SLI 650M or single GTX660M notebook

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monkeynetman

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 19, 2005
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Hey guys, I'm trying to choose between two Lenovo systems to replace my gaming desktop system (Core i3, 8 GB, RADEON 7770) - giving it to my cousin. The Y500 and the Y580.

The breakdown...

Y500 ($1430 USD)
Intel Core i7-3630QM
8 GB RAM
1 TB (5200 RPM)
SLI 650M

Y580 ($1030 USD)
Intel Core i7-3630QM
4 GB RAM
1 TB (5200 RPM)
GTX660M

Please note I'm in Asia, so these price difference is pretty much firm. So folks, what would you choose if you were in my position, or do you recommend different systems? Thanks!
 
According to Notebookcheck.com

The gaming performance of the SLI combination ranges between a GeForce GTX 670MX (maximum, e.g. in 3DMark 11 benchmarks) down to a single GeForce GT 650M (if SLI is not supported by the game). On average the 650M SLI could therefore be placed a bit above a Geforce GTX 660M in the high-end class. Modern games of 2012 should therefore be playable with high detail settings.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-650M-SLI.84953.0.html

I would personally get the Y500 if money is not an issue.
 
Where are you lookin that prices are so high? Google "y500 coupon" and it will take you too lenovo's website where you can buy directly from them with prices startin ~$800.
 
Look through (search) some other lenovo threads here until you find the B&N (barnes & noble) affiliate site link, should save you a couple hundred bucks (or more).
 
JunXaos said:
According to Notebookcheck.com

The gaming performance of the SLI combination ranges between a GeForce GTX 670MX (maximum, e.g. in 3DMark 11 benchmarks) down to a single GeForce GT 650M (if SLI is not supported by the game). On average the 650M SLI could therefore be placed a bit above a Geforce GTX 660M in the high-end class. Modern games of 2012 should therefore be playable with high detail settings.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-650M-SLI.84953.0.html

I would personally get the Y500 if money is not an issue.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Totally forgotten about that website! Cool it looks like it out performs my existing gaming desktop HD 7770.

To the other 2 that mentioned that the price is high, unfortunately I'm located in Asia, so gadgets here are typically more expensive here than back in the states.
 
Hopefully not too late, but the y500 does NOT have SLI (dual) 650s, but only a single card. Not to be pedantic, but SLI is nvidia's dual graphics card technology - and the y500 does not have the ability to support dual cards. In this case, the gtx 660 is your fastest option of the two.
 
harmattan said:
Hopefully not too late, but the y500 does NOT have SLI (dual) 650s, but only a single card. Not to be pedantic, but SLI is nvidia's dual graphics card technology - and the y500 does not have the ability to support dual cards. In this case, the gtx 660 is your fastest option of the two.
Click to expand...

You are misinformed kind sir. The Y500 does indeed support dual GT 650m in SLI. It has a modular bay that can accept: HDD caddy, Optical drive, extra battery, extra cooling fan...Or a second GT 650m 2GB to run in SLI with the built-in GT 650m.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834312438
IdeaPad-Y500-Laptop-PC-Closeup-Removeable-Drive-9L-940x475.jpg
 
I can't seem to find where you buy the ultrabay addons. I only have found the HDD caddies.
 
Rusty4560 said:
Looks like there isn't anything for the Y580..
Click to expand...
That would be correct. The Y580 doesn't come with/support a modular ultrabay slot. The Y500 despite its lower numerical designation is actually a more recent model than the Y580.
 
Kueller said:
You are misinformed kind sir. The Y500 does indeed support dual GT 650m in SLI. It has a modular bay that can accept: HDD caddy, Optical drive, extra battery, extra cooling fan...Or a second GT 650m 2GB to run in SLI with the built-in GT 650m.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834312438
IdeaPad-Y500-Laptop-PC-Closeup-Removeable-Drive-9L-940x475.jpg
Click to expand...

Holy crap, so I am. It's $900 at Newegg right now which is a steal. 650m SLI should be about as fast as a single 675m, I'm guessing.

Being able to hot swap GPUs with other components is a novel idea. I hope Lenovo comes out with some higher end gaming laptops like this. A model with slightly beefier cooling and dual 670mx SLI would be baller.

Edit: reading that the 650s are underclocked out of the box, but can easily be overclocked to stock or higher.
 
I bit on the damn Y500. Ordered a 256 msata ssd. will report back. Its actually the same price on amazon. so buy that one.
 
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