Looking for a 'gaming' laptop

[OkitaMakoto]

Hey all,
I've been craving some means to game when I get down time here at TBS and am looking for a good laptop. Nothing CRAZY expensive in relative terms, but around $1,000 or a bit over.

Ive got an old desktop at home but now that im in the Corps I need to be a bit more mobile and small. So a laptop would really be good in that regard.

I want to be able to (obviously) run PR, but also ArmAII and BF3 intensity games on higher settings. Im not worried about super mega high settings, but a good mix of mediums/highs would be nice

That said, I know next to NOTHING about the current state of computer graphics cards or processors espcially when it comes to laptops.

How does something like this look?
Newegg.com - MSI GT680R-008US Notebook Intel Core i7 2630QM(2.00GHz) 15.6" 8GB Memory 1TB HDD 7200rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M

Anything else out there that's a better deal? Is this missing some "oomph" that Ill wind up wishing I had? How's the 460M card?

This Asus is similar but with a smaller HD and a bit bigger screen size. Ideas?
Newegg.com - ASUS G Series G73SW-XN2 Notebook Intel Core i7 2630QM(2.00GHz) 17.3" 8GB Memory DDR3 1333 500GB HDD 7200rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M

Any help would be appreciated

[Pedz]

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M - Notebookcheck.net Tech

Theres a set of benchmark results for the 460m in question, a very good mobile GPU. Also on that site you can compare lots of GPU's, so very useful =].

I can only think of one other good gaming laptop for under 1000, which is the dell XPS 17

The Dell Online Store: Build Your System
Wouldn't bother with the 3d screen, but its got the 555m gpu(which has a whoppingly over the top 3GB or ram..) which is faster and slower than the 460, dependant on what game

[Sneak Attack]

I have a Dell XPS 16 which plays PR on max without any troubles and I love it. cost more then 1000 but you can probably find one for less now with specs that meet those computers you found except its not so hideous/flimsy looking.

[A_Grounded_Pilot]

You're gonna have a hard time with ArmA2 and BF3 on a $1k budget in a notebook. You're on the right track though; look at MSI, Asus, and Clevo. Find something with an i5/i7, 4 GB ram, and don't waste your money on ANY gpu that notebookcheck doesn't put in Class 1.

I'd be looking closely at the Clevo P151HM1 (aka Sager NP8130) and MSI 16F2. GTX 460 or 560 is the way to go for the budget conscious gamer right now.

Check out NBR for more information than you could ever want about laptops.

[kalboune1]

alienware m17x

[Pariel]

I can't take you seriously if you recommend an Alienware. They are extremely overpriced for their features.

[Lajning]

Maybe you could find a notebook with a screen resolution lower than 1920x1080. As always, if you move down a step on the resolution you'll get higher fps/same fps on higher quality settings.

Other than that I can't really recommend anything for you, good luck though!

[OkitaMakoto]

Ok, so I'm in a much better position and am willing to go nearly all out when getting my next laptop($3,000 or so, give or take). But I don't really know what I really need for games these days

How much RAM? They go all crazy in offering like 16Gb and 8Gb... whats a good amount for a laptop to play games and also to do some BF2/ArmA editing (not really at the same time)

A good high end card? Ive heard a bit about the 6990m and the 580m by Radeon and Nvidia... any ideas?

I'll shoot for a good 1080 capable laptop with bluray as well.

I'm also planning on an i7... but whats a good processing speed? Ive seen in the 2.x Ghz range... what should I look for in that area?


As you can see, I really don't know what exactly to look for. I want to be able to play older bf2/PR, but then there's also some new games like BF3 Id like to be able to go high settings in. Even old games like Oblivion, etc.

Anyway, any help is appreciated. I looked at the M17 by alienware. As a member of the US military I get a moderately decent discount, but if I find essentially the same loadout in a cheaper laptop Ill obviously go for it...

