Gaming laptop for a strategy gamer

mattb1 · 20 Dec 2016 at 20:09

Hi all,

So basically I'm a bit of a computer newbie.

My desktop pc died about 2 years ago and since then i have not really done much gaming. This is something I would like to change.

Mainly I'm a strategy gamer, and so I'm looking for a going pc targeted at strategy games. The last time i player I was playing things like company of heroes 2, start craft 2 etc.

So far I have had a look at a number of laptops and come to the following requirements:

1. Must have intel core i7 quad core.
2. Must have 8gb of ram min (preferably 16gb)
3. Must have both a HDD and SSD
4. Must be a 17 inch screen (or thereabouts)

This has narrowed my choices down but where i get stuck is graphics and the HDD / SSD combo and also brand / best custom place to have this made.

Leading me to my questions which are:

1. Graphics, what is best for strategy gaming?
2. What size HDD / SSD would you recommend?
3. What other components would be best to look out for? (Motherboard? sound card?)
4. Good brands / bad brands?
5. Where would be a good place to get a custom laptop?

My overall budget is not fully fixed but ideally around to £1000 - £1200 mark. Fr this I'm wondering whether to compromise slightly on graphics to get a better SSD (maybe even an SSD laptop only?) of whether to stick with the best graphics.

Your thoughts, opinions and recommendations for a laptop would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Matt

mattb1 · 21 Dec 2016 at 18:14

Thanks all for your replies.

I was predominantly trying to weigh up the need for such high spec graphics
(which overall seems to push up the general price). Although having been out of gaming I'm not so up to speed on the general requirements.

So in essence I am ideally going to look for a laptop with the Nvidia GTX 1060 GPU. Is 1060 good. Are the 1070 and 1080 overkill for strategy?

I am pretty sold on the SSD idea as it makes sense to me why they are faster. What would be a good minimum size to aim for?

Screens - This is not something i have really considered. What should I be looking for? Sizewise I'm thinking of a 17 inch screen minimum as it will really just get used around the house with a few trips out.

Last but not least - Any custom laptop builder recommendations? I wish over clockers did custom laptops!

Overall im in no rush and a fairly flexible budget, just want to find something which will suit and have good longevity (potentially via upgrades).

Cheers,

mattb1 · 22 Dec 2016 at 19:42

Great, thanks for that!

I shall have a browse around at what seems to be a good option. I may well (definitely will!) post the specs here for a check.

Thanks

mattb1 · 23 Dec 2016 at 15:49

Hi,

Having had a look through a fair few laptops I am struggling to decide between the GPU's.

Essentially it comes down to price.

I can get similar spec laptops with the different GPUs for very different prices. The 960m GPUs typically being £400+ cheaper than the 1060.

This has got me thinking as to whether I will really notice the difference. Im not a massive gaming person and had run COHII on my previous desktop with no issues. Im pretty sure the GPU in that would be worse than the 960m.

So, do you think I will really notice a big difference between the two? Or is it simply a case of the 960m not running the games I wish to play?

Cheers

mattb1 · 23 Dec 2016 at 15:50

Also, i am thinking that the internet connection may well be the limiting factor for gaming (I live in a rural area) and so getting a higher spec GPU may just be wasted?

mattb1 · 23 Dec 2016 at 22:11

Just had a read of this

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Company-of-Heroes-2-Benchmarked.97022.0.html

Obviously this doesn't cover the 960 or 1060 but if the older CPU and GPU's run COH2 i would have thought 960m would be sufficient?

Thanks for the help.

mattb1 · 24 Dec 2016 at 11:07

Thanks.

That is what i needed to hear!

My main issue was whether the 960m would play COH2 etc. at a good level. Obviously if it will only play at low settings then cite not so good. So thats makes the extra money worthwhile spending.

Ill stick with the 1060 and have a look around.

Thanks again for all input!

Cheers

mattb1 · 24 Dec 2016 at 11:09

One question on CPU's

I have seen a fair few laptops with the I5 6600 (i think) processor and the GTX 1060 GPU. Having read a few reviews, admittedly mainly of desktop processors, the I5 6600 is often rated as more than enough for most games.

Is the I5 a good option, or should I stick with I7 only?

