Spec Help

[Vraciu]

Ahhhh.  I only know from the ROG series which look to have always been pretty clean.

Found a ROG for $500 called the “old version”.   

https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-17-Inch-Gaming-Laptop-VERSION/dp/B00405WVVW/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1529516505&sr=1-2&keywords=Laptop&refinements=p_n_size_browse-bin%3A7817234011%2Cp_36%3A2421886011%2Cp_n_feature_four_browse-bin%3A2289792011%7C2289793011%2Cp_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A3012495011%7C3012497011

[Vraciu]

Vraciu, if price is an issue, take a look at the refurbished Dells: https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100006740%20601205664%20601285496%20601286598

Great link.  Thanks. 

[Bizman]

Found a ROG for $500 called the “old version”.   

https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-17-Inch-Gaming-Laptop-VERSION/dp/B00405WVVW/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1529516505&sr=1-2&keywords=Laptop&refinements=p_n_size_browse-bin%3A7817234011%2Cp_36%3A2421886011%2Cp_n_feature_four_browse-bin%3A2289792011%7C2289793011%2Cp_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A3012495011%7C3012497011

Yep. It's OLD. Don't.

[Vraciu]

Yep. It's OLD. Don't.

 

[Skuzzy]

Yep, going with Bizman on that as well.  Way too old.

[Vraciu]

Yep, going with Bizman on that as well.  Way too old.

Thanks.  I’ll keep looking.  You guys have given me some ideas to narrow things down.  I need to research some of the nomenclature on these graphics cards so I know what is what.   

 

[Bizman]

If it helps, I'd say choose Nvidia for GPU especially in a budget laptop. The models sufficient for an enjoyable AH experience at 1920x1080 are 960 and 1050(Ti), both with dedicated GDDR5 memory. Also remember that you can use a laptop with a larger monitor of the same resolution without stressing your GPU more than the built-in screen would do - expecting you'd be using the external monitor only.

[Vraciu]

If it helps, I'd say choose Nvidia for GPU especially in a budget laptop. The models sufficient for an enjoyable AH experience at 1920x1080 are 960 and 1050(Ti), both with dedicated GDDR5 memory. Also remember that you can use a laptop with a larger monitor of the same resolution without stressing your GPU more than the built-in screen would do - expecting you'd be using the external monitor only.

I haven’t had good luck with NVIDIA using the Skin Viewer with AH3.   Three separate machines, including a brand new laptop, all refused to display skins.   I was able to get my desktop to finally work after many weeks of frustration—I have no idea how. 

Skinning is ultimately more important than gaming for now if forced to choose.   

That GDDR advice is excellent.  I’m keeping that in mind for sure.   

[Gman]

Vraciu, put the install for AH3 on a thumb drive, and ask to install it on various laptops in stores, and get yourself an idea that way regarding performance.  I do that all the time at my local PC shop, have done it as Staples as well, and they've let me.  The 1050ti laptops really surprised me on how well they'll run the game for 1100 to 1200 CDN for a decent 15 or 17" system.

i alternate every year or two buying our gaming laptop between Asus ROG and MSI.  Both as has been said don't go crazy on bloatware, and both have been great quality wise, have had excellent luck with both makes.  Haven't tried Dell, but their business/home XPS are excellent by all accounts, I'm sure their gaming or at least gaming GPU equipped units are good too.

Tried out a couple 1080 17" units the other day...ROG Strix with a 1080 and 17" 120hz GSync and an SSD boot drive.  Very, very impressed with it, i'm sure the battery life sucks, but these days planes and everywhere else have plug ins, so it isn't as big a deal as it used to be in that department IMO.  Cooling was really impressive too.  Not cheap, but may go that route instead of cheaping out like last time I bought a gaming laptop and went with a lower end video card.  Even the 1060, and especially 1070 run AH3 and other games very, very well now.

[Vraciu]

Thanks, G.   Good advice.   I will definitely try that approach. 

 

[Max]

  

[Vraciu]

 

Boy you got that right.