PC BUILD GO!

[jonnopon3000]

I have made my decision. Almost.

I think I need your help.

I have a laptop that I am soon to finish paying for. Its specs are:
AMD Turion Dual-Core 2.0 GHZ processor
3GB RAM
140 GB hard drive
Nvidea GeForce 8200M G graphics card (256 mb dedicated/1407 mb available graphs memory)
Windows Vista/windows 7 on a partition I set up.

It will have cost me £400 when I have finished paying for it.

BUT! I have been reading PC gamer a lot recently, and have noticed a feature "the PC gamer rig"-a computer they put together to try and get the highest performcance for the best value for money. They give you the links and the prices, you order the parts, then build the computer.
every month they epgrade something, and next month they're putting in a new processor called a Intel Core i5 extreme. It is faster but cheaper.

Ok, the specs are: (as of this month's issue)

Intel Core 2 Quad core 2.something GHZ processor (soon to be intel core i5 extreme)
4GB RAM
Asus P5 something motherboard
Radeon HD graphs (the latest version) with a GB dedicated graphs memory
640 GB hard drive
Any operating system you choose.

It's price this month was £860, next month smaller (varies every month due to new parts, but stays under £1000)


My Dilemma is:
I have ways of getting money.
I want something better hardware wise.
I have two options:
1) Upgrade the processor(Intel core i7 extreme quad, or intel core 2 quad of some sort, aiming for about 2.5 GHZ on either) and hard drive and add a GB of RAM to my laptop
2) Save over christmas and my Bday(January), sell my wii and bike, and work for my mother on her boat for money, and buold the Rig.

I really want to build the PC gamer rig, for the excitement of a much better computer and the achievement of doing it right and having managed to scrounge the money, but I love having a laptop-the portability of it is very nice and extremely convenient.

I really can't decide. So I have managed to put it down to people's opinions on two points:

Is it really that debilitating owning a desktop after getting used to a laptop?
How much better will my PC gamer rig be as a gaming machine-better compatability/whatever as opposed to my upgraded laptop?

I litterally will base my final decision on what people think would be the better choice bases upon convenience, performance and compatability.

Thanks for the help people...I need to make this decision as soon as possible to gain scope on how much money I will need.

Also, if i get the Rig, I will probably end up selling my laptop to get it, so I can't have an option of simply having both-one a gaming machine and one convenience. It would take too long to save for money without selling my laptop. It is possible...but I would need some convinving.

 

[Spectrum_Prez]

Well, the desktop PC will run decent games, properly. Laptops should be used for only one thing, mobile usage.

I'm still of the opinion a gaming laptop doesn't properly exist.

Right and wrong. There really aren't any affordable laptops that can get good performance out of demanding games. However, many laptops can get decent performance out of a majority of games. I have an Asus 'gaming' laptop that does just fine with Fallout and the like on medium settings, but I wouldn't ever try installing Crysis on it. Its also heavy as all hell, noisy, has poor battery life, and overheats occasionally. That said, the laptop described in the OP probably won't handle gaming all that well, so if you want to play games seriously, then get the desktop. If you need the mobility for work, stick with the laptop.

As for your question of how much better the desktop would be, yeah, no comparison. Especially since your laptop graphics card isn't really replaceable and that is the main problem with it I would suspect.

 

[jonnopon3000]

Well, the desktop PC will run decent games, properly. Laptops should be used for only one thing, mobile usage.

I'm still of the opinion a gaming laptop doesn't properly exist.

Fair points: I always have to take into account when buying a game that although I have the specs, comapatability issues are always a problem. I may be able to run crysis (a game i'm only quoting because it is THE computer killer), but some other games have random issues due to compatability with the integrated graphs and the laptop versions of the drivers-Assassins creed and subsequently Prince of Persia 2008 won't work to their full capability not because of my specs, but because my laptop's graphs card drivers are not on the supported list.

 

[Eternal_24]

Buy a PC, it's much cheaper (part for part) and the hardware works a lot more efficiently than it does on a laptop. Having 2GB of RAM on a laptop is basically the same as having 1GB of RAM on a PC.

