Help finding a laptop for music production and video gaming

[Elleypop]

Hi there,

So I am not that literate with technology talk, which is why I’m looking for some advice in constructing or purchasing a new laptop. My brother recommends you guys, so here we are...

I’m looking for a laptop that can cope with running music production software, DAW with synthesisers and things, which I believe needs a fair bit of RAM and memory. (I think.) I also enjoy some casual gaming, MOBAs and MMORPGS and things at that kind of level, so would want a machine that can also run games- not necessarily at maximum graphics settings, but would be nice to not be on the lowest possible settings all the time as I have had to do previously. Budget is £800 - £1000.

I was going to buy this laptop- the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 15.6” Intelcore i7 laptop, available at Curry’s for £849.

Specs:

• Intel® Core™ i7-8565U Processor
• RAM: 8 GB / Storage: 512 GB SSD
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce MX250 2 GB

So this is the simpler option. It has the graphics, the processor, good amount of memory. And I can run to curry’s today and get it, nice and easy for my brain which is hurting from all these numbers and words.

But my brother suggested something more customised could work out better in terms of performance and price.

The low level gaming laptops you offer look pretty good- the Optimus X 15.6” at £860 seems like an obvious comparison, or the Optimus IX 15.6” at £930. So should I go for one of these? Or pimp one a bit? The pimping is where I need help.

So I turn to you, helpful forum people! There’s a little bit of budget to play with, if you think something really would make a significant improvement.

thank you for taking the time
Elley

 

[Scott]

Nowhere near enough RAM in that system IMO. I've selected 16GB of fast RAM in the below spec, it's the perfect starting point and should fair well with your uses. 512GB of storage is fair, I've selected a very fast M2 drive which is the standard now. You may want to consider an additional 1TB/2TB storage drive but that obviously adds to the costs. GPU the 1650 is going to be a MUCH better option. They can't even be compared to be honest.

Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD 120Hz 45% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor 9750H (2.6GHz, 4.5GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1650 - 4.0GB GDDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st Storage Drive
NOT REQUIRED
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB ADATA SX6000 Pro PCIe M.2 2280 (2100 MB/R, 1500 MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated 6 in 1 Card Reader (SD /Mini SD/ SDHC / SDXC / MMC / RSMMC)
AC Adaptor
1 x 120W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery
Optimus X Series 4 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
2 Channel High Def. Audio + SoundBlaster™ Cinema
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x USB 3.1 PORT (Type C) + 2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Keyboard Language
MULTI COLOUR BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Chassis
Clevo NH55RAQ (4GB GTX-1650, i7-9750H, 120Hz N4)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 6 to 8 working days
Price: £964.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/optimusX-15/s02JyyHsxS/

 

[Elleypop]

Hey thanks for taking the time. So the M2 drive is enough to get going now you think? Maybe add storage later?

 

[Scott]

It's enough for the OS, programs, a couple of games and a project or 2.... you're going to run out of space pretty quick IMO but it all depends on your games of choice and what quantity you are looking to have installed at any one time.

It's so easy to add nowadays though so makes sense to see how you go and if you need to add.. do so

 

[Deleted member 94250]

if possible add some cash and go for the 1660ti. 1650 is a flopping magikarp in comparison

 

[Stephen M]

External storage can sometimes be quite cheap, Amazon have offers from time to time. What DAW and music software do you use, if it is Linux compatible you may want to consider a dual-boot system with Window and a Linux Studio Distro, they have low latency kernels which makes them far better for music production, plus you will have a lot of good free open source software to choose from.

 

[Scott]

if possible add some cash and go for the 1660ti. 1650 is a flopping magikarp in comparison

Not a good idea, the 1660 Super would make more sense as it has the same power as the Ti for less cash.

 

[Deleted member 94250]

Not a good idea, the 1660 Super would make more sense as it has the same power as the Ti for less cash.

ok that too. but the optimus X doesnt support 1660S afaik

sauce: I bought one just now (went with the RTX 2060 cos, you know, RAY TRACING.

 

[Scott]

ok that too. but the optimus X doesnt support 1660S afaik

Yeah you're quite right.

To be honest, with the requirements for the op, the 1650 should be enough. It's a decent 1080p gaming card. The 1660 Ti is better, no doubt, but it's costly and I don't think the op would make use of it.

 

[Deleted member 94250]

Yeah you're quite right.

To be honest, with the requirements for the op, the 1650 should be enough. It's a decent 1080p gaming card. The 1660 Ti is better, no doubt, but it's costly and I don't think the op would make use of it.

true that.

its just, OP could fit a 1660ti, just outside the top end of their budget. so...

Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD 120Hz 45% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Six Core Processor 9750H (2.6GHz, 4.5GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair 2133MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1660 Ti - 6.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st Storage Drive
240GB ADATA SU630 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (520MB/R, 450MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated 6 in 1 Card Reader (SD /Mini SD/ SDHC / SDXC / MMC / RSMMC)
AC Adaptor
1 x 150W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery
Optimus X Series 4 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
2 Channel High Def. Audio + SoundBlaster™ Cinema
Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x USB 3.1 PORT (Type C) + 2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Keyboard Language
MULTI COLOUR BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 7 to 9 working days
This plus an external storage device...