New laptop advice

[Exorcet]

Originally, this was a topic about getting a new laptop. However, I've found that I won't need a laptop's mobility at this point which means there is no reason to get one and I've moved on to looking at desktops. While researching and checking prices, I've started to consider building my own which is something I've never done. My biggest concerns are getting parts that are all compatible and reliable, and then putting it together without breaking anything.

 

There are three choices at the moment:

 

Dell XPS 8500 $1880

i7 3770 (3.4 to 3.9 GHz)

16 GB DDR 1600 MHz RAM 4 DIMM

256 GB SSD

2 TB HDD

AMD Radeon HD 7770 2GB GDDR5

460 W Power Supply

 

HP h8-1380t $1910

i7 3820 (3.6 to 3.9 GHz) [HP makes disabling hyperthreading difficult]

16 GB DDR 1600 MHz RAM 4 DIMM

256 GB SSD

1 TB HDD

1GB AMD Radeon HD 7670

400 or 600 W Power Supply

 

Custom $1000+

Intel BOXDX79SI LGA2011 Intel X79 motherboard

i7 3820

16 GB RAM (which to get?)

Samsung 830 SSD 256 GB

500 GB to 1 TB HDD (or possibly just move my old 640 GB laptop HDD)

Some DVD read/write drive

Some case

Some Power Supply

Some Cooling

Some Monitor

 

 

The goals are the same as my original laptop, Flight Sims, CAD, FEA, CFD for about $2000 or less, though at this point I'm more comfortable getting close to $2000 than I was for the laptop.

 

For a proper comparison, I need to fill out the rest of the components for my custom build, but I'm not familiar with most of the brands that makes the parts, the differences between them, and what works with what. One of the things that really made me consider the custom build was hearing had bad OEM power supplies are. I don't know how much wattage I actually need though. I probably won't have more than a mouse, keyboard, X52 (small chance that I might upgrade to G940 or something), and 1 monitor plugged in at a time.

 

Also, I apologize for asking for laptop help and then not getting one. Basically, there is a whole lot going on right now and I can't actually go through with buying anything until things settle down a bit. Fortunately it seems like I will know for sure in a week or so.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below is the original post, disregard.

 

Now that I'm seriously considering getting DCS Mustang, I'm thinking about getting a new laptop to play it on. The new laptop would also be used for CAD, CFD, and FEA.

 

Based on research, it looks like I would want something equivalent to i7 quad processors, 12 GB RAM, 600+ GB storage, and 2 GB graphics card. I'm looking at a $2000 ish cap.

 

What I need help with is finding that for the best price, and I guess quality as well. I don't care about laptop style (and the more "stylish" they are, the worse they are usually), I only need basic laptop portability so it can weight a lot and doesn't need long lasting batteries as it will probably only ever move from one electrical outlet to another. When playing FC/DCS, I really miss my old 1980 x 1200 screen. I certainly want something better than my current 1366 x 768, though this is secondary to running my programs smoothly.

 

My current benchmark is the HP dv7 for ~ $1600

 

Win 7 64 Pro

i7 3720QM 2.6 GHz with 6 MB cache

12 GB RAM

GE Force GT 650M (2GB graphics card)

1TB 5400 RPM

(more space than I need and not as fast as 7200 RPM, but it's the only option. SDD's don't have enough space or are too expensive)

1600 x 900 screen

 

 

 

 

 

My current machine:

 

Win 7 64 Pro

i5 450M 2.4 GHz 3 MB cache

6 GB RAM

Radeon HD 5650 1 GB?

(DirectX Diagnostic says it has 3727 MB, but it seems odd that it would be outperforming the best current cards I can find offered by laptop manufacturers, so I don't know if I'm reading something wrong. 1 GB came from a Google search.)

640 GB

1366 x 768 screen

 

It doesn't like running DCS World with a bunch of stuff going on at once, so this kind of made me worry about buying DCS for the current laptop. I know that DCS World is a Beta, but I don't want to buy BS or A-10C just to see if I can run DCS. The first DCS World patch made things much better though. I can also run FC2 with max everything and a map full of completely unnecessary amounts of units.

Edited August 2, 2012 by Exorcet

[metalnwood]

One thing I would suggest if you are buying a laptop for a workhorse.

 

Forget about the large drive and get an SSD put in. I know you are looking at only 250 gig or so for ssd but if you can manage carrying infrequently used files on an external drive your laptop will turn in to a different beast than something running on a 5400rpm drive.

 

It will seem like it is a fast desktop rather than a slow laptop, you will be amazed how they can transform laptops especially as you are going to use is like a workstation.

[metalnwood]

Looks like the dv7 can take dual drives, if you really need all the storage space go fro dual drives.

 

you are $400 under budget and should be able to put in a 250gb ssd for your primary and keep the larger drive in there for your overflow while still staying in your $2k mark.

[Exorcet]

Looks like the dv7 can take dual drives, if you really need all the storage space go fro dual drives.

 

you are $400 under budget and should be able to put in a 250gb ssd for your primary and keep the larger drive in there for your overflow while still staying in your $2k mark.

 

This seems like a good option, I will look into it. Thanks.

