Help me pick a gaming laptop

[dmbphan041]

Currently have a Dell Vostro 3700 (i7-720QM, GT 330M) circa 2010. I can play about 20 minutes of Borderlands 2 before it overheats and dies.

looking for a replacement do I go with....

ASUS G75VW-TS71 Gaming Notebook - 3rd generation Intel Core i7-3610QM 2.3GHz, 12GB DDR3, 500GB HDD, Blu-ray Player/DVDRW, 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M, 17.3" Display, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit for $1200

OR

Sager 6370
Ivy Bridge Core i5-3210M
500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
nVIDIA® GeForce GTX 660M GDDR5 (2.0GB) w/ Optimus
8gb ram
might throw in an SSD
$~1100

OR

MSI G Series GE60 0NC-006US Notebook Intel Core i7 3610QM(2.30GHz) 15.6" 6GB Memory 750GB HDD 7200rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M FOR $940

OR

anything else you can suggest.

also, cant really swing a desktop right now, going to school overseas and would have to haul it back and forth on the plane.

 

[Labrynthian]

Ok, firstly, you need a core i7 processor, for the gaming and for smoothness. Secondly, you want something that will last a few years, as well as have the capability to manage future releases (programs and games). RAM is important, because the more RAM you have, the less likely the comp will lag and face memory issues. HDD doesn't really matter, because of the vast availability of large external Hard disks. In any case, a 500-750GB HDD should be fine. Your graphics card is essential to determine if you will be able to manage future releases.
Sum all this up, and your best bet is the Asus G75. It has amazing specs, upgradeable RAM (Which is already at 12 GB on default) and an entry level class 1 graphics card (the 660M), which is a good 2GB card that can manage most games on high settings without a problem. You'll get the 17.3 inch screen with the 1920x1080 resolution, making whatever you do, look really sexy. I think it's an amazing deal. All the other things you've listed fall short of either RAM, processor or GPU requirements for the immediate future. I always recommend the Asus G55/75 for anyone who can spend $1200-$1300 on a laptop, simply because you get insane specs for a very decent price.
It's default specs trump the Alienware m17x default specs, which costs around $1500, just to put things into perspective.
Last but not least, I have it, so I can vouch for it

 

[dmbphan041]

1. you that all these are way faster than what you have now, right?

you can easily go with a 700-800$ laptop..

2. Do you need the OS pre-installed?

Any suggestions in that price range? and yea, I'd probably want the OS installed.

 

[bignastyid]

Given the choice of those I'd get the Asus.

 

[seriousgamer]

I'd go with the Asus mainly because you said you will be traveling back and forth.

I also wanted to mention that last week that SAME asus that you listed was on sale for $1000 but it sold out in literally a minute.

Good luck hunting! ( I Would suggest a MSI GT60/GT70 but they can get expensive and the ASUS can take a beating better)

 

[Pyree]

Lenovo Y580 (include: quad core i7, 1080p screen, OS, GTX 660m, total $1000) or Clevo W150ER with Prema Bios Mod for OC (include 1080p screen, GT 650m, select upgrade option quad core i7 and buy OS W7 or W8 HP, total $1000, then OC the hell out of it with mod bios)

 

[drej983]

Here are some other great options I think you should consider in the same price range of the laptops you have listed. Im assuming you want a laptop mostly for gaming.

My first recommendation is the msi gx60 ($1160) http/www.xoticpc.com/msi-gx60-1ac021us-preorder-p-5009.html
If gaming is your #1 priority I would go with this laptop. It has an amd radeon hd7970m graphics card which is more than twice as good as the gtx660m (link to mobile graphics benchmarks) http/www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html.
It comes pre loaded with windows 8, has a 750gb 7200rpm hdd, 1080 screen, blu-ray, and more.
The only drawback to this laptop is that it's amd trinity a10 processor is a significant underperformer compared to the intel i7 processors.

I would also equally recommend the Force/Msi 16F3 ($1130). http/www.xoticpc.com/forcemsi-16f3-36025-675m-msi-gt60-barebones-p-4883.html
Once again amazing performance for the price. Comes with a nvidia gtx675m graphics card, good enough to easily play borderlands 2 on ultra, and comes with a great i7 processor.

Just a note as I see you mentioned moving back and forth; these aren't the most portable laptops as they come in at about 7.7 lbs and about 1.8" thick. With that being said they are by no means giant lead blocks either.

Lastly, if the above options are a little above your budget, I would recommend the lenovo y580. In my opionion the best sub $1000 gaming laptop.

