Can't decide between these two laptops

hatsamshuz

Estimable
May 18, 2014
40
0
4,590
So, I'm on a budget right now and will be using a laptop for schoolwork and gaming....

Laptop 1:
http://www.asus.com/ph/Notebooks_Ultrabooks/X550DP/
A8-5550M
2 GB 1600mhz DDR3 RAM
HD 8550G + 2 GB DDR3 HD 8670M
5400 RPM 500 GB HDD

Questions about this laptop:
How much RAM and what frequency do you guys suggest I buy considering it's an APU?
I'm not very familiar with the APU systems and such, is there an option to run only one of these cards? If so, which of the two GPU's should I enable during games?

Laptop 2:
http://www8.hp.com/ph/en/products/laptops/product-detail.html?oid=6737637#!tab=specs
Core i3-3110M
2 GB 1600mhz RAM
Nvidia Geforce 820M
5400 RPM 500 GB HDD

Questions about this laptop:
Nothing really, aside from will it perform better than the other laptop when gaming.

I will be playing games like BF4, BF3, Splinter Cell: Blacklist, Skyrim, Assassin's Creed 4, etc at 720p medium-high detail with no AA. Will either of these two be able to run them at decent FPS rates with the said detail? I would also like to know what your opinions are on both systems.

Note: Please don't suggest any other systems.
 
Solution
For schoolwork, either would probably be OK, for gaming both only have 2 GB of DRAM so not going to good for many games.....Of the two I'd go the Asus and look to increase the total DRAM

hatsamshuz

Estimable
May 18, 2014
40
0
4,590
Thanks for the reply, I had mixed feelings about the two but finally I can choose one with a clear conscience. One last question though, how much RAM and what frequency has the best bang for buck to go with the ASUS?
 

hatsamshuz

Estimable
May 18, 2014
40
0
4,590
Tradesman1: How much of of a difference would I see with the APU if I upgrade to dual 4GB sticks from dual 2GB sticks?
Construkt: I appreciate your suggestions, but unfortunately I can't order from Amazon, Newegg, or any other of the online stores that are based in the US.
 

hatsamshuz

Estimable
May 18, 2014
40
0
4,590
Sorry, I meant how much FPS boost would you estimate to gain from dual channel 8GB RAM compared to dual channel on the ASUS laptop? I also forgot to ask you some other questions as well, is there an option in the Catalyst app where you can select which of the integrated and dedicated graphics card to run? If so, would the 8670M be better than the 8550G when I install dual channel 4 GBs ram? 8GBs of RAM?