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Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/23/2014 9:03:12 AM

Joseignacio

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Joined: 5/8/2009
From: Madrid, Spain
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Hello.

I know laptops are weaker in components than the same price desktops but I take my computer to many places and I want a laptop for playing...

Ok, my laptop i s getting older and is having some problems with some 3D games, so I am giving it to my mom, whose needs aren't a really new one, as you can imagine.

I have been thinking of buying another Dell, like this one laptop because Dell lets you configure how you like it and I know (by experience too) that the real bottleneck in a standard laptop (and sometimes in desktops) for a gamer is the Graphics Card, so I would only need to buy a standard one with a potent GC.

1 - I would appreciate any recommendation of a good but not too expensive GC to include in the set.

2 - Since it looks probable I will be to NY by September, I wonder if because of taxes' matters and the known "lower prices" because of the competence for the tourists' business it would be better to buy a gamers computer in NY, taking advantage too of the temporary weakness of $ against �.

What do you think?

Post #: 1

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/23/2014 10:49:08 AM

AxelNL

Posts: 2386
Joined: 9/24/2011
From: The Netherlands
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Joseignacio

Hello.

I know laptops are weaker in components than the same price desktops but I take my computer to many places and I want a laptop for playing...

Ok, my laptop i s getting older and is having some problems with some 3D games, so I am giving it to my mom, whose needs aren't a really new one, as you can imagine.

I have been thinking of buying another Dell, like this one laptop because Dell lets you configure how you like it and I know (by experience too) that the real bottleneck in a standard laptop (and sometimes in desktops) for a gamer is the Graphics Card, so I would only need to buy a standard one with a potent GC.

1 - I would appreciate any recommendation of a good but not too expensive GC to include in the set.

2 - Since it looks probable I will be to NY by September, I wonder if because of taxes' matters and the known "lower prices" because of the competence for the tourists' business it would be better to buy a gamers computer in NY, taking advantage too of the temporary weakness of $ against �.

What do you think?

You do not need a fancy graphics card for MWIF - but you should get a fast multi-core CPU with enough fast memory (8 GB is enough). That will help in supply calculation times. This is the first game in a long period where the CPU is more important than the grapics card.

If you want to connect it to one or two nice 30" LCD screen(s) at home the graphics card does have a spec to check in order to let than happen.

(in reply to Joseignacio)

Post #: 2

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/23/2014 11:46:45 AM

Joseignacio

Posts: 2449
Joined: 5/8/2009
From: Madrid, Spain
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Thanks.

I dont have problems to run MWIF even in my older laptop. Thanks for your input anyway, I will keep it in mind. What I was more worried aboud was about other games, like 3D graphics games (Heroes of Might and Magic VI or Age of Wonders III) who need stronger GC. And the future ones to come.

Any more insights?

(in reply to AxelNL)

Post #: 3

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/23/2014 12:22:18 PM

AxelNL

Posts: 2386
Joined: 9/24/2011
From: The Netherlands
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Joseignacio

Thanks.

I dont have problems to run MWIF even in my older laptop. Thanks for your input anyway, I will keep it in mind. What I was more worried aboud was about other games, like 3D graphics games (Heroes of Might and Magic VI or Age of Wonders III) who need stronger GC. And the future ones to come.

Any more insights?

Dell has a subbrand called "alienware" any model of that brand will be good, although expensive, as they are made for gamers....

(in reply to Joseignacio)

Post #: 4

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/23/2014 3:01:18 PM

Neilster

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From: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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Unless things have changed (I'm a bit out of the loop these days), most manufacturers like to seduce you with fast processors. The best all-round systems have pretty good CPUs but lots of RAM and a quality, fast and large hard drive.

Cheers, Neilster

(in reply to AxelNL)

Post #: 5

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/23/2014 3:25:26 PM

okiemcguire

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Joined: 9/24/2012
From: Arizona
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I recently (w/I the last year) purchased from Best Buy an ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) laptop. They have the processor speed and graphic cards to handle most any new game. The cost is higher but the portability and playability is great!

