GT80 options, help me decide?

[shattered519]

Hey, all.

 

So I'm currently in the process of deciding between two differently spec'd MSI GT80s. These two only differ in their price and the GPU utilized. The lower priced one goes for around $1600, and contains one 980m, with another available MXM port for future addition of another 980m in SLI, which itself goes for $800. The higher priced model goes for $1900, and runs two 970ms in SLI stock. So should I spring for the one with a single 980m and possibly upgrade in the future, or should I go for the 970m SLI model? Both of these are the older haswell versions running a i7-4720HQ soldered to the MB, and without thunderbolt, that removes any possibility of using a eGPU solution down the line. So that leaves me with two options:

 

A) GTX980m - $1600 (+future 980m in SLI for total of $2400)

B) GTX970m - $1900

 

Thanks for reading!

[mikat]

what games are you playing?

[Hackentosher]

Honestly, I think there are better gaming laptops out there than the gt80. Check out what else MSI has to offer, also look at options from ASUS and Gigabyte.

[shattered519]

I have an LG ultrawide, so probably going to be playing GTAV, CSGO, Witcher 3, and Quantum Break (that kind of thing) at 2560x1080. I don't really have any crazy aspirations of trying to get Oculus CV1 performance out of these things. @Hackentosher, any particular reason that this is not the best option? I'm pretty open to other laptops at this point, it's just that these are pretty well specced for the price point. And if you were to recommend something specific, what would you recommend?

[Mr.Meerkat]

1 minute ago, shattered519 said:

I have an LG ultrawide, so probably going to be playing GTAV, CSGO, Witcher 3, and Quantum Break (that kind of thing) at 2560x1080. I don't really have any crazy aspirations of trying to get Oculus CV1 performance out of these things. @Hackentosher, any particular reason that this is not the best option? I'm pretty open to other laptops at this point, it's just that these are pretty well specced for the price point. And if you were to recommend something specific, what would you recommend?

Build a tiny ITX computer maybe with a nano or something? Nice nd small so you can move it around while it's cheaper and more powerful compared to the laptop's you've listed  

[shattered519]

1 minute ago, Mr.Meerkat said:

Build a tiny ITX computer maybe with a nano or something? Nice nd small so you can move it around while it's cheaper and more powerful compared to the laptop's you've listed  

While I've considered that in that past, I'm currently a college student, and the potential "lan party drop your rig here and hook up a monitor" use case is kinda nonexistent for me LOL. In other words, while that's really tempting, rocking a microATX build in the cafeteria (much more likely than me going to a lan party) is somewhat difficult if I don't bring a monitor as well. But I'll look into it!

[Mr.Meerkat]

Just now, shattered519 said:

While I've considered that in that past, I'm currently a college student, and the potential "lan party drop your rig here and hook up a monitor" use case is kinda nonexistent for me LOL. In other words, while that's really tempting, rocking a microATX build in the cafeteria (much more likely than me going to a lan party) is somewhat difficult if I don't bring a monitor as well. But I'll look into it!

What's your total budget?

[shattered519]

• 3 minutes ago, Mr.Meerkat said:

  What's your total budget?

  Trying very very hard not to go over $2,000 USD shipped (future upgrades excepted), which I realize would let me put together a pretty BAMF desktop build.

[Mr.Meerkat]

Just now, shattered519 said:

• Trying very very hard not to go over $2,000 USD shipped (future upgrades excepted), which I realize would let me put together a pretty BAMF desktop build.

Are you going to be gaming with your laptop? If not then maybe a ultrabook and a desktop? 

[shattered519]

4 minutes ago, Mr.Meerkat said:

Are you going to be gaming with your laptop? If not then maybe a ultrabook and a desktop? 

This is going to be my dedicated gaming machine, as my current main machine is a productivity-oriented Surface Pro 3 (which I've had one hell of a crappy time gaming on). Again, gaming on the go is my main concern, but if there's another option that's sufficiently compelling, then I might go with that.

[Mr.Meerkat]

Just now, shattered519 said:

This is going to be my dedicated gaming machine, as I my current main machine is a productivity-oriented Surface Pro 3 (which I've had one hell of a crappy time gaming on). Again, gaming on the go is my main concern, but if there's another option that's sufficiently compelling, then I might go with that.

Well check out other laptops before deciding then  If you feel like it's what you want then go for it. 

[shattered519]

1 minute ago, Mr.Meerkat said:

Well check out other laptops before deciding then  If you feel like it's what you want then go for it. 

Any laptop that stands out to you in this price range? Thanks for all your help, by the way!

 

[Mr.Meerkat]

8 minutes ago, shattered519 said:

Any laptop that stands out to you in this price range? Thanks for all your help, by the way!

 

I'm not sure, I don't really follow laptops unfortunately...the only laptop I know I want is the MSI gs40...perfect form factor in my opinion...(I miss my 13,3 inch HP dv3...my current asus ultrabook that's a 15.6 is too big )

[exercutor5]

http://www.sagernotebook.com/Gaming-Notebook-NP9778-S.html