Jump to content

Game Dev Mobile Workstation Recommendations?

MikeManahan
By MikeManahan
in Laptops and Pre-Built Systems
 Share
Posted

Hey guys,

 

Just graduated Full Sail University. I'm looking for a new mobile workstation as I enter into the industry as a game developer. Currently I have a HP ZBook G2 that is 3 years old with these specs:

Processor
  • Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4710MQ CPU @ 2.50GHz
Video Card
  • Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
Video Card #2
  • AMD Firepro M6100
RAM
  • 16 GB
Operating System
  • Microsoft Windows 10 (build 10240), 64-bit
 
It was okay for university but it always runs extremely hot when I do development in Unreal or Unity and the engines crash frequently. I want a workstation that is going to:
  • Keep quiet while developing (failing that, at least keep cool)
  • Be able to test levels/scenes/etc smoothly
  • Have a Large Screen
  • Have a quality keyboard (my left ctrl and left alt keys have fallen off)
  • Terabyte of memory
  • Under $2500 (Willing to negotiate on this)
  • Last at least 5 years

I'm also wondering how much I can get for my laptop. The plastic grate on the left side has fallen off and the left ctrl and left alt keys are missing but other than that it's in good condition. How much do you think I could get for it? Maybe $750?

 

Really appreciate you reading this post, have a great day!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
18 minutes ago, MikeManahan said:

Just graduated Full Sail University

Congrations! :D, but i can't help you :(.

I may be wrong.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
22 minutes ago, MikeManahan said:

Hey guys,

 

Just graduated Full Sail University. I'm looking for a new mobile workstation as I enter into the industry as a game developer. Currently I have a HP ZBook G2 that is 3 years old with these specs:

Processor
  • Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4710MQ CPU @ 2.50GHz
Video Card
  • Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
Video Card #2
  • AMD Firepro M6100
RAM
  • 16 GB
Operating System
  • Microsoft Windows 10 (build 10240), 64-bit
 
It was okay for university but it always runs extremely hot when I do development in Unreal or Unity and the engines crash frequently. I want a workstation that is going to:
  • Keep quiet while developing (failing that, at least keep cool)
  • Be able to test levels/scenes/etc smoothly
  • Have a Large Screen
  • Have a quality keyboard (my left ctrl and left alt keys have fallen off)
  • Terabyte of memory
  • Under $2500 (Willing to negotiate on this)
  • Last at least 5 years

I'm also wondering how much I can get for my laptop. The plastic grate on the left side has fallen off and the left ctrl and left alt keys are missing but other than that it's in good condition. How much do you think I could get for it? Maybe $750?

 

Really appreciate you reading this post, have a great day!

If you're in the US you won't get anywhere close to $750.  Maybe $150 if you're lucky.  The damage is gonna make anyone steer clear of your laptop.  

 

Also, if you're in the US you should be able to get a powerful laptop with that budget.  It might be worth considering the option of getting a laptop with Thunderbolt so that you can use an external graphics card that be upgraded in the future.  I'd imagine the machine alone will be plenty strong, but having the ability to supplement it with an external GPU should prove useful now and/or down the road.  

 

I'd avoid something that's thinner and look for something with more substantial cooling also.  Below is just one example.

 

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/alienware-17/spd/alienware-17-laptop/dkcwcflg033v2seq4

AMD Ryzen 5800X|  Fractal Design S36 360 AIO w/6 Corsair SP120L fans  |  Asus Crosshair VII WiFi X470  |  G.SKILL TridentZ 4400CL19 2x8GB @ 3800MHz 14-14-14-14-30  |  EVGA 3080 FTW3 Hybrid  |  Samsung 970 EVO M.2 NVMe 500GB - Boot Drive  |  Samsung 850 EVO SSD 1TB - Game Drive  |  Seagate 1TB HDD - Media Drive  |  EVGA 650 G3 PSU | Thermaltake Core P3 Case 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

depends on the engine.. im gonna assume Unreal Engine cause its what i use

 

ryzen 5 2600

2x8gb ddr4 3200mhz

gtx 1060 6gb

2tb hdd

500gb ssd

 

edit: plus it is way under your budget

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　Quote for a reply　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

 

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　 Ask for discord　  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
Just now, OnyxArmos said:

You make stuff on Unreal engine? Whoa cool 

not often.. my laptop cant handle it which is why im saving up for a new PC

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　Quote for a reply　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

 

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　 Ask for discord　  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author
Quote

not often.. my laptop cant handle it which is why im saving up for a new PC

I'm looking for a laptop that can handle Unreal Engine. Do you have any recommendations?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
6 hours ago, MikeManahan said:

Last at least 5 years

No one can guarantee this

 

Do you need Quadro? Any preference on weight and battery life?

Desktop specs:

Spoiler

AMD Ryzen 5 5600 Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB Gigabyte B550M DS3H mATX

Asrock Challenger Pro OC Radeon RX 6700 XT Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (8Gx2) 3600MHz CL18 Kingston NV2 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD

Montech Century 850W Gold Tecware Nexus Air (Black) ATX Mid Tower

Laptop: Lenovo Ideapad 5 Pro 16ACH6

Phone: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro 8+128

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Laptops and Pre-Built Systems

×