What video card/cpu for my games?

So I want to possibly buy a better laptop if I sell my T500. It has an ATI HD3650 DDR3 256MB. It scores 8617 in 3DMark05 in conjunction with a P8600 (C2D 2.4GHz) CPU and 2GB ram according to notebookcheck.net. I have a P8700 (2.53GHz)and 4GB of ram, minor difference.

Anyway, I am generally looking at the Sager NP8790 or NP8760 because of their appraised quality. Here, I'm having trouble deciding what processor I should go for and what GPU. GPU is the ATI HD5870 DDR5 1GB vs Nvidia GTX 285M GDDR3 1GB. The nvidia costs 75$ more (but scores weaker in benchmarks?), but i'm nvidia biased; is it worth it? Or should I even be aiming for these cards? As for cpu, i5 520M vs the i5 620M.

Right now my main focus is SC2 + livestreaming/frapsing (which take quite a toll on my fps atm). I want to be able to play in decently high settings while recording with a playable FPS, which I expect to be around 40FPS+. From these cards though, I do expect it to be a breeze for them to max out even under the highest settings.

Later D3, and whatever else comes my way. I generally do not tend to go towards games like Crysis, but if a games good and has good graphics + I wanna try it, I want to be able to play. For example, I played Just Cause 2 on my laptop... it was terrible even under the lowest settings & resolution.

So what's the suggestion?

 

great question. i've been a big nvidia fan as well (sheer coincidence), and have never really owned anything with an ATI GPU. i would love to know how those CPU's will pair with the HD5870.

again, i would love to find out some more info about these specific pieces of hardware. i'm currently eyeing a NP8760 as well. only difference is that i want HD5870 + i7 720 (unless the 920 is really worth the upgrade) + 4-6GB of 1333 RAM. i really want to make my return into PC gaming with the releases of starcraft 2 and diablo 3. both of those games just bring back all kinds of nostalgic memories.

 

I recently ordered the NP8690 with the 720 and 5870 because of SC2. When I get it next week I'll run the demo and see how it fares.

 

Yeah i'm not sure about spending a great amount extra for a 720m, even if it's a "special" deal for only 100+ off standard price. I have no doubt that it will run SC2 high, but i'm wondering if it's necessary.

 

congrats on yur new purchase. please let us know how u like it.

 

Well since games are still better optimized for dual cores than quad cores, it's still better to get an i5 than the 720 for gaming, even with the Turbo Boost. At least I think that's the consensus. I only got the 720 because... I wanted to? If you're really concerned about performance you should probably choose the 1600x900 resolution too.

 

No way. Absolutely want the 1080 resolution over 1600x900.

 

get the 8690 with the 720 and 5870 and youre all set for a year or two

 

Man i'm looking at the Asus G73JH and it's really looking quite nice for the price, but I feel I don't need everything it gives!!!

Aside from design differences, for only 125$ more it gives:
W7 standard
8GB Ram
i7-720M
2 HDD slots, 500GB 7200RPM (Although not the hitachi ;[) x2
Backpack
Razer mouse
Overclocking ease for a noob like me
Better battery life because of sager's mini battery.

 

me and u are in the same boat buddy! i'm really likin the asus g73 as well. the price u pay for all that hardware is just insane. the blu ray drive, 8GB of RAM, and exterior styling is really makin it hard for me to set my mind on the sager NP8760.

i've just never had any real experience with asus as a company before, so it's kind of makin me rethink my options. i've never owned a sager laptop either, but they receive such great reviews. what i love about sager is that they receive such great reviews in areas like build construction and cooling. not hardware and what u can cram into a laptop's casing. they are actually commended for the smaller things that really tell u that they have sat down and really thought out the design before executing a product.

 

I considered the G73 as well. But I chose the Sager for a couple of reasons:

1. Wanted 15", not 17" (only applies to 8690, not 8760)
2. Didn't like the flashy design of the G73
3. G73 was back-ordered at the time
4. I like being able to look inside (and messing around a bit) without voiding my warranty

The G73 is definitely a good choice though. I'm pretty sure most people will agree that it's a coin toss between it and the 8760.

