First time upgrading to a gaming PC/Laptop

[Baseal13]

I wanted to get into VR gaming for a while, and about a month ago I decided to run a few tests to see if my current PC/laptop was VR compatible, and the only issue was that the graphics card needed to be upgraded. However due to the nature of the PC/laptop that I currently have, upgrading the graphics card isn't very feesible. The card is apparently integrated into the motherboard, so I can't just swap it out, and I basically have to upgrade in order to even play in VR. So I decided to get a VR compatible gaming laptop. However, even though I basically think I know what build I want to get, I'm not sure if it's the best thing to get with how much I plan on spending on it. The objective is to be able to play the Valve Index flawlessly, and nearly seamlessly, as well as being somewhat future proof in case newer vr headsets come out with a higher refresh rate. My budget it $3200 USD including tax. I'm willing to go maybe $200 USD more than that if it means something a bit better, however I would like a laptop. As it would allow me to be more mobile if I wanted to take my headset(s) around with me.

Included is a list of parts, and the current computer that I have my eye on.

Suggestions would be very helpful if it would mean that I'm able to get the most out of the money that I would be spending for this venture.

The cost of the build shown in this post is about $3200 USD after tax, with a coupon code for a discount.

[DailyProcrastinator]

Welcome to the forum!

1 minute ago, Baseal13 said:

I wanted to get into VR gaming for a while, and about a month ago I decided to run a few tests to see if my current PC/laptop was VR compatible, and the only issue was that the graphics card needed to be upgraded. However due to the nature of the PC/laptop that I currently have, upgrading the graphics card isn't very feesible.

TLDR.

 

Have you considered an external GPU+ enclosure? Yes, you lose some performance through the thunderbolt connection but it could be considered here.

[Baseal13]

1 minute ago, TheDailyProcrastinator said:

Welcome to the forum!

TLDR.

 

Have you considered an external GPU+ enclosure? Yes, you lose some performance through the thunderbolt connection but it could be considered here.

Thank you for the welcoming!

Could I please have some more information about that? 

This is basically the first time I've had to "build" a system for a specific purpose. I don't have any idea what I'm actually doing, even though I've watched a bunch of the videos that get posted. 

The laptop has (I believe) 3 USB 3.0 ports, and 1 USB-C port. Would the external GPU+ enclosure be plugged into the C port?

[Baseal13]

I've actually got a bunch of questions.

[DailyProcrastinator]

8 minutes ago, Baseal13 said:

Could I please have some more information about that? 

This is basically the first time I've had to "build" a system for a specific purpose. I don't have any idea what I'm actually doing, even though I've watched a bunch of the videos that get posted. 

The laptop has (I believe) 3 USB 3.0 ports, and 1 USB-C port. Would the external GPU+ enclosure be plugged into the C port?

This will provide a lot more info:

 

And for external solutions:

 

[jctappel67]

With that budget, the best laptop I know of is the Acer Predator Helios 700  with an RTX 2080 and a Intel Core i7 9750H:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Predator-Helios-PH717-71-75RX-Notebook/dp/B0869LYQ35/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=Acer+Predator+Helios+700+2080&qid=1586725368&s=pc&sr=1-5

[Kilrah]

13 minutes ago, Baseal13 said:

Could I please have some more information about that? 

The laptop has (I believe) 3 USB 3.0 ports, and 1 USB-C port. Would the external GPU+ enclosure be plugged into the C port?

His question was about using one with your current laptop instead. But we don't know what you have so it might not be an option.

 

I would not go with a laptop for that purpose.

[Baseal13]

3 minutes ago, Kilrah said:

His question was about using one with your current laptop instead. But we don't know what you have so it might not be an option.

 

I would not go with a laptop for that purpose.

Ohhh, that might work, but I'm not sure. The current laptop I have is an HP Pavilion 17 Notebook PC 

Product number K3N47AV

Serial number 5CD5203CCR

The external GPU enclosure seems a bit bulky for my needs. It would be nice if I was just trying to get an entry level of VR until I get something better. However I would like to/plan to spend the money on something a bit more portable. As that would match my needs a bit more. As I plan on basically investing in VR, I don't think the GPU enclosure fits my needs at this moment. The plan is that my first official VR headset is going to be a Valve index, with plans on maybe purchasing the newer Enterprise headset that was just announced for around $3200 USD. As I would be planning on moving around a bit, I want to be able to take my rig, and my VR setup with me wherever, and hauling something that's potentially around 15 pounds or so isn't going to be very helpful in that endeavor.

