New Laptop Recommendation

[Anthony Palmer]

Hi,

I've currently got a HP Envy 15 with i7 2.4/3.4ghz with 16gb DDR3 a GT740m and a 256gb SSD, I'm looking for a new laptop preferably under £1000. I've seen one from Cube Chameleon GTX-7 Series which has a slightly faster CPU and a GT860m for £720 (without os and harddrive and ram will be using the old systems parts) just wondering if anyone has any experience with these laptops or suggestions for others? don't mind buying custom builds just want something that'll give me 2yrs at least of gaming.

Anthony

 

[psycrow395]

hello there if your looking for something newer and if i understand your price in us dollars 1000$ then i would recommend something like this

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232195

now it wont run newer games on high settings but it is better than what you have by far and if u want custom built try xoticpc.com or ibuypower.com those 2 places let you customize and build laptops hope this helps

 

[Solandri]

Most of the off-brand laptops are rebadges of Clevo/Sager models. I can't find a good pic of the Cube Chameleon GTX-7 so I can't tell you if that's the case here. But if it is, you should be able to get more feedback on the performance and build quality by searching for the equivalent Clevo model.

Be aware that there are two version of the 860m. One is Kepler-based and runs hot. The other is Maxwell based and is probably the best mid-tier laptop GPU at the moment (waiting for nVidia to release the 960m/965m - the 970m is nearly 2x as fast as the 860m). Performance is about the same, but the Maxwell version runs substantially cooler.
http/www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Nvidia-GeForce-GTX-860M-Maxwell-vs-Kepler.114908.0.html

 

[Anthony Palmer]

Most of the off-brand laptops are rebadges of Clevo/Sager models. I can't find a good pic of the Cube Chameleon GTX-7 so I can't tell you if that's the case here. But if it is, you should be able to get more feedback on the performance and build quality by searching for the equivalent Clevo model.

Be aware that there are two version of the 860m. One is Kepler-based and runs hot. The other is Maxwell based and is probably the best mid-tier laptop GPU at the moment (waiting for nVidia to release the 960m/965m - the 970m is nearly 2x as fast as the 860m). Performance is about the same, but the Maxwell version runs substantially cooler.
http/www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Nvidia-GeForce-GTX-860M-Maxwell-vs-Kepler.114908.0.html

Hi there, thanks for the info I've been looking into these gpu's for a few weeks and was aware of the kepler/Maxwell differences. Was checking mainly to make sure the 800's weren't rebadged 700's with newer stats. I'm happy with a 860 Maxwell though I don't know if this custom system will be a Maxwell. I'm guessing not most likely. I think it is a clevo model. I've checked out a lot of benchmarks and as much as I'd like a 970/80 I don't think many laptops under a £1000 are going to include those parts. After this HP Envy which I was happy with till I found out how low the GPU ranked compared to even the 760m made me really annoyed. I won't make the same mistake again. The screen "touchsmart" also let the laptop down as its stuck on low resolution has awful angles of view and isn't even full hd.

I wish I knew how to build one,

 

[Solandri]

I'm happy with a 860 Maxwell though I don't know if this custom system will be a Maxwell. I'm guessing not most likely. I think it is a clevo model. I've checked out a lot of benchmarks and as much as I'd like a 970/80 I don't think many laptops under a £1000 are going to include those parts.

In that case, check out the Sager NP8651 (Clevo P650SE). It's a 15.6" 970m laptop, 5.5 lbs so about as light as the Envy. I'm not sure of UK pricing, but it goes for about 1300 USD, which is about 850 GBP.
http/www.clevo.com/clevo_prodetail.asp?id=711&lang=en

Here's a review of a similar model with a UHD screen.
http/www.notebookcheck.net/Clevo-P651SE-Schenker-XMG-P505-Barebones-Notebook-Review.127978.0.html

A non-970m alternative is the Lenovo Y50. It's got a Maxwell 860m. The default screen sucks, but is really easy to replace by yourself for about $80. It's about 1100 USD at present.
https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BqVuCKew1E
http/forum.notebookreview.com/threads/y50-replacement-displays-compendium.755626/