometimes, there are faults that only a few experience, despite thousands of the same machine being produced - the same would obviously hold true for component parts, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that there are some bumps in the road when it comes to them.

As I stated above, it's impossible that everything is perfect all the time. The fact that you do take the time to test and verify the products you sell is what makes you a pleasure to deal with - because setbacks are inevitable, and knowing that someone capable of finding and addressing these setbacks cares enough to do so, rather than trying to make a quick buck, is extremely helpful in allowing people to move forward with such expensive purchases. I hope I've been as good a customer as you have been a seller, even if it seems I may be too forthright at times.

I don't see the validity in a 'feedback form' that hides details or obfuscates the transaction - and this topic should serve as proof to anyone that Woodzstack is good at what he does, and worth looking to for your products if you're in Canada.

 

it has arrived and has none of the previous issues and looking good !
Should be shipped out tomorrow morning ! Even have backup if not for you ad others.

 

It's tough and scarey being a small business trying to grow, I started the business because I saw ethical issues with other sellers and resellers (not the ones you find here on NBR mind you) and I've sworn not to do the same things they do, that always pissed me and other customers off.
(though it surrounded GPU's mainly)

 

Actually from what I'm seeing in this system, it's much better stock then the other one was. Like temps are 5-10C less and I haven't repasted yet, infact if systems came this way always I probably wouldn't have as much business LOL.
So thats looking good.

 

Yay!

 

paste job was decent enough for what it is, from Eurocom !

Time to replace it with my own, and Grizzly Kryonot..


and then finally :



Hard not to be picasso when working on such small surfaces hahah !

 

I did not think the temps would improve... but they did...




fans are not even on, and it's dead silent and idle... my room is also VERY hot, 26C (it's a very warm night here in montreal.. lots of humidity too.)
So yeah seems fine, maybe even dare say great thermals so far. Will show some quick testing results. in a min

 

look, fans on now, 1 minute later :

 

Okay, basically good to go now :

 

Received my tracking email today! WOO!

 

bet you will get it monday /tuesday

 

Congrats @MentalThinking glad I was able to help you out!

And @woodzstack expect a PM within the next week or so!

 

Sure, the more the merrier !

 

How about the Eurocom sky MX5 R3?
I am interested in this model with IGZO 4k, as mainly for my photo/video edition.
but I am not sure if I can find any reseller offering the 4k igzo or 4k AUO with clevo,
in fact, I don't like the keyboard of P7XXdm...

by the way, I'm not stay in US or Cad, and I don't know Eurocom....

 

well, this is a feedback thread/section, but I will gladly help you buy whatever your looking for, and if I have it or can supply it myself I would be happy to make you the best offer I can or find you one/help you buy elsewhere.

 

Hi, Woodzstack, forgive me that I was eager to order it from Eurocom last week.

 

No worries, happens. Maybe on the next one I make you a deal instead, and save you some money.

Cheers man !