New Gaming Laptop HELP!... MSI GT70 Dominator vs. Sager NP9377 (Clevo P377SM-A)

[A_ST0RMTROOP3R]

So I have decided to go with XOTICPC for my first Gaming laptop. I have been a console gamer for some time and am not impressed with where the new systems are going. I am trying to make this a really decent laptop that will play the latest games and last a long time. I have asked the people at XoticPC and wanted to get a second opinion on what system I should go with. Any feedback would be helpful. I will list the builds I am looking at below. I am trying to stay between $1500-$2000 but it seems that if I want an SSD i will need to spend a bit more. Thanks in advance!

MSI GT70 Dominator-895
- 17.3" FHD 16:9 "Matte Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Matte Screen (1920x1080)

- 4th Generation Intel® Haswell Core™ i7-4800MQ (2.7GHz - 3.7GHz, 6MB Intel® Smart Cache) (SKU – CPU001)

- NVIDIA® GeForce™ GTX 870M (3.0GB) GDDR5 PCI-Express DX11 w/ Optimus™ Technology

- 12GB DDR3 1600MHz [SKU-41814ZP] (Dual Channel Memory (1x4GB + 1x8GB SODIMMS))

- 250GB Samsung 840 Evo SSD (Read 540MB/s - Write 520MB/s (SSD2 - SATA III)) (SKU – SSD016)

- 1TB 7200RPM (SATA III - 6GB/s) (SKU - HDD005)

- 8x Super Multi DVDRW/CDRW Combo Drive (Dual Layer w/ Software) (SKU - ODD001)

- Bigfoot Networks Killer™ Dual Band Wireless-N 1202 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module + Bluetooth 4.0 | Up to 300Mbps (2x2) - Default (SKU - WIFI14)

- Internal 3-in-1 Card Reader (SD/SDHC/SDXC)

- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included

- WINDOWS 8.1 - 64-Bit (Pre-Installed)

Price - $1,672.00

Sager NP9377 (Clevo P377SM-A) - ETA: April

- 17.3" FHD 16:9 "Matte Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Anti-Glare Screen (1920x1080) (SKU - SSC002)

- Sager - 4th Generation Intel® Haswell Core™ i7-4810MQ (2.8GHz - 3.8GHz, 6MB Intel® Smart Cache) (SKU – SPU401)

- SLI (2x) - NVIDIA® GeForce™ GTX 860M (8.0GB total) GDDR5 PCI-Express DX11 [User Upgradeable] (SKU – GPU08X)

- 12GB DDR3 1600MHz [3x4GB] Dual Channel Memory (SKU - RAM03S)

- 240GB Crucial M5 mSATA SSD - Preconfigured as an OS Drive ( Operating System – Drive C: )

- 750GB 7200RPM [SATA II - 16MB Cache] (SKU - HDD099)

- 8X Super Multi DVDRW/CDRW Combo Drive (Sager) (Dual Layer w/ Software)

- Sager - Built-in 802.11 Wireless B/G/N - Stock Wireless Card + Bluetooth™ 4.0 (SKU - WIFI99)

- Internal 9-in-1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD/Mini SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS/MS Pro/MS Duo)

- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included

- Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)

- ~Windows 8.1 - 64-Bit (64-Bit CD Included) + MS Office 2013 Trial

Price - $2,004.00

​So there they are. Like I said any input would be helpful.

 

[A_ST0RMTROOP3R]

I'd avoid SLI if you can, and I have had terrible luck with Sager products in the past.

Keep in mind though you could get an 880M rig with the thermal paste upgrade already done in the GT70 Dominator Pro-889.

I was under the impression that SLI would be more powerful? Is that a wrong assumption? I even looked up some reviews and they seemed to lean toward dual GPU in SLI...Hmm
Also I have looked at the pro versions and I think they will be a little out of my price range.

 

[A_ST0RMTROOP3R]

I'd avoid SLI if you can, and I have had terrible luck with Sager products in the past.

Keep in mind though you could get an 880M rig with the thermal paste upgrade already done in the GT70 Dominator Pro-889.

I was under the impression that SLI would be more powerful? Is that a wrong assumption? I even looked up some reviews and they seemed to lean toward dual GPU in SLI...Hmm
Also I have looked at the pro versions and I think they will be a little out of my price range.

Oh it's more powerful. But some games don't support multiple GPU's, some have bugs that specifically effect people with SLI, SLI consumes a redic amount of power, and it generates a lot of heat.

