gaming laptop
- Thread starter xxtomox
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Soldato
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You're probably not going to find anything amazing in that budget; not what would usually be termed a gaming laptop certainly, but if you look hard enough you should be able to get something moderate.
Focus 100% on the GPU in the machine; to the exclusion of almost everything else. Try and get something in at least the midrange families, or you'll find on any modern games you'll be looking low res, and low settings to run a game fluently.
Places like Dell Outlet would be good places to check; as sometimes you'll find something of reasonable speed in the mid-range class that's been heavily reduced down into your budget. I've just had a a quick look, and there's machines in there with the GT555m around your price range (first one I saw was £620 once you added delivery+VAT), which is similar in performance to the old GTX285m (aka a 9800GTX desktop card).
Like I say though, focus on the GPU, if the rest of the specs are good, that's a bonus. (stuff like RAM can be upgraded yourself cheaply at a later date with a little effort)
Focus 100% on the GPU in the machine; to the exclusion of almost everything else. Try and get something in at least the midrange families, or you'll find on any modern games you'll be looking low res, and low settings to run a game fluently.
Places like Dell Outlet would be good places to check; as sometimes you'll find something of reasonable speed in the mid-range class that's been heavily reduced down into your budget. I've just had a a quick look, and there's machines in there with the GT555m around your price range (first one I saw was £620 once you added delivery+VAT), which is similar in performance to the old GTX285m (aka a 9800GTX desktop card).
Like I say though, focus on the GPU, if the rest of the specs are good, that's a bonus. (stuff like RAM can be upgraded yourself cheaply at a later date with a little effort)
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Alex is right 100%, focus on the GPU. I'm in the exact same situation as you. Between 500 to 600 for a "gaming" laptop. I'll most likely get something off the Dell outlet with a GT 555M.
As far as performance goes, is the 555M really on par with a 9800GTX? thats actually pretty awesome, if it is.
As far as performance goes, is the 555M really on par with a 9800GTX? thats actually pretty awesome, if it is.
Soldato
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There wasn't a huge amount of information when I did a quick gloss over, but a few bits and pieces I saw suggest it was in the same performance bracket as then GTX280/285m, which are themselves, pretty much 9800GTX (or slightly under) performance region cards.
That said; these are new and thus information seems a little limited. It is a recent midrange card though so I wouldn't find it unbelievable. It's also meant to be similar to the 6770m in performance
I would expect it to be a bit slower though, but even so, it doesn't sound too bad from the bits and pieces I'm hearing (11k in 3dmark 06 etc, ~4.5-5k GPU score in vantage)
That said; these are new and thus information seems a little limited. It is a recent midrange card though so I wouldn't find it unbelievable. It's also meant to be similar to the 6770m in performance
I would expect it to be a bit slower though, but even so, it doesn't sound too bad from the bits and pieces I'm hearing (11k in 3dmark 06 etc, ~4.5-5k GPU score in vantage)
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Soldato
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You only get a GT335 in that. Unless size is your major consideration, forget it. If you want a gaming machine, the GPU is your only real consideration; the GT335 is not a particularly powerful card, and laptops are impossible/very hard to upgrade in terms of graphics processors later on, dependant on the model.
Obviously its got a fairly small screen to allow it to run titles; but as you mention MMOs I think you'd find it a bit of a strain after a while.
Obviously its got a fairly small screen to allow it to run titles; but as you mention MMOs I think you'd find it a bit of a strain after a while.
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Associate
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Dell Outlet as already mentioned
* XPS L702x
* Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 BIT)
* Processor : Intel Core i7-2630QM processor 2.00 GHz
* Hard Drive : 500GB Serial ATA II (7200 RPM) Hard Drive
* 4 GB (2x2GB)1333MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Memory
* 8X DVD +/- RW DRIVE
* 17.3in HD+ WLED True-Life (1600x900) with 2.0 Mega Pixel Integrated Camera
* Graphics : 3GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M Graphics Card
£649.20 delivered over budget yes but more likely to handle the games you want it to than the AlienWare
* XPS L702x
* Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 BIT)
* Processor : Intel Core i7-2630QM processor 2.00 GHz
* Hard Drive : 500GB Serial ATA II (7200 RPM) Hard Drive
* 4 GB (2x2GB)1333MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Memory
* 8X DVD +/- RW DRIVE
* 17.3in HD+ WLED True-Life (1600x900) with 2.0 Mega Pixel Integrated Camera
* Graphics : 3GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M Graphics Card
£649.20 delivered over budget yes but more likely to handle the games you want it to than the AlienWare
Soldato
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I'm sure there were a few similar to that but slightly cheaper too, unless they've all gone.
I do believe with that GPU or the ATI equivalent, it'll be your best option. Simply put, because they're considered second stock or stock that can't be sold through the standard channels, they'll sometimes take a huge hit of the standard margin off.
In laptops it's very hard to get a decent GPU, especially in the UK, at a decent price, so I sincerely believe something like the above will probably be the best you're going to find.
Other machines might have better parts elsewhere, but the GPU is what matters for a gaming machine if you don't want to feel held back by it.
Oh and as a small, FYI, remember they [laptops] with better GPUs only run at full speed on mains power; they usually downclock when on battery as the power demand is too high.
I do believe with that GPU or the ATI equivalent, it'll be your best option. Simply put, because they're considered second stock or stock that can't be sold through the standard channels, they'll sometimes take a huge hit of the standard margin off.
In laptops it's very hard to get a decent GPU, especially in the UK, at a decent price, so I sincerely believe something like the above will probably be the best you're going to find.
Other machines might have better parts elsewhere, but the GPU is what matters for a gaming machine if you don't want to feel held back by it.
Oh and as a small, FYI, remember they [laptops] with better GPUs only run at full speed on mains power; they usually downclock when on battery as the power demand is too high.