Cheap Gaming Laptop

[Nicholas Liedorff]

Hey Im looking for a cheap gaming laptop, under $600 dollars. I want to play FPS such as Bo2, BF3/BF4(when it comes out). I am open to all suggestions, preferably windows 8 OS! Thanks!

 

[DarkSable]

The reason I took the i5 is because core-for-core, the i5 is significantly faster than an AMD offering. Since many games only use two threads, and most can't use more than 4, the i5 is the way to go. (This is reflected in most builds on Tom's.) If you're doing video editing or other heavily-multithreaded tasks, a FX 8350 will be a good choice, but just for gaming, the i5 will be significantly faster.

As for how important the processor is, it's sort of like RAM - as long as you have enough, adding more doesn't help, but if you don't have enough, then you get huge performance gains by adding more. The i5 is that top sweet spot.

 

[Nicholas Liedorff]

The reason I took the i5 is because core-for-core, the i5 is significantly faster than an AMD offering. Since many games only use two threads, and most can't use more than 4, the i5 is the way to go. (This is reflected in most builds on Tom's.) If you're doing video editing or other heavily-multithreaded tasks, a FX 8350 will be a good choice, but just for gaming, the i5 will be significantly faster.

As for how important the processor is, it's sort of like RAM - as long as you have enough, adding more doesn't help, but if you don't have enough, then you get huge performance gains by adding more. The i5 is that top sweet spot.

Okay this sounds great! thanks for the explanation also. With the i5 and the mobo listed, will I ever be restricted on GPU upgrades? And with the i5 will the GPU be able to do well (high) on games as graphic intensive as BF3 and future games (BF4)?

 

[DarkSable]

As for GPU upgrades, you've got PCIe 3.0, so you'll be set for a while. The i5 is pretty much the fastest CPU out there for gaming right now (The i7 is no better at all), so you're going to be set for a while.

The GPU listed won't get you high graphics on games, but if you upgrade to a 7870 XT or better, then you'll be good.

 

[Nicholas Liedorff]

As for GPU upgrades, you've got PCIe 3.0, so you'll be set for a while. The i5 is pretty much the fastest CPU out there for gaming right now (The i7 is no better at all), so you're going to be set for a while.

The GPU listed won't get you high graphics on games, but if you upgrade to a 7870 XT or better, then you'll be good.

The 7870 XT is pretty far out of my financial reach right now. Would a Nvidia GeForce 650Ti Boost 2gb be 1. good and 2. compatible? Or can you recommend a GPU that will get me better performance while being under $170 dollar mark? And this is a little late to ask but just to clarify this build price is in USD, correct?

 

[DarkSable]

Build price is in usd, yeah.

The 650ti is a good card, but it's not going to get you high settings in battlefield 4. You've got to have a higher total budget to get that, which is why I'm recommending you save up to buy a good card.

 

[Nicholas Liedorff]

Would a $700-$800 dollar build get me there? $800 dollars is the absolute max.

 

[DarkSable]

Go with the build I gave you with the 7750 in it.

Wait for a few months and save up your money until you can afford a 7870 XT.

 

[Nicholas Liedorff]

Okay thanks for all of your help!

 

[DarkSable]

Of course!

I'm glad I could help you get the performance you were looking for.