Best Gaming Ultrabooks

[gilroycardoz]

Which is the latest best Gaming Ultrabook with high end graphics. I glanced a few ASUS / MSI / Gigabyte models but requesting advice on the best from the lot

I am looking out for distinct features in it like

1. Intel i7-4770K / 4771 (if released) or whichever used in the Ultrabook (I am unaware of the series in details)

2. High end graphics included like GTX 780 series

3. Ethernet Thunderbolt / Killer (not sure which is better)

4. High Quality Sound 7.1 or better

5. Super Raid 2 technology or equivalent or better

6. Good WiFi, BT, USB 3.0, webcam, mic, SATA, iEEE....

7. Widescreen but Light in weight

8. Should function primarily for gaming and secondary for computer applications resource hungry

 

[twitch_uk]

I don't believe there is such a thing as a Geforce GT 780M, and the GTX 780M is estimated to have a TDP of ~100W. That's unfortunately way too high for an Ultrabook. A 4770K can dissipate ~84W, which is also way too high for an Ultrabook.

If you want an Ultrabook, you'll have to accept low- to mid-range performance, in both CPU and GPU, at best.

 

[gilroycardoz]

I don't believe there is such a thing as a Geforce GT 780M, and the GTX 780M is estimated to have a TDP of ~100W. That's unfortunately way too high for an Ultrabook. A 4770K can dissipate ~84W, which is also way too high for an Ultrabook.

If you want an Ultrabook, you'll have to accept low- to mid-range performance, in both CPU and GPU, at best.

My bad i mentioned GT 780 instead of GTX 780 series.
If not in ultrabook then what options in laptops/notebooks?

 

[jaguarskx]

FORCE / MSI 16F4 (54-018) 780M (MSI GT60 Barebones) - $1,635 base. This is a 7.71lbs laptop because the GTX 780m outputs a lot of heat which means a big / heavy heatsink.

http/www.xoticpc.com/force-msi-16f4-54018-780m-msi-gt60-barebones-p-5820.html?wconfigure=yes

 

[twitch_uk]

Basically, in a laptop chassis, there is a limit to how much power can be safely dissipated. Trying to dissipate too much power for a given chassis size will shorten the lifetime of components that get the hottest (usually the GPU). Most laptop builders will put in components that total no more than about 120W for a normal 15.6" chassis. If you look carefully at what is on offer right now, you'll generally see GTX 750Ms and GTX 765Ms in 15.6" gaming laptops and 770Ms and 780Ms in 17" gaming laptops.

There are exceptions, though, where the manufacturer has provided heavyweight cooling. For example, in another thread there's a guy with a 15.6" MSI machine with a GTX 780M, but it's considerably thicker and heavier than a normal 15.6" laptop. That's probably due to extra cooling.

Ultrabooks have to conform to Intel's Ultrabook spec, which doesn't allow much power. I think the maximum allowed power for an Ultrabook CPU is 17W, for example. I don't know what the Ultrabook spec has to say about GPU power, but it's probably a similar small number.

 

[gilroycardoz]

Basically, in a laptop chassis, there is a limit to how much power can be safely dissipated. Trying to dissipate too much power for a given chassis size will shorten the lifetime of components that get the hottest (usually the GPU). Most laptop builders will put in components that total no more than about 120W for a normal 15.6" chassis. If you look carefully at what is on offer right now, you'll generally see GTX 750Ms and GTX 765Ms in 15.6" gaming laptops and 770Ms and 780Ms in 17" gaming laptops.

There are exceptions, though, where the manufacturer has provided heavyweight cooling. For example, in another thread there's a guy with a 15.6" MSI machine with a GTX 780M, but it's considerably thicker and heavier than a normal 15.6" laptop. That's probably due to extra cooling.

Ultrabooks have to conform to Intel's Ultrabook spec, which doesn't allow much power. I think the maximum allowed power for an Ultrabook CPU is 17W, for example. I don't know what the Ultrabook spec has to say about GPU power, but it's probably a similar small number.

I agree... but as I need to balance my personal need (gaming) along with my professional needs (IT software development and management) i was looking for the best in both.

If feasible can you link a few products which would meet the above required

Thank you

 

[gilroycardoz]

Basically, in a laptop chassis, there is a limit to how much power can be safely dissipated. Trying to dissipate too much power for a given chassis size will shorten the lifetime of components that get the hottest (usually the GPU). Most laptop builders will put in components that total no more than about 120W for a normal 15.6" chassis. If you look carefully at what is on offer right now, you'll generally see GTX 750Ms and GTX 765Ms in 15.6" gaming laptops and 770Ms and 780Ms in 17" gaming laptops.