[Pilotasso]

5400rpm hard drives on laptops makes it rather painfull to load stuff. I would invest on an SSD. Without a doubt as inportant as a GFX or CPU.

[cichlidfan]

Personally, I have had good luck with ASUS. My previous G60 and the current G74 are excellent. The G74/75 has outstanding airflow, which was an issue with the G60, which really matters when the GPU heats up.

 

Mine is a bit below your specs but their are versions out there that match. In your price range it has an empty drive bay or an SSD included (I don't recall which but all G74s have two drive bays probably the 75s as well).

 

Just an example price/model:

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-G75VW-DS71-17-3-Inch-Laptop-Black/dp/B007Z92SKE/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1337476722&sr=8-6

[celticcoho]

Check out Originpc.com:thumbup:

[Exorcet]

So, after looking into SSD's, I'm torn between four options:

 

1. Get a small, cheap one (sub 200 GB) and use it sparingly

2. Get a mid size, expensive one (~ 250 GB), which should be able to hold most of my data

3. Get laptop now, wait a year or so until prices to drop and get a ~500 GB SSD

4. Wait a year to buy the whole laptop since CPU and memory should be cheaper then too.

 

Is it good idea to wait now? If I'm going to wait, would it be better to jump on board the first models of new CPU's (1st gen Haswell or equivalent) instead of the late model existing CPU's (late model Ivy Bridge or equivalent)?

 

 

 

I'm also looking into ASUS, it would help if they had some options to let you build and price a laptop on their website but I can't seem to find any way to do this. I like the cooling on the G75, my current laptop does not seem to be adequately cooled at all as the fan is always screaming. At least it doesn't overheat.

[Pilotasso]

You can find Intel 320 drives with 300GB size for reasonable prices. But hurry its being superseeded by not-so-cheap 330 series. You dont need high end SSD's for laptops, even less to feel the diference. Any SSD will blow any HDD out of the watter.

[Hamblue]

If you wait until next year for the next generation etc, you'll always be waiting.

When you're ready, close your eyes and jump in.

The suggestion to get the SSD is spot on, especially with laptops.

I've been running them for a few years now. They absolutely fly.

The SSD Prices have come down a lot. You can get a 256 gig Crucial M4 for

240 bucks. Not to show my age, but I once paid 200+ bucks for a 20 meg hard drive in the late 80's

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008120%20600038487&IsNodeId=1&name=256GB

[Exorcet]

Thanks, I had read that going for a cheap SSD might end up being a waste of money because of reliability issues, but I also read that Samsung is pretty good, and the list Hamblue provided has one for less than $300.

[HiJack]

Portables are for spreadsheets. Desktops are for Gaming :D

[EtherealN]

Portables are for spreadsheets. Desktops are for Gaming :D

 

That's just so wrong. I feel claustrophobic if I don't have at least two screens while working on a sheet. :P

 

Portables are for mail, surfing, and light entertainment while traveling. :P

[metalnwood]

That's just so wrong. I feel claustrophobic if I don't have at least two screens while working on a sheet. :P

 

Portables are for mail, surfing, and light entertainment while traveling. :P

 

Joking aside, it's an interesting proposition. What does the OP expect to get out of a laptop in this price range. If you are gong for a 1920x1080 screen in a 17" laptop it will be great for cad but thats a lot of pixels to push on a game with only a mobile graphics card.

 

I couldn't say for sure what FPS you would achieve with a mobile GPU but if I knew what the expectation was, e.g. 40 fps with all options high then I could probably say it's may not happen.

 

I especially like my laptops for travel and hotel entertainment.

[coke23]

Now that I'm seriously considering getting DCS Mustang, I'm thinking about getting a new laptop to play it on. The new laptop would also be used for CAD, CFD, and FEA.

 

Based on research, it looks like I would want something equivalent to i7 quad processors, 12 GB RAM, 600+ GB storage, and 2 GB graphics card. I'm looking at a $2000 ish cap.

 

What I need help with is finding that for the best price, and I guess quality as well. I don't care about laptop style (and the more "stylish" they are, the worse they are usually), I only need basic laptop portability so it can weight a lot and doesn't need long lasting batteries as it will probably only ever move from one electrical outlet to another. When playing FC/DCS, I really miss my old 1980 x 1200 screen. I certainly want something better than my current 1366 x 768, though this is secondary to running my programs smoothly.

 

My current benchmark is the HP dv7 for ~ $1600

 

Win 7 64 Pro

i7 3720QM 2.6 GHz with 6 MB cache

12 GB RAM

GE Force GT 650M (2GB graphics card)

1TB 5400 RPM

(more space than I need and not as fast as 7200 RPM, but it's the only option. SDD's don't have enough space or are too expensive)

1600 x 900 screen

 

 

 

 

 

My current machine:

 

Win 7 64 Pro

i5 450M 2.4 GHz 3 MB cache

6 GB RAM

Radeon HD 5650 1 GB?

(DirectX Diagnostic says it has 3727 MB, but it seems odd that it would be outperforming the best current cards I can find offered by laptop manufacturers, so I don't know if I'm reading something wrong. 1 GB came from a Google search.)