[Kilrah]

Thing is, depending on what games you want to play you'll already be limited with that machine on an Index, let alone with an even higher end headset later.

[Baseal13]

23 minutes ago, jctappel67 said:

With that budget, the best laptop I know of is the Acer Predator Helios 700  with an RTX 2080 and a Intel Core i7 9750H:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Predator-Helios-PH717-71-75RX-Notebook/dp/B0869LYQ35/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=Acer+Predator+Helios+700+2080&qid=1586725368&s=pc&sr=1-5

Those specs seem nice/okay. The laptop itself doesn't look as nice though, and there's no real option for customizing the build. Amazon is also known for price gouging, so I would like to not have to buy from them if I don't have to.

[Baseal13]

1 minute ago, Kilrah said:

Thing is, depending on what games you want to play you'll already be limited with that machine on an Index, let alone with an even higher end headset later.

Well the only actual games out for VR that I would be trying to play when I get the VR headset are probably half life Alex, beatsaber, VR chat, boneworks, and a couple of others. 

I figured that with the specs I have currently selected for the new laptop I would at least be able to play them smoothly.

If they're not up to par enough, what would you recommend? Would an external GPU enclosure help at all, even in the future?

[Kilrah]

Yes that should be pretty fine for now.

 

No a GPU enclosure won't help when you already have a 2080 built-in.

 

 

[jctappel67]

6 minutes ago, Baseal13 said:

Those specs seem nice/okay. The laptop itself doesn't look as nice though, and there's no real option for customizing the build. Amazon is also known for price gouging, so I would like to not have to buy from them if I don't have to.

MSI GS66 Stealth i9 10980HK 2080 Super Max Q $2700

https://www.newegg.com/core-black-msi-gs-series-gs66-stealth-10sgs-036-gaming-entertainment/p/N82E16834155392?Item=N82E16834155392&quicklink=true

 

MSI GE66 Raider i7 10750H 2080 Super Max Q $2700 

https://www.newegg.com/aluminum-black-msi-ge-series-ge66-raider-10sgs-058-gaming-entertainment/p/N82E16834155435?Item=N82E16834155435&quicklink=true

 

Gigabyte AERO 17 Core i7 10750H 2080 Super Max Q $2500

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16834233324?Item=N82E16834233324

GIGABYTE AERO 15 OLED XB-8US51B0SP, 15.6" 4K/UHD Gaming Laptop, Intel Core i7-10875H $2700

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16834233309?Item=N82E16834233309

 

 

 

[Kilrah]

This review of the HP has some other comparable options listed. Seems this one is a bit limited by poor cooling. There will likely be newer versions of some of them to look at.

[Baseal13]

21 minutes ago, Kilrah said:

This review of the HP has some other comparable options listed. Seems this one is a bit limited by poor cooling. There will likely be newer versions of some of them to look at.

Review? Which one is limited by poor cooling? How would I be able to increase the cooling capacity of said options?

[Kilrah]

Oops, forgot to post the link.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/HP-Omen-17-Laptop-Review-High-end-gaming-with-some-small-limitations.432964.0.html

 

My other options I meant other laptops of the same class which apparently perform better than the HP.

[Baseal13]

2 hours ago, Kilrah said:

Oops, forgot to post the link.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/HP-Omen-17-Laptop-Review-High-end-gaming-with-some-small-limitations.432964.0.html

 

My other options I meant other laptops of the same class which apparently perform better than the HP.

I read through the review, and it seems like I could do better.

Do you have any suggestions? I would like to be able to keep as many of the features that I have as possible though.

A DVD/CD drive is definitely one of the things that I want for my system.

