New Gaming Laptop

[Fadeless]

Hey all, I plan on buying a new gaming laptop this year and decided I should start my research from now. I plan on playing some of the top games out there such as Battlefield 4, Arma 3, Far Cry 3, etc. I also plan on using it for work which involves using some design software (Adobe after effects, etc) and programming. I might even record some of my gameplay (not sure on this yet, most likely wont) while being on Skype so multitasking is key for me.


I don't really know how much I would need to spend on the laptop, so if people can suggest a good price and a good build that would be great! However, if possible, try to keep it as cheap as possible but also quite future proof.

One more thing, would getting a laptop with 32gb ram be too much?

 

[keynes]

For gaming 32gb ram is overkill but if you are planning to do heavy editing then you could benefit from 16gb ram. It would help specifying a max budget.

 

[Fadeless]

For gaming 32gb ram is overkill but if you are planning to do heavy editing then you could benefit from 16gb ram. It would help specifying a max budget.

I thought that 32gb would be perfect for multitasking and future proof? For a budget lets say in the £1500-2000 range.

 

[keynes]

I thought that 32gb would be perfect for multitasking and future proof? For a budget lets say in the £1500-2000 range.

For gaming 32gb ram is a waste and not needed for the near future.

Chassis & Display
Vortex Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-4810MQ (2.80GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM)
8GB KINGSTON SODIMM DDR3 1600MHz (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 880M - 8.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Free Item
FREE £90 IN-GAME VOUCHER with GTX 650 / 750 /7000M / 8000M Series GPUs
Free Item
FREE WATCH DOGS with GTX 660 & 7 Series GPUs!
Memory - Hard Disk
750GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD7500BPKX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
mSATA SSD Drive
240GB Kingston SSDNow mS200 mSATA (upto 540MB/sR | 530MB/sW)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & KILLER™ 1202 WIRELESS GAMING 802.11N + BLUETOOTH 4.0
USB Options
3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Firewire
1 X 1394a FIREWIRE PORT
Battery
Vortex Series 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (5,200 mAh/76.96WH)
Power Lead & Adaptor
1 x UK Power Lead & 180W AC Adaptor
Operating System
Genuine Windows 8.1 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365
Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL
Keyboard Language
INTEGRATED BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)
Insurance
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 11 to 13 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £1,507.00 including VAT and delivery.

Unique URL to re-configure: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/VortexIV-15/8_RJ4GED63/

 

[Fadeless]

Thanks for that, wouldn't replacing the hard drives with the 960gb Kingston crucial high performance SSD drive be better? It's also still within the budget range. Also will that CPU be good for a while? Or would it be better to get the Intel® Core™ i7-4910MQ and invest a little more?

Sorry, I am quite a noob and still learning the basics.

 

[keynes]

From my experience there is not a noticeable difference in loading times between an HDD and SSD for games so I wouldn't. Same with the cpu, you pay more for not a noticeable increase in performance.

 

[Fadeless]

Wouldn't an SSD be more efficient in general, specially when programming and using software design. I heard they are also less likely to fail than a HDD and are not effected over a few years, is this true?

I also noticed you left the sound card to the default option, I assume there is also no point spending £79 on the ASUS sound card? Although my laptop is fairy old I am not sure about how the sound quality is on new laptops, I assume I would have no problem if I am using a good pair of headphones?

 

[Jamie0202]

I agree with Keynes in that the HDD will be fine as a storage drive while using the SSD for the operating system. For programming and software design you'll be installing your programs (except games) on the SSD anyway. That's what I do.

I also agree that the 4810mq CPU is extremely powerful and you will not need any more power. It actually turboclocks to 3.8Ghz automatically. I'm not sure why Intel say it is a 2.8Ghz processor because it can clock above or below this depending on what is required from it with a maximum single core clock of 3.8Ghz.

As for the soundcard, sadly the speakers in the laptop wont do it justice so I wouldn't bother.

Just some things I would add to Keynes build. One is to upgrade the thermal compound. I'm sure Keynes just forgot to add this and the other would be to consider getting at least the 1 month dead pixel guarantee.