640 GB

1366 x 768 screen

 

It doesn't like running DCS World with a bunch of stuff going on at once, so this kind of made me worry about buying DCS for the current laptop. I know that DCS World is a Beta, but I don't want to buy BS or A-10C just to see if I can run DCS. The first DCS World patch made things much better though. I can also run FC2 with max everything and a map full of completely unnecessary amounts of units.

 

Check my specs below. It's a Clevo model called PH170M It's not as expensive as Asus or Alienware and you can still consider it a "gaming laptop". Of course mine is 15 months old and I couldn't afford a better GPU. Newer ones would come with GTX 560M or better (up to GTX6XXM soon). Don't forget to choose always a GTX model, not a GT, and make sure it has DDR5 memory. In my opinion, graphics amount of memory and HDD capacity are not the most important parameters you should consider . Processor + GPU model + SSD. Thats all you need. Ram would be, in my opinion, a minimum of 4 GB. Over that it becomes secondary.

 

As I said, my GPU is a bit low for DCS, but you can OC it. With everything turned to max except water and cockpit shadows (Full HD, VSync On, AA and AF 8x, HDR on, cockpit displays 512), it runs DCS smooth enough (+40 fps average). GTX 570 or higher would be my choice right now.

 

Anyway, if you still consider spending as much of $2000, i'd take a look to Alienware and Asus gaming laptops. Clevo (Sager, Xotic PC in USA for example) is not that expensive but you'll notice that finishes are not the same.

 

Of course I agree with all those who don't like gaming laptops, but if there weren't any, I would only have the chance to fly a couple times a month. I need mobility.

Edited May 24, 2012 by coke23

[Exorcet]

Bump, and repeat of changes to first post.

 

Originally, this was a topic about getting a new laptop. However, I've found that I won't need a laptop's mobility at this point which means there is no reason to get one and I've moved on to looking at desktops. While researching and checking prices, I've started to consider building my own which is something I've never done. My biggest concerns are getting parts that are all compatible and reliable, and then putting it together without breaking anything.

 

There are three choices at the moment:

 

Dell XPS 8500 $1880

i7 3770 (3.4 to 3.9 GHz)

16 GB DDR 1600 MHz RAM 4 DIMM

256 GB SSD

2 TB HDD

AMD Radeon HD 7770 2GB GDDR5

460 W Power Supply

 

HP h8-1380t $1910

i7 3820 (3.6 to 3.9 GHz) [HP makes disabling hyperthreading difficult]

16 GB DDR 1600 MHz RAM 4 DIMM

256 GB SSD

1 TB HDD

1GB AMD Radeon HD 7670

400 or 600 W Power Supply

 

Custom $1000+

Intel BOXDX79SI LGA2011 Intel X79 motherboard

i7 3820

16 GB RAM (which to get?)

Samsung 830 SSD 256 GB

500 GB to 1 TB HDD (or possibly just move my old 640 GB laptop HDD)

Some DVD read/write drive

Some case

Some Power Supply

Some Cooling

Some Monitor

 

 

The goals are the same as my original laptop, Flight Sims, CAD, FEA, CFD for about $2000 or less, though at this point I'm more comfortable getting close to $2000 than I was for the laptop.

 

For a proper comparison, I need to fill out the rest of the components for my custom build, but I'm not familiar with most of the brands that makes the parts, the differences between them, and what works with what. One of the things that really made me consider the custom build was hearing had bad OEM power supplies are. I don't know how much wattage I actually need though. I probably won't have more than a mouse, keyboard, X52 (small chance that I might upgrade to G940 or something), and 1 monitor plugged in at a time.

 

Also, I apologize for asking for laptop help and then not getting one. Basically, there is a whole lot going on right now and I can't actually go through with buying anything until things settle down a bit. Fortunately it seems like I will know for sure in a week or so.

[pacotito]

I would go the build your own route. If youve never do it before and need help there are tons of videos on youtube that will walk you through. Most of the manufacturer manuals are fairly good as well. Just do proper research read reviews, look at warranty, that kind of stuff. The motherboard manufacturer web site will have a list of compatible memory although I've found then to be rather outdated. The memory I use isn't on the compatible list for my motherboard but I've had no issues. As for the power supply you can use a power supply calculator to get a rough estimate as to what is needed then go two or three hundred watts above that to reduce wear and tear. A power supply that runs constantly at 60% capacity will last longer than one that runs at 95% capacity. The power supply is something you dont want to go cheap on. If you plan to sli in the future make sure you have enough left over wattage. The memory is really the only thing you should have to worry about compatibility with. Video cards hdd dvd drives should have no issues with compatibility as long as you have the slot/connection for it. As for assembly, everything will only fit in the proper slot and in the proper way with minimal force so its easier than you would think. I was in the same place when I did my first build a few years back but I wouldn't go back to buying a per built. If you have a current computer that you're not going be be using after your new build you can strip the hard drive and dvd drive to keep cost down. Hope this helps

[cichlidfan]

Building your own is always going to give you the best results for the least expense, provide you select good parts. Anything you buy 'of-the-shelf' is likely to be deficient in places that will matter down the road.