getting new laptop, help with requirements?

[Blindsman]

Ok everyone, I know it is really getting old of people posting up this FAQ on these forums but I really need some help picking out a laptop.

 

Recently, my old laptop has been getting some problems and needs to be replaced with a new one. I am planning on getting an HP ENVY dv6z-7200 series or a G6 pavillion, due to their nice budget range (I'm choosing between the two). Anyways, the two are permitting customization and I am planning on parts that will run skyrim, and based on how much I am paying, other games like far cry 3.

 

Here the specs of my "dream laptop" (lol):

Windows 8 operating system

Processor: AMD Quad-Core A8-4500M (3.0GHz/2.1GHz, 4MB L2 Cache)

Graphics card: 1GB AMD Radeon HD 7670M Discrete-Class Graphics

640GB 5400RPM Hard Drive

 

Will these specs run Skyrim like it should?

 

Now as for few questions:

1. I noticed that the graphics card allows me to pick between 1gb or 2gb of the same model card, but does it matter when running Skyrim?

2. For memory, I recall the recommended requirements said 4gb ram; should I choose: 6GB 1600MHz DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) or 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)?

 

Another concern that has risen is that I have heard many people saying that running Skyrim on some laptops will heat up the system. It's no mystery that this game would turn a laptop into a mobile microwave in mere seconds. Do you guys have any suggestions on countering this heating problem? I was considering on attaching a fan next to the laptop's vent (?) but I'm at a loss. In my last laptop, all I did was elevate it to allow airflow. For the record, if it does come up, I need a laptop, not a desktop; I'm a student and I commute to classes.

Edited December 31, 2012 by Blindsman

[Xaltar]

Both systems should run Skyrim well enough assuming they both have discrete 7670 GFX. Basically you will want to look at reviews of both units to determine things like battery life, thermal output and reliability. Buying a laptop takes research unless you want to end up with a lemon and in many cases, more features simply = more to go wrong. As a general rule when I want to replace my lappy I think about how I plan to use it and make sure to only worry about the features I will need, avoiding additional features that add to cost and are not strictly needed. Always go for the larger RAM and video memory provided the hike in price is not more than it would cost you to upgrade via 3rd party, it adds to the longevity of your machine and means you will have some degree of future proofing. Laptops are not something you will want to be replacing on a yearly basis and they can't be upgraded like a PC so always try to get one that is as beefy as possible spec wise from the outset (barring the stupidly priced "Gaming" rubbish obviously). If there is an option for a more powerful processor however, always check the reviews to make sure that the machine can handle the thermal output of the greedier CPU, a lot of the time the faster CPU ends up causing overheating in a machine designed for a lower thermal footprint.

 

In other words, do the research and do it right, there is nothing worse than blowing a bundle on a new machine and having it fail to perform or worse, fail altogether a few weeks after it exceeds its warranty and ALWAYS get the extended warranty when buying a laptop if at all possible.

 

Hope this helps.

[linmuyang]

Refers to the x86 instruction set CPU platform operating system, there are other non-IBM machine operating system early, early Apple Mac system power pc platform, after the switch to the Intel x86 CPU platform. According to statistics, people more than 95% of the computer using the Windows system. Each operating system based on its core segments for the different series, such as the Window the Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows xp, Windows 2003, Windows vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.

Recently appeared in the new computer operating system developed by Google, this system is open source and Linux operating systems, of course, this system is currently being developed but already the initial configuration some time ago, has a foreign computer enthusiasts based on Google's kernel developed a desktop system, and a large number of users to download to try.

[alsoran]

Probarbly a bit of an expense but are you allowed to spec an SSD?

Always go for the most memory you can afford, so Graphics at 2Gb and RAM at 8Gb with 64bit operating system (come to think of it will Skyrim run on W8 64bit?~better check) runs fine on my w7 64bit.

[iDWr3Ck]

Probarbly a bit of an expense but are you allowed to spec an SSD?

Always go for the most memory you can afford, so Graphics at 2Gb and RAM at 8Gb with 64bit operating system (come to think of it will Skyrim run on W8 64bit?~better check) runs fine on my w7 64bit.

 

Yeah I run Skyrim on W8 64bit. So not a problem sir.

[Blindsman]

Probarbly a bit of an expense but are you allowed to spec an SSD?

Always go for the most memory you can afford, so Graphics at 2Gb and RAM at 8Gb with 64bit operating system (come to think of it will Skyrim run on W8 64bit?~better check) runs fine on my w7 64bit.

 

I don't think so; SSD wasn't really an option available (if it was, I probably didn't notice it). Will this be a problem?

