Help with finding a laptop that can support gaming

[Blazingdragoon04]

So I have started this as another forum earlier and got some good results. Unfortunately I am still horribly undecided by what laptop I want. This is due to the fact that I am completely indecisive, and some of the other computers I looked at had their own faults as well. Since that forum went dark I wanted to start up another one addressing some of the questions I had.

Currently I am looking at the Dell XPS 15 and Dell XPS 17, both somewhat highly rated, the 15 more than the 17. I was originally looking at the base model for the XPS 17, but I still don't know if the 15 is better, as I have heard that the 17 has a lot of heating issues and has lower resolution? If you had to pick one of these computers, which I am highly leaning towards, are there any add-ons or upgrades that you would recommend in order to get more life out of the laptop?

I have gotten many recommendations for ASUS laptops, but have heard terrible things regarding their customer service. Is this true, as this would be a bit of a deal breaker for me since I am not the most technologically proficient person out there (though I am willing to learn, just not willing to spend 1,000 for a fun trial and error process).

Is 7200 RPM necessary for a hard drive? I have heard that it boosts performance a noticeable amount.

I hate to keep asking questions, but I really am at a loss for a solution for this problem. I have looked all over and still can't decide on a laptop, possibly due to my inability to part with my money easily.

If there are any other laptops you can recommend to me, feel free to let me know. These are the things I would like to keep constant, however.

Price Range: $800 - $1300 USD.
Dedicated Video card
Needs to be able to play League of Legends, Starcraft 2, and Team fortress 2 over steam.
Has a reliable customer service base.

Thank you all in advance for all your help!

 

[Sleekgiant]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220843

I'm an ASUS fanboy so let me point you to my suggestion :3

 

[Radeonx]

Honestly, it is much cheaper to just buy a $500-600 desktop and a Netbook or something cheap if you really want a laptop to use.

 

[wammnebu]

I have a studio 15 laptop, and it runs most games (the only one ive had issue with is Dead Rising 2, but other games with similar specs run fine). and it cost me about 800, and dell has very good customer service. At the customization panel though get the ATI Radeon graphics card and a intel i5 or i7 chip

Honestly, it is much cheaper to just buy a $500-600 desktop and a Netbook or something cheap if you really want a laptop to use.

maybe, but having one really good laptop saves me the need to buy a console so that is about $3-$500 dollars in savings right there.

 

[Radeonx]

maybe, but having one really good laptop saves me the need to buy a console so that is about $3-$500 dollars in savings right there.

A gaming desktop and a cheap laptop would cost less than a gaming laptop.

 

[Custard_Angel]

Honestly, it is much cheaper to just buy a $500-600 desktop and a Netbook or something cheap if you really want a laptop to use.

Certainly the cheaper option in 100% of cases, but there are times when a desktop is unfeasible.

Personally, I need a laptop for my uni work, and cant fit a desktop computer in my place. The only option I have that can satisfy everything is to buy a powerful laptop that can do everything.

With that in mind, I am typing this message on an Asus G53J.

It comes with an i7 processor, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M card, 1TB (2x500GB) HDD and a 4x Blu-Ray drive.

As laptops go, its fairly beast but getting the same, or an equivalent model, will set you back $2-2.5k. The same set up in a desktop will cost around $1k.

So...

If you can, a desktop is much better.

If you can't, a laptop can be just as good.

 

[Danceofmasks]

maybe, but having one really good laptop saves me the need to buy a console so that is about $3-$500 dollars in savings right there.

A gaming desktop and a cheap laptop would cost less than a gaming laptop.

The OP doesn't want a gaming laptop, though.
The OP wants a laptop that runs League of Legends, Starcraft 2, and Team Fortress 2.

Those games would probably run on a toaster.

 

[Sleekgiant]

Honestly, it is much cheaper to just buy a $500-600 desktop and a Netbook or something cheap if you really want a laptop to use.

Yeah we have this argument everytime these threads show up.

We list low cost builds and netbooks then OP goes NUUUUU I need a latop, so its best to just let it ride and suggest a laptop.

 

[triggrhappy94]

Do your homework!!!
Do research on different parts. The most expensive isn't always the best.

 

[Radeonx]

Honestly, it is much cheaper to just buy a $500-600 desktop and a Netbook or something cheap if you really want a laptop to use.

Yeah we have this argument everytime these threads show up.

We list low cost builds and netbooks then OP goes NUUUUU I need a latop, so its best to just let it ride and suggest a laptop.

