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    Laptop vs this desktop setup

    Discussion in 'Desktop Hardware' started by ihaveagiggerbyte, May 20, 2015.

  1. ihaveagiggerbyte

    ihaveagiggerbyte Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey guys im about to buy my new gaming computer and Im not sure which route to go, laptop or desktop. Currently I have no desktop and the laptop I've been using for the past few years is about to crap out. Ive been thinking about the ASUS ROG GL551 JWDS74 15 inch or building a desktop with the follow set up.
    intel I5 4690k
    msi z97 gaming 5 mobo
    8 ghz ram
    gigabyte gtx970
    750w xfx power 80 bronze
    128 Kingston ssd +1tb wd blue hd
    hyper evo 212
    windows 7
    asus 24in ch 1ms 60hz led monitr
    So what I'm wondering is, will this desktop be way better then the asus rog? should I just save myself The hassle of building a computer and just get the laptop or is the desktop a lot better for gaming. Also my budget is around 1300, but with the desktop it'll be like 1500 because of the monitor.
     
  2. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    A desktop will always be the best bang for the buck in terms of hardware, always. The question you have to ask yourself is whether you need the portability of the laptop. If you do, you could go for that or build a slightly cheaper desktop using a GTX960 for instance and get a not too expensive non gaming laptop, maybe a refurb thinkpad.
     
  3. Syndrome

    Syndrome Torque Matters

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    If you dont think you will be moving around, the reason for a laptop, then go with a desktop. They are 100% better in my opinion. I can't imagine going back to a laptop when I've got my desktop sitting here.
     
  4. ihaveagiggerbyte

    ihaveagiggerbyte Notebook Enthusiast

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    Um I don't really need portability, I was just used to my old laptop so I thought about getting another one. Well im leaning towards the desktop right now plus I'll get to use a 24in monitor instead of a 15 of a laptop. Is there a graphics card in a laptop that can match the gtx970 on a d es ktop? Like maybe the 980 in a laptop, would that be as good or better?
     
  5. octiceps

    octiceps Nimrod

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    Even the 980M is slower than the desktop 970
     
  6. Syndrome

    Syndrome Torque Matters

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    Don't forget that you can add multiple monitors on a desktop very easily. I've currently got 4 monitors hooked up to my desktop and I use every one of them. I can have a game on one, a guide on another, my temps and hardware information on another, and watch a movie. Can't do that with a run of the mill laptop. ;)
     
  7. ihaveagiggerbyte

    ihaveagiggerbyte Notebook Enthusiast

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    haha yeah, i dont know if ill be doing that anytime soon becuase of funds but that is a cool option.
     
  8. killkenny1

    killkenny1 Too weird to live, too rare to die.

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    Desktop, noa, DO IT!
    Building a desktop is not as hard as it may seem at first. There are plenty of videos on how to do it online.
     
  9. ihaveagiggerbyte

    ihaveagiggerbyte Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yea Im going with the desktop, I was wondering if I get 8 gigs of ram now and then get 8 more later, can I just put the other 8 in and will it just work or would I have to like reinstall windows and all that.
     
  10. killkenny1

    killkenny1 Too weird to live, too rare to die.

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    RAM will be detected automatically. No OS reinstall is necessary.
     
  11. ihaveagiggerbyte

    ihaveagiggerbyte Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok cool, thx kenny. This is guna be my first build. Hope I can do it. I'll lyk how it goes.
     
  12. StormJumper

    StormJumper Notebook Virtuoso

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    No the system will just added that into the mix but make sure they are the same specs and speed so you get dual channel setup that makes for better system performance.
     
  13. StormJumper

    StormJumper Notebook Virtuoso

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    This comes down to how much you want to spend for good gaming.
    I have this CPU and it works well.
    Make sure it can SLI if you want to SLI in the future.
    Get 16Gigs your system will like you for it.
    More then mine ... got MSI GTX770OC.
    Make sure it can handle SLI power setups if you decide otherwise.
    SSD no lower then 256gig as Windows 7 will take about 30-40gigs and for HDD now lower then 3tb WD green you will be glad for it.
    If cooling look for one that is quiet and can spin up as needed.
    Get Windows 7x64 Ult Sp1 this will give you more control and allow your system to access memory beyond the 3.5gig limited by Window 7x86 the 32bit version.
    If you want 4K make sure to check the specs carefully.
    A Desktop gaming setup will always be more Powerful then any Gaming Laptop it's the portability that the Gaming laptop has a one over on the Desktop. But if you do Lan War the Desktop will be your best friend for power and gameplay.
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2015
  14. ihaveagiggerbyte

    ihaveagiggerbyte Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey storm jumper thx for the input But I already ended up buying everything And just finished the build. Yay first time and it's working
     
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  15. killkenny1

    killkenny1 Too weird to live, too rare to die.

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    Congrats man :vbthumbsup:
    Pics or it didn't happen!
     
  16. ihaveagiggerbyte

    ihaveagiggerbyte Notebook Enthusiast

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    Haha leme c if I can do this
     

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    killkenny1 likes this.
  17. ihaveagiggerbyte

    ihaveagiggerbyte Notebook Enthusiast

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    also my budget wouldnt let me get anthing for 4k or even 2k display atm, later when i get some more money ill upgrade the monitor, ram, etc..
     
  18. DataShell

    DataShell Notebook Deity

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    I too like the mobility given by a laptop (e.g. gaming in the living room or on the recliner), so you could buy a cheap notebook for streaming around the house.