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    *** Official Clevo P170EM / Sager NP9170 Owner's Lounge ***

    Discussion in 'Sager/Clevo Reviews & Owners' Lounges' started by Ryan, Apr 7, 2012.

  1. Unnatural

    Unnatural Notebook Enthusiast

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    Merry Christmas :D
     
  2. eastx

    eastx Notebook Geek

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    My NP9170 started production today at Xotic. I can't wait to retire my trusty old NP5796. :)
     
  3. praetorianx

    praetorianx Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm really curious about noise levels comparing to Asus G73/74/75
     
  4. nevertree

    nevertree Notebook Guru

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    I wouldn't be able to tell you about comparison with the Asus, but I will review and give honest noise level opinion when I receive my comp. :D

    I did get the ICD 7 upgrade (it was a free discount) so it will be a upgraded thermal paste bias to fan speed/heat.
     
  5. praetorianx

    praetorianx Notebook Evangelist

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    Waiting patiently
     
  6. nevertree

    nevertree Notebook Guru

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    lol aren't we all :D I should get my comp sometime next week if there are no delays in production. I should have my review up by next Sunday (not this Sunday of course).
     
  7. fantomasz

    fantomasz Notebook Deity

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    me to
    i want replace my g73
     
  8. Networkgamer

    Networkgamer Notebook Consultant

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    Im very much considering a Sager NP9170/Clevo P170EM for my next laptop. In short, Im in school for game design and want to continue on, either a game design program, or computer science/graphic design somewhere, not sure what. Anyway, with my current rig, a few of its shortcomings are coming to bite me now, particularly for graphic work.

    So the config Ive come up with after a lot of research as of late is:

    i7 2960xm, mainly for maya and to last what time it can. Also interested in overclocking more, want more experience.

    32gb 1600 because of the graphic work, Photoshop in combination with maya is eating up all I through at it, so seems most beneficial to get it off the bat. Im ordering from Xotic pc, and would do 1333, but 1600 is only option.

    Stock dvd and wireless

    No OS, school msdn allows me a win7 pro license

    Gtx 675 again, mildly beneficial in general, and I would think can allow for a good amount of life as far as school goes.

    dual 750gb 7200rpm in raid 0 because I already do all my backups on externals, so redundancy isnt necessary. I need all the storage I can get as it is too.
    3 year warranty for safe of mind, know it can be of huge benefit.

    IC Diamond paste for the benefits it can bring.

    Cash discount brings it to $2932.32, which leaves some headroom for my budget.

    Beyond anything up there (wanted to save space) any other pointers for what I could do to improve it within reason?
     
  9. praetorianx

    praetorianx Notebook Evangelist

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    Wait for Ivy Bridge on 29th.

    Nice budget BTW)
     
  10. Networkgamer

    Networkgamer Notebook Consultant

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    Im not too worried about Ivy Bridge just yet, although Ill be open to upgrading if I see big performance benefits besides in the iGP. The most I see is in the graphics department, which I see as fairly irrelevant in my situation.
     
  11. praetorianx

    praetorianx Notebook Evangelist

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    You can also opt for SSD instead of optical drive. Oh, and 680M comes out this summer, not sure though if we can upgrade..
     
  12. Networkgamer

    Networkgamer Notebook Consultant

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    Id want to wait on the 680m, just because the differences in the desktop Keplar core from Fermi and the mobile variants seem a lot different, mainly the mobile Keplar core has just as many cuda cores as Fermi. As far as memory & bandwidth I wont be doing much at all above 1080p, so 2gb seems plenty at the bandwidth the 675m has.
     
  13. Networkgamer

    Networkgamer Notebook Consultant

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    As for a ssd, I just cant much justify the price for the performance vs the storage. Apps start up and load fine for me as it is, so I imagine going to raid 0 7200rpm drives will be plenty, and Id prefer the ODD, although depending on how things are with the apps I use and a ssd I might look into it.
     
  14. jaug1337

    jaug1337 de_dust2

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    Why not get two "cheap" SSD's and pair them up, works perfectly.
     
  15. Heihachi_1337

    Heihachi_1337 Notebook Deity

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    Honestly, you really won't notice much difference going to RAID 0 from a single HDD.

    I can't blame you for foregoing an SSD at this time, but you can always watch prices on some builder sites like newegg to see if they run any special sales again on SSDs that might be within a more reasonable price range for you.

