Gaming Laptop Suggestion

N

Nexrus

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 13, 2006
Messages
164
Hello,

I recently moved into a new house and I'm looking to ditch the clunky desktop tower (built about 3 years ago) in favor of a laptop. The plan is to upgrade to a laptop that will perform as well (or better) using the monitor I currently have (1920x1080).

I've been out of the hardware scene for so long that I don't really know whats comparable. I've tried searching Google but I can't really find a site or chart that gives direct comparisons between mobile and desktop hardware.

The hardware for the desktop that I have now is listed below. None of it is overclocked. I would greatly appreciate it if someone could give some suggestions for comparable mobile hardware. Keeping in mind I don't want to sacrifice performance, if possible.

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB
MSI Gaming N760 TF 2GD5/OC G-SYNC Support GeForce GTX 760
Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge Quad-Core 3.1GHz

 
I'd probably start with a GeForce GTX 970M as the baseline. Any 6th-generation quad-core processor (the ones that end in "Q") should be good enough.

With that said, you may need to keep your expectations modest. I've seen many a person shout "I'm going to get a gaming laptop to replace my desktop!" without really understanding what's needed to make that work. Get ready to pay more than you were expecting, and to accept that you'll be making certain sacrifices in terms of upgradability and longevity (it's not realistic to replace most parts).
 
As Zangmonkey said look to get one that will work with some form of external graphics connector. I actually just sold off my tower to a buddy to help pay for her grad school classes, ended up just using my Alienware 17 R3 and the graphics amplifier.
 
That's a solid laptop, I was skeptical of the Alienware Graphics Amp but with the Alienware 15R2/ 13R2/ 17R3 you get 4.0 pci express 3.0 and the performance is pretty good. The only thing I do not like is the crappy fan they include, so I am swapping that out for a Noctua NF-B9.
 
Aurelius said:
With that said, you may need to keep your expectations modest. I've seen many a person shout "I'm going to get a gaming laptop to replace my desktop!" without really understanding what's needed to make that work. Get ready to pay more than you were expecting, and to accept that you'll be making certain sacrifices in terms of upgradability and longevity (it's not realistic to replace most parts).
Click to expand...

That is correct sir. When I first bought my first Gaming laptop (M18x) years ago, I was expecting it to be the only PC that I will be using but turns out, it is more of a pain because of how big that thing is, I had second thoughts carrying that thing around when I travel. And when I am home, it takes more space that my PC because I would hook up extra monitors to it, and mouse and keyboard. So in the end, I would have rather spend the money on a powerful Tablet like the Surface Pro 4 or Surface Book.
 
AthlonXP said:
That's a solid laptop, I was skeptical of the Alienware Graphics Amp but with the Alienware 15R2/ 13R2/ 17R3 you get 4.0 pci express 3.0 and the performance is pretty good. The only thing I do not like is the crappy fan they include, so I am swapping that out for a Noctua NF-B9.
Click to expand...
I got my hands on a 17R3 for just $1500 (i7=6820HK, 16GB DDR4, 980M-8GB, 1TB HD). I threw in a NVME SSD and this thing flies! I have a $170 credit so I was thinking about getting the gfx amp. Can you throw any video card in there? Are there power limits?
 
StryderxX said:
I got my hands on a 17R3 for just $1500 (i7=6820HK, 16GB DDR4, 980M-8GB, 1TB HD). I threw in a NVME SSD and this thing flies! I have a $170 credit so I was thinking about getting the gfx amp. Can you throw any video card in there? Are there power limits?
Click to expand...


I put in a GTX 980ti. The Stock PSU I think is a 350w PSU, I swapped it out with a Corsair CX450M PSU and upgraded the 92mm fan in there.
 
Gaming laptops will finally become a thing since USB type c has the bandwidth to power a full length card.
 
mobusta1 said:
Gaming laptops will finally become a thing since USB type c has the bandwidth to power a full length card.
Click to expand...

They've always been a thing.

Nexrus said:
Hello,

I recently moved into a new house and I'm looking to ditch the clunky desktop tower (built about 3 years ago) in favor of a laptop. The plan is to upgrade to a laptop that will perform as well (or better) using the monitor I currently have (1920x1080).

I've been out of the hardware scene for so long that I don't really know whats comparable. I've tried searching Google but I can't really find a site or chart that gives direct comparisons between mobile and desktop hardware.

The hardware for the desktop that I have now is listed below. None of it is overclocked. I would greatly appreciate it if someone could give some suggestions for comparable mobile hardware. Keeping in mind I don't want to sacrifice performance, if possible.

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB
MSI Gaming N760 TF 2GD5/OC G-SYNC Support GeForce GTX 760
Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge Quad-Core 3.1GHz
Click to expand...

MSI PE60 - $899 can be had for $799 when it goes on sale. (6700HQ / GTX 960M)
Asus G501VW - $950 can be had at times when on sale for $899. (6700HQ / GTX 960M / TB3)
Asus GL502VW Strix - $1199 New release from ASUS. (6700HQ / GTX 970M)
Gigabyte P34W V5 - $1299 if you want a cheap 14" form factor. (6700HQ / GTX 970M)
Acer Nitro Series - $899-$1199 . (6700HQ / GTX 960M)

Those are what I was looking at when I was looking for a laptop a week or so ago and went with the P34W. Each has their pros and cons and that would be up to you to decide. You aren't going to get into a 980M unless you're north of $1500+.

The GL502VW wins if you want best bang for buck. $1199 for a GTX 970M and 6700HQ is quite a bargain.
 
Personally, I own an Alienware 17 R3, I love it but if you're traveling, grab the backpack..


It's got power, its decently light weight. Downside is the fact that it's big..

However, I do take it with me on trips, and I do take it with me to work when I have an hour break. I recommend it. It's a blast and the upgrade capabilities the laptop does have, makes it worth it. 970M is amazing but 4K display makes games like The Division CRAWL, so best to play that with the display setting of 1920x1080.

All in all, I absolutely love it and and it's capable of playing DOOM on Ultra with 30-60 FPS and under 64'C for a laptop that's cool as hell and the keyboard doesn't get Hot spots.
 
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