Student Laptop for Gaming

[jigglekoala]

Hi. I am a student who travels across the country a couple times a year and would like a gaming laptop as a combined B-day/Christmas present (since they are a week apart). A desktop is, unfortunately, not an option for me. Anyways, I have a lot of music, so I would need enough space for both music and games, and a portable laptop is a plus, but not a must, as I do have a cheap laptop that functions fine for portability and homework. Money is not a huge problem, but my parents are not willing to pay more than around $1500-1700 (I can chip in a little if it gets closer to or above $2000, but I would prefer to spend that money on peripherals). What are your suggestions?

[Enderman]

How about an ROG notebook? Or is that too thick for your portability preferences?

[TheKDub]

Lenovo y50 4k version

[SImoHayha]

why don't you try this this website and customize a laptop to your liking ?

 

www.xoticpc.com

[Castdeath97]

I found this

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS70-2OD-001US-17-3-Inch-i7-4700HQ/dp/B00ENL0CH8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1417234578&sr=8-5&keywords=msi+gs70+stealth

[jigglekoala]

How about an ROG notebook? Or is that too thick for your portability preferences?

Do you have a particular one in mind? There are so many different options it has been a little hard for me. I am sure that you guys know better than I do (I know a lot about desktop rigs but nearly nothing about laptops).

[jigglekoala]

Lenovo y50 4k version

I have heard that this doesn't run games too well. Everything else about the laptop seems great, though. I don't know...

[jigglekoala]

I found this

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS70-2OD-001US-17-3-Inch-i7-4700HQ/dp/B00ENL0CH8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1417234578&sr=8-5&keywords=msi+gs70+stealth

I like this one a lot! I have done a little bit of research on this one and it seems to get the job done quite well. The 17 inches may be a small issue, though. Does anyone have a thin 17-inch like this one? I have never seen a 17-inch other than my friends bulky Alienware *shudders* and he doesn't bother to carry it around.

[Enderman]

Do you have a particular one in mind? There are so many different options it has been a little hard for me. I am sure that you guys know better than I do (I know a lot about desktop rigs but nearly nothing about laptops).

I dont know all the models, but these are some things that can narrow it down for you:

-17.3" screen (ersonally i find 15.6" too small for productivity)

-1080p (720 is too low, but higher than 1080p is not really necessary on a small 17.3" screen like that)

-i7 CPU

-860M or better

-long battery life

-you choose the budget

-also consider weight

[jigglekoala]

I found this

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS70-2OD-001US-17-3-Inch-i7-4700HQ/dp/B00ENL0CH8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1417234578&sr=8-5&keywords=msi+gs70+stealth

 

I like this one a lot! I have done a little bit of research on this one and it seems to get the job done quite well. The 17 inches may be a small issue, though. Does anyone have a thin 17-inch like this one? I have never seen a 17-inch other than my friends bulky Alienware *shudders* and he doesn't bother to carry it around.

Also, how is the GTX 765M?

[jigglekoala]

I found this

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS70-2OD-001US-17-3-Inch-i7-4700HQ/dp/B00ENL0CH8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1417234578&sr=8-5&keywords=msi+gs70+stealth

What do you guys think about this: http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS70-STEALTH-PRO-003-9S7-177314-003/dp/B00O65HR6A/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1417235759&sr=8-8&keywords=msi+gs70+stealth

 

Seems like a great deal compared to the previous, especially considering the jump in storage and graphics, as well as the slightly faster processor.

[STRMfrmXMN]

Also, how is the GTX 765M?

What about an MSI Apache? http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS70-STEALTH-037-17-3-Inch-Laptop/dp/B00JKCHRXC/ref=sr_1_10?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1417236467&sr=1-10&keywords=msi+gaming+laptop

 

Also, try to get one of the newer GPUs if you can. 

[Castdeath97]

Also, how is the GTX 765M?

I though it had something newer damn it, no I don't think the 765m will make the cut. I'll try to look for something different.

[STRMfrmXMN]

What do you guys think about this: http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS70-STEALTH-PRO-003-9S7-177314-003/dp/B00O65HR6A/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1417235759&sr=8-8&keywords=msi+gs70+stealth

 

Seems like a great deal compared to the previous, especially considering the jump in storage and graphics, as well as the slightly faster processor.

Win. Get that one right there. Good laptop.

[Castdeath97]

What about an MSI Apache? http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS70-STEALTH-037-17-3-Inch-Laptop/dp/B00JKCHRXC/ref=sr_1_10?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1417236467&sr=1-10&keywords=msi+gaming+laptop

 

Also, try to get one of the newer GPUs if you can. 

