Gaming laptop - MSI v Sager v Scan 3XS

[Travercraig]

Right so I asked a question yesterday with a much bigger list of laptops. The answers I got from that left me to eliminate the majority of that list, leaving these 3 as my final decision.

 

So I'll list the 3:

 

1: 3XS LG15 Vengeance

 

http://www.scan.co.uk/3xs/configurator/thin-and-light-gaming-laptop-geforce-gsync-intel-skylake-15in

 

Advantages: Choice of GPU either GTX 970M 6GB or 980M 8GB and other customisation options.

 

Disadvantages: Very little to no information about cooling, build quality etc.

 

2: GE62 6QF Apache Pro

 

http://gaming.msi.com/products/notebook/ge-series?id=3541

 

Advantages: Bascilly everything (almost)

 

Disadvantages: An inferior GPU 970M 3GB rarther than using 6GB VRAM. Also not 100% sure on cooling and build quality, I've heard MSI have poor quality control.

 

3: Sager NP8658-S Notebook

 

http://www.sagernotebook.com/Gaming-Notebook-NP8658-S.html

 

Advantages: Pretty much perfect. A full 980M 8GB for a simular price to both the others which have 970M's. I did the calculation: $1900 is the same as £1255. Which is about the same as the other two.

 

Disadvantages: I can't find a single UK retailer. Is this possible with these laptops? Also can these laptops come with a British / UK keyboard?

 

These are the three I have selected as my final choice, I've listed the advantages and disadvantages that are important to me. Now it's over to you guys to feed me opinions and expertise. I'd like to know which has the best build quality, best cooling mainly.

 

And if anyone can tell me if i can buy that Sager laptop with a british keyboard and through a UK retailer please let me know. Thanks all.

 

 

 

 

 

[PlayStation 2]

Just go MSI. We're implying that the 970M will take advantage of 6GB of VRAM.

[crystal6tak]

snip*

Well your in luck. I actually did do some research on this a while back.

 

What you're actually looking for, is the Clevo P670RG. Everything else are just rebrands. So, don't get mixed up haha. Clevo makes them, and everyone else just resales them under different names.

 

Here is a link to all european union resellers of clevo stuff

 

If my research from months back still holds true, this is the only place I found the clevo p670rg at a reasonable price. The cost is in polish zt and the site is in polish. I contacted them a while back and those dude know english! So working with them should be no problem. Pretty sure they ship to UK since it's within the EU, although contact and ask them just to make sure. Again though, this was from months back. I literally went through every single resaler on the notebookcheck link and found the xtreem one to cost the least. Although that may change so feel free to go through the list in your leisure.

 

If you don't want to go through everything, XMG/schenker/mysn/whateverthehecktheycallthemselves are perphaps one of THE most reputable resaler. From the pricing it seems they do carry a premium, but I guess that's for the good support? I donno.

 

And I do believe you made a nice choice. I was right on the edge of purchasing that laptop, before concluding a desktop would make more sense to me. By the way, remember to get the G-Sync monitored variant. For some reason, that upgrade don't cost much and would help your gaming experience by A LOT. So get that. Hope you enjoy your new laptop! And be sure to make a review of it, reviews of that specific clevo laptop is scarce for some reason lol, despite being, what I believe, to be one of the best gaming laptops out there.

[exercutor5]

snip

 

So the Scan one and the Sager one are actually the same, as you might have already guessed by now, here's some UK Clevo resellers

 

http://mysn.co.uk/shop/xmg-p506-gaminglaptop.html

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/defianceII-15/  (No G-Sync for this one tho)

http://www.novatech.co.uk/modifier.html?s=NNB-B71

http://www.chillblast.com/pconf.php?productid=21067  (Not sure whether there is G-Sync for this one)

[Jeneral]

I have the GE62 Apache Pro. highly recommend it. mine doesn't get hot at all. Has a plastic bottom with a ton of vents so that helps a ton. Feels really sturdy. I absolutely love mine. I personally find it slightly heavy (110lb girl). 

