Angel
I know ASUS and Alienware are supposed to be good, but lately Ive been hearing Alienware is not that great anymore and ASUS certain parts break down pretty fast and their customer service is bad. Are there any good ASUS or Alienwares out now? in the 1,500-1,600 or less range.
Can some people name some good gaming laptops as well as brands, I keep coming across some but then they'll be some sort of error with them.
Memory 8 GB or more with ability to upgrade
Hard drive 750 GB or more
CPU i7 3r d gen.
Graphics Card 2-3 GB or more
Windows
Display 15-17 inch etc.
Although i want a gaming computer i wont be gaming on it much, I just want a gaming computer because they tend to have more memory, and hard drive space etc.
thanks
Thank you both..Alex i had checked that laptop out and i read reviews about freezing and touch pad issues...have you experienced any issues with that? and what yr is your ASUS? are there any others you would recommend?
Also anymore suggestions are appreciated thanks
Answer
The most important factor of a gaming laptop is the graphics processor. The stronger the graphics, the better the gaming unless particularly slowed by the CPU or a ram shortage or other factors.
Video editing needs a lot of ram and a faster CPU. Stronger CPUs and graphics power take more battery power, so if they still have a standard 6 cell lithium ion, a faster laptop has a shorter battery life.
Weight is also a factor in the portability, and many people are more interested in the portability. You get a much more powerful desktop PC with a bigger monitor at the same price as a gaming laptop.
For brand quality and reliability in general, I use the customer survey published annually by PC World magazine. December 2011 is the latest, with this year due out soon.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/244419/laptop_reliability_and_satisfaction_macbooks_rule.html
Although Macbooks are known as more reliable, their price to performance is terrible. They cost a lot for the CPU and graphics performance level, and the OSX operating system has a smaller list of compatible software. Also, Lenovo has 3 product lines; Essential, Ideapad, and Thinkpad. Thinkpads are considered the most robust and best keyboards and have other excellent characteristics, but they do not get high level graphics because they are business systems.
Most laptops have 2 slots for DRAM. 8GB laptops are generally 2x4GB, and that is usually plenty. The graphics ram is more important to be GDDR5 instead of DDR3 type rather than how much ram. The graphics level is important, but the ram can be shared system ram as DDR3 and so having 2 GB dedicated graphics ram is only really good if it is GDDR5 ram. In DDR3, just add it to the system ram.
You can see a reported CPU and graphics score average at this site on two tabs:
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php
One of the bargains in the industry is the Lenovo Y580 at Lenovo.com, but shipments are now delayed and prices were increased. They were perfect during black friday sale with $900 price on what is now $1,039.20. There are a few left at resellers.
3rd Generation Intel Core i7-3630QM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX660M 2GB GDDR5, backlit keyboard, 15.6" screen in 1080p, 8.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz, 1TB 5400RPM+16G SSD, Blu-ray/DVD-RW, 6 Cell Li-Polymer, 2x2 wireless, bluetooth, HD CAM, HDMI, and a good set of extra features like one button recovery. You would have to wait for delivery. The only thing some people don't like is the screen has glare of overhead or lights behind you, but it has an extra wide color gamat with more accurate reproduction. In stock at Newegg for $1110 is DVDRW instead of bluray and a 750GB with 16GB acceleration SSD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834310661
The only manufacturers of laptops selling under their own name is Asus and MSI. Laptops are designed and produced by them and Clevo, Wistron, Quanta, Invertec, and a few other manufacturers all in China. The brands are actually just sales and service and procurement organizations doing selection of keyboards, HDDs, LCDs, and other sub-components made by other companies. Lenovo Thinkpad still has design teams some formerly of IBM and a lab for reliability testing in Japan.
At $1210 is an MSI with similar specs to the Lenovo Y580, but in a 17.3" anti-reflective screen, no SSD, and is DVDRW:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152369
You can see gaming performance here:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Computer-Games-on-Laptop-Graphic-Cards.13849.0.html
If not gaming heavily, there would be no need to spend more as it is mostly only moving up the graphics power. Extra ram over 8+2GB is not very important.
I show the full HD 1920x1080 resolution since you are at the price point to get it.
This is a nice choice at Amazon of a Samsung:
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Series-NP700G7C-T01US-17-3-Inch-Laptop/dp/B0098O6FIU
It's only flaw is bluray and DVD player, but does not show DVD writing. It may have it, but does not state it so probably does not. The color is yellow/orange. The screen is a 17.3" extra bright 400 nit. The HD 7870M is a little better than NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M. It has a 1TB HDD. The Samsung brand is a high quality one. It is heavy at 8.4 pounds.
You can browse around, but if you like the color (see it at various sites for sale by google of the model number), and don't miss DVD writing (you can buy an external one), the Samsung is an excellent choice. Just browse around Newegg by looking at laptops sorted by price at 100 per page, and then select at left the i7, and slidebar for 1920x1080, and parameters of GB of ram and HDD. You can also check Amazon, but they are harder to search.
