looking to invest in a Vortex II 17

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DirtyBaz1

Member
Looking to treat myself to a new 17.3" laptop for gaming and video projects.

Wanted to ask the forum for advise on current specs i have selected.

Chassis and Display: Vortex II 17.3" Glossy full HD LED (1920 x 1080)
Processor: Core I7-2760QM (2.40GHz) 6MB
Memory: 16GB Samsung DDR3
GPU: 2GB GTX580M
Hard Disk: 2 x 500GB Scorpio Black in Raid 0
Optical drive: Sony Blu-ray writer

Arctic MX-4 thermal paste

With delivery/Build Options.....£1793 a shade over my £1700 initial budget.

any advice on what can be shaved off to reduce the price without effecting performance would be a great help.

Cheers
 
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AndyL

Well-known member
I have the same laptop with the same CPU, GPU, RAM configuration and let me tell you its an absolute beast. If your interested then this is a link to my review here
 
PCS

PCS

Administrator
Staff member
Welcome to our forums :)

You can easily get away with 8GB RMA instead of 16GB and perhaps consider just 1 x HDD as RAID 0 does not increase performance by that much.
 
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LightningMat

Active member
Looks like a great spec to me :)

Personally I would keep the 16Gb RAM but drop the RAID 0 config (I had a bad experience with 2xHDD's set up in a RAID 0 config a number of years ago - Recovering from issues in a RAID 0 setup is a nightmare). You could keep the two 500Gb drives for 1Tb total if you want/need the storage space. If you really want to see a performance uplift, consider an SSD (although this will of course come at a cost, but you can go for a 'smaller' SSD for OS and those programmes/games you want to run fast and a larger HDD for general storage).
 
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DirtyBaz1

Member
Any advice on the GPU....been reading a lot of comparisons between the 580m and the 6990m and i have to be honest.....i am having trouble deciding between the two of them.....any thoughts?

Price difference is pretty significant
 
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Tehmoe

Gold Level Poster
I think the 6990m is a lot cheaper and only 5% slower compare to the 580m, some what of a premium if you ask me.

I would recommend something like this still get to keep your 16gb ram, 6990, a SSD and still comes out cheaper

Chassis & Display
Vortex II: 17.3" Glossy Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-2760QM (2.40GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM)
16GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (4 x 4GB)
Graphics Card
2GB AMD® Radeon® HD 6990M - DirectX® 11 (17.3" Vortex II)
Memory - Hard Disk
120GB KINGSTON HYPERX SSD, SATA 6 Gb/s (upto 555MB/sR | 510MB/sW)
2nd Hard Disk
500GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD5000BPKT, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND (£9)
Sound Card
Intel 5.1 Channel High Definition Audio + SPDIF/MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS 802.11N CARD INC. BLUETOOTH 3.0
USB Options
2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS AS STANDARD
Battery
Vortex Series 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (5,200 mAh/76.96WH)
Power Lead & Adaptor
1 x UK Power Lead & 220W AC Adaptor
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
FREE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel)
Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)
Insurance
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 5 to 7 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £1,585.00 including VAT and delivery.

Configure Here: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/vortexII-17/
 
K

Kurenin

Member
I would ask you if you really need a laptop - you could get a really exceptional desktop for this price and a 17" laptop will not be very portable.
 
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AndyL

Well-known member
If you are going to be creating HDvideo projects then I would keep the 16GB of RAM. One thing to note is that IMO the GTX580M seems to run alot cooler than the 6990M (I came to this conclusion from comparing the temps of my GTX580M and those of other peoples 6990M's on the NBR forum).


Kurenin said:
I would ask you if you really need a laptop - you could get a really exceptional desktop for this price and a 17" laptop will not be very portable.
Click to expand...

I disagree, the Vortex 17" isnt that big or bad to transport in a rucksack/laptop bag, the Viper on the other hand is a monster.
 
Music Guy123

Music Guy123

Prolific Poster
I'd agree, I currently have a 17.3" and although big, it is still easily portable. The only drawback is that it doesn't fit into many bags but I have found a decent case/sleeve that provides more than enough protection. I'd get a viper if I could afford it, but I am sure you won't have any problem with this laptop. Enjoy it, it won't dissapoint you.
 
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DirtyBaz1

Member
Have a desktop, great when i am in the house. Spend quite a bit of time away from home....so something kind of portable is exactly what i am after.
 
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AndyL

Well-known member
DirtyBaz1 said:
Have a desktop, great when i am in the house. Spend quite a bit of time away from home....so something kind of portable is exactly what i am after.
Click to expand...

either the 17" or the 15" will suit you then, as long as your not thinking of running a marathon whilst carrying it ;)
 
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DirtyBaz1

Member
Thats her ordered......now i get to sit and wait while struggling with a gamut of emotions

Buyers remorse...
Frustration....

and finally Euphoria......cant wait!!
 
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DirtyBaz1

Member
Unfortunately i have to wait....new machine is in sunny aberdeen....just cant get a hold of it until monday.......*sigh*

Unbelievable service so far from PCS....will post a review/my experience with the new machine soon......
 
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