Gaming Laptop or Build your own desktop

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kamuifanboy
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Kamuifanboy

Kamuifanboy

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Cincinnati, OH
Hey guys, I've been playing iRacing on PC for some time. I used to use the Dell XPS that my father bought to play, but since moving to college i've been playing it on my MacBook Pro running bootcamp and Windows 7 Ultimate. It plays iRacing very well, much better than expected really, but i've recently wanted to expand my PC gaming to Battlefield 3, which I know my MacBook Pro will not be able to handle.

So I ask you. Which would be the better choice. I've been looking into the Asus G53SX because it seems to be a really good gaming computer, a few friends have them and they love it. But I've heard that building a desktop is much cheaper. My only fear is that I will not have any idea of how to put it together, or what parts I will need.

Which option would be easier? Pay the $1,499 for the Asus, or build my own desktop.

- Shinya
 
As someone who is typing this on an XPS gaming laptop and is currently putting the money together to buy a newer XPS gaming laptop to replace it, under no circumstances should you buy a gaming laptop to do your gaming on. The cost/performance ratio simply isn't there.
 
Toronado
As someone who is typing this on an XPS gaming laptop and is currently putting the money together to buy a newer XPS gaming laptop to replace it, under no circumstances should you buy a gaming laptop to do your gaming on. The cost/performance ratio simply isn't there.
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So then why are you replacing it with another laptop?
 
Because I have a completely irrational love for the XPS M1730, but I am able to recognize how irrational that it is.
 
Toronado
Because I have a completely irrational love for the XPS M1730, but I am able to recognize how irrational that it is.
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Ok, sorry to scrutinize that. I just found it quite odd that you were saying not to do so then you were doing it yourself lol
 
If you have the space I'd go for a desktop, laptops are too compromised (I say this with no knowledge of gaming laptops); you have a small screen that you can't change, not much room so you won't be able to have a GTX 580 or anything, and as far as I remember even typing on a laptop keyboard is less comfortable than a desktop one, so gaming is right out in my opinion.

That said I'm sure there are great laptops around, but you would get more for your money with a PC; you just might have to spend more, though, because if you don't have a keyboard & mouse, monitor(s), a big enough desk, enough power sockets... It can mount up, basically.
 
Kamuifanboy
Hey guys, I've been playing iRacing on PC for some time. I used to use the Dell XPS that my father bought to play, but since moving to college i've been playing it on my MacBook Pro running bootcamp and Windows 7 Ultimate. It plays iRacing very well, much better than expected really, but i've recently wanted to expand my PC gaming to Battlefield 3, which I know my MacBook Pro will not be able to handle.

So I ask you. Which would be the better choice. I've been looking into the Asus G53SX because it seems to be a really good gaming computer, a few friends have them and they love it. But I've heard that building a desktop is much cheaper. My only fear is that I will not have any idea of how to put it together, or what parts I will need.

Which option would be easier? Pay the $1,499 for the Asus, or build my own desktop.

- Shinya
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Depends on how urgent you need a gaming computer. If you can wait until start of next year, sometime around the January to March period, then you will probably about 50% more performance for the same money but much better battery life and a cooler laptop. You could upgrade to the 2012 Macbook Pro as that should be similar in gaming performance as a Asus G53SX but without being as bulky or hot. I would recommend waiting even for a desktop build as 2012 would represent the biggest improvement in portable and desktop computing since 2009.


Toronado
As someone who is typing this on an XPS gaming laptop and is currently putting the money together to buy a newer XPS gaming laptop to replace it, under no circumstances should you buy a gaming laptop to do your gaming on. The cost/performance ratio simply isn't there.
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Like I mentioned to the OP, don't upgrade until the new models come out with 22nm Ivy Bridge and 28nm graphics. Cost/performance ratio is there only if you buy midrange gaming laptops. As with anything high-end you pay a lot extra. You should look at Dell Outlet, they do bargains for XPS systems. Here is a system for only $749.00 if anyone wants a system with the current gen parts which are still very good.

XPS 17 - L702X

Processor: Intel Core i5-2430M (2.40GHz, 3MB Cache)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
XPS L702X
500 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
6 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz (2 DIMMs)
8X DVD +/- RW Drive
NVIDIA GeForce GT 550M 1GB graphics with Optimus
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Also anyone looking to upgrade their smartphone next year, well be on the lookout for one with a 28nm CPU as that will give amazing battery life and performance. Xbox and PS3's should around E3 should also get an announcement on a slimmer and 50% less power consumption model. Maybe for Xbox they will keep their design but put the PSU in the actual console.
 
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Thanks for the extensive post. I'd personally not like to get another Apple product as I think they are very overpriced for what you get. And I don't think that the OS is really worth that much more money. Just IMO.

