It runs 3dmark dx12 api test

Not exactly,

let's assume that DX12 is that "Midas Touch" that Microsoft has been trumpeted (most of it as the "key" for XboxOne to supposedly gain the advantage it badly needed after getting thrashed by the PS4 on all fronts), it still will suffer from hardware based bottlenecks. However, if you reflect that on the PC, most of the time so called "polished AAA" games with similar hardware (like using Radeon HD78xx that's comparable to the ones in the XBoxOne and PS4) won't yield similar results, but far inferior results. Expecting even DX12's APIs that would move overheads from the CPU to the GPUs (in fact it will use all GPUs, including the embedded integrated intel GPU if there's one) won't really help if the cost of processing power alone is trunked by the poor optimization of games, like in the kerfurfle of Batman, and The Witcher 3.

So for a portable gaming machine, rather than taking the risk just because "on paper" it looks powerful, shouldn't it be better for the owner to buy a 970M (besides, its a buy once can't upgrade unless you changed the entire mobo) than a 960M and be at the mercy of optimization which may or may never come at all?

To make this simple for you
Overheads in dx12 refers to command list from driver to the game/application.

Dx11 on nvidia is superb because of the syncronous nature of the command list by the driver from multithreaded api calls to the gpu. Nvidia has done a insane job.

Dx12 gives game developers to optimize their game engine for command list.

Witcher 3 is poorly optimized?? Thats a first.
Batman AK is pretty good now. The dx11 flaws were as i said.. Game devs just introduce threaded api calls without caring for how drivers are going to issue a command list to the gpu.
Also things gets complicated with different hardware config on pc with the async nature of managing resources. Think of this like how gsync solved tearing etc.. Similar concept.

Consoles are poor performers. Its just that with low level apis game devs get to optimize its hardware. Aint so simple with pc.

Dx12 gives game dev the same oppurtunity. If the game engine is bad.. It will reflect in console as well.

This post has been edited by cstkl1: Oct 1 2015, 10:16 PM

Well, I'm sure you're right about this, but it doesn't change the fact that for many PC counterparts of the console games, you can't expect "oh PC version of the PS4 should be running a dual core, and HD78xx, and yeah, it'll work just the same, because it doesn't.

Not forgetting to mention that on paper alone the GPU on PS4 would outdo a GTX960M, so that's why I've been suggesting that the potential owner should really go for the 970M instead of the 960M. Even then the 970M is not marginally "better" than overall PS4 system's GPU, but at the very least with proper "tinkering" it should provide satisfactory gaming that should be a little bit above what you can get from the consoles, therefore that Z5 purchase with a 970M would outlast the generation of the PS4/XBoxOne

PrinceJ, Z5 possible to upgrade to new skylake chips?

New mobo etc dude. Basically a adifferent notebook under the hood

sad. just wishful thinking.

technically it can works if the size of the new board can fit into the z5 chasis, but consider you are going to change everything except for hdd only. new cpu, new gpu, new ram, etc.

Damn I missed my laptop already

what happen to yours?

hence, I decided to be happy with my z5 at this moment.

I did something to my Z5 and now it's with Prince J for repair... Dont ask me what I did kinda PNC

Sounds so fishy.

Hi guys, would like to ask if i opt for 500GB SSD, then in the future full d, how? And without WIndows, whats the pros and cons ah? Sorry IT noob here

u can get 256GB SSD on the MSATA and a 1TB HHD on the SATA

SSD put OS and then HHD put movies etc

Get an external hdd to store big files like movie n music n photos if needed. It is also good to get one to backup your important files.

If you not sure how to install windows, better get it with windows.

This post has been edited by huislaw: Oct 3 2015, 08:21 AM

The windows you mean self install isit the pirated windows or something like that?

Is there such thing as 1TB SSD? And SSD and SSHD whats the difference ah?

This post has been edited by KeithYen: Oct 3 2015, 11:34 AM

Yeap, no Windows means you can buy windows somewhere else and install yourself.
Please do not discuss pirated software here

Depends on your budget.

If you can then go for 1TB SSD, 2x 500gb mSATA, this will give you the most storage space and fastest performance out from the z5.

If not then get a mSATA for OS, and another sata for normal storage purpose. For my case is 128gb and 500gb sshd.

SSHD is a hybrid drive, performance is between normal hd and ssd.