Solved! Acer Aspire TimelineX AS3830TG vs. MSI X460DX

[dantheman1001]

Hey I'm trying to decide between these two computers; they're very similar. I'm looking for a laptop that can run Starcraft II and SWTOR at medium-high graphics, with a portable/slim form factor, and have good battery life. These both look perfect for what I want, at a reasonable price.

Acer Aspire TimelineX AS3830TG
http/www.amazon.com/Acer-TimelineX-AS3830TG-6431-13-3-Inch-Aluminum/dp/tech-data/B0051OL8R4/ref=de_a_smtd

MSI X460DX
http/www.msi.com/product/nb/X460DX.html#?div=Overview

Same processor, same Nvidia 540M 1GB GPU, similar dimensions and battery life. Amazon's selling the Acer for $750, plus the free xbox promotion for students. If the MSI price is significantly different, that could be a very convincing reason to get one or the other, but given the same prices, which would you buy and why?

 

[jaguarskx]

I would say that the MSI X460DX with an i5 and the nVidia GeForce GT540M discreet video card will probably be around $950 - $1000.

It is an ultra portable 14" laptop that's about 4.4lbs. Not many laptops with a 14" can that. The video card is considered to a fast mid level card for a laptop. That in itself carries a premium.

The MSI X460DX should be the laptop to buy since it can run StarCraft 2 on high settings with 30+ FPS.

The Intel HD 3000 in the Acer will only be good enough to run SC2 on low settings.

See below reviews of the two video solutions:

http/www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-540M.41715.0.html

http/www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-HD-Graphics-3000.37948.0.html

 

[dantheman1001]

Actually the Acer also has the GT540M as well as the Intel HD 3000 graphics

 

[jaguarskx]

Ah...

I didn't catch that. Then the MSI should only cost slightly more because of the 14" screen.

 

[dantheman1001]

I think my biggest concern is the throttling issue that occurs when gaming on a lot of the new sandy bridge laptops with discrete graphics cards. It's pretty well documented on the Acer. Many people seem to think that it's going to be a problem with a lot of the newer SB laptops in line to be released, including the Asus and MSI computers. It would be really nice not to have to mess with Throttlestop to use my computer as intended.

 

[jaguarskx]

Throttling is not just an issue with Acer Laptops. It's an issue with all or many laptops using the current Sandy Bridge CPU. Two solutions seems be:

1. Disable Speedstep, but that locks the CPU to the highest speed, even when idling. Reduces battery life as well.
2. Disable CPU Power Management, not the best solution since battery life is still affected.

If I had a Sandy Bridge laptop I would go with #2. But I would only disable CPU Power Management when the laptop is plugged into the AC outlet. It would be a hassle to keep switching on and off though.

 

[AndrewAmazed]

I would say that the MSI X460DX with an i5 and the nVidia GeForce GT540M discreet video card will probably be around $950 - $1000.

It is an ultra portable 14" laptop that's about 4.4lbs. Not many laptops with a 14" can that. The video card is considered to a fast mid level card for a laptop. That in itself carries a premium.

The MSI X460DX should be the laptop to buy since it can run StarCraft 2 on high settings with 30+ FPS.

The Intel HD 3000 in the Acer will only be good enough to run SC2 on low settings.

See below reviews of the two video solutions:

http/www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-540M.41715.0.html

http/www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-HD-Graphics-3000.37948.0.html

actually, there are different versions. The one he's looking into has the same 540M card that the MSI has.

 

[jaguarskx]

Yes, he has already pointed that out and I did state in a later post that I missed the 540M listed for the Acer.