Building new computer

[deejjjaaaa]

The 7378 has a Max RAM of 24GB (3 slots), I was going to max out the RAM @ the 24GB.

The 8278 has a Max RAM of 32GB (4 slots)...

http://www.xoticpc.com/custom-gaming-laptops-notebooks-clevo-sager-notebooks-ct-95_51_162.html

base = $988.43 vs base = $1182.43 = $194 difference and 870m (even it is older Kepler) vs 860m (even it is newer Maxwell) included... so part of the price is a faster GPU (http://gpuboss.com/gpus/GeForce-GTX-870M-vs-GeForce-GTX-860M), no ? plus 4 slots vs 3 slots... and 7378 has no displayport out (only HDMI) and no powered (extra current) USB port... may be does not matter for you, but still... you even stick with 24mb (3x8) for now - but in a better notebook that will allow you to bump memory later.

[zr_photo]

Yes, figuring the cost difference of the two computers and the difference between adding another 1 8GB is about $255. With the 8278 I'd have 2 mSATA SSD and 2 Hard Drive spaces and keep CD/DVD drive also (or remove to allow 5 drives?)... where as with then 7378 that has one mSATA, 2 Hard Drive slots and me removing the CD/DVD drive and adding the 4th SSD by Optical Bay Caddy...

[zr_photo]

I think that unless you have some other specific issues then go for 4 slots... I think to have the best memory performance you need to have DIMMs working in pairs... so 2 x 2 is better then 2x1 + 1

So this got me to thinking and "looking/reading" up more on RAM... Remember that I'm not all that knowledgeable when it comers to computers.

What I have found out, from what I can find, is that even though the 7378 has three (3) RAM SODIMM Sockets it can not run tripple channel. I assume that it runs dual channel with the first set of 8GB sticks and then the 3rd acts in some sort hybrid form? I suppose this works okay but I can't seem to find much on 8GB x 3 RAM. haha

Now the Sager NP8278 (Clevo P170SM-A) which I talked about earlier as the step up from the 7378 has a total of 4 sockets (32GB Max). I guess this system would run in dual channel, being 8GB x 4 = 32GB Dual Channel.  

My real question is, will the 8278 w/ 32GB really perform enough to justify the + cost of the system vs. the 7378?

I swear, as soon as I think I have it all figured out... haha

Keep in mind previous specs:

Sager NP7378                                                                                                             Sager NP8278
72% NTSC Panel (I did decide against IPS panel)..........................................SAME
4th Gen (haswell) i7-4710MQ / 2.5 - 3.5GHz / 6MB Intel Smart Cache...............SAME
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M (2GB) DDR 5 PCI-Express DX11 w/ Optimus.............".." 870M (3GB) DDR 5 ".."
24GB HyperX Impact Black Series (8GB x3 (max RAM for 7378)).....................32GB
500GB Samsung 840 EVO mSATA SSD (Boot Drive, C:)..................................mSATA Slot #1: SAME
1TB 7200 HDD (HDD Drive #1)..................................................................mSATA Slot #2: 250GB Samsung 840 EVO mSATA SSD
250GB Samsung Pro 850 SSD (HDD Drive #2)..............................................HDD #1: 1TB 7200
HDD #2 NOT AN OPTION...........................................................................HDD #2: IDK? RAID this drive w/ 1TB 7200 or SSD???
250GB Samsung Pro 850 SSD (Optical Drive Hard Drive Caddy).......................250GB Samsung Pro 850 SSD (Optical Drive HD Caddy)  

[tived]

If you afford to take the step up,'then do it as you can never have too much ram and be too fast in the world of computing.

The choice is yours and you have to be comfortable with your purchase/investment
Henrik

[deejjjaaaa]

and keep CD/DVD drive also (or remove to allow 5 drives?).

you can remove and replace it with SSD/HDD - so this 17" platform will allow you to have 5 drives for various storage combinations.

[zr_photo]

you can remove and replace it with SSD/HDD - so this 17" platform will allow you to have 5 drives for various storage combinations.

Yeah, that's how I was able to achieve 4 total drive in the 1st system (replacing cd/DVD drive with caddy)... by doing the same to the other would allow a total of five drives on that system.

If I go with the later and have a total of five drives I figure I would have a 1TB 7200 in both the HDD #1 & #2 and a Samsung Pro 512GB in the caddy. The only thing that concerns me with having the two 1TB/7200 drives is heat issues... ?