 

games will run better on a quad core then on any core 2 duo, and the 5870 is by far better then any existing mobile nvidia card, also supports dx11
the asus g73 is the best gaming laptop atm in terms of both performance/price ratio and performance alone(well i'm not sure if it is at this moment, but it was a few weeks ago as far as i know)
but, if you really want nvidia, then you can pick a gtx285 sli, which is said to be stronger then 5870 alone, but if u want one you can start advertising your car for sale

 

u might want to stay away from sager if ur planing to be a little portable.. battery life on a sager with a 3 cell battery , yes 3 cell is about 1 hour.. G73 has 8 cell and if properly configured , u can get 2.5-3 hours battery life...
would love to get a G73 now but its $2700 now in UK... hopefully drops a little when i get it in August.

 

portability and battery life are my lowest concerns. it will be a desktop replacement, so it will sit on top of it's throne (NZXT cryo LX cooler) for pretty much it's whole life.

the g73's base hardware is very appealing tho. i could just go with an SLI configuration, but i really wanted to stick to just 1 powerful GPU to reduce my headaches.

 

It is indeed a very tough decision... Everything calls out to the G73 though.

The NP8690 at comparable (but weaker) specs vs the G73JH is actually more expensive, but if someone doesn't need the options, it is cheaper for them.

But really... the Asus gives so much and more for a good price. It's build quality is pretty good too, according to notebookreview's review of it, it has really good cooling.

All i'm seeing from sager atm is:
Aesthetics
Good build reputation
More ports
Better touchpad i'd say.

 

one two 10 char

 

i don't know about the aesthetics part. to me, sager's worst aspect has to be it's looks. there are no innovative or special exterior designs. it just looks like a generic laptop with some great hardware and build quality. that is one of the main reasons that has me debating between the 2 cuz i really love how sleek the g73 looks.

 

I don't see the problem in your case. For a bit more cash, you get so much more in a laptop.

 

money is not an issue at all. when i invest a big amount of money into something i just like to know that i'm gettin a superior product. just having great hardware doesn't amount to a good product to me. it has to have all the small things to go along with it such as a well thought out cooling system, ergonomics, screen quality, keyboard, exterior materials/textures, and so forth.

it's really a coin toss for me.

np8760: cooling system, screen quality, build quality, easy access panels

g73: fully loaded, great aesthetics, battery life, rubberized palm rest (for gamers)

i just feel like the areas that the np8760 falls short on, the g73 excels in that area and vice versa. that kinda makes it the same...but not the same...but sorta...but...yea. . .i'm so confused lol.

 

If it's really a coin toss between the two, then toss a coin. I doubt you'll regret getting either.

 

Well according to the reviews here, the G73's cooling system is pretty good. Ergonomics i'm unsure.

Both received pretty high appraisals for screen quality, the have the same chiclet style keyboard... ehhhhhh

 

Clevo has no cooling advantage over the G73. I've run extreme burn on the G73 for 10 minutes with 800/1100 overclock and Clevo temps are the SAME. Actually for temperature around the palm rest and the bottom of the laptop, G73 wins easily without trying. Also for fan noise level, G73 wins. Put it this way, G73 when on load, fan noise is quieter than Clevo on idle. Not kidding.

Screen quality are you kidding? They are the EXACT SAME screen for both the G73 and the W870CU. If you are comparing G73 vs the Clevo 15" screen, hands down G73 wins. For Clevo 17.3" it's the EXACT same screen, manufacturer and model.

Build quality? They are both made of plastic... And if you read any of the reviews of the G73 aside from this forum, AnandTech, cnet etc. it has recieved editor's choice above the Clevo notebooks easily. If the build quality was an issue, AnandTech would be all over it.

These are the real two things to consider between the two.

G73 has twice the battery life. It's also lightest and the thinnest 17" gaming laptop out there right now.

The Clevo will have more ports. So if you need e-SATA, get the Clevo.

 

G73 is by no means the lightest and thinnest 17" gaming laptop out there right now, it also has quite a booty lol.

Coming within the next 2 weeks:
Hp Envy 17 (1.2") 5850

Already out
MSI GX740 (1.35" at thickest point) 5870
6 or 7 pounds? lighter than the g73 thats for sure

BUT
for the OP the g73 is probably the best choice for his needs.
that or a desktop.

 

The notebooks you listed are not in the same class with the G73, Clevo or even the Alienware M15x. I don't even consider the Envy a gaming machine.

 

i dunno...i'm really leanin towards the g73 right now. main reason being the g73's great aesthetics. all other aspects of both laptops are pretty much even to me.

 

AFAIK, the GX740 is in the same class as the G73, 17'', i7 and 5870...