_____________________________

"Robur Ex Vigilantia," meaning "In Vigilance is Strength"

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Post #: 6

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/25/2014 8:11:03 AM

Joseignacio

Posts: 2449
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From: Madrid, Spain
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Thanks for your inputs, I am checking them.

(in reply to okiemcguire)

Post #: 7

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/25/2014 11:40:52 AM

Neilster

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From: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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If you can squeeze one in, check out getting a SSD (Solid State Drive) as a second drive and mount Windows at least on it. They've come down in price tremendously and that will really speed up any system.

Pretty soon conventional hard drives will go the way of the floppy disk.

Cheers, Neilster

(in reply to Joseignacio)

Post #: 8

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/25/2014 11:49:09 AM

Joseignacio

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From: Madrid, Spain
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Thx, Neilster. A friend of mine, here, home, gave me exactly the same advice for the same reasons. ;)

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Post #: 9

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/25/2014 9:12:07 PM

Joseignacio

Posts: 2449
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From: Madrid, Spain
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http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1033713-REG/asus_republic_of_gamers_g750jm_ds71.html

(in reply to Joseignacio)

Post #: 10

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/26/2014 6:45:26 AM

AxelNL

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Joseignacio

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1033713-REG/asus_republic_of_gamers_g750jm_ds71.html

Impressive specs. I wonder how much noise the cooling makes when you actually put some pressure on that system.

(in reply to Joseignacio)

Post #: 11

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/26/2014 7:33:51 PM

Numdydar

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Not as much as you might think. I read a review and it topped out at about 80db under full load. Most of the time it was around 60db which was when running the majority of the tests.

(in reply to AxelNL)

Post #: 12

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/26/2014 8:42:58 PM

AxelNL

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From: The Netherlands
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Numdydar

Not as much as you might think. I read a review and it topped out at about 80db under full load. Most of the time it was around 60db which was when running the majority of the� tests.

60db is not bad for such a monster, although still noisy as it is comparable to background music. 80db is standing 15 meters from a passing freight train.
see http://airportnoiselaw.org/dblevels.html

(in reply to Numdydar)

Post #: 13

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/27/2014 2:01:06 AM

Boschy

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Look up the MSI Ghost GS60 2PC. i7, 16Gb, 2 x SSD, nVidia GTX G860m and all in 1.9 kg.

(in reply to AxelNL)

Post #: 14

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/27/2014 2:27:07 PM

Zorachus99

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From: Palo Alto, CA
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The most important thing to any laptop purchase is the screen IMHO.

I would get as many pixels as you can afford. MWIF will eat every single one very thirstily. My laptop has 1920x1200 resolution. My desktop has 2560x1600.

As far as graphics card goes, I think a toaster could run this game. No insult intended. No 3d Acceleration required.

_____________________________

Most men can survive adversity, the true test of a man's character is power. -Abraham Lincoln

(in reply to Boschy)

Post #: 15

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/29/2014 6:42:36 AM

Joseignacio

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From: Madrid, Spain
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quote:

ORIGINAL: AxelNL

quote:

ORIGINAL: Numdydar

Not as much as you might think. I read a review and it topped out at about 80db under full load. Most of the time it was around 60db which was when running the majority of the� tests.

60db is not bad for such a monster, although still noisy as it is comparable to background music. 80db is standing 15 meters from a passing freight train.
see http://airportnoiselaw.org/dblevels.html

I don't know about sound measures, so ... are you serious? Almost like having a train 15 meters away?

(in reply to AxelNL)

Post #: 16

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/29/2014 6:43:24 AM

Joseignacio

Posts: 2449
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From: Madrid, Spain
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Boschy

Look up the MSI Ghost GS60 2PC. i7, 16Gb, 2 x SSD, nVidia GTX G860m and all in 1.9 kg.

I am afraid over 1.500 euros, like 2.000 dollars is a little bit out of my budget.