 

So the bottom line is that these exact specs will or could run skyrim (correct me if I am wrong)? And do you guys suggest that I get 8 gb ram with a 2GB AMD Radeon™ HD 7670M Discrete-Class Graphics? Fair enough. Xaltar, let us assume that the laptop does not use the GFX card, could it be a problem when running the game? I've seen some youtube videos where they use the same graphics card and it looked like exactly it would if you played skyrim on the consoles (I think). Also thanks for the advice, I'll keep it in mind.

 

Also, just out of curiosity, what would happen if I didn't get a quad core processor but a dual core instead? Would it hinder the gameplay (obviously the answer would be yes?)?

[thomriis]

There are some laptops that can keep the temps down but they are expensive, I dont know your budget but i suggest keeping away from Radeon cards and using Nvidia on a laptop to reduce the heat.

 

if you can afford to go crazy you could also build your own laptop.Companies like Maingear,Schenker and deviltech usually offers the I7 3940xm or 3920xm processors which can be overclocked to around 4,2 - 4,4 GHZ and they all

got exellent cooling systems, Finally you should invest in a Nvidia gtx 675 or 680 graphic card.

 

NOW YOU ARE READY TO PLAY SKYRIM AS IT SHOULD BE :thumbsup:

[Xaltar]

Intel + Nvidia = top performance for sure but it also means much higher cost. AMD offers a much cheaper solution that may not compete in benchmarks but usually out performs its competition hands down when it comes to performance per $. If you want any hope of playing new games (skyrim not withstanding) you will need a discrete card, that is the one thing you can not compromise on if you plan to use your machine for gaming. If you just want something that can sort of manage a few games and costs less then by all means go for the integrated gfx solution but I as a rule do not recommend this to people who want more than a work machine.

 

It all boils down to getting the best bang for your budget. If you want to go cheap then AMD is your only real choice but if you want to fork out for a proper system then Intel i7+Nvidia 680 is your best bet both for performance and thermal footprint. I personally go for the AMD setup seeing as I rotate my PC and lappy quite often so forking out for a more expensive system does not make financial sense.

[thomriis]

Yeah i know its expensive but if you want a long life for your laptop and at the same time play skyrim with decent FPS,Im afraid its the only way to go.

 

If youre satisfied playing skyrim on low or medium settings you could spare the craphic and just use the integrated graphics of the new ivy bridge processors.

[dragonslayer2k12]

First of all, hp sucks!

 

They are terrible, I have heard from relatives and friends and friends of friends about their computer problems and those that have hp laptops have similar issues. Their laptops get too hot and stop working in less than an hour or the lights and indicators flash slowly but no video on the screen and can't use the laptop. Crap hinges that break easily or suddenly just by opening the laptop, power jacks that break very easily and are difficult to repair.

 

Get a toshiba, they are just a little bit more and last a long time. Their power jacks on the inside are using a plug that goes to the motherboard they are not directly soldered in so when your kids or dog whatever steps on the power cord it won't yank out and damage the motherboard. When that happens with a toshiba you can still use it just that power jack will be floating around on the inside a bit but you can still plug into it and it will work:-)

 

Their keyboards are the only problem, don't get their models that have the apple looking keyboard because for some strange reason, any keyboard that looks like an apple laptop keyboard even if it is on another brand laptop cost $60 or more online but the cheapo looking laptop keyboards are $10 or less with shipping. You will spill something on that keyboard sooner or later or your kids, dog whatever will do it because they don't really care it is not their laptop.

 

Second of all, hp sucks! No really they are cheap cheapy cheapo! Look at the complaints filed against them in the last six or seven years, all for bad products usually laptops. HP ceo have changed a lot over the last ten years and even the current ceo screwed up recently buying a bad company that is costing hp a lot of money in legal fees and loss of profits in the country where that other company is located. They absolutely don't care about quality of product and never will since thinking like that gets in the way of shutting up share holders according to them anyway.

 

Toshiba has far fewer problems and a better track record, dell is a lot like hp but a bit more devious selling known bad replacement parts as quality working parts. The hinges on some dell laptops are junk more specifically the mounts for the hinges because they are really thin plastic mounts that are part of the bottom of the laptop case on the inside and they snap off real easy leaving only some cheap plastic button assembly to hold the screen to the laptop. I have seen this several times in the last two years with dell. Their desktops like to show you orange blinking lights and refuse to work after a short time too.

 

You could also go with fujitsu or panasonic if the models you find are really made in japan but other than that you will find a toshiba more commonly in most parts of the world.

 

Any laptop with a high end video card is gonna drain the battery fast and overheat if you use it on anything else besides the kitchen table, you can get one of those laptop coolers with two or more big fans on it but get the cooler with long legs so when you try to use it on a bed it won't suffocate from the bed cover. I have encountered people that leave their laptops running on shag carpet, really thick bed covers and other materials they should never use a laptop on and none of them could understand why the laptop overheated and stopped working. Somehow none of them managed to burn down their house with their bad laptop behavior yet though.