15.6" Gaming Laptops

[Darklighter]

I am looking at getting a 15.6" (no other size) Gaming Laptop... no more than around $1400-$1500. I'd also like to shop local so I can deal with any problems face to face. I have these picked out and would like opinions on the best choice (or any experiences with the listed laptops)... thanks.

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...f5704ff1b0en02

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...7e72e62532en02

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...nufacture=ASUS

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...37;2FMicroStar

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX29831(ME).aspx

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX29971(ME).aspx


(I have updated the links above, please re-examine... thanks! )

 

[OS]

i think the envy 15 was discontinued today even..it is no longer available on HP website, might want to wait a couple weeks, rumors rumbling new model coming out

 

[RaistlinZ]

I'm not terribly excited about any of the ones you posted, for the price. It seems like you'll have to make some sacrafices in performance for the convenience of getting one from a brick and mortar.

For instance, the Best Buy HP Envy uses a 5400 rpm HDD, a low 1366x768 resolution, and an aged 5830 GPU. The HP Pavilion from Future Shop has a sad 5650 GPU and again, a 5400rpm drive and 1366x768 resolution screen. The Asus from NCIX is a bit better, in that it has a 1920x1080 res. screen, but uses an older GTX 360 GPU.

Just for the hell of it, I tried to custom configure a Sager notebook and came up with one for $1,519 with the following specs:

15.6" 1920x1080 LED Backlit
Intel i7-740QM (1.73Ghz - 2.93Ghz Turbo)
Nvidia GTX 460M 1.5GB GDDR5 (ETA late Oct. early Nov.)
6GB DDR3 1333MHz
500GB 7200rpm HDD SATAII
8X DVD+/-RW

It comes within your price range and with fewer sacrafices I think. ()

 

[RobsTV]

Just for the hell of it, I tried to custom configure a Sager notebook and came up with one for $1,519 with the following specs:

15.6" 1920x1080 LED Backlit
Intel i7-740QM (1.73Ghz - 2.93Ghz Turbo)
Nvidia GTX 460M 1.5GB GDDR5 (ETA late Oct. early Nov.)
6GB DDR3 1333MHz
500GB 7200rpm HDD SATAII
8X DVD+/-RW

It comes within your price range and with fewer sacrafices I think. ()

The problem with that would be the 15.6" version.
The GPU combo would need some serious cooling.
In a 17", it would still be hot and loud, but in a 15.6"?
Nothing against nvidia, but a similar performing ATi (like the 5850) would use 1/3 less power, and might be better suited to the smaller 15.6" models.

 

[pctweaks]

The alienware M15x is on discount in america:

Intel® Core™ i7 740QM Quad Core Processor, 1.73GHz (2.93GHz Turbo Mode, 6M Cache
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
1GB GDDR5 ATI Radeon™ Mobility HD 5850
15.6-inch WideHD+ 1600x900 (900p) WLED
6GB Memory (1x 2GB, 1x 4GB DDR3)
500GB SATAII 7,200RPM
Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)

subtotal: $1,549.00

The only edit i made to the original model was adding a 5850 instead of a gt240, it's a beast of a laptop if you ask me, the only limitation being the screen.

 

[Darklighter]

Thanks for the reply... unfortunately, living in Canada adds a couple of hundred dollars for exchange, shipping, duties, taxes, etc.

I'd really like to get this in (western) Canada. But keep the help coming!

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

I don't see how a super high resolution LCD can be all that beneficial to a gaming laptop due to GPU limitations. I would rather have a native lower resolution that can run my games smoothly than have a slide show going on on a full HD res, or having to downsize the resolution and losing either real estate, or if stretched out will result in overall bluriness. For multimedia, work, or anything other than gaming, sure go high res (if your eyes are up to the task).

 

[MJinZ]

The problem with that would be the 15.6" version.
The GPU combo would need some serious cooling.
In a 17", it would still be hot and loud, but in a 15.6"?
Nothing against nvidia, but a similar performing ATi (like the 5850) would use 1/3 less power, and might be better suited to the smaller 15.6" models.

A similar performing ATI system will not even work 1/2 the time.

 

[MJinZ]

I don't see how a super high resolution LCD can be all that beneficial to a gaming laptop due to GPU limitations. I would rather have a native lower resolution that can run my games smoothly than have a slide show going on on a full HD res, or having to downsize the resolution and losing either real estate, or if stretched out will result in overall bluriness. For multimedia, work, or anything other than gaming, sure go high res (if your eyes are up to the task).

Um no. Non-native resolution is just fine. People spend most of their time on their computers not playing games.

 

[RaistlinZ]

There shouldn't be a problem with non-native resolution. As long as the aspect ratio is the same images shouldn't look streched out.

