Gaming laptop $3k budget

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W4RCH1EF

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#269845 10-Apr-2020 18:04

Hi all, sorry in advance for one of ‘those’ posts...

Can I please have some suggestions for a gaming laptop around $3k?
Trying to hunt for the best deal out there that gives me the best hardware...

I’m coming from a gaming pc which used a i5-9600k cpu...most of the laptops ive seen
Are all running an i7-9750H and doing a cpu comparison it really can’t even compete with the 9600k which worries me a little...

Thanks!

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#2459087 10-Apr-2020 19:16

are your current games limited by your current CPU? what are the specs, including monitor of your current computer? what games do you play?

A mobile CPU uses well under 1/2 the watts (power) than a desktop one so it will never compete, well maybe single core but multi core its unlikely.

W4RCH1EF

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Geek

#2459097 10-Apr-2020 19:46

Jase2985:
are your current games limited by your current CPU? what are the specs, including monitor of your current computer? what games do you play?

A mobile CPU uses well under 1/2 the watts (power) than a desktop one so it will never compete, well maybe single core but multi core its unlikely.

Current pc has rtx2080, i5 9600k, 16GB @3200, 970 Evo plus m.2 drives.
Only running games at 1080p on monitor which is 144/180hz.

I’m just after a laptop that will handle similarly with games and no worse as a workstation for editing etc
If at this price range a laptop won’t compete then I’ll just have to wear that.

lNomNoml

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#2459098 10-Apr-2020 19:47

Best advise I can give you is DON'T get one, but if you are in a situation where you need to and there is no alternative then get one.

Are you looking for best bank for buck? What games do you play? any other requirements?

DimasikTurbo

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#2459101 10-Apr-2020 19:57

Hi there,

Your RTX 2080 is overkill for 1080p TBH.

I was looking for a gaming laptop myself, haven't made up my mind yet, but based on research any laptop with GTX 1660 Ti would provide decent 1080p gaming experience and there are a few in NZ market way below $3k mark.

W4RCH1EF

14 posts

Geek

#2459108 10-Apr-2020 20:31

Yes 2080 is overkill for a 1080p screen; originally I had a 1440p screen but swapped it due to ips bleed.

I want a laptop for the convenience of portability. I want to be able to edit wherever I want and also want it for the odd AAA story based game like sekiro, assassins creed.

Need a decent laptop screen for any editing, but any story based games I’d probably hook it Upto my oled tv so hence need a decent gpu to offer a good picture; 2k HDR I’d be happy but 4k would be ideal. Doubt anything shy of a 2080ti would offer 4k at a solid 60fps so not too worried, I just want max settings smoothly at 2k if possible...

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#2459109 10-Apr-2020 20:33

Gigabyte Aero 15. you have choice of OLED 4K or 1080p 144Hz.

From my research they are one of the few that doesn't throttle while gaming. Don't quote me though.

Jase2985

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#2459122 10-Apr-2020 21:07

dont buy a laptop with a 4k screen. its a waste.

find something with a 2060super or a 2070 in it, has a 120+hz display. there are a few for under 3k

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MyFriendAutism

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#2459127 10-Apr-2020 21:22

With covid19 retailers have dropped weekly specials & Trade Me has slim pickings @ the moment. @ $3000 generally = RTX 2060 but just short of RTX 2070. AMD just released the ryzen series 4 cpu for laptops & they are crushing Intel i7 laptop, desktop cpus & even some i9's. But the full range of models won't drop for the next 3-6 months. If you can hold off for now do so, if not...

What ever you choose don't buy Max-Q gpu if possible. In fact confirm with the retailer it's non max-q b4 purchase.
Don't choose 120hz display if possible, they are more dull(260-280nits) & less colour accurate than 144hz displays.
Email/chat with the retailer about full refund if you are not happy with thermals(since you can't test in store).
Check amazon/new egg for greater selection.

$2500-$3000 = i7-9750h(45w), RTX 2060(80W), 144hz IPS or IPS like, 16gb ram(2x8bg d.c), 512-1tb ssd, RGB 4 zone or individual KB.

Infinity S7-9R7 Has a rtx 2070. Mate has the 1660 Ti version & is very happy laptop thermals.
Acer Predator Triton 500 Can't go wrong with the predator serious, cpu runs a bit hotter but manages it really well to limit any throttling.
Dell G7 15 Gaming Laptop
Dell G5 15 Gaming Laptop power adaptor is a bit small @ 180w so even on AC you'll lose about 10-12% battery every 30-40mins.

Jase2985

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#2459188 11-Apr-2020 08:20

There is also Asus, gigabyte, MSI.

Maxq is better on battery, but will reduce your frame rate a bit, there are plenty of comparisons out there on this, ultimately it comes down to what you want the laptop for and what you play as to weather it will suit you.

W4RCH1EF

14 posts

Geek

#2459197 11-Apr-2020 09:02

Thanks guys that’s some great info right there!

I’m in no rush so I think I’ll wait to see what specials get put out there after the covid debacle.

With the amd chips around the corner, It also appears that the intel 10th gen processors are due for release and they appear to be much better than the 9th gen at a quick glance. So I’ll see what packages come out with those.

