How do you think this config fares?

I've been tinkering with different ideas for literally 8 months now. And I'm still thinking of waiting another 6 months or so. I really want to replace my Dell Studio 1535 because some of the chassis is falling apart and because I play most games on the lowest possible settings. I'm starting to lean more toward building a desktop now instead of getting a new laptop and using my current laptop strictly for internet and office programs on the go (the downside is my battery life is non-existant). A desktop in the range of what I'm looking at will cost me about $1000 and then I also need a monitor, keyboard, and either an overpriced HDD (because of the flooding) or SSD. So in total the ballpark of $1300-$1400. The Clevo laptop builds I've been looking at run at about $1500 (with an HDD). I came up with a new build idea this time toning down the CPU/RAM clocks that I initially wanted. I'd probably throw a 128GB Crucial M4 in it down the road for $200.

Anyway, with a build like the following, what future proofing do you see in it (if I never upgrade any component)? When I say future proofing, I mean I will run the game on the lowest settings, and even a lower resolution in order to play it. Do you think I can get 5+ years before I literally cannot play a game because even on the lowest possible settings, I would not get 30fps? My current laptop has an AMD HD 3450M and it is barely able to run some of todays games at the lowest settings. I consider it at the end of its cycle though because it cannot run many other games that have released this year.

Here is what I have in mind:

P151HM1
Core i7-2670QM
8GB 1333MHz RAM (if I never intend to upgrade RAM, should I go 4x2GB or 2x4GB?)
GTX 560M
500GB 7200rpm HDD (will upgrade to SSD on own down the road)
Stock FHD Matte Display
DVD Combo Drive
Windows 7 Professional
Intel 6300 Ultimate-N
No Branding

In total it runs $1200 with the cash discount. (which is cheaper than the $1250 my Dell cost me 3.5 years ago).

What do you think? Any recomendations? (note: I can apply my own aftermarket thermal paste as $40 is criminal).

 

Since this is going to be a secondary machine, I'd try to save the money where you can as long as you have the good graphics card. You'd rather spend the dough to make one total butt-kicker than have two good but not great machines.

Incidentally, why did you pick Windows 7 Professional ? What specific features do you need that only Professional provides? If you can't answer this, then you're wasting money.

That means I'd stick with the i7-2630QM. That means I'd go with four sticks of RAM. That means I'd stick with Windows 7 Home Premium. These three changes together save $160. That means either a much fancier graphics card or CPU for your desktop build.

Personally, if I were you, I would buy something with Optimus and is truly portable like the Alienware M14x. You'll already have a terrific gaming machine in the desktop. What you need is something very mobile and portable that can play things on decent settings--it doesn't have to be a GTX with everything on high settings, does it? Without Optimus, like this machine here, you'll be tied to your desk a bit more, which sounds an awful lot like using a desktop computer. You want what your desktop doesn't give you.

 

Just a note incase I wasn't clear in my first post, sorry. But I am either going to build a Desktop and continue to use my current Laptop or buy a new Laptop (as in to replace my current laptop and not build a desktop).

Biggest reason I want Pro over Home is the support. Support remains in effect till 2020 from Microsoft while Home and Ultimate have support until 2015. I also need some of the networking capabilities of Pro over Home. I currently use Pro right now and have used some of its functions that Home doesn't have.

The only thing that slightly worries me with the 2630 vs the 2670 is that some games with their recomended specs say a Quad Core 2GHz CPU and the 2630 is sitting right on that line. Not sure if I am just overthinking that though.

Is there any performance difference with 4x2GB and 2x4GB? (just a curiosity thing really, I'd probably go with the 4 dimms since it is $50 cheaper).

 

Go with the 2630QM. Go with 4 dimms.

I currently have 4 dimms and they all run in dual channel mode, exactly like the 2-dimm configuration.

You are saving money here, as RAM nowadays is so cheap.

Even if you want to upgrade to 16GB later on,
If you go with 2 dimm 8GB now, you will add 2 dimm 8GB for $28.(Newegg)
If you go 4 dimm 8GB now, you will save $50 now, spend $56 for 4x4GB, and have the 4x2GB left over.

It is a no brainer, those who say that it is better in terms of upgrading RAM haven't thought this through as going for 4 dimms seems to be the best choice.

Windows is completely a user's preference, so I suggest you stick with the Professional for the added features.

 

Not sure if I'm missing something here but why would you not pay $150 more for a 6990M? (its 50% faster than a 560M).

 

It's a P151HM.


Sent from my iPhone with Tapatalk

 

So, new changes:

P151HM1
Core i7-2630QM
4x2GB 1333MHz RAM
GTX 560M
250GB 5200rpm HDD (will upgrade to SSD on own down the road)
Stock FHD Matte Display
DVD Combo Drive
Windows 7 Professional
Intel 6300 Ultimate-N
No Branding

Comes in at $1075 with the cash discount.

 

Why not any screen upgrades?

 

Why? Whats wrong with the stock Matte display that warrants spending an extra $95?

 

Nothing.

It's just that the 95% Gamut screens are that good.

 

If you have 4 slots and go 4x2, you have to take out ram to replace ram. Example, you go 4x2, and want to upgrade, you pull 2 out to replace, but if you go 2x4, you still have 2 slots open, and can add without pulling ram. Start 2x4=8, add 2x4 and you now have 16GB. But if you start out 4x2 and want to upgrade to 16GB, you take out all your ram to get there.

 

Most games are going to require GPU vs CPU, so if that is the question, go GPU. And down the line, go external ODD and get a caddy and put the ssd in the hdd bay, the hdd in the caddy in the ODD bay and run whatever you need from the ODD externally.

 

And enjoy!!!