Getting a new laptop (Computer Smarts needed)
I have been looking to get a new laptop for a while now, and I am looking to the best laptop at the cheapest price, if this doesn't work out, i'll just go ahead and buy an alienware.
The questions I have are:
Which computer would be better to play lets say red alert 3 on high graphics (a laptop with a HD radeon 4000 series, or one with a 6000 series).
Second, If I buy a computer with a nice graphics card like Radeon 5870, but I have a 1 ghz processor, will that just be a waste? Why? (I used to think the FPS of games was dependent upon the Ghz of processor, so I began looking at processors that had high ghz, and to me that is like 2.6+)
Third, what affects the game speed more, the Ghz of a processor, or the Graphics card?
The 2 main graphics cards I'm looking at so far are ATI Radeon Mobility HD 4250, and HD 6310.
(Should I even consider intel, I hear that intel is dirt, and if so, I have learnt the hard way with this laptopI currently own.)
The laptop I have has
4gb memory (what does this do for gaming?)
2.0 Ghz processor
and Intel integrated graphics
Li-ion battery (this pisses me off, cause it depletes over time, so now I can't plug my laptop out for more than 10 mins without it shutting off)
It plays red alert 3, on low graphics, but I have to disable the wifi, for it to run smoothly (most of the time)
Anyways, while this thread is up, ill be continuing my research, and studying for my calc exam too lmao, wish me luck
11 Comments • Newest first
It's not the fact that it's very heavy, but more about the strain/fatigue that it can put on you after you carry it for a certain length of time. For example, holding a 0.6lb softcover book like The Gunslinger by Stephen King vs holding the 4.5lb hardcover Lord of the Rings Trilogy book. It's only about 3.9lb apart, but you will feel some strain, if you try to hold that book on one hand. Not to mentioned that you will be bringing this to school, where you are likely carrying textbooks and notebooks on top of that laptop that can weight 7lb-13lb and the accessories that going to come with it. Those heavier laptop are meant to be desktop replacements, that you usually keep on a flat table with the ability to move if you need to. In your case, you want a gaming laptop, that you want to freely move around regularly, and the weight and size may get in the way.
As for cooling, it will surely get a bit hotter than lower end laptops, since the GPU will require more power to run. If you take care of it properly and do proper maintenance, it shouldn't overheat. The noise may be louder due to the fan spinning harder, but this should mostly happen during the more intensive applications like games. You should research on the noise yourself, if that's what concerns you though.
[quote=djpinc19]Heavy laptops suck!
...but I have TWO friends who have that HP laptop with the Radeon HD5650M. It has a good compromise of weight and gaming power. It's too bad that it can't be found in Canada.[/quote]
How much heavier can it be than a regular laptop. Also, i don't really have much time to walk around with it on my back, cause most of the time I'm sitting down at school. But i get where your coming from, the only thing I'm worried about with a heavy laptop is how hot it will get, and how much noise it will make. I heard the more powerful the graphics card the more noise it will make.
Heavy laptops suck!
...but I have TWO friends who have that HP laptop with the Radeon HD5650M. It has a good compromise of weight and gaming power. It's too bad that it can't be found in Canada.
[quote=djpinc19]y u no wnt gaming desktop?
The laptops with replaceable/upgradable video cards are extremely rare and expensive. Besides, there's a good reason why things are this way. Sockets are heavy and take up space.[/quote]
I was considering that too, but most of my free time is at school, in between classes, and when my friends arent there, and I'm not busy, i wanna play games >
y u no wnt gaming desktop?
The laptops with replaceable/upgradable video cards are extremely rare and expensive. Besides, there's a good reason why things are this way. Sockets are heavy and take up space.
[quote=qwan456]Ok...This is over your budget, but I really can't find anything in Canada. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152251 Similar performance to that HD5650 that Bystander (Hi, btw. xD ) and I picked, and better performing than that 310m.[/quote]
i've seen alot of these msi laptops on youtube, and they are playing some good video games. What I heard is that there are a few laptops that can have their graphics replaced by taking them out, without having to solder anything. I have no problem with taking a laptop apart, i've done it with mine, only to find that the graphics card was integrated into the laptop, as i learnt that most laptops are like that. But if there are any that can have their cards reaplced then wouldn't i just have to buy a new graphics card everytime i need to?, Or are there different types and sizes for different things?
Ok...This is over your budget, but I really can't find anything in Canada. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152251 Similar performance to that HD5650 that Bystander (Hi, btw. xD ) and I picked, and better performing than that 310m.
[quote=qwan456]How about this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834157466
If you are considering the AW m15x, note that there are other options from MSI, Asus, Clevo-base laptops, and possibly other brands like Toshiba Qosimo.[/quote]
That computer looks very nice, but im in canada ): and I haven't come across it at all
EDIT:
@MangosOnTheWeb
what games do you play on that comp, and on what settings, give me the hard corest games you have
EDIT 2:
If something says processor speed of 1.8 ghZ, and it is quadcore, does that mean it is 1.8 on each core, or the total is 1.8, also the laptops that just caught my eye, have 1.8 ghz, both are quadcore, the difference is that they have 6470 and 6370 graphics (radeon)
Right now I'm using a $900 Sony Vaio F with a 1.7 GHz quad core processor, 4 GB RAM, and a NVIDIA GeForce 310M. Best computer I've owned (but then again, my others were only like $500), and the only thing that sucks about it is the 2 hour battery life.
How about this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834157466
If you are considering the AW m15x, note that there are other options from MSI, Asus, Clevo-base laptops, and possibly other brands like Toshiba Qosimo.
I have about 1700 in all, I wanted to use half for a laptop and half for an ipad (considering taxes also) so I was looking for a laptop that would be like 400-600ish that could play Red alert 3 on ultra high settings, if I can't find anything that cheap, then I will just buy an area 51 m15x.
Ok with a GPU, what am i looking at specifically, I know that from what I've seen there are clock speeds, and memory clocks, and all those horrible terms, what should I be focused on?
EDIT:
I was also looking at the option of buying a Vidock 3 (normally 300 dollars) and then buying a separate graphics card to put in there, but then that would mean buying a separate monitor, because it can only play externally, but I don't want to go through the hassle of all that.