There are exceptions, though, where the manufacturer has provided heavyweight cooling. For example, in another thread there's a guy with a 15.6" MSI machine with a GTX 780M, but it's considerably thicker and heavier than a normal 15.6" laptop. That's probably due to extra cooling.

Ultrabooks have to conform to Intel's Ultrabook spec, which doesn't allow much power. I think the maximum allowed power for an Ultrabook CPU is 17W, for example. I don't know what the Ultrabook spec has to say about GPU power, but it's probably a similar small number.

I agree... but as I need to balance my personal need (gaming) along with my professional needs (IT software development and management) i was looking for the best in both.

If feasible can you link a few products which would meet the above required

Thank you

 

[twitch_uk]

You have pretty much the same needs as me, then. I've been looking at 15.6" gaming laptops, and I reckon any gaming laptop is more than good enough for software and FPGA development. So I quite like the look of

http/3xs.scan.co.uk/ConfigureSystem.asp?SystemID=1607

Here's an atypical 15.6" model, seems to be heavier and thicker, probably for extra cooling:

http/www.msi.com/product/nb/GT60-2OD.html#specification

If you hauled that into a meeting you might get laughed at, though.

You can find very similar spec'ed models from Asus, Sager etc. The problem is, I'm wary of buying another one without being sure that it's not going to overheat and die. I think that's what happened to my last one. So I'm wondering if I should go for a 15.6" model with a GT 750M. It's rather less powerful than the 765M, but it should not be prone to overheating and still able to scratch the gaming itch with older games like Fallout New Vegas, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. etc.

It seems to me that the choices are

(a) moderate performance, (Haswell MQ CPU, GT 750M), reasonable portability, enough for older games; reliability should be OK
(b) high performance, (Haswell MQ CPU, GTX 765M), reasonable portability but a risk of unreliability, especially if you don't keep it totally dust-free
(c) high performance (Haswell MQ CPU or better, GTX 780M), ridiculously big and heavy chassis + likely very loud fan

Some people seem to have better luck than me, so don't take my word for it about reliability.

 

[lightsong]

The new Razer Blade, MSI GS70, Gigabyte P35k, Asus UX51VZ (hoping this gets a haswell update real soon)

There may be more to this list, but I haven't been able to find them. These are the best "gaming" ultrabooks you can find currently. Keep in mind a couple are not out yet, and you wont get any for sub $2,000

There are some lightweight ish non ultrabook options out there... take a look at sager, MSI

 

[Fortisslayer]

nooooo razorblade overpriced piece of flimsy rubbish....2k usd for a 660m...crazy devs

 

[lightsong]

You may think its overpriced (and maybe it is) but there are not many options out there like it. Find something that thin and lightweight with better spec's

 

[Fortisslayer]

it certainly slim but imo slimness isnt worth what $800 more than a laptop with the same spec

 

[lightsong]

That much room left in my backpack, and it only weights 4.1 pounds... worth it to me . But I agree its not worth it to everyone. My campus is big and there is no parking, the extra 3 pounds and room for books makes a huge difference

 

[gilroycardoz]

The new Razer Blade, MSI GS70, Gigabyte P35k, Asus UX51VZ (hoping this gets a haswell update real soon)

There may be more to this list, but I haven't been able to find them. These are the best "gaming" ultrabooks you can find currently. Keep in mind a couple are not out yet, and you wont get any for sub $2,000

There are some lightweight ish non ultrabook options out there... take a look at sager, MSI

Thanks for providing the information

I kinda liked the Razer Blade Pro rather than the Razer Blade.

Regarding, the MSI GS70 Stealth, I could not find the specs for it.

 

[lightsong]

MSI GS70 should have haswell, i7, nvidia 7xxM, SSD, the rest will be the norm. And it'll start around 2,000. I don't think its actually released yet, same w/ the gigabyte laptop

 

[mauri23]

I've your same needs, and recently I discovered a potential candidate: Samsung Ativ 8
Here's tecnical spec:
http/www.samsung.com/us/computer/pcs/NP880Z5E-X01UB

This device surely matches most of the points you've posted.

The bottleneck of the ultrabook is probably hdd, which is only 5400rpm. But that's a small problem, since you can change it whenever you want (you'd change it with an ssd as soon as prices are acceptable)

I've not bought it yet, but I'm seriously intentioned to do.
In Italy the ultrabook's price is about 1300/1400€.

What do you think about it?

Maurizio