Gaming with Laptop

[Durvelle27]

I'm looking at gaming on a new laptop i'm thinking of buying. Will be light gaming (Call of Duty, WoW,NFS etc..). Could anyone give me some hints as to how it would probaly run if you have similar specs. Thx for any help.

A8-3520m 1.6GHz Turbo Up to 2.5GHz
6GB DDR3 1600MHz
AMD Radeon HD 6620G+HD 7450m (1GB Dedicated DDR3) Dual Graphics
15.6" (1366x768)

 

[Enigmoid]

llano?

Thats a pretty weak computer. Dual graphics is generally pretty poor.

What is your budget?

 

[Durvelle27]

llano?

Thats a pretty weak computer. Dual graphics is generally pretty poor.

What is your budget?

the laptop is only $170

 

[MrK6]

For $170 that's probably a steal, but it will be weak as heck in most games. What's your total budget?

My laptop has a 6550m in it and its a pretty good gamer (GW2, BF3, etc. all play great at 1366x768), but I've also overclocked the snot out of the card and the CPU.

 

[natto fire]

Not sure if my question warrants it's own thread or if I can tack on to this one, but I have a situation in deciding if I should upgrade my current gaming laptop within the next 5 months, or if I should just get a new $200 card for my main rig and try to squeeze another year or two out of my gaming laptop. My usage pattern changes a lot from 80/20% laptop/main rig to 20/80 for another week.

Main system is definitely a bit long in the tooth tech wise: phenom 1090t, 8GB, HD5770. Laptop is a bit newer tech but a bit underpowered GPU-wise with an ivy i7-3615, 8GB, GT630M. The main difference is the screens where the laptop has only 1600x900 the main rig is running a 24" 1920x1080 panel, both TN.

I am leaning more towards the laptop even though the investment is much larger I think I might end up using it more, especially if I go for a 17" 1080 model. I bought this 15" one (Series 7 NP700Z5-C) thinking portability was my top priority, but notice I actually put it more in desktop replacement scenarios and the occasional portable setup. Budget for a laptop would largely depend on what I could sell my current one for, or selling both the main rig and current laptop. I am not really a big seller, but I was guessing I could get over $800 for both.

As far as the desktop video market, I am obviously way out of touch because my 5770 seems more than adequate for my usage (Source and Unreal engine games are my usual fare) where it seems like there are numerous cards that stomp it in the $200 price range.

 

[tential]

Not sure if my question warrants it's own thread or if I can tack on to this one, but I have a situation in deciding if I should upgrade my current gaming laptop within the next 5 months, or if I should just get a new $200 card for my main rig and try to squeeze another year or two out of my gaming laptop. My usage pattern changes a lot from 80/20% laptop/main rig to 20/80 for another week.

Main system is definitely a bit long in the tooth tech wise: phenom 1090t, 8GB, HD5770. Laptop is a bit newer tech but a bit underpowered GPU-wise with an ivy i7-3615, 8GB, GT630M. The main difference is the screens where the laptop has only 1600x900 the main rig is running a 24" 1920x1080 panel, both TN.

I am leaning more towards the laptop even though the investment is much larger I think I might end up using it more, especially if I go for a 17" 1080 model. I bought this 15" one (Series 7 NP700Z5-C) thinking portability was my top priority, but notice I actually put it more in desktop replacement scenarios and the occasional portable setup. Budget for a laptop would largely depend on what I could sell my current one for, or selling both the main rig and current laptop. I am not really a big seller, but I was guessing I could get over $800 for both.

As far as the desktop video market, I am obviously way out of touch because my 5770 seems more than adequate for my usage (Source and Unreal engine games are my usual fare) where it seems like there are numerous cards that stomp it in the $200 price range.

Vastly different scenario/price range so yes, it warrants your own thread.

 

[Durvelle27]

For $170 that's probably a steal, but it will be weak as heck in most games. What's your total budget?

My laptop has a 6550m in it and its a pretty good gamer (GW2, BF3, etc. all play great at 1366x768), but I've also overclocked the snot out of the card and the CPU.