True, but considering that one is much more cost effective than the other, I figured that it would be worth suggesting.

maybe, but having one really good laptop saves me the need to buy a console so that is about $3-$500 dollars in savings right there.

A gaming desktop and a cheap laptop would cost less than a gaming laptop.

The OP doesn't want a gaming laptop, though.
The OP wants a laptop that runs League of Legends, Starcraft 2, and Team Fortress 2.

Those games would probably run on a toaster.

Well, in that specific case, Starcraft 2 is more taxing than one might think.
Considering that he's wiling to spend $800, I'd say that it would be perfectly reasonable to get a $600 custom built computer that can run most of the games out today and a $200 laptop to do schoolwork and such.

Honestly, it is much cheaper to just buy a $500-600 desktop and a Netbook or something cheap if you really want a laptop to use.

Certainly the cheaper option in 100% of cases, but there are times when a desktop is unfeasible.

Personally, I need a laptop for my uni work, and cant fit a desktop computer in my place. The only option I have that can satisfy everything is to buy a powerful laptop that can do everything.

Yeah, it definitely is a case of "It depends", but I'd say that looking into the desktop/laptop combo is a good choice just because of cost effectiveness. If you can make it work like I was able to, it is a very good choice.

 

[Sleekgiant]

snipples :3

I agree and really wish people would invest in a desktop and netbook, which speaking as someone who owns a netbook I have to say it is one of the greatest purchases I have ever made.

Good battery life and cheap as hell, plus good power for what it is.

 

[Blazingdragoon04]

Honestly, it is much cheaper to just buy a $500-600 desktop and a Netbook or something cheap if you really want a laptop to use.

Yeah we have this argument everytime these threads show up.

We list low cost builds and netbooks then OP goes NUUUUU I need a latop, so its best to just let it ride and suggest a laptop.

Thanks for the vote of confidence there chief. I was looking for suggestions, not charging headlong into a discussion where I already knew what I wanted, thus wasting an entire forum's time and effort. The entire point of this, and the other topic, is looking at what is available for good laptops, since I'm unsure of how much space I am working with and whether or not I will need a laptop in the coming years if I move into PhD work, and never really thought about getting a netbook, since it seems to much easier to just put Microsoft word on a laptop and not have to worry about using the right thing for each assignment.

That being said I actually have looked into desktops and can't really find any I like. Most of them come with ridiculous amounts of storage, I really honestly can't see myself ever using an entire terabyte of storage, and I don't really have access to someone that can custom build one for me, nor do I have the knowledge of such things like how many high-end pieces of equipment I can put in, such as processors and GPU's, I can put in before I need to put money into a dedicated liquid cooling system. Which processors and GPU's are the best is also something I don't know much about.

If you have suggestions for a good desktop throw them out there. Just keep in mind my budget and the requirements I wanted to stay within. Of course if you try to get me to get a 1500 dollar desktop and a 300 dollar monitor of course I am going to protest.

That being said, no one has really addressed the issue of ASUS's seemingly terrible customer service record, which I have read about on websites like Newegg. Anyone have an opinion on that; am I just reading the rantings of a disgruntled minority, or is ASUS really that bad with customer service?

 

[Sleekgiant]

snip

Sorry about my post, its just 9 times out of 10 thats how these threads go.

If you want a desktop you like and set the way you want, build it, its the only way.
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af150/The_FalconO6/CurrentLogicalPCBuyingGuide/Guide.png
This guide is awesome for assisting people in building computers and even gives prices for each build total.

Third, I haven't heard much about customer service issues with ASUS, only hear good things about their products : /

 

[CountChocula99]

buy a used/refurb Envy 15 - that is the only thin and portable laptop I'm aware of that can deliver decent frame rates at 1920x1080

make sure to get one with the following specs
-AMD 5830m
-1920x1080 display
- if you can afford it find one with dual Intel X18M G2 SSDs in Raid0

If you don't mind heavy and relatively bulky, Sager/Clevo has some great gaming laptops.
make sure to get
-at least 1600x900 or 1920x1080 display
-NVIDIA 460m or better
-or AMD 5830m or better
-min 6GB RAM


Otherwise, you will find that the total cost of building a cheap and powerful gaming desktop + buying a cheap and weak laptop is cheaper than buying a decent gaming laptop.

 

[Hashime]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220843

I'm an ASUS fanboy so let me point you to my suggestion :3

ASUS makes great stuff, I agree with your suggestion.

