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Need a new laptop for college/gaming (Self-Build or ready-made?)

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  • 20-05-2016 1:30pm
    #1
    NiallT92
    Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭


    Hey,

    So my current laptop is a bit of a jock and I need a new one. My max budget is probably 1,000-1,500 (Thanks to a fine season from Leicester City FC :P). I was just wondering what some of the best bang for my buck is out there in terms of store bought or self-build as this will be just about the most money I've ever spent on anything and I've had a good look around but it's a little mind boggling tbh.

    I asked a mate and he said self-building a desktop (he has a self-build) would be a better plan but that's not an option for me because I need it for college and I'm always moving so it needs to be portable! Any opinions/knowledge is appreciated. Especially on exactly what parts would be best for the self-build.

    Laptop would be for Gaming and college work mostly. Currently only playing Football Manager but that's due to the poorness of my current laptop more than anything else

    Thanks
    :)


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    #2
    grindle
    Registered Users Posts: 6,026 ✭✭✭grindle


    You could get a cheap laptop and an easy-to-transport iTX desktop self-build for that money.

    You'll definitely get more bang for your buck even with the slightly higher iTX costs in comparison to getting a laptop as a one stop shop.


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    #3
    Digital Solitude
    Registered Users Posts: 11,397 ✭✭✭✭Digital Solitude


    Seconded, even a €700 laptop would be very capable, and a €700 gaming PC would be a strong machine.

    If just a laptop, I'd just buy one outright instead of messing with custom builds. Gaming laptops typically have loads of issues though, so be wary of that, I don't think a strong dGPU is going to be necessary.


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    #4
    Xenoronin
    Registered Users Posts: 1,307 ✭✭✭Xenoronin


    Bang for buck is very different between laptops and desktops.
    I advised my girlfriend to get this: http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/acer-aspire-vn7-592g-core-i5-6300hq-8gb-1tb-15.6-windows-10-home-laptop-nx.g6hek.002/version.asp
    Note: It does not come with a blu-ray drive.

    That will get you very decent graphics settings in the latest games. Tested Tomb Raider on it and it was 60fps on medium/high at 1080p.

    This would also be grand: http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/pc-specialist-optimus-ii-gt15-960-elite-core-i5-6300hq-8gb-1tb-15.6-dvd-r-pcs-l861552/version.asp

    Can also look at the german sites, though be warned that the keyboard and default os language will be german. The keyboard just has some extra keys so nothing too major. Windows can be a pain in the neck to change the language settings (I know from experience) and even then some things refuse to change. Also note that some german sellers also sell without the OS installed or with linux. You will need to pay for windows if you go this route.
    -snip- linked a **** 950M...

    Once you go above the 960M and 950M, you are going to be paying around 1500. I don't think it is worth it to jump that high with a laptop personally. Just tune the settings a little and the 960M is just fine for the majority of games.

    Edit: Note that there are two versions of the 950M. One has DDR3 Video RAM. The other has GDDR5. There is a 20-30% difference between the two. The GDDR5 950M is only ~10% off a 960M so it is very capable.
    Reference: http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-950M.138026.0.html


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    #5
    TerrorFirmer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    You can get the GTX970M for around 1k - 1,100 and it is an excellent mobile card.

    The return you get past that point isn't great, GTX980M laptops add a fair bit to the cost.

    I wouldn't go below a GTX960M for modern gaming.


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    #6
    Xenoronin
    Registered Users Posts: 1,307 ✭✭✭Xenoronin


    I can't seem to find a 970M in that range. Mind pointing in the right direction?
    Best I can find is configuring on PCSpecialist which still runs up to ~1250€
    The price of the PCSpecialist laptops is actually surprising me a little. Bit lower than I was expecting.


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    #7
    TerrorFirmer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    A lot of the PC Specialist ones as well for 1.1 - 2K all have i7's as well which is a plus. You can also take away Windows which reduces 100 off the price, if you wish.

    There are some retailers on Ebay selling new ones for about 1,100 - it can depend on what day you check - most of the sellers are German :)


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