 

[SlimCini]

Or for a real blowout at the top end of your budget

Chassis & Display
Vortex Series: 17.3" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-4810MQ (2.80GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM)
8GB KINGSTON SODIMM DDR3 1600MHz (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
2 x NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 880M - 8.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Free Item
FREE WATCH DOGS with GTX 660 & 7 Series GPUs!
Memory - Hard Disk
250GB Samsung 840 EVO SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (upto 540MB/sR | 520MB/sW)
2nd Hard Disk
750GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD7500BPKX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND (£9)
Sound Card
Intel 5.1 Channel High Definition Audio + SPDIF/MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless
WIRELESS INTEL® N135 802.11N (150Mbps) + BLUETOOTH
USB Options
4 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Battery
Vortex Elite 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (5,800 mAh/89.21WH)
Power Lead & Adaptor
1 x UK Power Lead & 330W AC Adaptor
Operating System
Genuine Windows 8.1 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365
Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL
Keyboard Language
INTEGRATED BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)
Insurance
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 11 to 13 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £2,025.00 including VAT and delivery.

Unique URL to re-configure: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/vortexIV-Elite-SE/vesDMrBo85/

 

[Fadeless]

I agree with Keynes in that the HDD will be fine as a storage drive while using the SSD for the operating system. For programming and software design you'll be installing your programs (except games) on the SSD anyway. That's what I do.

I also agree that the 4810mq CPU is extremely powerful and you will not need any more power. It actually turboclocks to 3.8Ghz automatically. I'm not sure why Intel say it is a 2.8Ghz processor because it can clock above or below this depending on what is required from it with a maximum single core clock of 3.8Ghz.

As for the soundcard, sadly the speakers in the laptop wont do it justice so I wouldn't bother.

Just some things I would add to Keynes build. One is to upgrade the thermal compound. I'm sure Keynes just forgot to add this and the other would be to consider getting at least the 1 month dead pixel guarantee.

I assume having SSD is also quieter than the HDD right? Would getting one big hard drive be better than having two? Alright I will go with that CPU and I think I would prefer to get the 17.3" Vortex IV since it has a bigger screen and makes the experience a bit better.

But yeah I will add those options you suggested, and the one year dead pixel guarantee.

 

[TheGeeza]

I assume having SSD is also quieter than the HDD right? Would getting one big hard drive be better than having two? Alright I will go with that CPU and I think I would prefer to get the 17.3" Vortex IV since it has a bigger screen and makes the experience a bit better.

But yeah I will add those options you suggested, and the one year dead pixel guarantee.

Yes SSDs are quieter since they have no moving parts

 

[Fadeless]

Although this is slightly over my budget, is it worth it? If not what would you change?

Chassis & Display
Vortex Series: 17.3" Glossy Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080) (£29)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-4810MQ (2.80GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM)
16GB KINGSTON HYPER-X IMPACT 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 880M - 8.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Free Item
FREE £90 IN-GAME VOUCHER with GTX 650 / 750 /7000M / 8000M Series GPUs
Free Item
FREE WATCH DOGS with GTX 660 & 7 Series GPUs!
Memory - Hard Disk
1TB Samsung 840 EVO SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (upto 540MB/sR | 520MB/sW)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
6x BLURAY ROM, 8x DVD ±R/±RW & CYBERLINK SOFTWARE
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND (£9)
Sound Card
Intel 5.1 Channel High Definition Audio + SPDIF/MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & KILLER™ 1202 WIRELESS GAMING 802.11N + BLUETOOTH 4.0
USB Options
3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Firewire
1 X 1394a FIREWIRE PORT
Battery
2 x 17.3" Vortex Series Battery Pack, 76.96WH (One Spare) (£49)
Power Lead & Adaptor
1 x UK Power Lead & 230W AC Adaptor
Operating System
Genuine Windows 8.1 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
Microsoft® Office Home & Student 2013 (1 License & Disc) (£85)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Keyboard Language
INTEGRATED BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Gold Warranty (2 Year Collect & Return, 2 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£69)
Dead Pixel Guarantee
1 Year Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs (£19)
Insurance
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 11 to 13 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £2,114.00 including VAT and delivery.

Unique URL to re-configure: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/vortexIV-17/A2FEwBrshU/

 

[TheGeeza]

Although this is slightly over my budget, is it worth it? If not what would you change?

