Is this a good combo for a laptop for under $850?

[jacket79]

i7-4700MQ Processor
NVIDIA 840M with 2048MB of dedicated video memory
8GB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm)
15" display (1920x1080)

My house burglarized recently and I am looking into getting another laptop.
Nvidia 840M or 740M $10 difference or Intel integrated for $95 cheaper?
I will use it for photo editing and some video edits, basic graphic design and modeling, some gaming.

Any suggestions on if this is a good buy or another configuration that's cheaper or better?

 

[fatboyslimerr]

I would get GT 840M as it is based on the new Maxwell architecture which is incredibly energy efficient and runs cool. Performance may increase too as driver optimisations are released. No brainer! Get the newest tech

Rest of the build is great.

 

[Beezy]

unless you really are on the go go all the time, a desktop would really suit your needs better.

 

[AshyCFC]

Beezy is right, desktop would run circles around this laptop.

this is a great spec for a laptop though. where can this be found?

 

[Beezy]

this will make a great modeling laptop, but as for renders, the nature of laptops makes them not so great options. Renders, doesnt matter what kind of hardware you have, pushes the system hard and runs its hot, laptops get extra hot with that said. Running for 10+ hours at 100% could be bad (which is sometimes the case in big renders). for basic, entry level graphic design its great, for modeling it will do well too honestly, its just when it comes to rendering video, 3d animation, or 3d images with TONs of layers and physics based operations where i would worry.

 

[jacket79]

I would get GT 840M as it is based on the new Maxwell architecture which is incredibly energy efficient and runs cool. Performance may increase too as driver optimisations are released. No brainer! Get the newest tech

Rest of the build is great.

Thanks, I agree in newer tech is usually the way to go.

Beezy is right, desktop would run circles around this laptop.

this is a great spec for a laptop though. where can this be found?

I found it on HP's site, HP ENVY 15t-j100 Quad Edition, you have to customize the graphics card(95) and display(50) which adds about $145, but there is a $150 discount that's applied. I also added LoJack since realizing how hard it is to get electronics back after they are stolen, which added another $20, 50% off. I think it's on sale for a day or two.

this will make a great modeling laptop, but as for renders, the nature of laptops makes them not so great options. Renders, doesnt matter what kind of hardware you have, pushes the system hard and runs its hot, laptops get extra hot with that said. Running for 10+ hours at 100% could be bad (which is sometimes the case in big renders). for basic, entry level graphic design its great, for modeling it will do well too honestly, its just when it comes to rendering video, 3d animation, or 3d images with TONs of layers and physics based operations where i would worry.

Thanks for the input Beezy, I was leaning towards a desktop but I decided I needed the portability. I haven't gotten into the advanced rendering etc as I'm teaching myself and when I get to that step I'll invest in a Desktop. Hopefully build it myself, depending on what technology does in the next couple years, we'll see how that goes

 

[Beezy]

Thanks for the input Beezy, I was leaning towards a desktop but I decided I needed the portability. I haven't gotten into the advanced rendering etc as I'm teaching myself and when I get to that step I'll invest in a Desktop. Hopefully build it myself, depending on what technology does in the next couple years, we'll see how that goes

thats a really good plan, you can create hundreds of files "pending" for renders, and learn a lot in that time. Look into Sculptris for a GREAT amazing PLEASE DO NOT PASS IT UP free 3D modeling program. best entry into 3d sculpting. Blender, Maya, and Studio Max 2014 are all more robust suites for 3D modeling, and have an intense learning curve. starting with sculptris will help you out (plus you can use 3D printers to print your sculptris creations if you choose, no rendering needed for that).

Also that first laptop you posted with the i7 is MUCH stronger on the processor. much better choice. will make worlds of difference over that other envy you posted. the i5 is 4200M which is the lowest strength in the series they are offering, the i7 on the other hand is 4700 which is higher strength in its series (i5 X200M vs i7 X700MQ) first number is series (4XXX Haswell, 3XXX Ivy, 2XXX sandy) the second number indicates strength within the series.