x17 vs Desktop

You're going to get more for your money in terms of performance with a desktop when compared to a laptop. However, a laptop isn't that much slower and is portable. I'm not sure what specific questions you had between the two?

Specifications:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Black OPS Enix Edition
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7 2700K 3.50 GHz (Unlocked CPU for Extreme Overclocking) (Quad Core) <b></b>
Motherboard: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 (Intel Z77 Chipset) (Features Thermal Armor and Thermal Radar) <b></b>
System Memory: 16GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested) <b></b>
Power Supply: 800W Corsair GS (Dual SLI Compatible)
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (500GB Solid State Hybrid (By: Seagate) (7200 RPM) (Delivers SSD-like Performance) <b></b>
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x) (Slim Slot Loading Edition)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: !PROMOTION: Killer 2100 (Optimized for Online Gaming) Lag and Latency Reduction <b></b>
Video Card: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 1.5GB (Includes PhysX) (Overclocked EVGA 015-P3-1582-BR)
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Professional <b></b>
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Digital Storm Vortex 240mm Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler (Extreme-Performance Edition) <b></b>
H20 Tube Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a FrostChill or Sub-Zero LCS Cooling System Selected
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: - No Thanks
Enhancements: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
LaserMark: - No Thanks
Boost Processor: Stage 2: Overclock CPU 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz (Requires Pro/Deluxe/Sabertooth Motherboard) <b></b>
Boost Video Card: FREE: Yes, Overclock the video card(s) as much as possible with complete stability <b></b>
Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
Boost OS: FREE: Yes, Disable and tweak all of the non-crucial services on the operating system <b></b>
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition)
Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows 7 CD)
Virus Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
Game: - No Thanks
Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
External Storage: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: FREE: Digital Storm T-Shirt - Black (Extra Large) <b></b>
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 10-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: Life-time Expert Customer Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty


2499$ total. Monitor/keyboard and mouse are more, but fit my budget.

My concern is cooling for the desktop(any). I want something that will last, upgrades come 2nd priority really, but it will be nice to have.

Also, GTX580 vs the 7970m, hows each compare. Im reading up a lot on both, but want DS community input on it(personal use etc)My budget seems to put me at the 580 for desktops no matter what, I want/need the audio card and network car, dont really know what else I could sacrifice to upgrade the card for the desktop. Laptop is pretty much straight forward, so thats why im set on that really, just want to find the desktop version to see how much more I can get outa it

thanks for the input. I did some other builds, and came to the conclusion that the HafX case was better for me, and just plain better for what I want.

Processor wise, 20$, I can live with, I wan just penny pinching to see what I could get out of it.

Great info for the gpu and cpu cooler. Saving money and getting better is always a plus.

In total, those tips saves 105$, so not bad at all.

Overall, I loose the SSD from going with the desktop over the x17 laptop. I gain a fair amount or power, bigger screen, better gaming keyboard etc.

How much more will I gain from the desktop vs the laptop? At first, it looked like id be at home 99% of the time to game, now it looks like I might travel more, but thats not set in stone, and even then, I can always pack the desktop up in the car. As far as upgrading in the future, it will help, but both systems to be set for some time. Seems I can upgrade the x17 GPU wise, cpu I cant confirm yet. It helps asking questions, ive been gaming for some time, but have pretty much bought decent pre built systems that didnt last all to long, but were not bad for the price etc. Last time I built a pc, was when the 8800s were released, and that was a waste of money and time for me

yea, np, thanks for the help

If they compare to a certain level, then ill lean towards the x17 more, since im use to laptops, and I can trav el with it easier. But if the desktop just blows it away performance wise, then ill have to take it and enjoy it just as much.

Thanks again

Siikzhot- Thanks for the info. Games will range, just about everything, but for no, D3, WoW, Minecraft, Firefall, BF3, MW3, Borderlands 1 & 2, Torchlight 1 $ 2, LoL, NFS series, and other steam games.

If i go with the x17, ill be getting the 7970m gpu. As far as price, with others help, the desktop would be the gtx 670, 3770k cpu, and supporting mods. I understand with a desktop, ill be able to upgrade easier, but its gonna cost slightly more right now, since ill need a monitor and keyboard as well. I feel with the x17, im within my budget, get a little bit more right now, but will struggle with it in the future. How soon, I personally dont know, but I feel if my old Toshiba laptop with the 560m got me just under 2 yrs of what I wanted (little less then what I plan to do with this current computer)I should be fine. That laptop was a beast, 18.4in brick, but I liked it for how cheap it was. I sold it for 200 less then what I bought it for, but had extras (keyboard, monitor, mouse, etc) so not a bad deal at all.

All in all, i think im sold on the x17. With the setup I linked in post #1, ill add a blue ray player, and call it that. In total, ill have 1tb oh hd space and 360gb of SSD space, so all my games will be on a SSD for some performance gain, load times etc. Ill play max settings when I can, but as long as its playable, and able to stream to my viewers np, I should be fine. With this, I feel like im within that limits of what I want and my budget, cant wait to order this this weekend.

Ill post a review when I get it, with full details of how the camera works to the new amd 7970 gpu. Thanks for all the help

My laptop build (x17) is about exactly the same as yours. I have the 675m instead of the Radeon (got the laptop before they offered it) and I have the 750GB hybrid drive. Other than that, we have the same stuff.  

Originally posted by redkulaid Yea, I ordered the x17 above with a blu ray reader, thats the only difference in the final buildl.

I will say, im a little disappointed that the x17 does not come with a free shirt, or a certificate from DS. I paid the same price(less building really) and didnt get these two perks. Oh well.

Found blu ray software, so im set on that. I was gonna call and just do the DVD burner and save the 78$, but I already have the software I need, and really, Im sure ill use it sooner or later.

Its gonna arrive a day early! I was stalking fed ex and did a track of it just now, and its gonna be out for delivery a day early. Ill have a detailed review on it tomorrow. Thanks