With the article about quality, a site that shows reported CPU and graphics power and another with gaming by GPU and the places to buy being Newegg, Amazon, Tigerdirect, BHPhoto.com
it is just a matter of deciding what suits you.
The most important factor of a gaming laptop is the graphics processor. The stronger the graphics, the better the gaming unless particularly slowed by the CPU or a ram shortage or other factors.
Video editing needs a lot of ram and a faster CPU. Stronger CPUs and graphics power take more battery power, so if they still have a standard 6 cell lithium ion, a faster laptop has a shorter battery life.
Weight is also a factor in the portability, and many people are more interested in the portability. You get a much more powerful desktop PC with a bigger monitor at the same price as a gaming laptop.
For brand quality and reliability in general, I use the customer survey published annually by PC World magazine. December 2011 is the latest, with this year due out soon.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/244419/laptop_reliability_and_satisfaction_macbooks_rule.html
Although Macbooks are known as more reliable, their price to performance is terrible. They cost a lot for the CPU and graphics performance level, and the OSX operating system has a smaller list of compatible software. Also, Lenovo has 3 product lines; Essential, Ideapad, and Thinkpad. Thinkpads are considered the most robust and best keyboards and have other excellent characteristics, but they do not get high level graphics because they are business systems.
Most laptops have 2 slots for DRAM. 8GB laptops are generally 2x4GB, and that is usually plenty. The graphics ram is more important to be GDDR5 instead of DDR3 type rather than how much ram. The graphics level is important, but the ram can be shared system ram as DDR3 and so having 2 GB dedicated graphics ram is only really good if it is GDDR5 ram. In DDR3, just add it to the system ram.
You can see a reported CPU and graphics score average at this site on two tabs:
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php
One of the bargains in the industry is the Lenovo Y580 at Lenovo.com, but shipments are now delayed and prices were increased. They were perfect during black friday sale with $900 price on what is now $1,039.20. There are a few left at resellers.
3rd Generation Intel Core i7-3630QM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX660M 2GB GDDR5, backlit keyboard, 15.6" screen in 1080p, 8.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz, 1TB 5400RPM+16G SSD, Blu-ray/DVD-RW, 6 Cell Li-Polymer, 2x2 wireless, bluetooth, HD CAM, HDMI, and a good set of extra features like one button recovery. You would have to wait for delivery. The only thing some people don't like is the screen has glare of overhead or lights behind you, but it has an extra wide color gamat with more accurate reproduction. In stock at Newegg for $1110 is DVDRW instead of bluray and a 750GB with 16GB acceleration SSD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834310661
The only manufacturers of laptops selling under their own name is Asus and MSI. Laptops are designed and produced by them and Clevo, Wistron, Quanta, Invertec, and a few other manufacturers all in China. The brands are actually just sales and service and procurement organizations doing selection of keyboards, HDDs, LCDs, and other sub-components made by other companies. Lenovo Thinkpad still has design teams some formerly of IBM and a lab for reliability testing in Japan.
At $1210 is an MSI with similar specs to the Lenovo Y580, but in a 17.3" anti-reflective screen, no SSD, and is DVDRW:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152369
You can see gaming performance here:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Computer-Games-on-Laptop-Graphic-Cards.13849.0.html
If not gaming heavily, there would be no need to spend more as it is mostly only moving up the graphics power. Extra ram over 8+2GB is not very important.
I show the full HD 1920x1080 resolution since you are at the price point to get it.
This is a nice choice at Amazon of a Samsung:
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Series-NP700G7C-T01US-17-3-Inch-Laptop/dp/B0098O6FIU
It's only flaw is bluray and DVD player, but does not show DVD writing. It may have it, but does not state it so probably does not. The color is yellow/orange. The screen is a 17.3" extra bright 400 nit. The HD 7870M is a little better than NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M. It has a 1TB HDD. The Samsung brand is a high quality one. It is heavy at 8.4 pounds.
You can browse around, but if you like the color (see it at various sites for sale by google of the model number), and don't miss DVD writing (you can buy an external one), the Samsung is an excellent choice. Just browse around Newegg by looking at laptops sorted by price at 100 per page, and then select at left the i7, and slidebar for 1920x1080, and parameters of GB of ram and HDD. You can also check Amazon, but they are harder to search.
With the article about quality, a site that shows reported CPU and graphics power and another with gaming by GPU and the places to buy being Newegg, Amazon, Tigerdirect, BHPhoto.com
it is just a matter of deciding what suits you.
what are some fun computer games my computer can play?
I've got an eMachine T5224, Pentium D 2.8GHz dual core, 800Mhz FSB, 2GB DDR2 Memory, ATI Radeon HD 4670. let me know if any other info is needed or if you recommend any upgrades!
Thanks!
Answer
Unfortunately it depends on what kind of games you like and expect to play on your system, such as First Person Shooters (FPS), Real Time Strategy (RTS), Turn-Based Strategy (TBS), Simulation (e.g. Driving, Flying), Adventure (with Story-lines, Mysteries), et cetera.