Chassis & Display
Vortex Series: 17.3" Glossy Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080) (£29)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-4810MQ (2.80GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM)
16GB KINGSTON HYPER-X IMPACT 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 880M - 8.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Free Item
FREE £90 IN-GAME VOUCHER with GTX 650 / 750 /7000M / 8000M Series GPUs
Free Item
FREE WATCH DOGS with GTX 660 & 7 Series GPUs!
Memory - Hard Disk
1TB Samsung 840 EVO SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (upto 540MB/sR | 520MB/sW)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
6x BLURAY ROM, 8x DVD ±R/±RW & CYBERLINK SOFTWARE
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND (£9)
Sound Card
Intel 5.1 Channel High Definition Audio + SPDIF/MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & KILLER™ 1202 WIRELESS GAMING 802.11N + BLUETOOTH 4.0
USB Options
3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Firewire
1 X 1394a FIREWIRE PORT
Battery
2 x 17.3" Vortex Series Battery Pack, 76.96WH (One Spare) (£49)
Power Lead & Adaptor
1 x UK Power Lead & 230W AC Adaptor
Operating System
Genuine Windows 8.1 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
Microsoft® Office Home & Student 2013 (1 License & Disc) (£85)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Keyboard Language
INTEGRATED BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Gold Warranty (2 Year Collect & Return, 2 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£69)
Dead Pixel Guarantee
1 Year Dead Pixel Guarantee Inc. Labour & Carriage Costs (£19)
Insurance
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 11 to 13 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £2,114.00 including VAT and delivery.

Unique URL to re-configure: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/quotes/vortexIV-17/A2FEwBrshU/

I would drop the ssd to 250gb and add a good HDD.
It would be cheaper and would still provide ample storage and speed for the programs on the ssd

 

[A314159]

^ that.

 

[Fadeless]

I would drop the ssd to 250gb and add a good HDD.
It would be cheaper and would still provide ample storage and speed for the programs on the ssd

So what kind of things would I store on the HDD, movies, music, pictures, etc? I am going to store games and other programs on my SSD so not sure if 250gb is enough.

 

[Jamie0202]

So what kind of things would I store on the HDD, movies, music, pictures, etc? I am going to store games and other programs on my SSD so not sure if 250gb is enough.

Yes movies, music and pictures would be ideal. I have a 120GB SSD and a 1TB HDD and I store all my media on the HDD. I also have a backup of my SSD on it and it is the install location of all my games.

An SSD WILL improve game loading times but it's up to you to decide if the cost is worth the improvement. This video is well worth a look at and will give you an idea of the difference. Personally I would install my games on a HDD purely for the lower cost. If I then decided I wanted the loading times improved I would be selective of which games I installed on the SSD.

[video=youtube;FQpiZ44GyYU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQpiZ44GyYU[/video]

Another thing to consider is that with two drives you can reinstall windows without losing any DATA on the second drive.

 

[Fadeless]

Yes movies, music and pictures would be ideal. I have a 120GB SSD and a 1TB HDD and I store all my media on the HDD. I also have a backup of my SSD on it and it is the install location of all my games.

An SSD WILL improve game loading times but it's up to you to decide if the cost is worth the improvement. This video is well worth a look at and will give you an idea of the difference. Personally I would install my games on a HDD purely for the lower cost. If I then decided I wanted the loading times improved I would be selective of which games I installed on the SSD.

[video=youtube;FQpiZ44GyYU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQpiZ44GyYU[/video]

Another thing to consider is that with two drives you can reinstall windows without losing any DATA on the second drive.

So if you had the money to invest into two good SSDs you would do it? So the only good reason to get a HDD is that it's more affordable if you want a lot of storage space? If that's the case I don't mind saving up and investing in two decent SSDs since long term it's more beneficial.

 

[Jamie0202]

So if you had the money to invest into two good SSDs you would do it? So the only good reason to get a HDD is that it's more affordable if you want a lot of storage space? If that's the case I don't mind saving up and investing in two decent SSDs since long term it's more beneficial.

If 1TB of storage is enough then you won't need two drives. I only suggest two drives so you have the benefit of an SSD for performance and an HDD for cheaper storage (you stated in your first post you wanted to try and keep it as cheap as possible).

If you have definitely decided not to have an HDD I would go for the SSD in the build you already posted but I would phone PCS and ask them to partition it so you still have the advantage of reinstalling Windows if you have to without losing stored files.




PS - To answer your question about if I had the money. Well if I had the money I personally would get twin SLI GTX 880m GPUs.