Gaming Laptop help??

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RaG9011

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#279967 19-Nov-2020 11:36

Hello everyone, I'm new here.
I have recently been considering purchasing a gaming laptop. I have only ever had work laptops that run CAD so not really sure what I am looking for. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions for a good entry model?

Batman

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#2606835 19-Nov-2020 11:45

Most gaming laptops are unable to sustain their spec ed performance due to overheating.

So the most important thing to look for is a review of sustained gaming stress test if you care. If not then ignore my post.

The last good one I know was the Gigabyte Aero. But that was last year

toejam316

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#2606916 19-Nov-2020 13:37

What sort of budget are you looking at and what use cases?

I'm a big proponent for the thin and light laptop with a GPU Enclosure, for the best of both worlds if possible. If you need portability and gaming power, I'd still lean towards something more performant and lightweight if possible, like the Razer Blade 15 Series, but it's very much budget dependent.

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concordnz

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#2606926 19-Nov-2020 13:55

Totally depends on the games you are/will be playing.
Check the specs of what they recommend - & go with their high/performance spec if you want to 'future proof' somewhat.

If you are after Entry Level, because of price.
- then pretty much any laptop with a dedicated graphics card,
As you will (can only) be playing low gfx demand games.

xpd

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#2606990 19-Nov-2020 14:46

If a gamer, better off spending money on a desktop. The ability to carry your gaming system is extremely attractive, but cost-wise to get something decent is going to cost a lot.

XPD / Gavin

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#2607062 19-Nov-2020 16:26

xpd:
If a gamer, better off spending money on a desktop. The ability to carry your gaming system is extremely attractive, but cost-wise to get something decent is going to cost a lot.

This. But yeah doesn't help the OP

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#2607063 19-Nov-2020 16:27

And get a 1080p 144Hz screen. Don't get a 4K.......

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SpartanVXL

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#2607075 19-Nov-2020 16:55

I’d have to second the idea of using desktop parts. Even a SFF pc which takes a bit of money is better performing than mobile equivalent.

Honestly down here nz doesnt have the best selection of products. If it was europe or US I’d get a Clevo based (Sager, XMG, Schenker) laptop chassis with desktop components.

If reaaaaally wanting a laptop try get one with a ryzen 4xxx series cpu along with dedicated gpu. Battery life doesn’t matter as you will be plugged in all the time.

Tzoi

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#2607077 19-Nov-2020 17:04

Reviews I've seen tend to suggest the Asus Zephyrus G14 laptops to be pretty good

RaG9011

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#2611524 27-Nov-2020 08:11

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers-tablets/laptops/asus/asus-tuf-a15-15-6-ryzen-7-gaming-laptop-512gb/380732/

Is this any good

timmmay

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#2611528 27-Nov-2020 08:22

RaG9011: https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers-tablets/laptops/asus/asus-tuf-a15-15-6-ryzen-7-gaming-laptop-512gb/380732/

Is this any good

Specs looks generally ok, not sure about the graphics card I don't know much about them. Read some reviews about performance, and noise. Noise will be a key thing, laptops have tiny loud fans.

1024kb

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#2611541 27-Nov-2020 08:59

Do you still have the work-provided CAD laptop? Is that a workstation class machine with a Quadro or FirePro discreet graphics card of reasonable spec? Like an HP ZBook or Dell Precision for example? If so, there's no reason why you can't run games on that.

Quadro / FirePro cards are tuned for the precision rendering that CAD demands vs the speed optimisation GTX / Radeon variants. The equivalent Quadro/FirePro will generally be of higher hardware spec than it's gaming cousin but won't perform quite as well in gaming benchmarks. Quadro P5000 has the same GP104 processor as GTX 1070, but supports 16GB ECC RAM vs 8GB non-ECC RAM for GTX. Quadro also has BIOS instructions for specific routines that the consumer variant lacks. The nett effect is that the Quadro will spend time rendering each scene perfectly where the GTX will throw the quickly-calculated frame up on screen & move on to the next one. Because who needs perfect @ X frames per second? But games will still run comfortably unless you're going for max frame rate on Flight Simulator 2020.

Either way, your workstation will have quality hardware, a powerful CPU & fast SSD. Maximum gaming @ desktop quality can be ache ived with an eGPU box fitted with a desktop card which suits your gaming requirements. I know @harlansmart bought one on GZ recently to breath life into a Mac Mini IIRC.

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harlansmart

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#2611732 27-Nov-2020 12:29

+1 that 1024kb

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Late 2012 Mini CTO QC 2.6 GHz (see below connected to SONY TV on wall above)

Works perfect on both.

Needed APPLE TB1/2 --> TB3/4-USB-C adapter, computers had TB1 I/O ports, will take a pix for you, below, done.

Not super portable though, eGPU is solid & hefty

1024kb: Maximum gaming @ desktop quality can be ache ived with an eGPU box fitted with a desktop card which suits your gaming requirements. I know @harlansmart bought one on GZ recently to breath life into a Mac Mini IIRC.

ChrisNZL

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#2615181 2-Dec-2020 22:24

My recommendations:

Dell NZ Vostro range
Metabox.com.au (Clevo machines)

I like the portability of laptops – moving around without being chained to one spot.

But if you're playing a game for an extended period of time, make sure there's a power outlet.

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#2615204 2-Dec-2020 23:37

do not buy a dell vostro for gaming. i have one and the CPU hits 50% of max GHz and GPU hits 50% of max GHz when you game duet o over heating. it's not worth the spec sheet it's printed on.

rayda

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#2628178 30-Dec-2020 18:11

Jarrod T and Benji Kaiser have good video reviews, both aussies so reasonably local. Benji tackles video/CAD and Jarrod more gaming.
The Asus Tuf 15 is good performer for 16/512GB 1660Ti Ryzen 7 4800 1780nzd price but mediocre screen and noisy at high game rates? Legion 15 higher price yet solves all these issues on special atm yet these high specc'd FTX2060 new entrants pricey at nzd2300