Thanks. i would think the dual graphics would perform a little faster so gaming lowly might be fine

 

[lavaheadache]

I would probably look for an oldie with a GTX 260m or something like that. They can be had for $300 or so and will offer some real good bang for the buck.

 

[Durvelle27]

I would probably look for an oldie with a GTX 260m or something like that. They can be had for $300 or so and will offer some real good bang for the buck.

any laptop i seen with a GTX GPU is always over $500

 

[Majcric]

NVM

 

[tviceman]

$170 is an awesome deal, but it will still be really slow for gaming.

 

[Durvelle27]

$170 is an awesome deal, but it will still be really slow for gaming.

But it will be light gaming

 

[Ketchup]

This thread may give you some more info:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...adeon-hd-7450m-good-gaming-graphics-card.html

It's almost like they just put the second card in to make it sound like a gamer's laptop, not because it necessarily makes it a whole lot better than the integrated chip.

 

[lavaheadache]

any laptop i seen with a GTX GPU is always over $500

nah, you can get the oldie but goodies for $350. Infact I could probably get my old one back from a buddy for $300. core 2 duo, GTX 260m. 17inch monster. Nice machine that is still a decent contender. I think it's a Asus G71.

 

[Durvelle27]

nah, you can get the oldie but goodies for $350. Infact I could probably get my old one back from a buddy for $300. core 2 duo, GTX 260m. 17inch monster. Nice machine that is still a decent contender. I think it's a Asus G71.

How much does it weigh also as i want something not to heavy

 

[tential]

I think it's important to also list the resolution/settings you're expecting to get out of the laptop. I know it seems obvious, but some people here still can't help but recommend something that will get you at least medium/high settings haha. Saying that might help people realize what "light gaming" is.

I think your laptop is fine for light gaming. The problem I have is that ACF (dual GPU whatever you wanna call it) doesn't seem to always provide benefits. http://www.anandtech.com/show/4444/amd-llano-notebook-review-a-series-fusion-apu-a8-3500m/12 if you want a review. The reason I think the laptop is so cheap is exactly because of this hardware but this is a preproduction review or whatever.
If you're simply wanting to game at all low settings at a low resolution then that should work fine. I had a laptop like that in high school 7 years ago and I gamed at all low settings and enjoyed it fine. Being able to play San Andreas GTA on the plane for 2-3 hours was great. That was on intel integrated graphics. I think you'll be fine with that. That review showed that this laptop can sometimes handle medium/high at low resolutions on older games. If you're expectations are reasonable, which I'm assuming they are, then for 170 I'm going to say why not? You already have a gaming PC, you have an HTPC, you're not looking for a desktop replacement laptop just something to have on the go than pick it up. I'd look for some more reviews though on LLano notebooks though just to make sure it's what you want.

Edit: This review helps as well.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/a8-3500m-llano-apu,2959-23.html
The thing with this laptop is you'll be able to game at low resolutions/graphics but you have to be careful what game you're playing. A lot of the time you'll want to disable dual graphics mode or you'll be hindering your performance. It seems this mode only helps in DX10/DX11 games. For me, this is a no go simply because I don't want to have to constantly think of what mode to put my laptop in to get decent FPS. Especially in a low end laptop where every frame counts to make the game playable as you're constantly on the "Is this game playable or not?" Line. Add in some dust that raises GPU/CPU temps, and you'll definitely be feeling it. The price though is what makes it worth it to me. $170 can tide you over til a year or two you can pick up something that's a relatively decent better performer for $300-$400 as I'm sure when intel's Silvermount gets out there you'll want it in your ultra mobile devices.

 

[Durvelle27]

I think it's important to also list the resolution/settings you're expecting to get out of the laptop. I know it seems obvious, but some people here still can't help but recommend something that will get you at least medium/high settings haha. Saying that might help people realize what "light gaming" is.