[UK_Force]

For me it would be

ASUS G74SX-A1 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop - Republic of Gamers

Amazon.com: ASUS G74SX-A1 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop - Republic of Gamers: Computers & Accessories

The Asus G74Sx is a high quality gaming laptop; reasonably cool and quiet, and not as bulky as many 17-inch desktop replacements tend to be. Moreover, it is relatively inexpensive compared to the closest competitors, but still delivers more than decent gaming performance thanks to the new GTX 560M GPU from Nvidia with higher clock speeds and better power management compared to the GTX 460M that it replaces. The G74Sx is also available in a 3D edition called G74Sx-3DE, which is equipped with an Nvidia 3D Vision kit and a compatible 120Hz panel. Both the 3D and non-3D versions have 1920?1080 resolution screens.

$1,733.04



.

[Beee8190]

I think that Alienware M18x would be great machine and the best part is (afaik) you can choose your GPU for 6990M or 580M which is pretty much the best available.
I need to look up some more details but your main concern should be; latest sandebridge CPU or Liano (amd)
and not only number of cores but highest clock possible (in some cases i5 would be better than i7 due higher frequency)

So- highest clock for CPU possible
Fast SSD disc
4-/-8GB RAM
and of course beast of an GPU, imo i would go for at least 570M as theres no comparsion for their desktop counterparts, meaning desktop 560 will be about twice as powerful than 560M laptop GPU

I get back to You tomorrow as its really really late now though

[OkitaMakoto]

UK_Force;1653264']For me it would be

ASUS G74SX-A1 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop - Republic of Gamers

Amazon.com: ASUS G74SX-A1 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop - Republic of Gamers: Computers & Accessories



$1,733.04



.

Damn, looks good. Same as I was looking at from Alienware (really overpriced) but a lot cheaper.

Any deficiencies you see with it? Looks good to me. Might have to order it now.

[UK_Force]

Looks just the job pal, you know what it's like you can look forever and before you know it your looking at $5000 !!!

Have a pal that has got this and it is a nice bit of hardware


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[Cossack]

Here is the thing about Alienware - they just offer the best on market and of course you pay for brand. (but they have pretty nice products though )

And what UK_Force is suggesting - that is one pretty nice option. It have everything what you are looking for. I say go for that one.

[OkitaMakoto]

Looks just the job pal, you know what it's like you can look forever and before you know it your looking at $5000 !!!

Have a pal that has got this and it is a nice bit of hardware


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Already bought it. And yeah, I was playing with bells and whistles and like you said... next thing I knew I was dishing out way more than I needed by making all the smallest upgrades.

Bought this. Itll probably show up just as Im heading out for our final field event (an 8 day war) but itll be a nice treat to come home to

Looking forward to actually getting back into some PR. Thanks for the good find!

[UK_Force]

Nps, now go grab arma2 CO and get ready for PR: Arma2

.


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[Rhino]

Ye I was looking at laptops the other day for my cousin and ASUS do seem to offer the best value for money at the moment in that department

[UK_Force]

Had a good play around with my mates and they are value for money 100%


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[OkitaMakoto]

Nps, now go grab arma2 CO and get ready for PR: Arma2

.


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Thats great about the value for money. Definitely sounds like exactly what I wanted.

Rah, Ive already got them both purchased on Steam... so its just a matter of when I get the laptop

The only problem is we have the 8-9 day war here at TBS starting next Tuesday... So I'll be out in the field playing Marine for awhile. Hoping to get in some game time before but definitely after.

BF2 PR and ArmA PR are both first in the line up

[OkitaMakoto]

Arrived today! Played some PRSP on Fallujah and was blown away. All highest settings/full with beautifully smooth 1080 gameplay.

Then I played a short mission on ArmaII and with settings cranked up max I got a solid 30 FPS. I lowered the view distance down from max a good bit and will tweak some other settings later to be sure Ill get a more constant FPS when I really start playing

Thanks again, UK Force for the find!

[UK_Force]

Excellent stuff, and quick to arrive too.


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