Curse

sinistersimeon · Jun 21, 2010, 07:25 AM // 07:25

so i need a new computer either a laptop or a desktop leaning more towards a laptop and i have a budget that is around $1500 max...any help would be a appreciated...oh and plz no comments on don't buy no pre-built or anything.

Riot Narita · Jun 21, 2010, 07:34 AM // 07:34

In my opinion, the only reason to lean more towards a laptop, is if you really must have portability. Because a desktop is superior in every way, except for that one thing.

sinistersimeon · Jun 21, 2010, 08:05 AM // 08:05

well i'm leaning towards a laptop right now cause i am going to a university and lugging a desktop isn't something i wish to do right now...so any suggestions??

tijo · Jun 21, 2010, 01:06 PM // 13:06

Do you have any requirements for the laptop in terms of components, size, weight and battery life?

If you are aiming at a laptop with good gaming capabilities, it'll cost you in the 1000-1500$ range for sure.

As far as 15"-16" laptops go, you could look at the asus N61-JQ and the MSI GE600. Maybe you'd be able to find an asus G51 (15.6") or G73 (17.3") in your price range as well. The GX740 and GX640 from MSI also offer a good performance/price ratio. You could also take a look at the clevo W860CU, depending on the configuration, it should be around 1500$.

If you don't need to do video encoding or other multi-threaded applications that are CPU intensive, a core i5 laptop will give you ample performance and you'll save some cash that way too.

Quaker · Jun 21, 2010, 02:56 PM // 14:56

For $1500 - US? - you should be able to get a laptop that works very well. Since you are wanting to play games, you should look for one that puts more emphasis on graphics performance. Definitely stay away from anything with "integrated" graphics. You'll want a "discrete" video chip with dedicated graphics RAM.
Check out gpu and cpu performance charts on places like Tom's Hardware to compare various models.
For example - http://www.notebookcheck.net/Compari...rds.130.0.html

Oh, and maybe take battery life into account. And check out the new laptops with nVidia graphics that auto-switch the graphics based on demand.

Lord Sojar · Jun 21, 2010, 09:15 PM // 21:15

Hi. Buy this. It will suit your needs quite well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834114796

Or, for the ATi route...

You are paying a price premium for a performance premium, but that's to be expected. Personally, I'd go with the nVidia based solution, simply because it's more laptop for the money, but it's totally up to you.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834152192

sinistersimeon · Jun 21, 2010, 09:30 PM // 21:30

thanks for all replies XD!! Lord Sojar loving the laptops you have suggested

Elder III · Jun 22, 2010, 12:48 AM // 00:48

Are there are games other than GW2 that you intend to play? If GW2 is the most graphics intense game than you could get by with allot less of a laptop - in any case either of the 2 Lord Sojar linked to are excellent and more than enough for GW1 or GW2.

sinistersimeon · Jun 22, 2010, 12:56 AM // 00:56

well guild wars 2 will be the main game for my laptop...i was thinking of trying the WoW clone Allods and looking at the two suggestions i think it will still be fine...play most fps games now on my ps3 and such..mainly use my laptop now for mmo's and such.

Ghost Dog · Jun 22, 2010, 03:13 AM // 03:13

You won't need that much power for mmo's but if you have the money to burn you can run some sweet games on those two he featured, give you a chance to enjoy PC gaming and it's huge spanning level, mod rich goodness.

sinistersimeon · Jun 22, 2010, 09:48 AM // 09:48

well i am after a good gaming laptop and the two he suggested were great and now that i heard fable III is also coming to pc i'm totally psyched..plus i get to play some fallout 3 with mods...XD

for the TOSHIBA Qosmio X505-Q860 NoteBook that lord sojar recommanded after much research. I seem to have run into a few issues people seem to be having with the laptop most having to do with a heating/cooling issue...should i be worried or not since it seems to be happening to some but not all...

Lord Sojar · Jun 22, 2010, 04:45 PM // 16:45

The 360M can get a little warm, and the HD5870 can get even hotter. That's to be expected. Use the laptop on a flat surface like a desk, and you should be fine.

The 360M generally runs cooler than you'd think though. It shouldn't be an issue.

sinistersimeon · Jun 22, 2010, 05:53 PM // 17:53

well kinda figured..i was referring to like people getting this...."Warning - A problem with the cooling system has been detected. Please turn off the computer immediately, and return it for service." kinda scared of that..some people are getting this error like less then 1 hour into turning the comp on....:/

tijo · Jun 23, 2010, 12:03 AM // 00:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Sojar

The 360M can get a little warm, and the HD5870 can get even hotter. That's to be expected. Use the laptop on a flat surface like a desk, and you should be fine.

The 360M generally runs cooler than you'd think though. It shouldn't be an issue.

Yeah, some people don't know that using a laptop on the bed for example can be bad since it reduces heat transfer and prevents good airflow to the heatsink.

The 360M does run cool for a GDDR5 laptop card, the 5870 runs hot but it was designed to handle the heat. There's also an auto-shutoff if your temps get too hot on laptops. So even before you get a message about your cooling system, you should know. Check the owner's lounge for the laptop you plan on buying at www.notebookreview.com. Take it with a grain of salt though, people with problems will come to notebookreview and ask for help, most people without won't. Frequent and common issues will be easy to find though.

sinistersimeon · Jun 23, 2010, 12:09 AM // 00:09

i'll check that site out...i am just kinda hesitant on spending the money on the a new laptop when i see all these reviews about this warning and all...know what i mean

Lord Sojar · Jun 23, 2010, 07:57 AM // 07:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinistersimeon

i'll check that site out...i am just kinda hesitant on spending the money on the a new laptop when i see all these reviews about this warning and all...know what i mean

The laptop I linked with the 360M won't overheat provided you use it on a normal surface. If you smother it with a blanket or pillow underneath, then you can expect it to act as if it's being smothered. It will run just fine, and it's a steal for 1,099 USD!

Those people were likely morons who used it while lying on their beds or propped it up with a pillow. That's stupid, and asking for damage.

The 360M really does run pretty cool. It's a good mobile chip, imo. Also, nVidia's mobile drivers are absolutely fantastic these days.

sinistersimeon · Jun 23, 2010, 02:16 PM // 14:16

yeah that's what i thought...thanks for all the help...now to start saving for one XD

tijo · Jun 23, 2010, 02:33 PM // 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Sojar

Also, nVidia's mobile drivers are absolutely fantastic these days.

Yes they are, i bought a G73 with the mobility 5870, an ATI card a month ago . While it is still the most powerful mobile GPU at the moment (when the GTX 480M comes out it won't be), i wish i could have nVidia drivers. They are way more user friendly than the ones provided by ATI.

Here's the G73 in case you're interested since it packs a pretty good punch in terms of performance (the GX740 should offer a very similar performance), it's at the limit of your budget though: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834220695

Quaker · Jun 23, 2010, 03:58 PM // 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by tijo

i wish i could have nVidia drivers. They are way more user friendly than the ones provided by ATI.

Not to be picky or anything but, "user friendly"? Since when are drivers user friendly? Unless you are talking about the various control apps, such as the Catalyst Control Center - which are not "drivers". The drivers work in the background with no user input.

tijo · Jun 23, 2010, 04:14 PM // 16:14

Yeah i'm talking about the control apps. However these come with the driver packages most of the time. I also meant that at the moment the mobile nVidia drivers (the actual drivers) are better as well from my experience at least.