Want new gaming laptop, confused regarding RAM difference, GPU ( 980 4gb vs 980 8gb vs 970 3/6 gb) and price differences

[cvvrsed]

Hi, want a new gaming laptop that on which to also do some home recording. Considering these:

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834315186

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA57X3GT0616

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834233082

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232849

The reason why I am confused is that I don't know whether the difference in GPU (980 4gb vs 980 8gb vs 970 3gb vs 970 vs 6gb) and the RAM difference is worth the price difference. It would be could to get something that will still be able to run games in a couple of years. (I guess I'm also eyeing some other models that are in the same range 1 300 - 1 600, but all have more or less the same specs, GPU and RAM difference)

 

[cvvrsed]

I'm actually confused whether I should limit myself to those models (970 and 980) at all or if there are any other GPUs that will hold their water for years that are cheaper.

 

[Dragos Manea]

I think the gigabyte with gtx 980 is the best, better video ram, today 4gb is a must have in videocards, in a few years 8gb will be a must have so better time endurance for the gigabyte.

 

[cvvrsed]

I think the gigabyte with gtx 980 is the best, better video ram, today 4gb is a must have in videocards, in a few years 8gb will be a must have so better time endurance for the gigabyte.

I was reading a bit on game debate and I tried comparing the cards:

http/www.game-debate.com/gpu/index.php?gid=3261&gid2=2443&compare=geforce-gtx-980-4gb-vs-geforce-gtx-980m-8gb

It says that the 4gb is better and that, amongst other things, about the 8gb: "The GPU accesses a 8GB frame buffer of fast GDDR5, through a 256-bit memory interface. The memory clock operates at 1253MHz. The size of the frame buffer is exaggerated and in no way adds extra performance.". It seems weird to me that the 4gb performs 38% better than the 8gb. Does this make sense?

 

[cvvrsed]

I guess I might've been wrong, the game debate page refers to the GTX 980, which is not the same thing as the GTX 980M (?). Would it be cheaper just to get the parts and build the laptop (I know that it isn't quite that simple, but provided that I put the time into learning how to appropriately do it).

 

[Dragos Manea]

If you want you can go on a cheaper notebook but with dedicated videocard and you buy a separate more powerful videocard but you have to document yourself very very well about motherboards and maximum power draw of the videocard.

 

[cvvrsed]

If you want you can go on a cheaper notebook but with dedicated videocard and you buy a separate more powerful videocard but you have to document yourself very very well about motherboards and maximum power draw of the videocard.

Thanks. Would you say that the SSD in the Asus ( http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232849 ) and the 8gb of extra RAM is worth the $50 in difference? The game debate page on the 980m 4GB states that there is no difference between the 4GB and 8GB models, which just seems odd to me, but it's also a reputable site.

 

[Dragos Manea]

Because right now games use about 3.3-3.7 GB video memory, but in the last year it increased from 1.5 to 3.7 in about 2 years or so right now there is no difference because no game uses more then 4GB but in the next year or so it will grow and i think it will reach 6GB soon, then you will see big differences.