 

On the msi website you linked it says you can get 970m SLI for 6gb vram if you really wanted

[exercutor5]

On the msi website you linked it says you can get 970m SLI for 6gb vram if you really wanted

 

There's no SLI model lel, it is most probably a copy-and-paste template MSI just used and didn't double check with which laptop they are actually using it for.

[iAGZzzz]

Had the previous Gen laptop from Scan with the i7-4720hq CPU, went through 4 in under a year. Just sent the 4th back a few days ago and now requested a refund. No idea if I was unlucky but I've just had so many different issues with each one.

[Travercraig]

Just go MSI. We're implying that the 970M will take advantage of 6GB of VRAM.

 

 

There's no SLI model lel, it is most probably a copy-and-paste template MSI just used and didn't double check with which laptop they are actually using it for.

Wait so the MSI GE62 actually has 6GB of VRAM but just says 3GB on the website, via a spec error?

[PlayStation 2]

Wait so the MSI GE62 actually has 6GB of VRAM but just says 3GB on the website, via a spec error?

o

That makes the MSI one a better deal then

[Travercraig]

So the Scan one and the Sager one are actually the same, as you might have already guessed by now, here's some UK Clevo resellers

 

http://mysn.co.uk/shop/xmg-p506-gaminglaptop.html

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/defianceII-15/  (No G-Sync for this one tho)

http://www.novatech.co.uk/modifier.html?s=NNB-B71

http://www.chillblast.com/pconf.php?productid=21067  (Not sure whether there is G-Sync for this one)

Omg i didn't even bother comparing them, they are litrally the same chassis. Well I assume buying the scan one is fine rather than one of these resellers? They're all clevo right?

[Travercraig]

o

That makes the MSI one a better deal then

That was a question not a statement. I'm asking weather the MSI's GPU has 6GB of VRAM and that the 3GB it says is an error on the site?

[PlayStation 2]

That was a question not a statement. I'm asking weather the MSI's GPU has 6GB of VRAM and that the 3GB it says is an error on the site?

That was a question not a statement. I'm asking weather the MSI's GPU has 6GB of VRAM and that the 3GB it says is an error on the site?

i think it's a 3gb gpu

[Travercraig]

i think it's a 3gb gpu

Whats this about then? " Just go MSI. We're implying that the 970M will take advantage of 6GB of VRAM."

[Travercraig]

I have the GE62 Apache Pro. highly recommend it. mine doesn't get hot at all. Has a plastic bottom with a ton of vents so that helps a ton. Feels really sturdy. I absolutely love mine. I personally find it slightly heavy (110lb girl). 

 

On the msi website you linked it says you can get 970m SLI for 6gb vram if you really wanted

Does it play games alright?

[Travercraig]

Well your in luck. I actually did do some research on this a while back.

 

What you're actually looking for, is the Clevo P670RG. Everything else are just rebrands. So, don't get mixed up haha. Clevo makes them, and everyone else just resales them under different names.

 

Here is a link to all european union resellers of clevo stuff

 

If my research from months back still holds true, this is the only place I found the clevo p670rg at a reasonable price. The cost is in polish zt and the site is in polish. I contacted them a while back and those dude know english! So working with them should be no problem. Pretty sure they ship to UK since it's within the EU, although contact and ask them just to make sure. Again though, this was from months back. I literally went through every single resaler on the notebookcheck link and found the xtreem one to cost the least. Although that may change so feel free to go through the list in your leisure.

 

If you don't want to go through everything, XMG/schenker/mysn/whateverthehecktheycallthemselves are perphaps one of THE most reputable resaler. From the pricing it seems they do carry a premium, but I guess that's for the good support? I donno.