Thanks

mattb1 · 11 Oct 2017 at 11:27

Hi all,

So, I have still not decided on a laptop for strategy gaming. Taking on board the advice of above I have seen the below laptop, and for the price I am very tempted. Could anyone give me thoughts on usability for strategy games (I.E COH2, Total War etc.) as above I don't need to play on high settings, medium would be good though.

Acer Aspire V Nitro VN7-592G

Intel Core i5-6300HQ Quad Core Processor
15.6" Full HD IPS Screen
Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64-bit
8GB DDR4 RAM
128GB SSD + 1000GB HDD
Dedicated GeForce GTX 960M 4GB Graphics
USB3 | HDMI | Bluetooth | USB Type C
Backlit Keyboard
NH.G7REK.004
Seen for sale at £700

Thanks

mattb1 · 22 Nov 2017 at 17:52

Hi all,

So after more research I have come across the two laptops below. Both suit my current needs, and both are likely to give futurity, albeit the more expensive option will give me additional futurity.

My main concern is that although I get a 1060 with the MSI it is 3gb rather than the 4bg of the 1050, will this make much difference?

There is £400 between the two, so obviously a big difference.

Specs below, what do you think? or are there any better options you know of?

Thanks

MSI Apache Pro GE62VR 15.6" Gaming Laptop - Black
Operating system Windows 10 (64-bit)
SPECIFICATION
Processor - Intel® Core™ i7-7700HQ Processor
- Quad-core
- 2.8 GHz / 3.8 GHz (Turbo Boost)
- 6 MB cache
RAM 16 GB DDR4 (32 GB maximum installable RAM)
Graphics card - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
- 3 GB GDDR5
Storage - 1 TB HDD, 7200 rpm
- 128 GB SSD
SCREEN
Touchscreen No
Screen size 15.6"
Screen type LED
Resolution 1920 x 1080
Screen features LED backlighting
CONNECTIVITY
Wireless - Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168
- 1x1
- Up to 433 Mbps
Ethernet Killer Ethernet (10/100/1000)
Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.1
USB - USB-C x 1
- USB 3.0 x 3
Video interface - HDMI x 1
- Mini DisplayPort x 1
Audio interface 3.5 mm jack
MEDIA
Optical disc drive DVD/RW
Memory card reader SD card reader
SOUND
Sound Nahimic 2 Sound Enhancer
Speakers Dyanaudio speakers
FEATURES
Camera Integrated Full HD webcam
Microphone Yes
Mouse / trackpad Multi-touch trackpad
Keyboard Full-size backlit keyboard with numeric keypad
Security features Kensington security lock slot

ASUS Republic of Gaming FX553 15.6" Gaming Laptop - Black
Type Gaming laptop
Operating system Windows 10 (64-bit)
SPECIFICATION
Processor - Intel® Core™ i5-7300HQ Processor
- Quad-core
- 2.5 Ghz / 3.5 Ghz (Turbo Boost)
- 6 MB cache
RAM 8 GB (32 GB maximum installable RAM)
Graphics card - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
- 4 GB GDDR5
- 10th generation Pascal architecture
Storage - 1 TB HDD, 7200 rpm
- 128 GB SSD
SCREEN
Touchscreen No
Screen size 15.6"
Screen type LED
Resolution 1920 x 1080
Screen features LED backlighting
CONNECTIVITY
Wireless 802.11 b/g/n
Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)
Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.0
USB - USB Type-C x 1
- USB 3.0 x 2
- USB 2.0 x 1
Video interface HDMI x 1
Audio interface 3.5 mm jack
MEDIA
Optical disc drive DVD/RW
Memory card reader 2-in-1 memory card reader
SOUND
Sound - Sonic Master
- ICEpower
Speakers Stereo speakers
FEATURES
Camera HD webcam
Microphone Yes
Mouse / trackpad Smart gesture trackpad

mattb1 · 22 Nov 2017 at 18:44

other options perhaps:

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/acer...-intel-i7-6700hq-gaming-laptop-lt-175-ac.html

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/msi-...-intel-i7-7700hq-gaming-laptop-lt-269-ms.html

Again I'm playing off 1060 3GB and I7-7700 or a 1060 6GB and an I7-6700

Thoughts appreciated.

Thanks,