 

[jonnopon3000]

Well, the desktop PC will run decent games, properly. Laptops should be used for only one thing, mobile usage.

I'm still of the opinion a gaming laptop doesn't properly exist.

Right and wrong. There really aren't any affordable laptops that can get good performance out of demanding games. However, many laptops can get decent performance out of a majority of games. I have an Asus 'gaming' laptop that does just fine with Fallout and the like on medium settings, but I wouldn't ever try installing Crysis on it. Its also heavy as all hell, noisy, has poor battery life, and overheats occasionally. That said, the laptop described in the OP probably won't handle gaming all that well, so if you want to play games seriously, then get the desktop. If you need the mobility for work, stick with the laptop.

As for your question of how much better the desktop would be, yeah, no comparison. Especially since your laptop graphics card isn't really replaceable and that is the main problem with it I would suspect.

Well, the desktop PC will run decent games, properly. Laptops should be used for only one thing, mobile usage.

I'm still of the opinion a gaming laptop doesn't properly exist.

Fair points: I always have to take into account when buying a game that although I have the specs, comapatability issues are always a problem. I may be able to run crysis (a game i'm only quoting because it is THE computer killer), but some other games have random issues due to compatability with the integrated graphs and the laptop versions of the drivers-Assassins creed and subsequently Prince of Persia 2008 won't work to their full capability not because of my specs, but because my laptop's graphs card drivers are not on the supported list.

 

[jonnopon3000]

Buy a PC, it's much cheaper and the hardware works a lot more efficiently than it does on a laptop. Having 2GB of RAM on a laptop is basically the same as having 1GB of RAM on a PC.

Lol, I almost forgot about the customizability too.
With a laptop, I can only change the HDD, the RAM, and the Processor and operating system.
With a desktop, I can change EVERYTHING, so I don't have to buy a new laptop to get better specs.

Still, though, although at the moment it is unanimous to desktop, I am unsure it would be a wise step for me. I don't know why-I want it as a gaming platform, I want a beefy machine, but I have grown kinda attatched to this laptop-it is the first com I have ever owned as completely my own, bought (or buying) with my own money.
I get a sense of achievement whenever I turn it on and it works fine-I have managed to adapt to mainain it and I have never asked for help.

I think this nearly equals the sense of achievement I will get from building the Rig.

I will keep refering to this topic for more opinions...

 

[Eternal_24]

Buy a PC, it's much cheaper and the hardware works a lot more efficiently than it does on a laptop. Having 2GB of RAM on a laptop is basically the same as having 1GB of RAM on a PC.

Lol, I almost forgot about the customizability too.
With a laptop, I can only change the HDD, the RAM, and the Processor and operating system.
With a desktop, I can change EVERYTHING, so I don't have to buy a new laptop to get better specs.

Still, though, although at the moment it is unanimous to desktop, I am unsure it would be a wise step for me. I don't know why-I want it as a gaming platform, I want a beefy machine, but I have grown kinda attatched to this laptop-it is the first com I have ever owned as completely my own, bought (or buying) with my own money.
I get a sense of achievement whenever I turn it on and it works fine-I have managed to adapt to mainain it and I have never asked for help.

I think this nearly equals the sense of achievement I will get from building the Rig.

I will keep refering to this topic for more opinions...

Aye, if something in your laptop breaks you're pretty much fucked but if something goes wrong with your PC you just replace the part and you're back in business. Laptops capable of gaming are usually very expensive (about £1000 for a good one) where as you can pick up a decent gaming PC for like £400 if you look in the right places.

If you live in the UK, this is a good site for buying parts/systems:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/index.php

By the way, if I were you I wouldn't bother paying for your OS, just download XP from TPB or something.

 

[ghalkhsdkssakgh]

Well, the desktop PC will run decent games, properly. Laptops should be used for only one thing, mobile usage.

I'm still of the opinion a gaming laptop doesn't properly exist.

I resent that! I have a Dell XPS M1530, and it can run Crysis on low/medium settings.

