Seeking advice for gaming laptop

L

lucric

Member
Hi there,

Below is my preliminary spec for a new laptop (£987). I would like to be able to use this laptop to play games (i.e. Skyrim), edit videos and for everyday tasks.

Ideally I'd rather not pay more than my current quote, but is there anything that you think is lacking?

I understand that the main considerations will be the processor and the graphics card. Here are a few of my concerns:
  • Do these look good enough to be reasonably future-proof?
  • Will there be any risk of the laptop overheating?
  • Is the thermal paste necessary?
  • Would you recommend a more expensive warranty?
  • Is it worth having an SSD for the OS and any frequently-used programs, or can I get away with a smaller one?
Any other suggestions welcome.

Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Dual Core Mobile Processor i7-4610M (3.0GHz) 4MB
Memory (RAM)
8GB KINGSTON SODIMM DDR3 1600MHz (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 860M - 2.0GB DDR5, 640 CUDA Cores - DirectX® 11
1st Hard Disk
240GB KINGSTON V300 SSD, SATA 6 Gb (450MB/R, 450MB/W)
2nd Hard Disk
500GB SERIAL ATA II 2.5" HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (5,400rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless/Wired Networking
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS 802.11N CARD + BT 3.0 (RTL8723BE)
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Insurance
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
+ Windows 8.1, no Office software, no Antivirus software.

Thanks,

Lucy :)
 
Last edited:
A

A314159

Super Star
Not the v300 SSD. I'd get a hyperx3k for a few quid extra, v300 has performance issues. If you want to future proof get a quad core i7. It will push the price up, but not extraordinarily so.
 
GeorgeHillier

GeorgeHillier

Prolific Poster
lucric said:
Hi there,

Below is my preliminary spec for a new laptop (£987). I would like to be able to use this laptop to play games (i.e. Skyrim), edit videos and for everyday tasks.

Ideally I'd rather not pay more than my current quote, but is there anything that you think is lacking?

I understand that the main considerations will be the processor and the graphics card. Here are a few of my concerns:
  • Do these look good enough to be reasonably future-proof?
  • Will there be any risk of the laptop overheating?
  • Is the thermal paste necessary?
  • Would you recommend a more expensive warranty?
  • Is it worth having an SSD for the OS and any frequently-used programs, or can I get away with a smaller one?
Any other suggestions welcome.

Chassis & Display
Optimus Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Dual Core Mobile Processor i7-4610M (3.0GHz) 4MB
Memory (RAM)
8GB KINGSTON SODIMM DDR3 1600MHz (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 860M - 2.0GB DDR5, 640 CUDA Cores - DirectX® 11
1st Hard Disk
240GB KINGSTON V300 SSD, SATA 6 Gb (450MB/R, 450MB/W)
2nd Hard Disk
500GB SERIAL ATA II 2.5" HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (5,400rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless/Wired Networking
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS 802.11N CARD + BT 3.0 (RTL8723BE)
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Insurance
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
+ Windows 8.1, no Office software, no Antivirus software.

Thanks,

Lucy :)
Click to expand...

Get the i7-4710mq as it's quad core, get a different SSD such as a samsung one or the kingston 3k, change the HDD to the scorpio black and get a better wifi card as the one selected has driver issues. Other than that it looks fine :)
 
GeorgeHillier

GeorgeHillier

Prolific Poster
Here's a build for £852 (I forgot to put in the SSD and now it won't let me access the main website, weird...):