[Baseal13]

3 hours ago, jctappel67 said:

MSI GS66 Stealth i9 10980HK 2080 Super Max Q $2700

https://www.newegg.com/core-black-msi-gs-series-gs66-stealth-10sgs-036-gaming-entertainment/p/N82E16834155392?Item=N82E16834155392&quicklink=true

 

MSI GE66 Raider i7 10750H 2080 Super Max Q $2700 

https://www.newegg.com/aluminum-black-msi-ge-series-ge66-raider-10sgs-058-gaming-entertainment/p/N82E16834155435?Item=N82E16834155435&quicklink=true

 

Gigabyte AERO 17 Core i7 10750H 2080 Super Max Q $2500

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16834233324?Item=N82E16834233324

GIGABYTE AERO 15 OLED XB-8US51B0SP, 15.6" 4K/UHD Gaming Laptop, Intel Core i7-10875H $2700

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16834233309?Item=N82E16834233309

 

 

 

The first link isn't what you say it is. Also I would prefer having i9's as VR works best on it. 

[jctappel67]

2 hours ago, Baseal13 said:

The first link isn't what you say it is. Also I would prefer having i9's as VR works best on it. 

You are correct. 

 

Not only did you not tell us that you wanted an i9, you also didn't just do a quick search on newegg. 

 

Here is the link I meant to post:

https://www.newegg.com/core-black-msi-gs-series-gs66-stealth-10sgs-031-gaming-entertainment/p/N82E16834155391?&quicklink=true

This one has the 10980HK. It goes for $3000

[Baseal13]

28 minutes ago, jctappel67 said:

You are correct. 

 

Not only did you not tell us that you wanted an i9, you also didn't just do a quick search on newegg. 

 

Here is the link I meant to post:

https://www.newegg.com/core-black-msi-gs-series-gs66-stealth-10sgs-031-gaming-entertainment/p/N82E16834155391?&quicklink=true

This one has the 10980HK. It goes for $3000

I mean, this IS my first time having to have a PC/laptop built for a specific purpose, instead of me just buying a showcase model, or something different.

That laptop looks really nice, I wouldn't mind spending that little extra money on it either. Is it possible that it has a bigger screen at the cost of hz? I'm not too fond of the smaller screen sizes for laptops.

I must apologise for me not mentioning the i9. I guess I didn't mention that, however I would've assumed that it was implied by how I worded the OP. As an i7 isn't exactly future proof.

[jctappel67]

4 minutes ago, Baseal13 said:

I mean, this IS my first time having to have a PC/laptop built for a specific purpose, instead of me just buying a showcase model, or something different.

That laptop looks really nice, I wouldn't mind spending that little extra money on it either. Is it possible that it has a bigger screen at the cost of hz? I'm not too fond of the smaller screen sizes for laptops.

I must apologise for me not mentioning the i9. I guess I didn't mention that, however I would've assumed that it was implied by how I worded the OP. As an i7 isn't exactly future proof.

All good. 

Here is what I think you're asking for. Almost the exact same specs 17 inch screen:

https://www.newegg.com/matte-black-with-gold-diamond-cut-msi-gs-series-gs75-stealth-10sgs-027-gaming-entertainment/p/N82E16834155385?Item=N82E16834155385&quicklink=true

 

300 Hz monitor. Only 1080p, but it's still pretty balls to the wall

[Baseal13]

4 minutes ago, jctappel67 said:

All good. 

Here is what I think you're asking for. Almost the exact same specs 17 inch screen:

https://www.newegg.com/matte-black-with-gold-diamond-cut-msi-gs-series-gs75-stealth-10sgs-027-gaming-entertainment/p/N82E16834155385?Item=N82E16834155385&quicklink=true

That looks really nice. I like the coloring, and how crisp it looks. It doesn't have an optical drive though, which kind of sucks. I still have my current laptop though, so it should be fine, unless I end up with a game disk, or I want to rip some files off of some optical drive discs that I have to back up files.

[Baseal13]

Is it possible to link laptops together to share information between them?

[jctappel67]

5 minutes ago, Baseal13 said:

Is it possible to link laptops together to share information between them?

With a crossover ethernet cable, yes.

8 minutes ago, Baseal13 said:

It doesn't have an optical drive though, 

I agree, can be kind of painful at times, but gaming laptops just don't have them anymore.

 

You can also purchase an external disk reader. 

[Kilrah]

3 hours ago, jctappel67 said:

With a crossover ethernet cable, yes.

Doesn't need to be crossover, that was a thing 15 years ago but not anymore. Gigabit ports are all auto-mdix.