whats a good spec/value used gaming laptop?

ExoMale · 12 Jul 2019 at 16:10

going to sell my Lenovo, want something faster and with dedicated graphics, I’m looking at any dx11 onwards spec ideally with an i5 or i7(even older i7s), but for a more gaming one I’m not quite sure on spec/value

For example the nitro 5 with the i5 + 950m I’ve seen for around the £400 Mark, but is that good value? I’m looking between £200- £400 for a normal performing one that doesn’t fold. I don’t think I could justify spending £550 onwards for a laptop like what I got, but brand new and gaming like spec which is what I’d prefer.

I don’t want or need the laptop to try compete with my desktop.

Plec · 12 Jul 2019 at 16:17

@MiSJAH - a post to stretch your laptop skillz

EDIT reason: removed suggestion for move to laptop forum.

Andrew_McP · 12 Jul 2019 at 16:26

I've no idea what's around at what prices these days, but I got this Lenovo Y700 (950m, 250GB, 16GB, top end processor at the time) for £700 in a black friday deal two years ago. Ok (disclaimer) it had a motherboard replacement soon after I got it, but I imagine this kind of thing's come down a lot in price since I got mine. It's basically silent in desktop use, very quiet in gaming mode, and I've played Borderlands 1 & 2, Diablo 3, Fallout 4 and all sorts of stuff on it with a few compromises which never spoil the convenient, lappable experience. It's converted me (at the right price, obviously) to laptop gaming now that I've weened myself off racing and flying sims.

I don't run recent games though... I'm a Steam Sale bottom feeder, well behind the curve. But most games that have to survive on consoles have modes which will suit older hardware just fine, in my experience.

Anyway, TLDR version... 960m chipset still works well for me, especially when it comes to relatively quiet use.

Plec · 12 Jul 2019 at 16:56

Andrew_McP said:
Anyway, TLDR version... 960m chipset still works well for me, especially when it comes to relatively quiet use.

Yep, i had a Acer *something* 960m laptop that i've since passed onto my son (think i5 - 6300) - bought a few years ago (Rainforest miss-price) as a travel laptop and was pleasantly surprised at the power, like above post, and it's capability at 1080p. Upgraded the HDD to a 1Tb SSD and became a sprightly system for the money - would presume after ~3 years a similar powered unit would be around your budget but @MiSJAH will be able to advise you better.

*Really, recommend IPS if you have the option at that price - as big difference when using for work/browsing (and gaming).

ExoMale · 13 Jul 2019 at 01:20

Thanks for replies.

I could’ve posted in the laptop section, but I’ve asked questions already on a different topic and never got a look, this seems to be the main focus part of the hardware section.

Anyways those laptops others have sound good, not for me of those are still the prices, but for that nitro 5 I can’t help but think £400 is a lot given the age, but then again don’t know what sort of spec from a proper gaming laptop I should expect between the £300-400 mark, under £300 seems to be general laptops with an i3/5/7 and either an old 500 series/7570m or 700-800 series which in some cases would likely do what I want, but again I don’t know the value, think I saw an i5 + 7570m for £210, I’ve seen 2nd gen(I think) i7 + gt 635m for £170-200 maybe, then there the amd apu models.