    One thing I can say, once you go SSD you don't want to go back to HDD. :D
     
  16. Networkgamer

    Networkgamer Notebook Consultant

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    I would if it wasnt for my storage needs. Im never home or in 1 spot enough to even consider a desktop, so my laptop has all my stuff, so 2 traditional hard drives are crucial. I might consider a ssd in the optical bay if I can find good convincing articles that itll be that much more beneficial.
     
  17. Networkgamer

    Networkgamer Notebook Consultant

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    How would the Intel 310 ssd do in the mSata slot as far as crucial apps + os?
     
  18. Jere726

    Jere726 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Does anyone know if this laptop comes with the SATA connectors needed to install another drive? Also, the SSD should be put into the primary drive correct?
     
  19. Networkgamer

    Networkgamer Notebook Consultant

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    I havent dealt with a ssd yet but I recall it going in the primary drive, especially if you wanna use it for c:\. It has the sata connectors and all, but Im not sure if it requires/comes with a caddy or 2.
     
  20. Heihachi_1337

    Heihachi_1337 Notebook Deity

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    I believe it did come with some screws and pads for the 2nd HDD if that is what you are asking about.

    Both the main HDD and secondary HDD bays have the SATA connectors already built in.

    If you are looking to install a 3rd HDD, you will need to get a HDD caddy to install one in the ODD bay.

    Also, please bear in mind that these laptops do also offer an mSATA slot as well for an mSATA SSD. They are a bit on the pricey side though. :eek:
    Theoretically, you could have 4 SS/HD drives installed in this machine if you really wanted to do so.
     
  21. Jere726

    Jere726 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yeah this is more of a general SS/HD question, was wondering if I could configure it with an HDD in the primary bay and put in my own SSD as the boot drive in the secondary bay or if I should switch them so the SSD is in the primary bay. Are both the bays 6gbs? If so the speeds should be the same regardless of which one the SSD is in correct? Sorry if this is too off-topic.
     
  22. Donald@Paladin44

    Donald@Paladin44 Retired

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    There really is no 'primary' bay and 'secondary' bay, there are just two SATA III ports, numbered 0 & 1. It doesn't matter which physical bay your boot drive is in.
     
  23. Networkgamer

    Networkgamer Notebook Consultant

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    How beneficial would it be to have an 80gb Intel 310 ssd in the mSata slot configured to boot from? From what I hear it has good read speeds but only decent writes.
     
  24. Anthony@MALIBAL

    Anthony@MALIBAL Company Representative

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    It's a great little drive, I've used them in the past. If you're using it in combination with a standard HDD, it's going to be a decent boost in performance without requiring a full drive bay. However, you're right in that it's got relatively low read/write speeds. It looks even worse if you compare it to a SATA III SSD.

    Intel 310 80GB mSATA
    200Mb/s Read
    70Mb/s Write (the 40GB version has half the write speed)

    Any typical SATA III drive
    500Mb/s Read
    500Mb/s Write
     
  25. Networkgamer

    Networkgamer Notebook Consultant

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    Ok, from what Ive read I dont think itd be of too much use for me, in particular those speeds. But thanks! I may just consider a ssd in the optical bay
     
  26. Networkgamer

    Networkgamer Notebook Consultant

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    Im now reading about the display choices for the NP9170 and in particular, the color gamut. Would the 90% color gamut option make that much of a different for say maya, photoshop + unity, or does the gamut apply more towards graphic arts than game design related utilities? If Im making any sense.

    Would anyone recommend the 90% color gamut screen, and for what reasons?
     
  27. Support.3@XOTIC PC

    Support.3@XOTIC PC Company Representative

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    The 90% gamut screen will benefit you in photoshop for sure. The stock screens are 60% gamut so getting the extra 30% of the NTSC color spectrum is going to get you better color representation.
     
  28. awakeN

    awakeN Notebook Deity

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    Oh good, so that means I might be able to purchase a laptop with a 500 GB 7200rpm in the 0 port, and then later in the future get an SSD, install it in the "1" port, and then install windows on that and boot up from there?
     
  29. nevertree

    nevertree Notebook Guru

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    Yessir!!!!!!
     