 

And I do believe you made a nice choice. I was right on the edge of purchasing that laptop, before concluding a desktop would make more sense to me. By the way, remember to get the G-Sync monitored variant. For some reason, that upgrade don't cost much and would help your gaming experience by A LOT. So get that. Hope you enjoy your new laptop! And be sure to make a review of it, reviews of that specific clevo laptop is scarce for some reason lol, despite being, what I believe, to be one of the best gaming laptops out there.

Ok so basiclly all of these laptops, the scan one and the sager one are all based on this Clevo chassis? As well as the one you linked? They are all Clevo but under different names? If so is clevo like the best for cooling and build quality? And it doesn't really matter which clevo reband I buy as it's exactly the same machine either way?

[Jeneral]

Does it play games alright?

Absolutely! I haven't had any issues with it!! Honestly doesn't even get super hot. It heats up a bit but not to the point that I feel like i'm going to be burned which is awesome. I guess the gpu would also depend on the model you got. not sure if msi has a link to the one with the 6gb vram but if i find anything i'll let you know . 

[crystal6tak]

Ok so basiclly all of these laptops, the scan one and the sager one are all based on this Clevo chassis? As well as the one you linked? They are all Clevo but under different names? If so is clevo like the best for cooling and build quality? And it doesn't really matter which clevo reband I buy as it's exactly the same machine either way?

Yes. Clevo makes the chassis...and basically the entire laptop. They ship what is called "barebone" laptops to resaler whom stick RAM/s and storage in it then slap on a logo. The bare bone already has a GPU, CPU, monitor, and everything else except RAM and storage.

 

Yes. Majority of the resaler will sell the P670RG and many other clevo laptops under different name. XMG has their own (Pro 706 I believe), Xtreem has their own (Smart 7 something), Sager has their own (NP90684290762iunno). 

 

So yes, you will end up with the same machine either way, only difference is how you customized it, the customer support after the purchase, and the logo slapped on it (some resaler allow you to buy without any logo on it). Some resaler go as far as doing repaste for you and coating heatsink with extra copper (xoticPC is one of them).

[exercutor5]

Omg i didn't even bother comparing them, they are litrally the same chassis. Well I assume buying the scan one is fine rather than one of these resellers? They're all clevo right?

 

Actually all of them are fine, because in the end you will be paying for the same machine. I would recommend that you just get a M.2 SSD from them, then you buy the HDD seperately from elsewhere as it is cheaper that way.

[Travercraig]

Nice well I think i've made my decision. Certainly a clevo model. Would you say these clevo laptops have some of the best cooling and build quality compared to other brands such as MSI?

[Travercraig]

Actually all of them are fine, because in the end you will be paying for the same machine. I would recommend that you just get a M.2 SSD from them, then you buy the HDD seperately from elsewhere as it is cheaper that way.

 

 

Yes. Clevo makes the chassis...and basically the entire laptop. They ship what is called "barebone" laptops to resaler whom stick RAM/s and storage in it then slap on a logo. The bare bone already has a GPU, CPU, monitor, and everything else except RAM and storage.

 

Yes. Majority of the resaler will sell the P670RG and many other clevo laptops under different name. XMG has their own (Pro 706 I believe), Xtreem has their own (Smart 7 something), Sager has their own (NP90684290762iunno). 

 

So yes, you will end up with the same machine either way, only difference is how you customized it, the customer support after the purchase, and the logo slapped on it (some resaler allow you to buy without any logo on it). Some resaler go as far as doing repaste for you and coating heatsink with extra copper (xoticPC is one of them).

Nice well I think i've made my decision. Certainly a clevo model. Would you say these clevo laptops have some of the best cooling and build quality compared to other brands such as MSI?

[crystal6tak]

Nice well I think i've made my decision. Certainly a clevo model. Would you say these clevo laptops have some of the best cooling and build quality compared to other brands such as MSI?

You can check notebookcheck's review here. They got the model with 6820HK. So you'll basically get everything you need to know from that however cooling would be the one thing you can't be sure cause they used a different CPU. It's highly likely the 6700HQ would run cooler than the 6820HK so I'd say this laptop has a solid cooling solution. Barely, if any throttle under long game time (which is actually a huge achievement. MANY gaming laptop throttle after long gaming sessions. It's ridiculous).