My friend has an apache, I can fully recommend it no problem.

[Castdeath97]

Win. Get that one right there. Good laptop.

A bit higher than your suggested budget, but totally worth it.

[STRMfrmXMN]

A bit higher than your suggested budget, but totally worth it.

He said he could chip in a few extra bucks.

[jigglekoala]

Alright. I think I've narrowed it down to a few. I think that I have a pretty good idea of the pros and cons of each, but let me know what you guys think. I will probably bring all five of these options to my parents anyways, but it would be good to know what you guys think of them too. Thanks so much for your help.

 

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS70-STEALTH-PRO-003-9S7-177314-003/dp/B00O65HR6A/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1417235759&sr=8-8&keywords=msi+gs70+stealth

 

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS60-GHOST-003-9S7-16H212-003-15-6-Inch/dp/B00IQ4H7E4/ref=sr_1_14?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1417237618&sr=1-14&keywords=msi+15+inch#productDetails

 

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS60-Pro-052-15-6-Inch-Aluminum/dp/B00JKCHT1C/ref=sr_1_12?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1417237618&sr=1-12&keywords=msi+15+inch

 

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS60-3K-097-Gaming-Notebook/dp/B00JSA1PH0/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1417238301&sr=1-3&keywords=MSI+G+Series+GS60+Ghost+Pro-052

 

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS60-Ghost-Pro-064-15-6-Inch/dp/B00OBQ5YM8/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1417237618&sr=1-6&keywords=msi+15+inch

[TheKDub]

I have heard that this doesn't run games too well. Everything else about the laptop seems great, though. I don't know...

 

You can always crank it back to 1080p when gaming, it would look exactly the same as the 1080p model would, except without the yellow tint I've heard of the 1080p model having.

[jigglekoala]

You can always crank it back to 1080p when gaming, it would look exactly the same as the 1080p model would, except without the yellow tint I've heard of the 1080p model having.

I heard that DirectX 11 games run in the middle of the screen when dropped down to 1080p. Otherwise, I would consider it. Has there been a patch for this?

[jigglekoala]

So I think I'm leaning towards the MSI GS60 Ghost Pro-052. I know it's not 3K, but to me, that almost seems like a plus as most reviews seem to say that laptop gaming is not ready for 3K just yet. The 12 GB of RAM vs 16 GB doesn't seem like a huge deal and the graphics card still packs a punch. The price seems reasonable too. Also, the computer won't be pushing its limits to play games in such a high resolution like the higher-end models, so it won't be as hot. Besides, 1080p is still great for gaming. What do you guys think?

 

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS60-Pro-052-15-6-Inch-Aluminum/dp/B00JKCHT1C/ref=sr_1_12?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1417237618&sr=1-12&keywords=msi+15+inch

[applesuxD]

I suggest gigabyte and msi laptops

Auroua from gigabyte

And MSI gt or gs series

If u are willing to spend 2000

Gigabyte aurous series produce the best

[jigglekoala]

Alright. I think that I'm down to four. I would appreciate some feedback.

 

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS60-Pro-052-15-6-Inch-Aluminum/dp/B00JKCHT1C/ref=sr_1_12?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1417237618&sr=1-12&keywords=msi+15+inch#Ask

This one is 1080p. I heard that there are some scaling issues, so 1080p almost seems like a better bet.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152593

Better processor, more space, and 3k display. I don't know if 3K is a good idea, though. Especially with an 870m.

 

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS60-GHOST-PRO-044-9S7-16H512-044/dp/B00O4ORONE/ref=cm_cd_ql_qh_dp_t

1080p with a 970m. 12GB RAM

 

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GS60-GHOST-3K-046-9S7-16H512-046/dp/B00O65HVY8

3K version with 16GB RAM.

 

My main issues are whether or not to go with a better graphics card and whether or not to go with a 1080p display or a 3K display. My reasoning is that the 970m seems to mostly solve the heat issues, but is it worth the extra money? Also, the 3K display supposedly is hard for the computer to keep up with and gamers generally scale down to 1080p when gaming due to scaling issues and also to allow the computer to keep up and not overheat. What do you guys think?

 

[manny8083]

Lenovo y50 4k version

Gaming is terrible on the Lenovo 4k, gtx 860m can't handle it

[TheKDub]

Gaming is terrible on the Lenovo 4k, gtx 860m can't handle it

 

Do people realize that even though the laptop has a 4K panel in it, does NOT mean you have to game at 4K, you can crank it back to 1080p or whatever it is that the game looks and performs best at.