I think your laptop is fine for light gaming. The problem I have is that ACF (dual GPU whatever you wanna call it) doesn't seem to always provide benefits. http://www.anandtech.com/show/4444/amd-llano-notebook-review-a-series-fusion-apu-a8-3500m/12 if you want a review. The reason I think the laptop is so cheap is exactly because of this hardware but this is a preproduction review or whatever.
If you're simply wanting to game at all low settings at a low resolution then that should work fine. I had a laptop like that in high school 7 years ago and I gamed at all low settings and enjoyed it fine. Being able to play San Andreas GTA on the plane for 2-3 hours was great. That was on intel integrated graphics. I think you'll be fine with that. That review showed that this laptop can sometimes handle medium/high at low resolutions on older games. If you're expectations are reasonable, which I'm assuming they are, then for 170 I'm going to say why not? You already have a gaming PC, you have an HTPC, you're not looking for a desktop replacement laptop just something to have on the go than pick it up. I'd look for some more reviews though on LLano notebooks though just to make sure it's what you want.

Edit: This review helps as well.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/a8-3500m-llano-apu,2959-23.html
The thing with this laptop is you'll be able to game at low resolutions/graphics but you have to be careful what game you're playing. A lot of the time you'll want to disable dual graphics mode or you'll be hindering your performance. It seems this mode only helps in DX10/DX11 games. For me, this is a no go simply because I don't want to have to constantly think of what mode to put my laptop in to get decent FPS. Especially in a low end laptop where every frame counts to make the game playable as you're constantly on the "Is this game playable or not?" Line. Add in some dust that raises GPU/CPU temps, and you'll definitely be feeling it. The price though is what makes it worth it to me. $170 can tide you over til a year or two you can pick up something that's a relatively decent better performer for $300-$400 as I'm sure when intel's Silvermount gets out there you'll want it in your ultra mobile devices.

1366x768 at low settings and if possible but no important medium or high.

This info is actually really helpful thx. And yes you are correct this isn't to replace my desktop as i'm holding onto that until it needs to be upgraded in a few years.

 

[frozentundra123456]

I would probably look for an oldie with a GTX 260m or something like that. They can be had for $300 or so and will offer some real good bang for the buck.

I would be somewhat hesitant to buy a gaming laptop used, but yes a GTX 260m would be far faster than the laptop you mentioned. My grandson has an asus, about 3 years old, with that card and it runs pretty much eveything, admittedly at lower settings.

As to the OP, I would definitely avoid the model he suggested for gaming. Low end igp plus low end discrete will still be low end.

If the budget allows, an A10 or the Richland replacement for it, if it ever comes out, would be preferrable to an older model lower end llano.

Again, as every time this comes up, is it really necessary to get a laptop? Even a cheap pre-built desktop with a HD7750 added would be much better for gaming and allow for future upgrades.

Edit: I forgot about the price. How can you get it for 170.00? Is it a used model? That price sounds too good to be true, unless you are getting it from someone you know who is giving you a good deal. If you are relatively sure there is nothing wrong with it, I guess you dont have much to lose by giving it a shot.

 

[Durvelle27]

I would be somewhat hesitant to buy a gaming laptop used, but yes a GTX 260m would be far faster than the laptop you mentioned. My grandson has an asus, about 3 years old, with that card and it runs pretty much eveything, admittedly at lower settings.

As to the OP, I would definitely avoid the model he suggested for gaming. Low end igp plus low end discrete will still be low end.

If the budget allows, an A10 or the Richland replacement for it, if it ever comes out, would be preferrable to an older model lower end llano.

Again, as every time this comes up, is it really necessary to get a laptop? Even a cheap pre-built desktop with a HD7750 added would be much better for gaming and allow for future upgrades.

If you read my sig you'll see i do have a desktop already and don't want anymore. This is for travel use and college

 

[tential]

Some more links:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Comparison-of-Laptop-Graphics-Cards.130.0.html

Classified as a Class 3: "Low-Midrange Graphics Cards - Modern games should be playable with these graphics cards at low settings and resolutions. Casual gamers may be happy with these cards."