 

[Hashime]

7200 RPM necessary for a hard drive? I have heard that it boosts performance a noticeable amount.
I would call that the minimum for a gaming rig

I would strongly suggest that you get a cheap laptop and spend your money building a desktop gaming computer. Gaming laptops are not economical and will not give you the ideal gaming experience.

If you are set on a gaming laptop look at Asus.

 

[Blazingdragoon04]

snip

Sorry about my post, its just 9 times out of 10 thats how these threads go.

If you want a desktop you like and set the way you want, build it, its the only way.
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af150/The_FalconO6/CurrentLogicalPCBuyingGuide/Guide.png
This guide is awesome for assisting people in building computers and even gives prices for each build total.

Third, I haven't heard much about customer service issues with ASUS, only hear good things about their products : /

So, follow up to that. If I go about buying all these different parts, how do I actually build the computer? Do I need to know where every part goes in relation to every other part, is it pretty clearly written out in the case, or is it simpler than I am making it out to be? Do I need a lot of specific tools or is it more about just taking a small screwdriver and putting everything in place after gently putting it where it needs to go?

Also, do most parts carry manufacturers warranties so I can return parts if they go bad after a month or if they end up being DOA? How does that sort of stuff work?

 

[Sleekgiant]

snip

Sorry about my post, its just 9 times out of 10 thats how these threads go.

If you want a desktop you like and set the way you want, build it, its the only way.
http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af150/The_FalconO6/CurrentLogicalPCBuyingGuide/Guide.png
This guide is awesome for assisting people in building computers and even gives prices for each build total.

Third, I haven't heard much about customer service issues with ASUS, only hear good things about their products : /

So, follow up to that. If I go about buying all these different parts, how do I actually build the computer? Do I need to know where every part goes in relation to every other part, is it pretty clearly written out in the case, or is it simpler than I am making it out to be? Do I need a lot of specific tools or is it more about just taking a small screwdriver and putting everything in place after gently putting it where it needs to go?

Also, do most parts carry manufacturers warranties so I can return parts if they go bad after a month or if they end up being DOA? How does that sort of stuff work?

Many manufacturers carry great warranties, especially on RAM

As far as construction, its part learn as you go, part watch videos on it and part read the manual. Definitely do-able by anyone, the only part that people are inconsistent on is cable management which is the most important part.As far as tools go, most you will need is basic tools.

If you need we can help you piece a computer together.

 

[CountChocula99]

So, follow up to that. If I go about buying all these different parts, how do I actually build the computer? Do I need to know where every part goes in relation to every other part, is it pretty clearly written out in the case, or is it simpler than I am making it out to be? Do I need a lot of specific tools or is it more about just taking a small screwdriver and putting everything in place after gently putting it where it needs to go?

Also, do most parts carry manufacturers warranties so I can return parts if they go bad after a month or if they end up being DOA? How does that sort of stuff work?

take a look at the components on [link]www.newegg.com[/link]

once you have an idea of which components you are thinking of, post your query on tomshardware forums

[link]http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum-31-322.html[/link]

those guys are hardcore!

 

[migo]

Asus has quite good phone customer service, their website sucks though, and you'll also find that a lot of stores that sell Asus products themselves have shitty customer service, but that shouldn't be confused with Asus themselves.

As far as CPUs in a laptop go, you're usually going to be doing quite well, it's the GPUs that'll hamstring you. Even if you get a good amount of dedicated VRAM, you'll probably still end up with a card that has a 64-bit memory bus, which ends up making things rather slow. Don't settle for anything less than a 128-bit memory bus, and you'll be fine in the graphics department.

That means for GeForce GPUs you want a 220M or higher, 320M or higher or 415M or higher, and a 460M would be ideal.

For Radeon you want a 3650 HD or higher, 4650 HD or higher, HD 550v or higher, HD 5165, HD 5650 or higher or HD 6530 or higher.

I don't think you're going to get to be choosy about anything beyond that, so just see what you can find that fits those requirements.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006741+50001315+600029658+600004416+600004666&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=-1&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006741+50001315+600029658+600004416+600004690&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=-1&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220899

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006741+50001315+600029658+600004416+600082455&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=-1&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006741+50001315+600029658+600004416+600004666&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=-1&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220951

Fit your price range and have sufficient graphics power to be viable desktop replacements. I kept the resolution at 1366x768 so that things would be more reasonable on the GPU as well. If you're not running high res, you can afford to have the slightly reduced power a mobile GPU has.