 

[RobsTV]

A similar performing ATI system will not even work 1/2 the time.

Is that a joke?
Or do you really think ATi is not as reliable as nvidia?

Just to be clear we are comparing similar performing DX11 capable products, the 75w GTX 460m performance level falls between the 50w HD 5870 and 39w HD 5850

 

[Darklighter]

Speaking of mobility graphics, does anyone have a link to an up-to-date comparison/heirarchy listing of current nVidia and ATI chipsets based on performance?

 

[swerus]

Asus ROG G51JX-A1

 

[MJinZ]

Is that a joke?
Or do you really think ATi is not as reliable as nvidia?

Just to be clear we are comparing similar performing DX11 capable products, the 75w GTX 460m performance level falls between the 50w HD 5870 and 39w HD 5850

It's a really funny joke when you actually own these products. Of course, the joke is on you. Good thing we can return things.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/

 

[Skott]

Of the three the OP asked about I'd personally go with the ASUS G51JX-A1.

 

[MagickMan]

Is that a joke?
Or do you really think ATi is not as reliable as nvidia?

Just to be clear we are comparing similar performing DX11 capable products, the 75w GTX 460m performance level falls between the 50w HD 5870 and 39w HD 5850

Seriously man, don't you know that all of ATI's products only work 1/2 the time? Color me surprised, since I've owned 40+ video cards in my life and only ever had 2 crap out on me (an EVGA 6800GT and a Matrox Mystique).

But hey, I guess he knows best, right?

 

[DarkZeratul]

Speaking of mobility graphics, does anyone have a link to an up-to-date comparison/heirarchy listing of current nVidia and ATI chipsets based on performance?

Hey darklighter, there's a no-so up-to-date hierarchy listing of integrated and discrete chips HERE = http://www.notebookcheck.net/Computer-Games-on-Laptop-Graphic-Cards.13849.0.html

 

[Darklighter]

Thanks... I guess the question I sould be asking is, what chipset (minimum) would I need to play Crysis on a 15.6" laptop?

 

[Chiropteran]

There shouldn't be a problem with non-native resolution. As long as the aspect ratio is the same images shouldn't look streched out.

They don't look stretched, but they look blurry. Native res gaming is the best for graphic image quality. I like lower res gaming laptops, much easier to get playable frame rates at native. Unlike a desktop you can't easily upgrade the graphics later, and you will probably want to be able to play future games as well.

 

[RobsTV]

Speaking of mobility graphics, does anyone have a link to an up-to-date comparison/heirarchy listing of current nVidia and ATI chipsets based on performance?

The following links have a column on the right that sorts the cards by performance in class.

Towards the bottom of page, they give individual game performance for the card chosen.

Clicking on a card in the right column will bring up data for that card, including how much power its uses, which is very important for laptops (heat, weight, noise, and of course battery life)

This example shows the ATi HD 5850 as a lower class 1 card, with Crysis avg of 43fps with high settings.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-5850.23069.0.html

This example shows the nvidia GTX 460m as a middle to upper class 1 card, with Crysis avg of 53fps with high settings
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-460M.33612.0.html

This example shows the ATi HD 5870 as a middle to upper class 1 card, with Crysis avg of 56fps with high settings
http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-5870.23073.0.html

 

[RobsTV]

Thanks... I guess the question I sould be asking is, what chipset (minimum) would I need to play Crysis on a 15.6" laptop?

If 30fps on high settings in Crysis is what you are looking for as a minimum, then it looks like the ATi 5730 (and perhaps the 5650) will fall into the minimum needed to run crysis on a 15.6" laptop.

Newegg has Acer TimelineX 4820TG with i5-460m and HD 5650 priced at $750 now. Amazon around same thing. It is not a screaming gaming laptop, but it is also only $750, a little more than 4 lbs, and 8 hours battery life..

 

[DrunkenSano]

I've been keeping an eye on ASUS Republic of Gamers G51JX-X3, if it drops anymore I might just pull the trigger.

 

[Darklighter]

Thanks for the replies! Yes, looking at a 15.6" laptop capable of playing crysis on high at 30fps or better... figuring that would allow me to play most other games smoothly on high as well. With the resolution/screen size of the 15.6" I had hoped to get away with a "lesser" graphics chipset and still get good performace. The laptops I have been looking at usually have either the nVidia 3xx series (usually 360GTS) or Radeon 5650/5830 chipsets. I usually prefer nVidia (on my desktops), but with a laptop it's all about bang-for-your-buck and longevity.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Settling for lesser graphics chipset =/= "bang for your buck longevity" when it comes to laptops. Pony up and get something that will suit your gaming needs for a good while.

 

[WildHorse]

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