(in reply to Boschy)

Post #: 17

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/29/2014 6:46:52 AM

Joseignacio

Posts: 2449
Joined: 5/8/2009
From: Madrid, Spain
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Zorachus99

The most important thing to any laptop purchase is the screen IMHO.

I would get as many pixels as you can afford. MWIF will eat every single one very thirstily. My laptop has 1920x1200 resolution. My desktop has 2560x1600.

As far as graphics card goes, I think a toaster could run this game. No insult intended. No 3d Acceleration required.

I agree that is very important, my older laptop has very good resolution as well, but I will consider this although by now I am not having problems with visualization.

And I am glad a toaster can run the game.

They all should; after all, too many games have fancy 3D and other features that aren't really adding to the game but slow your PC down and make you pay more RAM and GCs.

< Message edited by Joseignacio -- 4/29/2014 7:47:16 AM >

(in reply to Zorachus99)

Post #: 18

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/29/2014 7:56:40 AM

AxelNL

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Joined: 9/24/2011
From: The Netherlands
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Joseignacio

quote:

ORIGINAL: AxelNL

quote:

ORIGINAL: Numdydar

Not as much as you might think. I read a review and it topped out at about 80db under full load. Most of the time it was around 60db which was when running the majority of the� tests.

60db is not bad for such a monster, although still noisy as it is comparable to background music. 80db is standing 15 meters from a passing freight train.
see http://airportnoiselaw.org/dblevels.html

I don't know about sound measures, so ... are you serious? Almost like having a train 15 meters away?

Sound is subjective, but 80db is very loud - more noise than vacuum cleaning. I myself like a silent running PC. which still have lots of power. But than you come into the realm of self-built desktops in order not to let the budget go sky-high. e.g. there are cooling fans in the market which make much less noise than standard fans, being larger than normal, spinning slower and use magnets and oil instead of normal sleeve bearing which will start to wear down and make more noise over time.

< Message edited by AxelNL -- 4/29/2014 8:57:15 AM >

(in reply to Joseignacio)

Post #: 19

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/29/2014 1:08:12 PM

Joseignacio

Posts: 2449
Joined: 5/8/2009
From: Madrid, Spain
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Ufff. I cannot stand a vaccum cleaner in the room while playing. Not to speak of not hearing the sounds of the game.

I saw this one recently:

http://www.dominiovirtual.es/portatil-asus-n76vmt5030v-equipo-espanol-windows-home-premium-bluray-p-46191.html

Although the text is in Spanish there is few to translate, it's all specifications...

Intel� Core� i7-3610QM Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz)
DDR3 de 8 GB
SATA de 1TB
NVidia GT630M

< Message edited by Joseignacio -- 4/29/2014 2:08:40 PM >

(in reply to AxelNL)

Post #: 20

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/29/2014 3:04:07 PM

AxelNL

Posts: 2386
Joined: 9/24/2011
From: The Netherlands
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Joseignacio

Ufff. I cannot stand a vaccum cleaner in the room while playing. Not to speak of not hearing the sounds of the game.

I saw this one recently:

http://www.dominiovirtual.es/portatil-asus-n76vmt5030v-equipo-espanol-windows-home-premium-bluray-p-46191.html

Although the text is in Spanish there is few to translate, it's all specifications...

Intel� Core� i7-3610QM Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz)
DDR3 de 8 GB
SATA de 1TB
NVidia GT630M

I bought an Asus for my wife last year, and it has not let her down. I don't think this will play the latest shooters in the highest framerate but looks good enough for the rest to me.

(in reply to Joseignacio)

Post #: 21

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/30/2014 2:20:36 AM

Numdydar

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Joined: 2/13/2004
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quote:

ORIGINAL: AxelNL

quote:

ORIGINAL: Joseignacio

quote:

ORIGINAL: AxelNL

quote:

ORIGINAL: Numdydar

Not as much as you might think. I read a review and it topped out at about 80db under full load. Most of the time it was around 60db which was when running the majority of the� tests.

