Trying to decide on an under $400 laptop solution.

[salamakajakawaka]

Hi all,

I am trying to decide one what laptop to get for my girlfriend. She does a little gaming mostly on an mmo called perfect world. Currently I am stuck between two models. Links are below.

I am somewhat leaning towards this hp laptop because I like the price point and performance I have been hearing about the A series processors. I am a little skeptical on the clock speed and I am unsure as to whether it is a dual core or single core processor.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pa...wter/2715258.p?id=1218346636604&skuId=2715258

The phenom 3 ghz dual core seems like a beast but the gpu for this one seems like weaksauce. I am not sure though because all benchmarks I have found have been with lesser laptops (usually with ddr2 ram) in which the memory speed would hurt the performance of the gpu.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215126

Any info on the acer models gpu or the a-series core # would be appreciated. Also any input would be great.

Thanks all.

 

[WR2]

Hello salamakajakawaka;

On the Big List of Mobile Processors benchmark scores:
Phenom II X2 N660 is ranked #81 and [strike]AMD A4-3310MX is ranked #198[/strike], AMD A4-3300M is ranked #208.
I think that HP Pavilion g4-1117dx has the default A4-3300M and not the slightly more powerful A4-3310MX which is an option. [strike]BestBuy site doesn't specify what APU it actually has. [/strike] Yes they do, just not in the spec section.
While the N660 vs A4-3300M is pretty large it's not a total stomping in processor power.
It's just that they're both kinda weak, dropping down so low.

GPU wise the Radeon HD 6480G has a nice lead over the old HD 4250.
Comparison of Laptop Graphics Cards
HD 4250 is a 5% rating
HD 6480G is a 16% rating
(when compared to a HD 6990M Crossfire notebook)
Both are 'Class 3' but 6480G near the top of the class and HD 4250 right at the bottom.

 

[WR2]

HP Pavilion g4-1117dx 14-Inch Laptop Review mini-review

 

[WR2]

Are these still the current version Perfect World system requirements?
If so both laptops appear to be comfortably above the Recommended Specification.

What is she using now?

 

[salamakajakawaka]

She is using her desktop which happens to be an old athlon x2 it runs it on the low side.

 

[WR2]

Which CPU and graphics card?

 

[salamakajakawaka]

Sorry I don't know the model number off hand but it is a 2.00 ghz athlon xii. There is no dedicated graphics card in her pc. I know either laptop is gonna be an upgrade for her but I suppose the llano APu would be a little better for gaming.

Anyone object to going with the hp laptop?

 

[WR2]

The Llano A4-3300M APU is going to be REAL close to a 2Ghz Athlon X2 desktop CPU in performance.
That big list of CPU benchmarks shows the desktop AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ 2.2Ghz CPU @ #213

 

[WR2]

Acer Aspire AS5750Z 15" notebook $350
Pentium B940(2.00GHz) CPU 4GB RAM 320GB HDD 5400rpm 15.6" 1366x768 LCD w/ Intel HD Graphics
This is a budget entry level Sandy Bridge CPU. It's #121 on the CPU benchmark list.

Without knowing the GPU on the old desktop it's kinda hard to guess how much better it would be at PW MMO.
I know the MMO type RPGs favor faster CPUs for increased performance.

 

[salamakajakawaka]

Best answer selected by salamakajakawaka.

 

[salamakajakawaka]

Thanks all we went with the hp one. Surprisingly a lot of computer for the price. We had this puppy running brink on full at 720p at a playable frame rate. Really impressed with the a-series APU.