Pc build or a decent laptop?

[Soul.Survivor]

Hey guys,

Just after some advice, I've been around computers all my life and always used to build them in my teenage to adult life but it's been like 15 years since I last built a pc and my current laptop is coming upto 12 years old now.

I do have an itch to build a half decent pc and catch up on some games that I have missed out on over the years but I do like the portability of a laptop aswell.

Current specs of my laptop:

Intel i5 3230M
8gb Ram
Intel graphics of some sort.
1tb samsung SSD (which I put in myself and made a big difference)

I'm currently looking at a Lenovo Ideapad pro with following specs:

Ryzen 7 8845HS
32GB LPDDR5X-6400MHZ
1TB M2 Gen 4 SSD
14" 2.8K Oled display
Integrated graphics (480m?)
84wh Battery

I can get this for around £712 at the moment and it seems excellent for the price. When I am at home, I usually have my laptop connected to a screen, I've currently got 2x 24" FHD HP monitors but I'll be ordering a Alienware 34" ultrawide soon.

So my question is, For the same price as the laptop, Can I build something which is equally as fast or faster? I'd like to do some gaming aswell so would I be better of building a half decent pc and getting a cheaper laptop for when I'm out and about?

I know I can buy a gaming laptop but I'm not keen on the idea of a bulky laptop, I want something portable and sleek and with a good battery life, Hence why I'm thinking of going back to the idea of building a half decent pc.

Lastly, I do have a rough idea of the current market but majority of people seem to be more keen with AMD over intel, IS that true?

Sorry for a long post, Any help appreciated. Thanks

 

[Tetras]

From PassMark, TPU's GPU database and watching a few videos, it looks more or less equivalent to a 8700G in the CPU and a RX 6400 in the GPU (780M).

Something like this would be hulk smash on the GPU front (over twice as fast) and pretty similar for the CPU:

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x AMD Ryzen 5 7600 Six Core 5.10GHz (Socket AM5) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3DW-AM) = £179.99
• 1 x Gigabyte B650M D3HP AX (Socket AM5) DDR5 Micro-ATX Motherboard (SKU: MOT-GIG-03566) = £104.99
• 1 x TeamGroup Vulcan 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-44800C36 5600MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (FLBD532G5600HC36BDC01) (SKU: MY-0BB-TG) = £79.99
• 1 x PowerColor Radeon RX 6600 Fighter 8GB GDDR6 PCI-Express Graphics Card (SKU: GX-1AD-PC) = £179.99
• 1 x Team Group MP44L 1TB SSD M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen4 Solid State Drive (SKU: STO-TMG-03128) = £49.99
• 1 x Aerocool Dryft Mini v2 Micro-ATX Case (SKU: CAS-AER-00607) = £54.99
• 1 x Asus TUF Gaming 750W 80 Plus Gold Power Supply (SKU: CA-061-AS) = £80.00

Total: £729.94 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

 

[Soul.Survivor]

From PassMark, TPU's GPU database and watching a few videos, it looks more or less equivalent to a 8700G in the CPU and a RX 6400 in the GPU (780M).

Something like this would be hulk smash on the GPU front (over twice as fast) and pretty similar for the CPU:

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x AMD Ryzen 5 7600 Six Core 5.10GHz (Socket AM5) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3DW-AM) = £179.99
• 1 x Gigabyte B650M D3HP AX (Socket AM5) DDR5 Micro-ATX Motherboard (SKU: MOT-GIG-03566) = £104.99
• 1 x TeamGroup Vulcan 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-44800C36 5600MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (FLBD532G5600HC36BDC01) (SKU: MY-0BB-TG) = £79.99
• 1 x PowerColor Radeon RX 6600 Fighter 8GB GDDR6 PCI-Express Graphics Card (SKU: GX-1AD-PC) = £179.99
• 1 x Team Group MP44L 1TB SSD M.2 2280 NVME PCI-E Gen4 Solid State Drive (SKU: STO-TMG-03128) = £49.99
• 1 x Aerocool Dryft Mini v2 Micro-ATX Case (SKU: CAS-AER-00607) = £54.99
• 1 x Asus TUF Gaming 750W 80 Plus Gold Power Supply (SKU: CA-061-AS) = £80.00

Total: £729.94 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

Thank you. I'll check this out. Would I not be better off with a nvidia card? Also, While I'm trying to see what I can get for a similar price, I dont mind increasing my budget if it makes a good difference as it'll be something I'll be using for a couple of years. Also, I'm guessing going with am5 is a better idea over AM4? I have seen people selling some decent specced Am4 pc's for around this price range with 4070 graphics card but I'm guessing I should stick to AM5 for future upgradability etc?

Also, What about intel or should I stick to AMD?

 

[Tetras]

Would I not be better off with a nvidia card?

If you're just a gamer, no. The 3050 8GB is the closest comparable card and the RX 6600 is much faster. If you can get a 4060 for around £250 or less that's fine, but the 6750 XT is available under £300 and that's a faster card with 4GB more VRAM.

