Laptops for Architecture Software! Help!

SG63 · August 6, 2020

My old dell has finally been broken in too many ways to be worth paying them a crazy amount to fix it, so I've decided to invest in a new laptop. However, I need one that will suffice (and not be outdated by next year) when running modeling programs like Rhino3D and Revit as well as rendering programs like Lumion10 and Twinmotion. My price range is also limited since I'm a student (below approx. $1600), so I need help getting the most bang for my buck!

What I've gathered so far is that the RTX series outperforms the GTX series for architecture programs, and I can't afford anything in the Quadro range. Also, I've concluded that hybrid drives are better in general, like 1TB HDD + 512GB SSD. Right? I'll also most likely be expanding RAM to 32GB when I save some more money, so all of these 16GB will be upgraded eventually.

Here are some links to units I've been looking at. Please help me review and give input on these options, suggest others, or give general input on what to look for/avoid in a unit that will best help with these heavy softwares!

MSI GL75 Leopard ($1500)

Intel Core i7 10th Gen 10750H (2.60 GHz)
GeForce RTX 2070 8 GB GDDR6
16 GB DDR4 2666 MHz RAM (upgradable)
Memory 1 TB HDD 512 GB NVMe SSD

ASUS ROG Strix Hero III ($1550)

Intel 9th Gen Core i7-9750H
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 8 GB GDDR6
16 GB DDR4 2666 MHz RAM
512 GB PCIe SSD

Lenovo Legion 5 ($1400)

Intel Core i7 10th Gen 10750H (2.60 GHz)
GeForce RTX 2060 6 GB GDDR6
16 GB DDR4 2666
1 TB HDD + 256 GB SSD

ASUS TUF ($1440)

AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 2060 6 GB GDDR6
32GB DDR4 2666
512GB SSD+1TB HDD

How do these look? Please help me figure this out so that I can purchase it before the semester starts.

Thank you!!!

5x5 · August 6, 2020

All of them are shit value.

The mobile 2060 is not really that much faster than 1660 Ti due to power limits. Look for a properly cooled Ryzen and 1660 Ti model. An example is the HP Omen 15 or the Asus Zephyrus G14/15. Also consider the Eluktronics RP-15. And you can skip intel options as a whole. The i7 10750H is slower than the Ryzen 5 4600H while the i7 is hotter and has worse battery life. The 7nm Renoir COUs from AMD are extremely good in laptops and deliver dekstop-like performance for less money.

The Sloth · August 6, 2020

as someone already suggested Asus Zephyrus G14, 2060 will be really good for what you do. If you want a quadro, look at refurbshed Thinkpad P series.

SG63 · August 7, 2020

Thank you both! After reading your input, I did a bit more research and uncovered exactly what you told me about the performance of these two processors. Insane how intel is lagging behind AMD- I had not realized.

As for the suggestions, I am a bit fixed on the RTX 2060 or 2070 (as The Sloth recommended) because the software manufacturers recommend the RTX over all else, especially in laptops!

Additionally, I really liked the Eluktronics RP-15. A good combo of processor and GPU, but i couldn't find one with a hybrid drive or a built in webcam? The Zephyrus seemed great, but it was lacking a few things (like a built-in webcam, again, needed for classes). Overall, though, I think it's the top pick for me despite the RAM being 1/2 integrated and 1/2 dedicated, making it expandable only to 40GB if I drop a bunch of cash on a 32GB stick.

Thank you for helping me! I've learned a lot based on your recommendations. Very much appreciated!