One of the above will determine what kind of computer game you are looking for and unfortunately with games between 2009 and 2012; I do not believe your system will efficiently run them properly.
You can visit Game Debate and look at a gaming title that you may be interested in and see whether your system meets the minimum specification; if you are unsure, you can scroll down to the bottom of the page of that game title and enter your specifications manually and it will give you a score out of 10 based on the component information you supply.
Most computer games nowadays will require that you have Windows 7 and since you only have 2GB of memory, you will need at least 6 to 8GB just to run the operating system as well as games themselves as you will experience eventually that they are also resource hungry.
The Pentium D 2.8Ghz at some stage was probably very good; but it is several years old and most of the current games since 2010 use a mixture of Dual Core especially from the LGA775 Core 2 Duo series and Quad Core from the LGA775 Core 2 Quad. Most games are designed to run on Quad Core that is becoming more common.
Now that we have the very popular Sandybridge release from Intel with the LGA1155 chipset with the second generation chipsets to replace the LGA1156 which does not seem like much because it is just one pin difference; but performance is greater and power consumption is less.
The LGA1155 was released early 2011 and has become the most common system build, I would suggest that you avoid the AMD line; especially the bulldozer 8-core which unfortunately some LGA775 chipsets especially the Quad cores can still beat them.
Intel has released during the third quater of 2011 with the LGA2011 6-core chipset to replace the LGA1366 990X extreme 6 core chipset to give it more performance and also less power consumption. However this is a first generation release and it is expensive to upgrade at this stage; especially with the floods from last November that caused all that devastation in which has increased the supply versus demand pricing structure upon computer electronics let alone anything that uses electronics.
The HD4670 is still a good video card, however you may struggle to run some of the newer games with good resolutions and with good fps rates. Present standard gaming resolutions is 1920x1080+ with at least 70 fps; so you'll have to upgrade nevertheless especially the video card and the monitor to at least 22"+.
If you are expecting to play at that resolution, you will need to get either a GTX560Ti series or better or if you're an ATI fan, then a HD6970+
In essence, you will need to upgrade everything, since present i3 or i5 LGA1155 chipset motherboards use DDR3 memory, so your 2GB DDR2 is obsolete.
If you are going to buy a custom PC, you'll have to get a power supply unit that can handle all the demands of the graphics card as well as your other system components. Aiming for at least a 550W or better; especially branded PSUs is best rather than generic ones'.
Unfortunately it depends on what kind of games you like and expect to play on your system, such as First Person Shooters (FPS), Real Time Strategy (RTS), Turn-Based Strategy (TBS), Simulation (e.g. Driving, Flying), Adventure (with Story-lines, Mysteries), et cetera.
One of the above will determine what kind of computer game you are looking for and unfortunately with games between 2009 and 2012; I do not believe your system will efficiently run them properly.
You can visit Game Debate and look at a gaming title that you may be interested in and see whether your system meets the minimum specification; if you are unsure, you can scroll down to the bottom of the page of that game title and enter your specifications manually and it will give you a score out of 10 based on the component information you supply.
Most computer games nowadays will require that you have Windows 7 and since you only have 2GB of memory, you will need at least 6 to 8GB just to run the operating system as well as games themselves as you will experience eventually that they are also resource hungry.
The Pentium D 2.8Ghz at some stage was probably very good; but it is several years old and most of the current games since 2010 use a mixture of Dual Core especially from the LGA775 Core 2 Duo series and Quad Core from the LGA775 Core 2 Quad. Most games are designed to run on Quad Core that is becoming more common.
Now that we have the very popular Sandybridge release from Intel with the LGA1155 chipset with the second generation chipsets to replace the LGA1156 which does not seem like much because it is just one pin difference; but performance is greater and power consumption is less.
The LGA1155 was released early 2011 and has become the most common system build, I would suggest that you avoid the AMD line; especially the bulldozer 8-core which unfortunately some LGA775 chipsets especially the Quad cores can still beat them.
Intel has released during the third quater of 2011 with the LGA2011 6-core chipset to replace the LGA1366 990X extreme 6 core chipset to give it more performance and also less power consumption. However this is a first generation release and it is expensive to upgrade at this stage; especially with the floods from last November that caused all that devastation in which has increased the supply versus demand pricing structure upon computer electronics let alone anything that uses electronics.
The HD4670 is still a good video card, however you may struggle to run some of the newer games with good resolutions and with good fps rates. Present standard gaming resolutions is 1920x1080+ with at least 70 fps; so you'll have to upgrade nevertheless especially the video card and the monitor to at least 22"+.
If you are expecting to play at that resolution, you will need to get either a GTX560Ti series or better or if you're an ATI fan, then a HD6970+
In essence, you will need to upgrade everything, since present i3 or i5 LGA1155 chipset motherboards use DDR3 memory, so your 2GB DDR2 is obsolete.
If you are going to buy a custom PC, you'll have to get a power supply unit that can handle all the demands of the graphics card as well as your other system components. Aiming for at least a 550W or better; especially branded PSUs is best rather than generic ones'.
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