Random Encounter Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Basically my only question is what matters more when it comes to a gaming laptop: The Graphics Card or Processor? Other specs for my planned machine are: -4GB« Dual Channel DDR3 SO-DIMM at 1066MHz – 2 x 2048MB-(Upgraded to) 1920x1200 (1200p) Resolution-Possibly windows 64-bit, still deciding :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vagrant0 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Both are equally important since you can't enjoy most games without having both at fairly capable levels. This is why most gamers tend to stick to using desktops, as a desktop tends to have alot more variation in hardware, and can be easier upgraded throughout the life of the computer. For gaming, I would try to aim for a 2.4-3.0 ghz processor, if possible since this is what will be needed for most games and programs for the next year or two. I would also aim for a Videocard with more than 728 ram, which has a fairly good video processor, if possible. I would focus on the processor first, since even with Laptops, videocards can be upgraded as you need them. Processors usually require getting a new motherboard as well, while a new videocard is usually just a simple swap out. Honestly, I havn't kept up on the capabilities of laptops, so most of this might be incorrect or infeasible. But I feel that the requirements for gaming are fairly good from a basic guideline standpoint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTerminator2004 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 The thing with games, is that different games have different requirements. So, for example, I have a terrible processor and RAM, but an awesome video card... so I can run games like Oblivion on full graphics settings, but my PC grinds to a halt when I try to play a game such as an rts (I have vivid memories of World in Conflict... I can run Crysis on medium-high settings, but I can't run WiC on anything higher than very low :P). But yes, as Vagrant said, ideally you want both as high as possible... as a rule its hard to get a laptop thats too imblanced anyway. But unless you have a huge budget, I'd go for something slightly lower-specced than what Vagrant suggested - laptops are expensive, especially compared to desktops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dilvish Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I would focus on the video card. Since gaming laptops are configured by experts, any laptop with a very good GPU will have a good CPU already. Many laptops for sale out there will have a good CPU and a weak GPU. Go for the one with the strongest GPU you can afford. The GPU is often the component of any new computer that will be left behind by new technology first. With a laptop, you can't upgrade with a new card as easily as with a desktop. Many laptops can't be upgraded with a new/better GPU at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vagrant0 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Well, my suggestions were designed around a computer designed to play the next generation of games on high settings, so yeah, they are a bit high. It's really more of a matter of how many years you want before your hardware becomes obsolete. But yeah, higher spec laptops can be rather costly, which is again why most gamers tend to prefer using desktops for anything too serious. Don't get me wrong 2.2ghz and 512 videocard would still last a good year or two before you started running into games that you cannot play with the lowest settings, but I didn't get the impression that you were looking to squeak by with minimum requirements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LHammonds Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 If you are designing a system, the absolute most importing thing to consider is the avoidance of bottlenecks in your system. It might require quite a bit of time and research but picking the primary components of motherboard, CPU, RAM, video card and hard drive are key to ensuring your games play on your rig today and years in the future. My current PC is over 6 years old (yep, 6). It is slow by today's standards but it was at least capable of running Doom 3, Oblivion, Fallout 3 and others when all my friends had to buy completely new PCs before they could run newer games. I took about a month doing research on what I wanted as well as making sure the components I picked were still within budget or possibly about to drop in price to fit my budget. But that time spent doing the research and checking out customer service forums and whatnot ensured that the PC I built would be the best I could possibly afford at the time...and apparently last for quite some time afterwards. ;) NOTE: This is the 1st time I have actually looked inside this "System Advisor" forum. (believe it or not) LHammonds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark0ne Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 If you're willing to pay for DD3 memory then I'd assume you have a rather large budget! Most laptops you buy these days will easily have a capable processor for all games. As long as it's dual or quad core, you'll be fine. Spec up that video card instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Random Encounter Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 So, in the end, which would work better together: Dual ATI Radeon HD 3870's (Crossfire Enabled) and a 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, or 1GB Nvidia GeForce 9800GTS DDR3 (PCI-express & DX10) and a 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor? Keeping in mind, I'm only playing games like Oblivion and Fallout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark0ne Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 That Nvidia card is missing a designation (like 9800 GTS, or GTX 260). Crossfire/SLi on a laptop is normally overkill as you only notice performance increases running at 1900x1200 resolutions and higher. I'd go for a single, high-end card. The ATI 48xx range and the Nvidia 98xx or better yet Nvidia GTX 2xx range are your best bet for future proofing your laptop for years to come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Random Encounter Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Whoops, I thought a I put that on there. :whistling: And yes, I will be running on 1900x1200 resolution, so would this overkill be worthwhile? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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