 

[jonnopon3000]

Buy a PC, it's much cheaper and the hardware works a lot more efficiently than it does on a laptop. Having 2GB of RAM on a laptop is basically the same as having 1GB of RAM on a PC.

Lol, I almost forgot about the customizability too.
With a laptop, I can only change the HDD, the RAM, and the Processor and operating system.
With a desktop, I can change EVERYTHING, so I don't have to buy a new laptop to get better specs.

Still, though, although at the moment it is unanimous to desktop, I am unsure it would be a wise step for me. I don't know why-I want it as a gaming platform, I want a beefy machine, but I have grown kinda attatched to this laptop-it is the first com I have ever owned as completely my own, bought (or buying) with my own money.
I get a sense of achievement whenever I turn it on and it works fine-I have managed to adapt to mainain it and I have never asked for help.

I think this nearly equals the sense of achievement I will get from building the Rig.

I will keep refering to this topic for more opinions...

Aye, if something in your laptop breaks you're pretty much fucked but if something goes wrong with your PC you just replace the part and you're back in business. Laptops capable of gaming are usually very expensive (about £1000 for a good one) where as you can pick up a decent gaming PC for like £400 if you look in the right places.

If you live in the UK, this is a good site for buying parts/systems:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/index.php

By the way, if I were you I wouldn't bother paying for your OS, just download XP from TPB or something.

Lol or the windows 7 RC from windows.com

Thanks for the site, will be useful should my decision be made this way-which it looks to be going towards.

Plus, I hate XP after using vista extensively and windows 7 just rules

 

[jonnopon3000]

Well, the desktop PC will run decent games, properly. Laptops should be used for only one thing, mobile usage.

I'm still of the opinion a gaming laptop doesn't properly exist.

I resent that! I have a Dell XPS M1530, and it can run Crysis on low/medium settings.

Hey Josh...my laptop has the same-ish capability-Crysis on low settings ( a few on medium), but...my mind is wavering towards the desktop solution due to the massive support for it on this topic

 

[daz_O_O]

I stick entirely to laptops, the one I'm using now cost me £620 2 months ago and is capable of running most new games at medium settings. The 'Canyourunit' website said I could run Crysis based on minimum specs.
I take my laptop to college with me though and I'm planning on using it a lot at uni so a laptop was the only choice for me.
Desktops will give you far better performance for a lower price and had I spent £620 on a desktop PC 2 months ago I'm fairly confident I could comfortably be playing Crysis right about now.

We can't tell you if you should go for laptops or desktops because there's lots of little personal factors.
Are you planning on gaming a lot on your PC?
Is mobility important to you in any way?
Are there better things for you to be spending money on?
Do you enjoy the flexibility of owning a laptop a little too much?

Having 2GB of RAM on a laptop is basically the same as having 1GB of RAM on a PC.

I'm pretty sure that's a gross exaggeration, though please if you have a source I'd like to read it.

 

[ghalkhsdkssakgh]

Well, the desktop PC will run decent games, properly. Laptops should be used for only one thing, mobile usage.

I'm still of the opinion a gaming laptop doesn't properly exist.

I resent that! I have a Dell XPS M1530, and it can run Crysis on low/medium settings.

Hey Josh...my laptop has the same-ish capability-Crysis on low settings ( a few on medium), but...my mind is wavering towards the desktop solution due to the massive support for it on this topic

Yeah, well I am planning to get a desktop eventually, probably when I go to uni. I'm making this laptop last as long as possible, though.
If I do get a desktop, I'll probably just go for the PC Gamer rig.

 

[Laughing Man]

I resent that! I have a Dell XPS M1530, and it can run Crysis on low/medium settings.

So I have a desktop that cost less than that and will run Crysis on Ultra High. The point is you pay a hefty price for mobility. You'd be better off getting a cheap laptop that can handle the usual work related stuff, it would be smaller, lighter, quieter and have a longer battery life than a 'gaming laptop' and then build a dedicated gaming rig with the rest of the cash you would have spent on getting your 'gaming laptop'

Having 2GB of RAM on a laptop is basically the same as having 1GB of RAM on a PC

Does this forum give awards for saying stupid things? If so the statement above has to win the award for daftest thing said this year.

