Purchasing a Gaming Laptop

What should I look for when buying a gaming laptop? Specifically, What graphics cards can run the best games at the highest settings? I want a good laptop that will run Diablo 3 really good when it comes out. I know it doesn't have a release date, or stats about requirements.

Thanks.

 

The fastest laptops graphics cards are the 6970m(from AMD) and GTX485m(from NVIDIA). After that there are a bunch of other cards but they are hard to find in any laptops. The most common poweful card after these two is the GTX460m. After these there are consumer class cards and the highest end of those is represented by the gt555m and the 6770m. This will help you-
Computer Games on Laptop Graphic Cards - Notebookcheck.net Tech

 

For highest settings, choose the 6970M.

It's only available in three notebooks:

Alienware M17X R3
Sager NP8170 (Clevo P170HM)
Sager NP8150 (Clevo P150HM)

 

If I was you, I think GTX 460 is a great one! I don't think you need a stronger one... but if so, take GTX 485, better then 6970M (Because of the PhyX and bluh bluh bluh...) TAKE SAGER!!

 

Also on Alienware M18X

 

Also the FirePro equivalent on the Dell Precision M6600 called the M8900.

 

Yes the 485m is stronger but dont forget it costs twice as much, total waste fo money.

 

I can't believe nobody has mentioned the Radeon 5870m.

 

How would a Dell XPS 15 with 8GB ram, NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 540M 2GB graphics with Optimus, and 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i7-2720QM processor 2.20 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.30 GHz do for gaming? Also where else can I customize a laptop that may be better than that for a decent price? I want a smaller laptop also like a 15inch.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

Go here and fill out the questionnaire.

What Notebook Should I Buy?

 

It is not worth it to buy a 5870M new when the 6970M is out in the market. I am not saying a 5870M is a bad card, but it is no longer the latest in the market. Also, 5870M laptops don't come with Sandy Bridge processors.

 

Star Forge, I couldn't help but notice your HP hatin. Mind sharing your issues with them since the dv6t quad with AMD 6770 and 1080p screen has caught my eye for around $1000 bucks.

 

They are more personal issues than things really to mention. I just had a bad time with their technical support and case escalation. I would avoid the Envy line at all costs as the money you pay for them is not worth it and they are very badly built with many problems and you might get frustrated with the case managers for escalation for let's say a replacement because they are very stubborn and often fails to fulfill promises that they makes.

I think the Pavilion you are thinking of getting is fine, but do consider upgrading the warranty to in-home service and hope the initial unit is in perfect working condition. If it isn't, return within the 21 days and reorder until they get it right from the factory!

 

Thanks dude

 

Without going to insane levels of costs- I would try and shoot for a good cpu and amount of ram with a GTX 460M... The 6970M and 485M are a little pricey for the minimal difference in performance- you're really not going to notice a huge difference. Go with a faster cpu and mem- you'll definitely be able to play diablo 3 with the GTX 460m.

 

I'll beg to differ, the 485m is itself equivalent to 2 GTX460m in SLI together. The price premium is there but there are consumers out there more than willing to foot the difference.

It all depends on the OP's gaming expectations and tolerance for playing games at lower resolutions and settings after a few years.

 

If you want to game at 1280x720 or 1366x768 by all means the 460m is decent and adequate. Otherwise higher resolutions will require more power, and the 485m and 6970m are both GPU beasts in a laptop.

 

Go check this webiste out when u have specific laptop in mind and double check the gpu in that laptop. If u scroll down on specif gpu u chose it will show u how many fps it will run at at what settings.

Mobile Graphics Cards - Benchmark List - Notebookcheck.net Tech

 

The GTX 485M is too expensive but the HD6970M is much more reasonable. I have seen configs where it is only £43 extra. I hardly see 50% extra performance at higher resolutions minimal.