Quality of life is so much higher with a single GPU. Either way though, if you're going to game for a long time, I'd invest in a good cooling pad.

Good tip I will take that into consideration for sure!

 

[A_ST0RMTROOP3R]

So I have talked to a few more people and some seem to love MSI and some seem to have major problems with them? I have heard the MSI boards have Voltage issues? Maybe this was a past issue and they have fixed it with the new models? This is troubling when I will be spending close to $2000 on a machine I want to last for a few years. I also keep getting mixed reviews on the single GPU vs. Dual GPU in SLI.

 

[A_ST0RMTROOP3R]

Yeah I think I will stick with a single GPU. Probably the NVIDIA GTX 880M 8GB. Anyone heard if the CyberpowerPC FANGBOOK EVO HX7-300 GAMING NOTEBOOK is a good one?

 

[A_ST0RMTROOP3R]

Nothing by Cyberpower is good.

Haha ok. Yeah i was reading reviews on their site and they seemed not that great. I think I will stick with XoticPC.

 

[deadsmiley]

CyberpowerPC FANGBOOK EVO HX7-300 is based on the MSI GT70.

I own neither the MSI or the Sager. That being said, the Sager will give you more options if you want to expand it or upgrade it in the future. If not, you will still have a good system. The NP9377 (Clevo P377-A) is the third generation of this chassis. It's a proven design.

Check out:
http://www.notebookcheck.com/Top-10-Gaming-Notebooks-im-Test-bei-Notebookcheck.91065.0.html

You will see that Clevo (which is the barebones maker for many resellers, including Sager) has 4 units in the top 10 gaming laptop spots. You don't get that honor if you are producing junk.

Number 1 and 3 are Alienware laptops.

 

[A_ST0RMTROOP3R]

CyberpowerPC FANGBOOK EVO HX7-300 is based on the MSI GT70.

I own neither the MSI or the Sager. That being said, the Sager will give you more options if you want to expand it or upgrade it in the future. If not, you will still have a good system. The NP9377 (Clevo P377-A) is the third generation of this chassis. It's a proven design.

Check out:
http://www.notebookcheck.com/Top-10-Gaming-Notebooks-im-Test-bei-Notebookcheck.91065.0.html

You will see that Clevo (which is the barebones maker for many resellers, including Sager) has 4 units in the top 10 gaming laptop spots. You don't get that honor if you are producing junk.

Number 1 and 3 are Alienware laptops.

The fact that 1 and 3 are Alienware laptops should be a big red flag in the BS department. The reviews are for initial judgement of performance and features. Reliability and consistency take no part in the review. Alienware is not known for making really durable and reliable machines. I have 2 friends with Alienware laptops. Both have had a lot of issues with them.

MSI has plenty of room for upgrades, and their builds are very strong.

I ended up going with the MSI GT70 Dominator Pro with the GTX880m. It should be here tomorrow. I will update on how amazing it is!

 

[A_ST0RMTROOP3R]

I finally received my MSI GT70 DominatorPro! I am not dissapointed! Here are the 3d Mark Scores! Pretty Impressive.
http://s11.photobucket.com/user/shane_hille21/library/MSI%20GT70%20DominatorPro

 

[Websterz]

I've been following your thread and your choices matched my own comparisons. Going to order that MSI today! Thanks to all for the useful feedback.

I finally received my MSI GT70 DominatorPro! I am not dissapointed! Here are the 3d Mark Scores! Pretty Impressive.
http://s11.photobucket.com/user/shane_hille21/library/MSI%20GT70%20DominatorPro

 

[EVOLiTiLE]

I have gone through Xoticpc in the past, for my first Gaming Laptop (MSI GT660R). Prior I was desktop all the way. But, due to a new job, I wanted to be able to game whilst on travel. Xoticpc customer service was great. Though I only needed to deal with them once, it was a good experience.
My laptop, is also very good. The MSI GT660R was one of, if not the best on the market at the time, when I bought it. And, to this day, i have never had a single issue. I am still on it currently. I can still play almost any game with no issues. I am also looking to upgrade. Though I am contemplating whether or not to get a desktop, or another laptop. If I do decide to get another laptop, then I will definitely use Xoticpc again. And, since I never had a single problem with MSI, I would go for one of their models over any other.
I think you made a Fantastic choice with the MSI GT70 DominatorPro.
Welcome to PC Gaming, where gaming is at it's finest.
Have a fantastic time with your new toy!