4k: When will it be functional on Notebooks

Hey guys, I was hoping I could get a few knowledgeable posters to speculate on some questions I have. Just interested in hearing what some people think on a few issues, as they will influence my decision to purchase a new notebook in the next could years. For the following, lets assume I am talking about a ~$2000 notebook with a top of the line GPU in it, although I would also be interested in what an SLI setup would likely be able to handle.

1) When do you think 4k will be functional on notebooks (i.e. running new games at ~max settings at 45-60fps)

2) How does 4k at medium settings compare to 1080p at ultra settings? (I realize this is an absurdly speculative question, but some articles reviewing the 980m compared the above settings, and I was wondering how the jump to 4k looks compared to 1080p, considering the need to turn down graphic fidelity to run 4k).

3) My notebook is currently running a 6990m. I have the money to by a new notebook, but am waiting at least until the next generation of gpu's are released. In your opinion, should I gut it out until gpu's can run 4k, or is that too far in the future to justify the wait.

Thanks for your time!

 

This all really dpeends on the game. Some games today can run maxed out with a 970m/980m at 4k like diablo 3, starcraft 2. Other games like dying light, evolve,etc will not run maxed at 4k..... 4k on a small laptop screen is pointless, unless you are talking external monitors. Also, that 6990m is ancient, go for a 900m series and enjoy!

 

1. Probably 2-3 years at earliest
2. It's similar tbh.. 4k is so sharp and crisp that actually AA isn't needed so you might be able to bump up settings
3. I would wait a bit longer.. It's not worth buying a NVIDIA maxwell GPU now with Ocing locked at least for now and AMD mobile GPU's won't be released till H2 2015 hopefully so hold it out.. If you have a MXM laptop, get a 7970M to tide you over if it's cheap... Also what laptop do you have?

 

I would bet on next year. Like Tom said above, 4k allows you to disable AA; AA lately has been a resource hog so achieving 60fps on mobile gaming rigs is totally plausible in the next year and a half, imho.

 

I did say I would create a list of all the games in my collection that are playable at 4K but then all the coursework deadlines came at once - the past month has been busy!

Handed in two more pieces of work today, which is the last of the deadlines for a while (until May), so I will actually now have time to get around to compiling that list.

Games like Devil May Cry 2013 and Mirror's Edge can be played at 4K with 60fps on the highest settings. I tested those with small overclock applied though, I guess now that NVIDIA has destroyed that ability forever more, it will be more relevant to test on pure stock clocks for creating the list.

 

People say this for everything, not just 4K. Wait till next year.. Last year it was wait till next year.. This year it's wait till next year. Next year it'll be wait till next year.

 

Thanks a ton for the responses guys

I would be surprised if 4k didnt make a difference, even on a 15" screen. You're only sitting a foot and a half away from it. I certainly was tempted to just grab a 980m in a new notebook, but if I can last another year and see what comes out, why not?

I have a Sager 8150/Clevo P150HM. Getting long in the tooth (3.5 years), but I have such a backlog of games Im not really in a rush for a new comp because I can play the old games at high setting levels and just save the newer games for down the road. It would be awesome to get a 7970M, but I am pretty limited in technical skills, so Im not sure how keen I am to mess with the BIOS and installation, etc.

Next year and a half? That would be perfect. A man can dream.

How do you guys feel about 17" vs 15"? Some people make it sounds like you could never go back from 17, but it also seems like 15" models get the nicest screens. After whether or not to wait for 4k functional notebooks, Id say choosing between 17 and 15 inch notebook models is my second dilemma.

 

This is very true, but I do think there are certain times when buying a new notebook makes the most sense for an individual.
For example, when I picked up my 6990m in a new Sager, I did it because Skyrim had just come out, and I was confident the card would handle D3 with no problems. Those were two huge games I wanted, so why not get a new comp?

Sure, every year will add a card with a little more power, but some jumps matter more than others. For example, I could care less about 4k at 30fps and medium settings. However, if there are cards that can run 4k @ high setting at 60fps, that capability is just too good to pass up compared to 1080p.

Im also more willing to wait because the next big games Im waiting on are Fallout 4, Elder scrolls IV, Warband 2:Bannerlord, and Half life 3. Dont see any of those appearing for AT LEAST another year.

 

Yeah, people should just upgrade when the games they want to play aren't playable anymore. Set a budget and get the best you can get at the time. Things move so fast people will be waiting and waiting and waiting if you don't pull the trigger. You also have to have some thick skin as something faster is going to pop up within 1 to 7 months depending..

 

By that time, all the 13" laptops will have 8k display

 

Tee hee...

 

Quote from Anandtech review of Razer Blade 2015:

"While High DPI in the Windows world is not perfect, it has gotten a lot better over the last year. In my experience, the benefits of High DPI outweigh the drawbacks. Major vendors like Adobe have released High DPI aware versions of their software suites, and even Google Chrome has made good progress with High DPI support in Windows this year. The situation is still not perfect, but we are getting better. Steam used to have issues, but they have all been resolved, however Origin does not scale at all."

Sent from my Nexus 5

 

It's true cakefish. The one app i'm still waiting for is Unity, and they've already said 5.0 will not yet have HiDPI support. Sad face. It's the only thing left keeping me from going back to 3200x1800. Origin still not on board is confusing, but I don't really care about that.