Chassis & Display Optimus Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-4710MQ (2.50GHz) 6MB better CPU that's actually cheaper
Memory (RAM) 8GB KINGSTON SODIMM DDR3 1600MHz (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 860M - 2.0GB DDR5, 640 CUDA Cores - DirectX® 11
2nd Graphics Card NONE
Memory - Hard Disk 750GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD7500BPKX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm) Better HDD
2nd Hard Disk NONE
RAID NONE
mSATA SSD Drive NONE Add an msata SSD if you want instead as it leaves another HDD slot available if needed at a later date
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive 8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® N-7260 (300Mbps, 802.11BGN) + BLUETOOTH Better wifi
Wireless Router/HomePlugs NONE
USB Options 3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Battery Optimus Series 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (5,200 mAh/76.96WH)
Power Lead & Adaptor 1 x UK Power Lead & 120W AC Adaptor
Operating System Genuine Windows 8.1 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence
DVD Recovery Media Windows 8.1 (64-bit) DVD with paper sleeve
Office Software NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Laptop Cooling Stands NONE
Carry Case NONE
Stand-Alone Monitor NONE
Keyboard Language BACKLIT OPTIMUS UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Additional Keyboard NONE
Notebook Mouse INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Gaming Mouse Pad NONE
External Speakers NONE
Webcam INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Headsets NONE
Surge Protection NONE
Printer NONE
External Hard Drive NONE
Warranty 3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Home Installation NONE
Dead Pixel Guarantee NONE
Insurance 1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
Delivery STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time Standard Build - Approximately 11 to 13 working days
Miscellaneous FREE £90 IN-GAME VOUCHER with GTX 650 / 750 /7000M / 8000M Series GPUs
Pricing Information
Price (excluding VAT) £710.00
Price £852.00
 
T

TheGeeza

Guest
I would still try to get the build that keynes suggested from the review section.
 
L

lucric

Member
Hi guys. Thank you so much for all your help, I'm really amazed by the quick and knowledgeable responses!

Based on the above suggestions, my budget, and the fact that I realised I can't have 2 hard drives and a disc drive in a laptop, I am now considering the following. I would welcome any final comments before I make the purchase.

Chassis & Display
Vortex Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-4710MQ (2.50GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM)
8GB KINGSTON HYPER-X IMPACT 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 870M - 6.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
1st Hard Disk
1TB SEAGATE HYBRID GEN3 SSHD Drive, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (5400 rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless/Wired Networking
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® N-7260 (300Mbps, 802.11BGN) + BLUETOOTH
USB Options
3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Firewire
1 X 1394a FIREWIRE PORT
Battery
Vortex Series 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (5,200 mAh/76.96WH)
Power Cable
1 x UK Power Lead & 180W AC Adaptor
Operating System
NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED
DVD Recovery Media
NO DVD RECOVERY MEDIA REQUIRED
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Keyboard Language
INTEGRATED BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD
Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Insurance
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 11 to 13 working days
Miscellaneous
FREE £90 IN-GAME VOUCHER with GTX 650 / 750 /7000M / 8000M Series GPUs
Quantity
1

Thanks again,

Lucy :)
 
A

A314159

Super Star
Isn't that just the review spec with the upgraded warranty? You could get it for a reduced price then contact pcs to upgrade the warranty.
 
GeorgeHillier

GeorgeHillier

Prolific Poster
keynes said:
let down? It comes with an SSD as the primary drive and the hybrid is better than the standard HDD.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's my point, there's not much point in the hybrid drive when it has an SSD, it would be better just to have a scorpio black HDD.
 
L

lucric

Member
I've upgraded the thermal paste, the Wifi card, and swapped the SSD/HDD combination for 1 hybrid and a disc drive. What do you mean about a reduced price?
 
GeorgeHillier

GeorgeHillier

Prolific Poster
lucric said:
I've upgraded the thermal paste, the Wifi card, and swapped the SSD/HDD combination for 1 hybrid and a disc drive. What do you mean about a reduced price?
Click to expand...

The review laptop has a reduced price compared to if you bought it online. Also, their one has an SSD, where yours doesn't. If you ring them up to order it then they usually let you upgrade the thermal paste I believe.
 
L

lucric

Member
The price hasn't gone up too drastically from me changing a few parts, so it's still within my budget. I had to make some of those changes because I need a disc drive, and the wireless card in the review laptop is the same as the one in the original specs I posted which people have found fault with.
 
keynes

keynes

Multiverse Poster
lucric said:
The price hasn't gone up too drastically from me changing a few parts, so it's still within my budget. I had to make some of those changes because I need a disc drive, and the wireless card in the review laptop is the same as the one in the original specs I posted which people have found fault with.
Click to expand...

How much is the spec you posted? What is your maximum budget?
 
L

lucric

Member
The last spec I posted comes to about £1025, which is more or less my budget!

This wireless card is only £5 more, so I think I may as well go for it.

Thanks for all your help :)
 
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