For 1440p ultrawide that's a different story, I'd really recommend a 6800 non-XT (~£350) or 7700 XT (deals close to £300 if we're lucky) as a minimum, but preferably a 7800 XT, 4070, 4070 Super or 7900 GRE.

Also, I'm guessing going with am5 is a better idea over AM4?

I would sometimes recommend the 5700X3D if someone specifically plays the games that love the cache (like MMOs), but generally: yes, go AM5 (especially if upgradability is a big factor on getting a desktop PC). The 7500F is worth being aware of, as they're available pretty cheap as an entry-point.

Also, What about intel or should I stick to AMD?

The 12600K/12700K are good CPUs for mixed workloads (games/productivity), but you'd generally not buy one over AM5 if you're primarily a gamer. The new (Core Ultra) CPUs are out of your price range until they release the non-K CPUs and B boards.

Intel 13th-14th gen, who knows, Intel says they are fixed, but I wouldn't buy one unless you're satisfied with the 5 year extended warranty on K CPUs. If you don't mind taking a punt on the unknown then there are some good deals around on these.

 

[Soul.Survivor]

If you're just a gamer, no. The 3050 8GB is the closest comparable card and the RX 6600 is much faster. If you can get a 4060 for around £250 or less that's fine, but the 6750 XT is available under £300 and that's a faster card with 4GB more VRAM.

For 1440p ultrawide that's a different story, I'd really recommend a 6800 non-XT (~£350) or 7700 XT (deals close to £300 if we're lucky) as a minimum, but preferably a 7800 XT, 4070, 4070 Super or 7900 GRE.


I would sometimes recommend the 5700X3D if someone specifically plays the games that love the cache (like MMOs), but generally: yes, go AM5 (especially if upgradability is a big factor on getting a desktop PC). The 7500F is worth being aware of, as they're available pretty cheap as an entry-point.


The 12600K/12700K are good CPUs for mixed workloads (games/productivity), but you'd generally not buy one over AM5 if you're primarily a gamer. The new (Core Ultra) CPUs are out of your price range until they release the non-K CPUs and B boards.

Intel 13th-14th gen, who knows, Intel says they are fixed, but I wouldn't buy one unless you're satisfied with the 5 year extended warranty on K CPUs. If you don't mind taking a punt on the unknown then there are some good deals around on these.

So I've decided that I'd like to stick to the AMD platform and go for AM5 for future upgradability.

Question, Do desktop pc's have built in gpu? Say if I wanted to go for a higher specced pc, I can save up a bit of money and get a better graphics card a month or two later. Something like a 4070 or 7800/7900xt?

 

[Tetras]

Question, Do desktop pc's have built in gpu? Say if I wanted to go for a higher specced pc, I can save up a bit of money and get a better graphics card a month or two later. Something like a 4070 or 7800/7900xt?

All AM5 CPUs have integrated graphics (except F, e.g. 7500F does not), but only the G models (e.g. 8600G) have integrated graphics you can meaningfully game on.

 

[Soul.Survivor]

All AM5 CPUs have integrated graphics (except F, e.g. 7500F does not), but only the G models (e.g. 8600G) have integrated graphics you can meaningfully game on.

Awesome, I remember back in my pc building days, usually M-atx motherboards performed worse than the full size atx boards, is that still the case these days? Ideally would like to go for a M-atx case.

 

[Tetras]

Awesome, I remember back in my pc building days, usually M-atx motherboards performed worse than the full size atx boards, is that still the case these days? Ideally would like to go for a M-atx case.

It depends on what you mean by performance.

If the VRM/power delivery on the motherboard is enough for the CPU you won't lose any performance, but m-atx motherboards do tend to have less powerful VRMs (especially the lower-end boards). That said, throttling during gaming is very unlikely even on the cheapest AM5 boards.

There's something that might have an influence on performance in the longer-term, which is that right now there are no X870/X870E micro-atx motherboards and most are B650, which doesn't have PCI-E 5.0 graphics. Based on what we've seen in the past, that could cost you a few percent with a higher-end PCI-E 5.0 card, or more with a lower-end card, but it is not something I'd pay way over the odds to get.

 

[Soul.Survivor]

It depends on what you mean by performance.

If the VRM/power delivery on the motherboard is enough for the CPU you won't lose any performance, but m-atx motherboards do tend to have less powerful VRMs (especially the lower-end boards). That said, throttling during gaming is very unlikely even on the cheapest AM5 boards.

There's something that might have an influence on performance in the longer-term, which is that right now there are no X870/X870E micro-atx motherboards and most are B650, which doesn't have PCI-E 5.0 graphics. Based on what we've seen in the past, that could cost you a few percent with a higher-end PCI-E 5.0 card, or more with a lower-end card, but it is not something I'd pay way over the odds to get.

Hey Tetras,

Sorry about late reply. You've been very helpful.