60db is not bad for such a monster, although still noisy as it is comparable to background music. 80db is standing 15 meters from a passing freight train.
see http://airportnoiselaw.org/dblevels.html

I don't know about sound measures, so ... are you serious? Almost like having a train 15 meters away?

Sound is subjective, but 80db is very loud - more noise than vacuum cleaning. I myself like a silent running PC. which still have lots of power. But than you come into the realm of self-built desktops in order not to let the budget go sky-high. e.g. there are cooling fans in the market which make much less noise than standard fans, being larger than normal, spinning slower and use magnets and oil instead of normal sleeve bearing which will start to wear down and make more noise over time.

But remember this is under FULL load which 99% of all newer computers seldom are. Even when playing newer games. Something like WitP AE or WiF will NOT come even close to a full load

(in reply to AxelNL)

Post #: 22

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 4/30/2014 6:32:45 AM

Joseignacio

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Yes, but like I mentioned before, I run all kind of games, including Call of Duty and 3D strategy games...

I kind of have an idea now of what I want to buy, thanks to all that contributed and feel free to keep on if someone still has something to add.

This is the last one I am more "in love with" and whose price is reasonable IMO:

http://www.dominiovirtual.es/portatil-envy-17j070ez-e1u34ea-equipo-extranjero-p-46039.html

HP ENVY 17-j070ez

Intel Core i7-4700MQ (2.4GHz)
Memory 8GB (2x4GB)
NVIDIA GeForce GT750M 2GB
43,9 cm (17,3") HD LED(1600 x 900) Resolution is not the best but...
HDD 1TB,

(in reply to Numdydar)

Post #: 23

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 5/1/2014 10:48:07 PM

Numdydar

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A HP??! I wish you luck as I would never own a HP, IBM, Compaq, etc. Give me a Dell, Gateway, Asus, etc. any day over those.

I've owned all the one's listed above and would never own another one of the first three. But who knows maybe they don't suck as much now as when I owned them

(in reply to Joseignacio)

Post #: 24

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 5/2/2014 2:41:16 AM

wworld7

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From: The Nutmeg State
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My last two have been HPs, I believe they are much better than they werr ten years ago+

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Flipper

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Post #: 25

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 5/2/2014 4:11:01 AM

Numdydar

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Very well could be. But the once bitten and all of that is still in effect for me

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Post #: 26

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 5/2/2014 6:16:16 PM

Centuur

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My former lap top was a HP. It wasn't what I expected from the machine. Especially the cooling fan started making trouble after two years of extensive use.

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Post #: 27

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 5/5/2014 8:32:05 AM

Joseignacio

Posts: 2449
Joined: 5/8/2009
From: Madrid, Spain
Status: offline

Thanks.

I had an HP long time ago. I was not entirely happy about it being from a supposed "premium make" (or so they called it so long ago), but it gave me no big issues either.

Later I have had a couple of Dell and although people were wary of the computers composed that way... And the second, which I'm currently using, is pretty much ok except for excessive heating (I put it on an upside down tray - like this tray - when I am playing long time games intensive in resuorces, and the problem was over although it's kind of ridiculous to have to do this):

(in reply to Centuur)

Post #: 28

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 5/5/2014 10:25:48 AM

AxelNL

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From: The Netherlands
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There are coolers on the market which also raises the screen to a better height for your neck.....

Attachment (1)

(in reply to Joseignacio)

Post #: 29

RE: Off Topic: About to renew laptop. Advice? - 5/5/2014 11:33:29 AM

Joseignacio

Posts: 2449
Joined: 5/8/2009
From: Madrid, Spain
Status: offline

Yes, a friend of mine told me. But the slit through which the computer ventilates is like this:

Also, I always doubted about the help that external ventilators give, I mean, are they extractor ventilator or what? Because else, all the air that comes to them it was already expelled by the internal ones, so I'd say they don't help much. Or that has always been my feeling.

(in reply to AxelNL)

Post #: 30