I think these laptops all have really good performance to price ratios, and I would be happy to own any of them. Hope this helps!

 

[Kiowa789]

Ok, firstly, you need a core i7 processor, for the gaming and for smoothness. Secondly, you want something that will last a few years, as well as have the capability to manage future releases (programs and games). RAM is important, because the more RAM you have, the less likely the comp will lag and face memory issues. HDD doesn't really matter, because of the vast availability of large external Hard disks. In any case, a 500-750GB HDD should be fine. Your graphics card is essential to determine if you will be able to manage future releases.
Sum all this up, and your best bet is the Asus G75. It has amazing specs, upgradeable RAM (Which is already at 12 GB on default) and an entry level class 1 graphics card (the 660M), which is a good 2GB card that can manage most games on high settings without a problem. You'll get the 17.3 inch screen with the 1920x1080 resolution, making whatever you do, look really sexy. I think it's an amazing deal. All the other things you've listed fall short of either RAM, processor or GPU requirements for the immediate future. I always recommend the Asus G55/75 for anyone who can spend $1200-$1300 on a laptop, simply because you get insane specs for a very decent price.
It's default specs trump the Alienware m17x default specs, which costs around $1500, just to put things into perspective.
Last but not least, I have it, so I can vouch for it

Stopped reading at "For the gaming and for smoothness"
Continued reading when the word "Alienware" Caught my eye.

Hell.
No.

an i5 Can do any of your gaming needs at above, or up to par with any i7.
Alienware only has a pretty case and software, otherwise your getting a fist to the face, and giving them money for doing so.

@OP, look into Asus and Lenovo computer's, Lenovo is awesome in just about any area of mobile computers, so I would recommend them any day.

 

[Labrynthian]

Stopped reading at "For the gaming and for smoothness"
Continued reading when the word "Alienware" Caught my eye.

Hell.
No.

an i5 Can do any of your gaming needs at above, or up to par with any i7.
Alienware only has a pretty case and software, otherwise your getting a fist to the face, and giving them money for doing so.

@OP, look into Asus and Lenovo computer's, Lenovo is awesome in just about any area of mobile computers, so I would recommend them any day.

A valiant effort for someone who clearly doesn't game much. Either that, or you're just really bad at it. It's all right though, the world is full of noobs.

 

[Pyree]

*cough*

Sure a quad core i7 is nice. But if the game is not particularly CPU taxing (like most games), then a duo core i5 with a better GPU is a better combination for games.

However, since the Y580 has a quad core i7, and it's so cheap already, it's hardly a difficult decision to make on whether to get a laptop with i7 or i5.

If paying for $1200-1300, may as well go for MSI 16F3 because it has a GTX 675m. Much faster than the GTX 660m in G75/G55.

If you are paying $1500 for GTX 660m. Then erm..., you have the nice AW lights. But I would recommend you get the Clevo P150EM with 7970m.

 

[McKrack]

I would go with the Asus model.
But I must advice that if you intend to buy a gaming laptop always look for a problem with structural aspect of the laptop and the cooling agent/paste they use on the graphic chip. Generally laptop tend to overheat if you play power demanding games on a laptop which most of the new ones are will eventually eat away the paste but it will take time. Hard to estimate though. I had the same experience with like that twice. That is way you will see the structural difference between alienware models and other flat high spec laptops. From my experience if you play games on a laptop you are most likely to end up playing long hours even after initial hesitation.
In your, my mind will say out that money to buy desktop but the heart would say laptop. Choice is your to make.

 

[jonathan_569]

i'd go with the 6370.. if you wil be lugging around a 17 inch.. then this is what i would really recommend... 6370 - 3.2kg vs g75 - 4.5kg...

 

[KernalPanic]

I don't get it... How can you say a 675m is a piece of junk when you say a 650m is good enough a few lines down?

A stock 675m is 50%+ faster than a stock 650m.
Yes, its based on older tech, but it has significantly more hardware than 650m or 660m.

The 675m does seem to make a lot of sense in this price range.

The 675mx is out of this price range. ($1400+)
The 670mx is indeed within the price range, but not notably faster than the 675m.

 

[Kiowa789]

A valiant effort for someone who clearly doesn't game much. Either that, or you're just really bad at it. It's all right though, the world is full of noobs.

Ha, no, see my steam library, then talk like that.
anyway, yeah, Lenovo and Asus.

 

[Pyree]

Enough poking at each other!