How future proof is this laptop for gaming?

[andrewdodd39]

How future proof is this computer for gaming?

The new Alienware M11X comes with i5 and i7 processors, but they are running specials on the old model. There is a deal for $899 where they are selling a computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor at 1.3GHz (overclockable to 1.6 GHz), 8GB RAM memory, 500GB hard drive (up to 640 GB for an extra $25) and a 1GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 335M graphic card. This is less than the $999 i5 version and comes with a lot more upgrades in terms of RAM and hard drive space, but would the poor processor be too much of an issue for games in the next few years?

I'm pretty bad with computers so help me out here...

 

[bart1975]

Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor at 1.3GHz or 1.6 GHz is a fairly slow system.

 

[andrewdodd39]

Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor at 1.3GHz or 1.6 GHz is a fairly slow system.

I know, I was wondering if this would be too much of a problem if I purchased this rig.

Edit: The overclock is to 1.73 GHz.

 

[bart1975]

You should expect at least a minimum of $700 for a gaming laptop. What kind of games do you plan on playing?

 

[andrewdodd39]

I plan on playing Modern Warfare 3 when it comes out, and possibly Battlefield 3 if I get it. Also, the less intensive ones like Minecraft and Counter-Strike. Will the 1.73 GHz overclocked Core 2 Duo be too much of a problem in this rig?

 

[bart1975]

You will most likely want a i5 2540M in a laptop with a geforce 525 or 540 m video card. The Core 2 Duo even at 2Ghz will not be fast enough for Battlefield 3

 

[andrewdodd39]

Then I will probably have to get the newer M11X R3 with i5 or i7. I know Alienware is overpriced, but I have a weird compulsion to get it.

 

[bart1975]

What is your budget?

 

[andrewdodd39]

Up to $1100, but that would be absolutely all of the money I have saved currently. I'm 16, so I'm thinking of getting a job after the summer. I'm also working for my uncle over the summer for a little money, but I don't know if I want to wait that long to purchase.

 

[bart1975]

This is more like what you are looking for then. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834215004

 

[andrewdodd39]

I know you're right in that suggestion, but I just can't get over Alienware. I think I'll take some time to think before purchasing anything impulsively.

 

[mfenn]

How future proof is this computer for gaming?

The new Alienware M11X comes with i5 and i7 processors, but they are running specials on the old model. There is a deal for $899 where they are selling a computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor at 1.3GHz (overclockable to 1.6 GHz), 8GB RAM memory, 500GB hard drive (up to 640 GB for an extra $25) and a 1GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 335M graphic card. This is less than the $999 i5 version and comes with a lot more upgrades in terms of RAM and hard drive space, but would the poor processor be too much of an issue for games in the next few years?

The processor and GPU are an issue now, not to mention a few years from now.

This is more like what you are looking for then. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834215004

:thumbsup: OP, listen to this guy. The Sandy Bridge processor in this laptop is literally 2-3 times faster than CULV and the GT 540 has more shaders that are clocked higher than the GT 335.

 

[BoomerD]

I know you're right in that suggestion, but I just can't get over Alienware. I think I'll take some time to think before purchasing anything impulsively.

Since that Alienware is just a fancy Dell nowadays...you CAN do better...

 

[StrangerGuy]

1st thing to ask when buying a gaming laptop is...Do you really need one? Even high-end mobile GPUs like the GTX 460M isn't exactly fast for 1080p now let alone for the next few years, and you do really wanna game on something with a mediocre LCD screen?

 

[0roo0roo]

Future proof + laptop = does not compute.
Best laptop for gaming is very expensive, and barely adequate for todays games. Running todays games on lowered settings is somewhat attainable. If you go gaming, you forget about future proof, you just accept the thing will be obsolete in no time at all.

 

[andrewdodd39]

If I were to get the same rig with a Core i5 1.4 GHz processor turbo boosted to 2.3 GHz, with a 1 GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M, would that at least be able to handle the games that came out recently or are coming out within this next year? I'm talking like Crysis 2, Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3.

 

[mnewsham]

If I were to get the same rig with a Core i5 1.4 GHz processor turbo boosted to 2.3 GHz, with a 1 GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M, would that at least be able to handle the games that came out recently or are coming out within this next year? I'm talking like Crysis 2, Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3.

Not at full settings no, but it will probably give you 30-45 FPS in most games at mid-high settings.

 

[andrewdodd39]

Not at full settings no, but it will probably give you 30-45 FPS in most games at mid-high settings.

Alright, that would really be all that I need from a computer.

 

[mnewsham]

That is without Good AA or any type of post processing.

 

[StrangerGuy]

If I were to get the same rig with a Core i5 1.4 GHz processor turbo boosted to 2.3 GHz, with a 1 GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M, would that at least be able to handle the games that came out recently or are coming out within this next year? I'm talking like Crysis 2, Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3.

No, and no.

A ~2GHz dual-core is not going to cut it in games today, not to mention the more intensive future ones.

GT 540M is a fast GPU...but only within the mobile sector. To put things into perspective, it's desktop equivalent is a Radeon 5570, and that is the near the bottom of the barrel of desktop GPUs.

 

[Chiropteran]

You pay a huge premium, both in cash and lose of performance, to game on that 11" alienware. Unless there is a good reason you can't use a larger 14" or 15" laptop you should look at them. Or just get a desktop.

 

[andrewdodd39]

My friend is pretty savvy and he was telling me I should build a desktop instead. It appears that it more in line with the opinions here. I don't have any experience building computers, but my friend said he could help me. Would that be a much better alternative considering my $1100 budget?

 

[bart1975]

A desktop would be better and you can get much better performance for the same amount of money you would have spent on a laptop.

 

[BoomerD]

My friend is pretty savvy and he was telling me I should build a desktop instead. It appears that it more in line with the opinions here. I don't have any experience building computers, but my friend said he could help me. Would that be a much better alternative considering my $1100 budget?

Oh HELL yes. If building a desktop is an option, you'll get a far better gaming rig for your money than you will with a laptop.
We have a couple of posters here who are tops at putting together suggestions for builds based on your budget and location.

Please post answers to the questions found in this thread:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121

 

[andrewdodd39]

A desktop would be better and you can get much better performance for the same amount of money you would have spent on a laptop.

I think my parents would like me building my own computer as well, more educational than dropping a grand on a prebuilt gaming netbook. For my price range, though, how much could I do? I could always upgrade later, I suppose. I've been looking at some parts, but I don't know how they would all work together, as I have no experience or know how. Assume me to know nothing. If building a gaming PC, how do these parts seem?

Motherboard
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+A...4#BVRRWidgetID

Processor
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/AMD+-+Bl...6#BVRRWidgetID

Hard Drive (I don't need much, but SSD is attractive)
http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/m...e/MZ-5PA128/US

Case
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Thermalt...&skuId=8763126

DVD Drive
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+24x...&skuId=9402247

RAM (only 1 stick, I know. I can upgrade later)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Corsair+...&skuId=1853383

Graphics Card
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/PNY+-+NV...x#BVRRWidgetID

Power Supply
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Corsair+...ustomerreviews

And I still need Windows 7 Home Ultimate, USB Ports, a monitor, cables and God knows what else.