  30. Noname4485

    Noname4485 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Got mine today! Was quite the surprise I got it before it even said it had been shipped :p
     
  31. praetorianx

    praetorianx Notebook Evangelist

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    Come on man! Tell us EVERYTHING!!!! Is it loud? How is keyboard and overall build quality?
     
  32. Jere726

    Jere726 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm interested in how hot this laptop gets under load, one of the main praises over in the Asus forum is how cool their laptops stay. I still think I would take a 675m over the 660/670m Asus regardless of heat, as long as we aren't talking face melting hot.
     
  33. awakeN

    awakeN Notebook Deity

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    Also, can I enable RAID 0 after I get an SSD (probably will get one when the SSD prices drop)?
     
  34. Keyster86

    Keyster86 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok I am a noob, so I appologize for any stupid questions. I am curious though what CPU socket this NP9170 has? I am assuming a FCPGA988, but I am not sure.

    Also, any recommendations on a site (or sites) on where to buy the new 3rd Gen CPU's once they are released?

    EDIT: Btw, I went with Xotic PC when purchasing this system. I've got to say I love the customer service that Hutsady and Xotic PC team provides! Absolutely recommend them to everyone!
    ___________________________
    Ordered

    Sager NP9170

    i7-2670QM | GTX 675M 2,048MB | 8GB DDR3 1333MHz | 80GB Intel 310 Series mSATA SSD - Preconfigured as an OS Drive | Display: 17.3" FHD 16:9 "Matte Type" w/ 72% NTSC Color Gamut (1920x1080) | 500GB 7200RPM (but ordered two 240GB OCZ Agility 3 SSD's) | 6X Blu-Ray Burner | Intel Advanced-N 6235 | Windows 7 Pro
     
  35. Mariusbinx

    Mariusbinx Notebook Guru

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    Correct me if I am wrong, but it looks like Malibal is offering this laptop with up to two hard drives, and three if you sacrifice the optical bay.

    While Mythlogic is offering three harddrives plus the optical bay.

    What am I reading wrong?

    Sorry for the very noobish question.
    I'm thinking of getting this laptop since the P270WM seems to be dead in the water for now.
     
  36. Keyster86

    Keyster86 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Theoretically, you could have up to 4 drives in this laptop. By that I mean, if one counts the mSata (1), along with the primary (2) and secondary (3) drive bays, and then sacrificing the ODD and using a caddy to put in another hard drive (4).

    So with Mythlogic offering 3 and the ODD. I am betting he is counting the mSata, plus primary and secondary drives all together. Hope that makes sense.

    ___________________________
    Ordered

    Sager NP9170

    i7-2670QM | GTX 675M 2,048MB | 8GB DDR3 1333MHz | 80GB Intel 310 Series mSATA SSD - Preconfigured as an OS Drive | Display: 17.3" FHD 16:9 "Matte Type" w/ 72% NTSC Color Gamut (1920x1080) | 500GB 7200RPM (but ordered two 240GB OCZ Agility 3 SSD's) | 6X Blu-Ray Burner | Intel Advanced-N 6235 | Windows 7 Pro
     
  37. Mariusbinx

    Mariusbinx Notebook Guru

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    The mSata is listed separately.

    I am going to assume that "hard drive 3" is only a viable option if you select no ODD. Since the Mythlogic website doesn't seem be able able to limit/extend options based on previous selections. If I chose an ODD, and then three more HDDs, I'd probably just get a call/email explaining why I can actually only get two HDDs, unless I want an mSata drive or sacrifice the ODD.

    That's what I'm assuming now.
     
  38. Donald@Paladin44

    Donald@Paladin44 Retired

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    That would be correct. Just as keyster86 said, you can have one mSATA, 2 mechanical or SSD's in the HDD bays, and the 4th would have to go in the caddy for the Optical Bay.
     
  39. praetorianx

    praetorianx Notebook Evangelist

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    You better talk soon :mad:
     
  40. praetorianx

    praetorianx Notebook Evangelist

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    Friend of mine ordered G73 for me back in 2010 thru Xoticpc. I was in Europe at the time, so I asked him to order it and ship it to me. Got the system with 2HD's , It came with 4 premade by someone partitions, GSOD's, and the left palm rest had signs of wear, which means - someone bought it before, used it, returned it, and they gladly shipped it to me. And like a said, I was in Europe when I realized it, so I had no desire to waste my time to complain/exchange, so I just had to sell it. And since then - no Xotic for me plz...
     