My basket at OcUK:

• 1 x HYTE Y70 Dual Chamber Mid-Tower ATX Case - Black (SKU: CAS-HYT-01821) = £219.95
• 1 x Corsair RM1000x Shift ATX 3.0 80 Plus Gold Power Supply (CP-9020253-UK) (SKU: CA-27A-CS) = £174.95
• 1 x Corsair NAUTILUS 360 RS ARGB All In One CPU Cooler - 360mm (SKU: COO-CRS-03511) = £119.98
• 1 x CORSAIR RS120 ARGB 120mm PWM Black Triple Fan Pack (SKU: COO-CRS-02491) = £24.95
• 1 x Asus Prime X670-P WIFI (Socket AM5) DDR5 ATX Motherboard (SKU: MB-6JC-AS) = £239.99
• 1 x AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Eight Core 5.00GHz (Socket AM5) Processor - Retail (SKU: CP-3DT-AM) = £479.99
• 1 x Corsair Vengeance 32GB (2X16GB) DDR5 PC5-41600C40 5200MHz Dual Channel Kit (SKU: MY-4D9-CS) = £89.99
• 1 x WD Green SN350 2TB SSD M.2 2280 Solid State Drive (WDS200T3G0C) (SKU: HD-59A-WD) = £92.98
• 1 x MSI GeForce RTX 4090 Ventus 3X E OC 24GB GDDR6X PCI-Express Graphics Card (SKU: GRA-MSI-01319) = £1,949.99
• 1 x NVIDIA - Indiana Jones and The Great Circle Game Bundle (SKU: DIG-NVI-03769) = £0.00
• 1 x Microsoft Windows 11 Home 64-Bit DVD - OEM (KW9-00632) (SKU: SW-18J-MS) = £107.99

Total: £3,500.76 (includes delivery: £0.00)​

So I ended up doubling my budget and I managed to pick up a whole pc with above spec for £2k all in and its only 6 months old. What do you think? I'm pretty chuffed to be honest.

 

[Tetras]

So I ended up doubling my budget and I managed to pick up a whole pc with above spec for £2k all in and its only 6 months old. What do you think? I'm pretty chuffed to be honest.

Looks pretty good. 7800X3D/9800X3D is hard to get hold of right now and 4090s are going for 2K alone when new. Should last you a long while.

 

[Soul.Survivor]

Looks pretty good. 7800X3D/9800X3D is hard to get hold of right now and 4090s are going for 2K alone when new. Should last you a long while.

Yeah that's what my thinking was and longevity aswell.

To be honest, I dont even need a 4090, I'm quite tempted to sell it and use the money for a new monitor such as Dell 34" UW Oled and get a cheaper card like 4070. You reckon thats plenty powerful enough for 1440p gaming?

Might be a wise decision aswell with 50 series round the corner and before these drop in value too much.

 

[tamzzy]

4070 super is what I'd recommend. Not the 4070...you'd waste the 7800x3d on the 4070.
Especially if you're getting a 1440p UW, could even consider the 4070ti super, mainly for the 16gb vram.

 

[Tetras]

Yeah that's what my thinking was and longevity aswell.

To be honest, I dont even need a 4090, I'm quite tempted to sell it and use the money for a new monitor such as Dell 34" UW Oled and get a cheaper card like 4070. You reckon thats plenty powerful enough for 1440p gaming?

Might be a wise decision aswell with 50 series round the corner and before these drop in value too much.

It does make sense financially if you don't need it, but keep in mind there are risks to selling (especially with such a high value item) and since you paid 2K for the build the first owner has already had to stomach a fair whack of that depreciation, so your loss when the 5000 series release is not of the same level.

A 4070 is sufficient, but I'd consider it a bit underpowered for 1440p ultrawide in the longer term. I'd be keeping the 4090 if it was me.

 

[Soul.Survivor]

4070 super is what I'd recommend. Not the 4070...you'd waste the 7800x3d on the 4070.
Especially if you're getting a 1440p UW, could even consider the 4070ti super, mainly for the 16gb vram.

It does make sense financially if you don't need it, but keep in mind there are risks to selling (especially with such a high value item) and since you paid 2K for the build the first owner has already had to stomach a fair whack of that depreciation, so your loss when the 5000 series release is not of the same level.

A 4070 is sufficient, but I'd consider it a bit underpowered for 1440p ultrawide in the longer term. I'd be keeping the 4090 if it was me.

Cheers Guys.

Thing is, I'm not doing any gaming at the moment so I'm tempted to sell the 4090 while the value's are still high and wait till the 50 series are announced. In the meantime I can use the inbuilt gpu. Sale of the 4090 will easily cover a good oled monitor for me and potentially a second hand 4080/super which I think would be more than enough for my needs?

 

[ED209]

Just an FYI, the 9800X3D is back on pre order (unsure when this is in stock though) so if you can wait you maybe better off paying the extra £20 over the 7800X3D

 

[Defy Belief]

What a mindset, i'm debating buying this 780M iGPU laptop, F it, just bought a 7800x3d and 4090

 

[tamzzy]

What a mindset, i'm debating buying this 780M iGPU laptop, F it, just bought a 7800x3d and 4090

Nothing better than a go big or go home mentality

 

[tamzzy]

Sale of the 4090 will easily cover a good oled monitor for me and potentially a second hand 4080/super which I think would be more than enough for my needs?

Besides the loss of bragging rights, the 4080/super should be sufficient for the vast majority of people