I'm guessing this is your machine so here's a review:
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc...netbooks/hp-pavilion-g6-1331ea-1087078/review

Not really my type of review though so I take it with a grain of salt.
From the three games you listed though, COD and NFS aren't really intensive and are made to run on anything. So is WoW really, as WoW is a game that is supposed to run on ALL hardware. However, like most MMOs, WoW can slow up based on the amount of chars on screen. You might have trouble in large player environments. You seem like you know what you want to play on this though and that your expectations are realistic.

At worst, you sell the laptop in 6 months time to 1 year for 70-120 dollars and lose 50-100 dollars while still having a laptop that allowed you to play some games on it.

 

[Durvelle27]

Some more links:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Comparison-of-Laptop-Graphics-Cards.130.0.html

Classified as a Class 3: "Low-Midrange Graphics Cards - Modern games should be playable with these graphics cards at low settings and resolutions. Casual gamers may be happy with these cards."

I'm guessing this is your machine so here's a review:
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc...netbooks/hp-pavilion-g6-1331ea-1087078/review

Not really my type of review though so I take it with a grain of salt.
From the three games you listed though, COD and NFS aren't really intensive and are made to run on anything. So is WoW really, as WoW is a game that is supposed to run on ALL hardware. However, like most MMOs, WoW can slow up based on the amount of chars on screen. You might have trouble in large player environments. You seem like you know what you want to play on this though and that your expectations are realistic.

At worst, you sell the laptop in 6 months time to 1 year for 70-120 dollars and lose 50-100 dollars while still having a laptop that allowed you to play some games on it.

Reading reviews all have said that when in games that support Dual Graphics it performs on par to 5% faster than a GT 550M

 

[tential]

I mean, you have a dGPU. I don't really think you can go wrong at that price point. Your expectations are normal and aren't insane, I'd get it for your purposes which is schoolwork and light gaming. You'll probably make better use of it than I did in college. I bought a 1600 dollar p-7811fx. Great laptop, but I rarely gamed on it. College and frat life took over. I spent most of my time chasing ass haha very rarely gamed.

I'd say get it, go to college, and experience college life for real. Don't sit in the dorms. I didn't, made me a much more rounded person. I went from waking up at 4 AM for raid bosses in Lineage 2 to getting with so many girls last semester that I actually had to make an honest effort to stop having casual sex. It's college man, enjoy it. And make sure you graduate and get the degree too of course haha. Get two if you can, job market is tough as shit, even with two degrees, internships, etc.

 

[Durvelle27]

I mean, you have a dGPU. I don't really think you can go wrong at that price point. Your expectations are normal and aren't insane, I'd get it for your purposes which is schoolwork and light gaming. You'll probably make better use of it than I did in college. I bought a 1600 dollar p-7811fx. Great laptop, but I rarely gamed on it. College and frat life took over. I spent most of my time chasing ass haha very rarely gamed.

I'd say get it, go to college, and experience college life for real. Don't sit in the dorms. I didn't, made me a much more rounded person. I went from waking up at 4 AM for raid bosses in Lineage 2 to getting with so many girls last semester that I actually had to make an honest effort to stop having casual sex. It's college man, enjoy it. And make sure you graduate and get the degree too of course haha. Get two if you can, job market is tough as shit, even with two degrees, internships, etc.

lol yea so true. But i won't get corrupted XD. Going for engineering.


Edit: @frozentundra123456 getting it from a friend who barely used it and he heard i was looking for a Laptop so he offered it to me for a good deal

 

[frozentundra123456]

lol yea so true. But i won't get corrupted XD. Going for engineering.


Edit: @frozentundra123456 getting it from a friend who barely used it and he heard i was looking for a Laptop so he offered it to me for a good deal

In that case, I would definitely say "go for it". If you are not happy with it, you could probably resell it for pretty much the same price.

 

[Durvelle27]

In that case, I would definitely say "go for it". If you are not happy with it, you could probably resell it for pretty much the same price.

Ok thx so much guys