  41. Noname4485

    Noname4485 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well so far its working pretty well, the keyboard is fine with me and it not making that much noise(at least not enough to be noticeable) I cant even hear the fans, but I have yet to play anything under heavy load because I spent the better part of yesterday working installing windows. The sounds is nice as well, optimus is working pretty well haven't had any problems with it so far. No dead pixels, drivers installed fine, im enjoying having a back light keyboard spent about thirty minutes just messing with it!But anythgin better then my old laptop which as unmovable and I could not even close the screen, so far im more then happy with it~
     
  42. praetorianx

    praetorianx Notebook Evangelist

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    You've got one with 675m? Do you have BF3?
     
  43. Keyster86

    Keyster86 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ahh sounds rough, sorry that happened to you. Given that this NP9170 is just recently released, I doubt there will be a chance that the new laptop I get will have had enough time to be shipped to someone else, then returned and then shipped to me. So I am fairly confident my case won't be similar to yours. But in the event it is, even with me being over here in Afghanistan, let it be known I have no problem raising the issue and taking my happy butt down to the post office to return it if need be. I doubt it will need to come to that though, imho. The level and degree of customer service I have received from Hutsady the the Xotic PC team is paramount. In fact, it surprised me how customer friendly and helpful they are when it comes to answering my questions. Also, I've read quite a few posts from others stating how much others like Xotic PC also and how good they are for buying gaming laptops, so I plan to take my chances with them based on those reviews.

    Also, I like how they offer a military discount! :D

    ___________________________
    Ordered

    Sager NP9170

    i7-2670QM | GTX 675M 2,048MB | 8GB DDR3 1333MHz | 80GB Intel 310 Series mSATA SSD - Preconfigured as an OS Drive | Display: 17.3" FHD 16:9 "Matte Type" w/ 72% NTSC Color Gamut (1920x1080) | 500GB 7200RPM (but ordered two 240GB OCZ Agility 3 SSD's) | 6X Blu-Ray Burner | Intel Advanced-N 6235 | Windows 7 Pro
     
  44. praetorianx

    praetorianx Notebook Evangelist

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    Well, if you are in the military, then shipping back if something is wrong shouldn't be an issue . And I'm not saying that they are bad. There was too much hype around new G-series back then, and somehow, it happened. And since I'm again out of US and will have to go thru the same process with my buddy - I don't want to push my luck again.

    Be safe over there man.
     
  45. Noname4485

    Noname4485 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I dont have BF3 I might get it though would be a good game to test it out! Any other ideas for good games I haven't been able to play any new one in so long lol
     
  46. awakeN

    awakeN Notebook Deity

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    Is the P170EM a boulder to carry around?
     
  47. praetorianx

    praetorianx Notebook Evangelist

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    Starcraft II, Max Payne 3 in May. Did you test it with anything yet? Furmark?
     
  48. Keyster86

    Keyster86 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've heard Crysis 1 (with mods) and Crysis 2 are pretty demanding on graphics. Same goes for Metro 2033. I am personally going with Metro 2033, BF3, Final Fantasy 14, and Diablo 3 (once it's released next month) for my new NP9170 laptop. That should keep me busy for awhile! :D

    ___________________________
    Ordered

    Sager NP9170

    i7-2670QM | GTX 675M 2,048MB | 8GB DDR3 1333MHz | 80GB Intel 310 Series mSATA SSD - Preconfigured as an OS Drive | Display: 17.3" FHD 16:9 "Matte Type" w/ 72% NTSC Color Gamut (1920x1080) | 500GB 7200RPM (but ordered two 240GB OCZ Agility 3 SSD's) | 6X Blu-Ray Burner | Intel Advanced-N 6235 | Windows 7 Pro
     
  49. Noname4485

    Noname4485 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Im going to be playing FF14 as well, just have to find the disk for it!
     
  50. Jere726

    Jere726 Notebook Enthusiast

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    FF14 is what ruined my current crappy laptop. OC'ed my gpu and was barely able to play. Now the gpu gets up to 70 C just on idle if I don't have my massive cooling pad under it. The 675m should run it great, once 2.0 comes out I'll probably get back into it. But alas, this isn't a FF14 thread :D
     
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