Rock Xtreme X770-T7800 notebook
Could it be a contender?
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Review Rock has a reputation for punching out high-performance laptops, and it's latest line, the flagship 17in desktop-replacment X770 series, has a spec that suggests it's no slouch either.
The line's leader, the X770-T7800, has at its heart an Intel Core 2 Duo T7800. Currently the fastest mobile Core 2 Duo processor, the T7800 is clocked at 2.60GHz and comes with an 800MHz frontside bus (FSB) speed and 4MB of L2 cache.
Rock's Xtreme X7770: top-of-the-line Core 2 Duo inside
Backing up the CPU is 2GB of PC2-5300 DDR 2 memory clocked at 667MHz, but if your pockets are deep enough you can order your X770 with the maximum memory it can support: 4GB. Remember, though, you’ll need a 64-bit operating system to access the full 4GB - the standard 32-bit version of Windows Vista or XP will only be able to access 3GB. Even better would be taking the option of 2GB of 800MHz, PC2-6400 memory which would then match the processor's FSB speed.
Performance-wise, the X770-T7800 doesn’t hang about, scoring a very decent 5.0 with Vista’s Windows Experience Index. This tests various components - CPU, memory, graphics, gaming graphics and hard drive - and gives an overall score based on the lowest scoring component which, in the case of the review X770, was the memory. No real surprise there as the memory is running slower than the CPU, but in all honesty you probably won’t notice it much.
Just for the record the rest of the scores were: CPU 5.4, graphics 5.9, gaming graphics 5.5 and hard drive 5.2. If you don’t trust the Experience Index then the PCMark05 overall score of 6500 should show how fast this notebook is - it can outpace many a desktop system.
A touchpad fit for mutant superheros?
The X770 is a stylish, well-built notebook. The black chassis - made by Clevo, a M57RU model - is highlighted by a narrow orange trim strip, although silver is available for those not so daring. The keyboard and trackpad/mouse buttons are surrounded by a panel finished off to look like carbon fibre.
COMMENTS
Bad memory upgrade recommendation.
The reviewer recommends upgrading to PC2-6400 memory so that it can "match the processor's FSB speed". Actually, this is twice as fast as the processor needs, as the FSB will communicate with the standard PC2-5300 memory (PC2-5300 = DDR2-533 = 266MHz effective speed) after downclocking in a 1:1 ratio with the memory controller; the memory will essentially be run as PC2-3200 (PC2-3200 = DDR2-400 = 200MHz effective speed) so that it synchronises with the FSB. This is because the FSB actual speed is 200MHz, quad-pumped to 800MHz as is the fashion with current Intel CPU schemes. There is no _noticeable_ performance gain in running the FSB with a 2:1 memory ratio, something that would need to be changed in the BIOS by someone buying this laptop with the upgraded memory.
In short: save your cash, the PC2-5300 is literally more than enough.
@Anonymous Coward
But the rock comes with the latest 2.6GHz T7800 processor, they give you 3 years insurance backed warranty and a nice X on the back of the lid for free!
Here's the T7700 version:
http://www.rockdirect.com/configureNotebook.php?pName=XTREME%20770&pSku=X770-T7700&bID=2
A great notebook
I bought a barebone Clevo M570RU (on witch this laptop is based) and while the specs are a bit different (A 7950GTX, T7300 cpu, 1680X1450 LCD, 4 Gb) I can say it trully is a fantastic machine for gaming. It plays everying I throw at it at max resolution, the keyboard and overall build quality is great, and after I got a Targus backpack I can go everywhere with it. Of course, it's not something to use on the train/bus, and as for the weight, I use it 99% of the time on my lap with no problems. It's a bit noisy, with fans always on when playing/using Vista and while it does warm up the room the heat dissipation is well done so there are no scalding hot spots you get on other laptops. If you want a gaming machine you can take around the house, to a mate's, even to double as a workstation (I have it dualbooting XP pro for when I'm at work) It's a great laptop for you. Of course the 17' behemoths are not for everyone.
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