I could easily wait for January to get a new one, March, I don't think so. I'd like to get one right after new years when I get all of my money from my grandparents. Depends on HOW much power you are talking about, because I haven't seen much on the market that has a better graphics card/combination of everything for that kind of price. Prove me wrong, but from my research that is what I found.
 
Kamuifanboy
Thanks for the extensive post. I'd personally not like to get another Apple product as I think they are very overpriced for what you get. And I don't think that the OS is really worth that much more money. Just IMO.

I could easily wait for January to get a new one, March, I don't think so. I'd like to get one right after new years when I get all of my money from my grandparents. Depends on HOW much power you are talking about, because I haven't seen much on the market that has a better graphics card/combination of everything for that kind of price. Prove me wrong, but from my research that is what I found.
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I think the Macbook Pro's still represent good value for money due to the resale value though and they include a mid-range gaming graphics cards in their range.

The 28nm GPU and 22nm CPU will make a huge difference compared to the current 40nm GPU and 32nm CPU. Here is a brief article regarding potential improvement of 45% for GPU: http://www.dailytech.com/Nextgeneration+28nm+GPUs+Could+Be+45+Percent+Faster/article23158.htm

Ivy Bridge should improve minimum of 20% as they are targeting less power than current parts on full load, but if you get one with similar TDP compared to current parts then you should get a 40% improvement in performance.

The parts might be released on January or could be later and risk being in March time though. You could always build a Sandy Bridge PC system and get a cheap CPU and mid-range GPU and then upgrade when the new parts come out as Sandy Bridge motherboards will support Ivy Bridge processors. Then you can sell the CPU and GPU without losing much and get high-end parts. A cheap PC system should be able to play Battlefield 3 at 1080p though so you can upgrade later in 2012 if you like. Gives you flexibility. For laptops I highly recommended you to wait.
 
saidur_ali
I think the Macbook Pro's still represent good value for money
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Just... no.


Gaming PC > gaming laptop in price, power, value for money and longevity - if you had enough $$$ for a decent gaming PC but got a laptop instead, you should sit in the corner and think about what you've done. With the exception of hard drives PC parts are rather cheap these days so even if you're on a budget you could still build something far better than you could ever hope to have in a laptop. Sandy Bridge i5 2500k + 560Ti/6950 = a very good gaming system and also very affordable.

As for the actual building, it is way easier than it looks. All you have to do is plug everything in and the parts only install in one slot/socket and in one direction, it is literally foolproof. About the only thing remotely difficult is connecting all the wires to the right headers on the motherboard, but that's what the labels on the mobo are for :p
 
I got a custom gaming pc, with some basic knowledge and the ability to look around you should be able to build a gaming pc that can play current games at maximum performance for less than £400.

In fact mine was £357 and plays 1080p max settings on BF3.
 
You can build a desktop for half the price of a laptop that will be much better then the laptop. If you take 1400$ to build a desktop you will get a very powerful pc that will max out any game on the market. A 2000$ laptop wouldn't even be close to it.

You could probably get by with a 700$ desktop that would max out bf3. One good thing about building a PC is that you can buy used graphics cards because the warrenty is so good with them.

Really though if you want a great gaming PC, then laptop should not be considered, unless you want to have origin build you one, then your looking at over 3000$.

I was trying to decide about a laptop or desktop in June and after pricing things and having a friend help it just doesn't make any sense to ever buy a laptop for gaming unless you travel a whole lot.
 
MildAshers
I got a custom gaming pc, with some basic knowledge and the ability to look around you should be able to build a gaming pc that can play current games at maximum performance for less than £400.

In fact mine was £357 and plays 1080p max settings on BF3.
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you mind posting your specs and where you got it from?

1 month ago i bought a i5 2500 sandy bridge with sapphire radoen 6970 2gb , 8gb ddr3 ram and 300gb HDD for 900 euros ...

i can run everything on 1080p max expect GTA4.
 
MildAshers
Sure thing:

AMD Phenom II X4 (quad core) B60 @3.3ghz per core
4gb RAM
Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 TI (supports 1080p and DX11) 2.4gb
500gb HDD
Windows 7 Pro 64bit

Purchased from http://www.dinopc.com/
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Dang, those are some nice specs. I looked around Akihabara a few days ago and couldn't really find any halfway decent parts. Might have to look harder.

Is it possible to get Solid States for desktops? I know they are expensive but they are apparently really nice.
 
Of course you can, and some SSDs are actually cheaper than mechanicals at the moment due to the Thailand floods :)
 
Sharky.
Of course you can, and some SSDs are actually cheaper than mechanicals at the moment due to the Thailand floods :)
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hmm, I wonder if I could buy one early, just to get it cheap haha. I probably wouldn't be buying this until late december early january realistically. Are there different types of SSD's or are they all the same. Like fit wise.
 

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