I had no idea about the max-q GPUs so really appreciate knowing that. Most laptops I’ve seen seem to have the max-q cards so will be tricky trying to find a stock standard one. It appears that the ‘super’ variants of max-q offer pretty decent performance (I.e the rtx2070 super max-q performs like a rtx2080 Max-q, or near abouts) so perhaps the super cards aren’t a bad idea if all I can find is max-q.

But people play games on battery alone, really?? That’s a thing??
Would have thought you’d want to be plugged into mains to ensure your system is running at full power and not dropping frames as it loses juice?

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#2459212 11-Apr-2020 09:27

W4RCH1EF: Thanks guys that’s some great info right there!

I’m in no rush so I think I’ll wait to see what specials get put out there after the covid debacle.

With the amd chips around the corner, It also appears that the intel 10th gen processors are due for release and they appear to be much better than the 9th gen at a quick glance. So I’ll see what packages come out with those.

I had no idea about the max-q GPUs so really appreciate knowing that. Most laptops I’ve seen seem to have the max-q cards so will be tricky trying to find a stock standard one. It appears that the ‘super’ variants of max-q offer pretty decent performance (I.e the rtx2070 super max-q performs like a rtx2080 Max-q, or near abouts) so perhaps the super cards aren’t a bad idea if all I can find is max-q.

But people play games on battery alone, really?? That’s a thing??
Would have thought you’d want to be plugged into mains to ensure your system is running at full power and not dropping frames as it loses juice?

max-q not max-q is the least of your concerns.

most "gaming" laptops cannot sustain their max performance because of a phenomenon called thermal throttling

more performance = more power consumption = more heat generation

unfortunately designers of gaming laptops don't design or test their cooling properly

this applies to both CPU and GPU cooling

so in a way, unless your laptop comes with a refrigerator max-q is probably better due to much less power consumption for not so much loss of performance

the first thing you want to research is whether your gaming laptop thermal throttles at max performance :)

Batman

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#2459214 11-Apr-2020 09:28

W4RCH1EF: Thanks guys that’s some great info right there!

I’m in no rush so I think I’ll wait to see what specials get put out there after the covid debacle.

With the amd chips around the corner, It also appears that the intel 10th gen processors are due for release and they appear to be much better than the 9th gen at a quick glance. So I’ll see what packages come out with those.

I had no idea about the max-q GPUs so really appreciate knowing that. Most laptops I’ve seen seem to have the max-q cards so will be tricky trying to find a stock standard one. It appears that the ‘super’ variants of max-q offer pretty decent performance (I.e the rtx2070 super max-q performs like a rtx2080 Max-q, or near abouts) so perhaps the super cards aren’t a bad idea if all I can find is max-q.

But people play games on battery alone, really?? That’s a thing??
Would have thought you’d want to be plugged into mains to ensure your system is running at full power and not dropping frames as it loses juice?

sure you can play on battery alone, but most rigs will not last more than about 45 mins. any laptop for that matter. not sure about macs I'm referring to windows and real gaming.

W4RCH1EF

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#2459223 11-Apr-2020 09:45

Batman:
W4RCH1EF: Thanks guys that’s some great info right there!

I’m in no rush so I think I’ll wait to see what specials get put out there after the covid debacle.

With the amd chips around the corner, It also appears that the intel 10th gen processors are due for release and they appear to be much better than the 9th gen at a quick glance. So I’ll see what packages come out with those.

I had no idea about the max-q GPUs so really appreciate knowing that. Most laptops I’ve seen seem to have the max-q cards so will be tricky trying to find a stock standard one. It appears that the ‘super’ variants of max-q offer pretty decent performance (I.e the rtx2070 super max-q performs like a rtx2080 Max-q, or near abouts) so perhaps the super cards aren’t a bad idea if all I can find is max-q.

But people play games on battery alone, really?? That’s a thing??
Would have thought you’d want to be plugged into mains to ensure your system is running at full power and not dropping frames as it loses juice?

max-q not max-q is the least of your concerns.

most "gaming" laptops cannot sustain their max performance because of a phenomenon called thermal throttling

more performance = more power consumption = more heat generation

unfortunately designers of gaming laptops don't design or test their cooling properly

this applies to both CPU and GPU cooling

so in a way, unless your laptop comes with a refrigerator max-q is probably better due to much less power consumption for not so much loss of performance

the first thing you want to research is whether your gaming laptop thermal throttles at max performance :)

Fair point, so due to the inherent nature of cooling or lack there of in laptops the max-q is probably better for..I guess that’s why they are almost all Max-q now too.

With the thermal throttling, is that a feature of the mobo or will the gpu be monitoring and throttling itself?

I’ll be running a cooling pad when gaming so that will help a little.

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#2459229 11-Apr-2020 09:50

thermal throttling = BIOS, you are right though, some BIOS will allow things to get to the 90s and not touch it, some BIOS will cut power in the 80s (C).

cooling pad won't do much for normal usage if the laptop's cooling is not designed properly, won't do anything for gaming level heat generation

PANiCnz

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#2459293 11-Apr-2020 11:22

Have a look at the new ASUS Zephyrus G14 with the AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS in it. Impressive bit of kit. Not sure its available locally yet, but only a matter of time.

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