Solved! Low end gaming notebook

[SHIELDHEAD]

Hey guys im in the hunt for a new notebook and want one for school that is able to run atleast source engine games like Team Fortress 2, CS:S, and portal 2. Ive searched and searched but cant find anything around $600-$700. id prefer a core i5 cpu and a dedicated gpu like ati or nvidia. idc about ram or HDD space or resolution as long as it does a native 15.6 notebook res.

 

[Wamphryi]

I have noticed that there seems to be a significant gap between the i3 with dedicated GPU and the i5 with dedicated GPU. Sitting in the middle is the i5 with the Intel Graphics aimed at the more business non gaming types.

Essentially if you want an i5 with the right GPU and 15" screen etc then you will have to come up with more money. You could consider the i3. I got one and put a Vertex 2 into it and it is putting out respectable performance.

 

[SHIELDHEAD]

I have noticed that there seems to be a significant gap between the i3 with dedicated GPU and the i5 with dedicated GPU. Sitting in the middle is the i5 with the Intel Graphics aimed at the more business non gaming types.

Essentially if you want an i5 with the right GPU and 15" screen etc then you will have to come up with more money. You could consider the i3. I got one and put a Vertex 2 into it and it is putting out respectable performance.

can you show me a few of these i3s with dedicated id like to see them =D

 

[Wamphryi]

Well there is a wide range of them and you need to check out what is close to you. I suspect that to get a Sony or such you will need 800 and something. Brands like Acer may sell the spec cheaper but cheaper can come with its own cost. If you really want to stay in budget you will likely have to buy a Core 2 Duo secondhand or similar.

 

[jaguarskx]

There is a deal for a 15.6" Lenovo Y560p with a Core i5 CPU @2.3GHz and a dedicated Radeon HD 6570 card which more than capable of playing low end games with low end graphics. The Y560p is currently on sale for $899 + free shipping. You will of course need to pay taxes.

When you have added the laptop to your cart, but before checking out, apply the following eCoupon for $200 off; USPY525714. You need to decide quickly since the current sale price of $899 ends tomorrow, July 20th. The eCoupon expires either on July 20th or July 21st.

http/shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/builder.workflow:Enter?mtm-item=%3A000000F3%3A000044BD%3A

 

[jaguarskx]

Here is a review of the HD 6570 with some benchmarks. There are not many game benchmarks though.

http/www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-6570M.41479.0.html


Here is a review of the slower HD 6550 which has more game benchmarks than the faster HD 6570.

http/www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-6550M.41143.0.html

 

[WR2]

Another possible option: Acer Aspire AS7750G 17.3" notebook $680
Core i5 2410 Sandy Bridge CPU, 4GB RAM, 640GB HDD 17.3" 1600x900 LCD w/ HD 6650 graphics.

 

[WR2]

TOSHIBA Satellite L755 15.6" notebook $720
Core i5 2410 Sandy Bridge CPU, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD 15.6" 1366x768 LCD w/ GT 525M graphics.
The slightly less powerful GT 525M should perform very close to the HD 6550 above as it's pushing just 1366x768 pixels vs 1600x900 pixels on the 17" Acer.