 

If you don't take my word for it, like I said read AnandTech's and Notebookreview's reviews. Both the lead reviewer for Notebookreview.com and AnandTech have said the build quality of the G73 is excellent with sturdy, well built plastic. The only notebook to have better quality build IMO will be the Alienware. And well justified with a hefty price tag, but you get a tank with Aluminum casing.

Don't get me wrong, the Clevo cooling is better than the G73s. But if you are going to be just gaming, no advantages at all, actually disadvantages. The G73 cools the HD5870 well below limits up to an 800/1100 overclock. If you just want a machine for benchmark bragging rights, G73 won't be as forgiving with a 900 core overclock like a Clevo. See what I'm saying? And for normal use, wouldn't you rather have a quieter machine if cooling is no issue? And even these benchmarking fiends don't game or use their Alienware/Clevo with a 900 Overclock, at most a 800, just like the G73. See no advantages from this point of view.

The screen complaints on the forums are about the G73JH Best Buy version. Any laptop bought at Best Buy has an inferior screen. This has been going on for years. If you want the screen that people rave about, 1080p screens on reasonably priced notebooks, you gotta go through a reseller. XoticPC, GenTech, PowerNotebooks what have you will have them.
- The 1080p 17.3" screen on the Clevo W870CU and the G73 are identical, exact same.

I didn't mean to yell, but I think it's important when making a buying decision to know what the real differences are. To me, $1,600 or more is really expensive for notebooks considering personally will be upgrading again in probably 2 years. If I bought a $1,600 camera I would keep that for 10 years!

 

i know what u'r sayin, and already understand the major/important differences in the g73 and the np8760. i originally was interested in the m17x, but decided to stay away from that option cuz of how flashy it is. i like something that is bold, yet subtle at the same time.

as for the build quality part. i listed it as sager's pro cuz that is what sager is known for. they aren't known for makin pretty lookin laptops. they're known for makin a sturdy product. i wouldn't have to worry about gettin a product that might have some defects and imperfections. that doesn't mean i said the g73 had inferior build quality tho. i've already skimmed thru a couple of reviews myself.

the cooling part isn't a concern of mine either, especially the noise levels. as long as it doesn't sound like a hair dryer than i'm fine. plus, i stated earlier that whatever laptop i get will pretty much sit on my NZXT cryo LX cooler for the span of it's life. the laptop's fans will rarely be utilized when on the cooler.

as for the screen thing, i'll go and reread the g73 owner's threads again to make sure i didn't just misread some things. i remember readin some guys gettin different model screens in their non-best buy g73's. i know about the best buy variants, and would never touch anythin from best buy when it comes to computers. plus, i will never get another laptop with lower than 1080p resolution. anything lower is just unacceptable for me.

at the end of the day, the g73 and np8760 are basically the same laptop. they just come in 2 different cases, and right now the g73's exterior is what's winning me over.

 

and don't forget its battery life ... G73 has way better battery life than the sager lol

 

fine! fine! i'm gettin the g73. happy now? lol

question: are they still on back order? i know they come in a few different variations. which is the best place to get it and the a1 is the top of the line model correct?

 

They only have some all variations. A1 has a blu-ray drive, A2 doesn't, X3 has 320 7200RPM drives and no mouse/backpack, etc.

 

You should be the only one that's happy about your decision, don't try to please us NBR peeps by purchasing what you don't really want (then again you sorta didn't know what you wanted, but you hopefully get my point ). However, I would say that you made the right choice. The G73 is better. Good luck with it, when you get it. Ginormous upgrade over that problematic m1530's GFX.

 

While you guys are so busy pimping the G73 to prospective buyers, you should mention how many NBR members have had to RMA their machines.

Nah, never mind, let's leave that part out of the discussion.

 

honestly, i would've been happy with either or. i think the thing that really sold me over was the exterior packaging of the g73. i just can't really get over sager's looks in general. they look like a generic brand u know what i mean?

and funny thing about my m1530 is that my GPU has never really seen any temps higher than mid to high 70's celcius. but yea, the 5870 will be a huge upgrade. perfect timing as well with some great releases comin out this year.

i definitely saw some RMA's goin on in the asus subforum. that's why i was so reluctant to get the g73 over the np8760. i guess i'll just try to order it from the most reliable source to make sure that they'll take care of me if any of those types of problems arise with my machine.

to the OP: so sorry for stealing yur thread.