 

EDIT:

LOL, just realized you're interested in the 15 inch variant. MY BAD LOL. The one I've been talking about has all been the 17.3 inch. DERP.

 

Here, the correct link. Although notebookcheck got the 970M version. Which still ran a cool 72C under there stress test. So 980M shouldn't have THAT much of an issue. Don't for sure. Again my bad. So the 15 inch variant's name is P650RG-G. Not the one I previously wrote down, that was the 17 inch variant.

[exercutor5]

So the 15 inch variant's name is P650RG-G. Not the one I previously wrote down, that was the 17 inch variant.

 

The name depends.

 

P651Rx = Skylake model with a sandblasted finish

P650Rx = Skylake model with brushed metal finish

P65xRA = Skylake 965M model

P65xRE3 = Skylake 970M 3GB GDDR5 model

P65xRE6 = Skylake 970M 6GB GDDR5 model

P65xRE3-G = Skylake 970M 3GB GDDR5 G-Sync model

P65xRE6-G = Skylake 970M 6GB GDDR5 G-Sync model

P65xRG = Skylake 980M model

P65xRG-G = Skylake 980M G-Sync model

[exercutor5]

Nice well I think i've made my decision. Certainly a clevo model. Would you say these clevo laptops have some of the best cooling and build quality compared to other brands such as MSI?

 

I wouldn't say it has the best cooling, because everyone has different understanding of "best", but I would say the cooling is efficient with 3 cooling fans. The build quality is sturdy, I have the P650SG and it is solid, except for the display panel which can be a little flimsy.

[crystal6tak]

The name depends.

 

P651Rx = Skylake model with a sandblasted finish

P650Rx = Skylake model with brushed metal finish

P65xRA = Skylake 965M model

P65xRE3 = Skylake 970M 3GB GDDR5 model

P65xRE6 = Skylake 970M 6GB GDDR5 model

P65xRE3-G = Skylake 970M 3GB GDDR5 G-Sync model

P65xRE6-G = Skylake 970M 6GB GDDR5 G-Sync model

P65xRG = Skylake 980M model

P65xRG-G = Skylake 980M G-Sync model

Yes, I know it depends, but the OP specifically wants the skylake 980M G-sync model. So I just gave him that one. But yes, for reference, OP, here's all the codename summarised.

[Travercraig]

I wouldn't say it has the best cooling, because everyone has different understanding of "best", but I would say the cooling is efficient with 3 cooling fans. The build quality is sturdy, I have the P650SG and it is solid, except for the display panel which can be a little flimsy.

 

 

You can check notebookcheck's review here. They got the model with 6820HK. So you'll basically get everything you need to know from that however cooling would be the one thing you can't be sure cause they used a different CPU. It's highly likely the 6700HQ would run cooler than the 6820HK so I'd say this laptop has a solid cooling solution. Barely, if any throttle under long game time (which is actually a huge achievement. MANY gaming laptop throttle after long gaming sessions. It's ridiculous).

 

EDIT:

LOL, just realized you're interested in the 15 inch variant. MY BAD LOL. The one I've been talking about has all been the 17.3 inch. DERP.

 

Here, the correct link. Although notebookcheck got the 970M version. Which still ran a cool 72C under there stress test. So 980M shouldn't have THAT much of an issue. Don't for sure. Again my bad. So the 15 inch variant's name is P650RG-G. Not the one I previously wrote down, that was the 17 inch variant.

Well you've both been very helpful. However I do have one more question before I do make a purchase. Is there much difference between the variant with a 980m 8GB VRAM, and one with a 970m 6GB VRAM. Because the 980m variant is a little over budget. Of course the 980m is better, but is there any need for it? Would the 970m be sufficent for most games at 1080p?