Laptop/Desktop building question

Hi everyone

Well, I think it's time for me to do another computer upgrade. The thing is that I don't know if I should get a new laptop or build myself a new desktop. To start off


Here is my laptop configuration (it's from HP and it's similar to the specs on it)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834147783

My desktop:
Q6600
8GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Geforce 9800GTX
750GB HDD
motherboard/sound card was low-brand type thing

The problem I had is that I might not have a laptop anymore since my dad is taking it with him. My current desktop I owned for close to 2 years now. Laptop has been 3 years. I used mainly my desktop the most, laptop on occasionally (I don't travel much to take it with me).

My budget is around $1,500 to maybe $1,800. Been going through different websites and it seems that making a new desktop or laptop cost around the same. So I don't know. On one hand i'll be without a laptop in upcoming months. The other, I might have a low-end desktop if I don't upgrade now. I'm kind of leaning toward building a new SLI gaming rig that would keep me happy for 4 to 5 years without upgrading again.

Speaking of SLI, what type of power supply would I need for it (1000w or maybe 900w) Also do I have need top of the line videocards to really enjoy SLI? (like getting 2x GTX 295?)

Thanks

hmm, your desktop (if what you listed is what you have right now) is hardly low end. if you really want more gaming performance, you can just upgrade to a new powerful graphic card, such as the GTX285. if this is the case, then spend a few hundred dollars on a graphic card upgrade, then spend the rest on a good laptop.

you don't need extremely high wattages for SLI, and SLI is more noticeable with medium range graphic cards. 2x 9800GTX is a noticeable improvement from just one, while 2x GTX295 is mostly irrelevant (not to mention, SLI scales like shit over 4 gpus).

Is that the desktop you have or the desktop you want to build???

also - You can build a screaming desktop for far cheaper than you can get a really good gaming laptop - and no laptop will equal a top line desktop - the current laptop technology is just not up to par (yet).

It's my actual system that I'm using right now. I sorta modify it from a HP desktop that I brought. It has this huge hdd bracket inside that prevent me from changing out the videocard. But it didn't stop me thought, took around a hour messing around to fit that 9800GTX in! lol

Well there's nothing wrong with that system at all - if your mobo supports SLI then you could get another 9800GTX with a 750watt or higher quality PSU no need for 1000 watts, I'd go for an 850 SLI certified PSU myself or something similar. If your current mobo doesn't support SLI then I'd just get a 260 or 285 or the 1GB 4870x2 is a sweet card too. Then go get a nice laptop with the rest of your cash.

it's pretty doubtful that the OP's motherboard can support SLI, since only nvidia's motherboard support it (only exception being intel's x58 chipset, but that's core i7 only). if the OP wants to go the dual card route, he'll have to go AMD for crossfire.

I can't say much but those PSU's are more than they're rated for. Huge powersupplies can be a waste of money for this reason.

Ok, so my two cents:

Go ahead and take the money you want to spend on a new rig, and send it to me. I'll pm you my contact info via pm.

There's no much reason for you to upgrade you system, Grim. Unless you want to be on the very cutting edge of tech. But you know what they say about the cutting edge: it's the bleeding edge. As in, you'll be hemorrhaging cash every month or so.

By a netbook if you need something to travel with. :P

well I decided (since I really, really don't travel much) that I'm going to build another gaming desktop instead!

Parts: (these are already gotten)

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...pk=ASUS%20P6T6
(chose ASUS P6T6 because I heard alot of good things about this board and it's loaded with features)

Power Supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...supply%201000w

HDDs:
2x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136284
(wanted to do Raid 0 or 1)

Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231247
(basically this came with the motherboard)

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115202
(will overclock it up once I get everything settle in)


Now I only need
Videocards (Dual 4890 or SLI GTX 285?)
Case (prefer Full Tower one)
OS
and dvd burner or blu-ray one?

I still don't understand why you aren't happy with your current desktop...... the only slight (very slight) weakness with it is the video card. Just buy a GTX 285 1 GB and slap it in there and you will be happy for the next few years worth of gaming..... save all that cash and donate it to charity or something.

...But if you really must, then yes - that's a nice build. I'd probably up the ante slightly with a Rampage II Extreme - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131352 ...which would go very nicely with the i7 920. It might tempt you into 1600MHz memory, though

I would probably go for a drive that's read-only for BluRay but which writes DVDs - a far cheaper option than a BluRay burner at present.