 

[Eternal_24]

Having 2GB of RAM on a laptop is basically the same as having 1GB of RAM on a PC.

I'm pretty sure that's a gross exaggeration, though please if you have a source I'd like to read it.

It probably is an exaggeration but I was more focused on making the point that laptop hardware is inferior to PC hardware than being 100% accurate.

 

[jonnopon3000]

I stick entirely to laptops, the one I'm using now cost me £620 2 months ago and is capable of running most new games at medium settings. The 'Canyourunit' website said I could run Crysis based on minimum specs.
I take my laptop to college with me though and I'm planning on using it a lot at uni so a laptop was the only choice for me.
Desktops will give you far better performance for a lower price and had I spent £620 on a desktop PC 2 months ago I'm fairly confident I could comfortably be playing Crysis right about now.

We can't tell you if you should go for laptops or desktops because there's lots of little personal factors.
Are you planning on gaming a lot on your PC?
Is mobility important to you in any way?
Are there better things for you to be spending money on?
Do you enjoy the flexibility of owning a laptop a little too much?

Having 2GB of RAM on a laptop is basically the same as having 1GB of RAM on a PC.

I'm pretty sure that's a gross exaggeration, though please if you have a source I'd like to read it.

To answer your questions:

I plan to use it as my main gaming platform, as I do now.
Mobility is only important in convenience-but if performance is greatly sacrificed for mobility, then it is not that important to me.
There is nothing i need to spend money on except this at the moment. I wouldn't consider the upgrade otherwise.
I believe a desktop to be more flexible in terms of troubleshooting, compatability and customizing, so I think your last question is irrelevant.

 

[wordsmith]

Get a Desky and a Cheapo laptop. I used my laptop for the last 2 years of school, I did my last exam 3 months ago and haven't looked at it since (it takes AAAAGES to load up. Like... years). My Desktop on the other hand, I paid £600 for the parts (a total overhaul including a new OS and a 1Tb external hard-drive) at easter, best money I've ever spent. The only problem is, I don't think I can upgrade to an i7, and I'm running a Duo at the moment (the model slips my mind at the moment... an e8400 I *think*). My next upgrade is to a Quad, but that's not for a while yet.

 

[jonnopon3000]

Well, the desktop PC will run decent games, properly. Laptops should be used for only one thing, mobile usage.

I'm still of the opinion a gaming laptop doesn't properly exist.

I resent that! I have a Dell XPS M1530, and it can run Crysis on low/medium settings.

Hey Josh...my laptop has the same-ish capability-Crysis on low settings ( a few on medium), but...my mind is wavering towards the desktop solution due to the massive support for it on this topic

Yeah, well I am planning to get a desktop eventually, probably when I go to uni. I'm making this laptop last as long as possible, though.
If I do get a desktop, I'll probably just go for the PC Gamer rig.

PC Gamer for the win! Seriously though-I bin researching, and the Rig really is the best performance for that kinda price range, every month. And the new i5 extreme next month!!!

 

[jonnopon3000]

Get a Desky and a Cheapo laptop. I used my laptop for the last 2 years of school, I did my last exam 3 months ago and haven't looked at it since (it takes AAAAGES to load up. Like... years). My Desktop on the other hand, I paid £600 for the parts (a total overhaul including a new OS and a 1Tb external hard-drive) at easter, best money I've ever spent. The only problem is, I don't think I can upgrade to an i7, and I'm running a Duo at the moment (the model slips my mind at the moment... an e8400 I *think*). My next upgrade is to a Quad, but that's not for a while yet.

Lol yeh in my research I found that a lot of motherboards simply don't support the i7 platform

 

[Spacelord]

One other thing: when a part breaks in a laptop, it's a LOT more difficult to replace it than it would be with a desktop. Updates to your hardware are a lot easier on a desktop as well.