Gaming Laptop Choice

[don_svetlio]

 So, I'm thinking of getting a laptop leased to me since University requires me to be on the move a lot and I was looking at the following options but can't really decide so I want some input from people who have more experience with those machines. Without further ado, here they are.

First. The Lenovo Y50-70

CPU: i7 4720HQ
RAM: 8GB DDR3
GPU: GTX 860m/960m
Storage: 1TB HDD

. I have to admit, this one I like the most out of the three. It has a nice, aluminum chassis, very comfortable and neat keyboard (a friend let me try typing on his ). I can see myself typing up quite a few papers and forum posts with it. The screen is a FHD IPS display, it's not a matte screen but I can live with that. The main reason why this is not already in the mail is the cooling system. For all Lenovo did right, they made up for here. The laptop doesn't overheat or throttle but it does get warm. With maxed CPU and GPU the CPU gets to 90*C and GPU to 85*C. The keyboard area also gets toasty.

Second. The Asus RoG G551JW

CPU: i7 4720HQ
RAM: 8GB DDR3
GPU: GTX 860m/960m
Storage: 120GB SSD + 1TB HDD

While the Asus offers solid build quality and a decent keyboard (not as good as the Lenovo from the looks of it but meh) and a Matte 1080p IPS display I am VERY put off by the 78*C thermal point of the GPU. As soon as the GPU reaches that target it downclocks to 400-500Mhz and gaming becomes next to impossible. Even though the CPU barely gets to 85*C with both maxed I imagine this is caused by the single-fan cooling solution.

Third. The Asus RoG GL552VW.

CPU: i7 6700HQ
RAM: 8GB DDR4
GPU: 960m
Storage 120GB SSD + 1TB HDD

While this one doesn't have a thermal throttling point like it's younger brother and features the new 14nm Skylake mobile i7 and a matte IPS 1080p screen, the laptop's build quality is ABYSMAL. It's entirely made of plastic and judging from the amount of flex I'm worried this thing will die during the first bus ride home.

Prices are close to each other. Anyone got ideas, pointers or tips from past experience?

If the heat won't outright murder the Lenovo I might just go with it.

Tags: @D2ultima @ShadowCaptain  @QueenDemetria @STRMfrmXMN

[Morgan MLGman]

Can't you find a laptop with a worse CPU like an i5 and with a better GPU, say GTX 965M or a 970M for the same money? I'm not sure how the prices are in your location.

[don_svetlio]

Can't you find a laptop with a worse CPU like an i5 and with a better GPU, say GTX 965M or a 970M for the same money? I'm not sure how the prices are in your location.

A i5 Lenovo is available with a 860M and a 4K screen but the i5's TDP is the same as the i7 - higher clocks make up the difference ._.

[Guest]

For the info you had i would get the lenovo laptop and a laptop cooler to have at home during longer gaming sessions

[Morgan MLGman]

A i5 Lenovo is available with a 860M and a 4K screen but the i5's TDP is the same as the i7 - higher clocks make up the difference ._.

Nah, I mean that a better GPU is going to make a bigger difference in terms of gaming than the CPU, therefore it's going to be relevant longer. Look for the ones with a 965M/970M, maybe they're for around the same price or not much more expensive?

[don_svetlio]

Nah, I mean that a better GPU is going to make a bigger difference in terms of gaming than the CPU, therefore it's going to be relevant longer. Look for the ones with a 965M/970M, maybe they're for around the same price or not much more expensive?

About 50% more expensive ._.

For the info you had i would get the lenovo laptop and a laptop cooler to have at home during longer gaming sessions

Laptop coolers add bulk and another 10% to the price.

[Morgan MLGman]

About 50% more expensive ._.

Alright, then if I were you I'd go with the 3rd option and just care for the thing if it's delicate. The Lenovo is good price/performance wise but it's an old design, after it gets a bit older it might throttle as well, the second one from what you said throttles easily, that leaves you with the 3rd option which seems better

[Guest]

About 50% more expensive ._.

Laptop coolers add bulk and another 10% to the price.

Would still get the Lenovo laptop since i care way to much about build quality

and you can always get a laptop cooler later or just make your own DIY cooler.

[don_svetlio]

Alright, then if I were you I'd go with the 3rd option and just care for the thing if it's delicate. The Lenovo is good price/performance wise but it's an old design, after it gets a bit older it might throttle as well, the second one from what you said throttles easily, that leaves you with the 3rd option which seems better

That was my first reaction when I saw the Skylake one but after I saw the review where he just pressed on the screen and it folded like cardboard I was not as sure. There IS a version with an aluminum sheet added to the panel but that one isn't available.

[don_svetlio]

Would still get the Lenovo laptop since i care way to much about build quality

and you can always get a laptop cooler later or just make your own DIY cooler.

I could just pay a small fee to get it repasted without voiding warranty after a year or so when I starts getting gunked up. I really like the build of it, full metal body means it won't snap in 2 on a bus or while being carried around

[JefferyD90]

don_svetlio, on 02 Nov 2015 - 07:42 AM, said:

 So, I'm thinking of getting a laptop leased to me since University requires me to be on the move a lot and I was looking at the following options but can't really decide so I want some input from people who have more experience with those machines. Without further ado, here they are.

First. The Lenovo Y50-70

CPU: i7 4720HQ

RAM: 8GB DDR3

GPU: GTX 860m/960m

Storage: 1TB HDD

. I have to admit, this one I like the most out of the three. It has a nice, aluminum chassis, very comfortable and neat keyboard (a friend let me try typing on his ). I can see myself typing up quite a few papers and forum posts with it. The screen is a FHD IPS display, it's not a matte screen but I can live with that. The main reason why this is not already in the mail is the cooling system. For all Lenovo did right, they made up for here. The laptop doesn't overheat or throttle but it does get warm. With maxed CPU and GPU the CPU gets to 90*C and GPU to 85*C. The keyboard area also gets toasty.

Second. The Asus RoG G551JW

CPU: i7 4720HQ

RAM: 8GB DDR3

GPU: GTX 860m/960m

Storage: 120GB SSD + 1TB HDD

While the Asus offers solid build quality and a decent keyboard (not as good as the Lenovo from the looks of it but meh) and a Matte 1080p IPS display I am VERY put off by the 78*C thermal point of the GPU. As soon as the GPU reaches that target it downclocks to 400-500Mhz and gaming becomes next to impossible. Even though the CPU barely gets to 85*C with both maxed I imagine this is caused by the single-fan cooling solution.

Third. The Asus RoG GL552VW.

CPU: i7 6700HQ

RAM: 8GB DDR4

GPU: 960m

Storage 120GB SSD + 1TB HDD

While this one doesn't have a thermal throttling point like it's younger brother and features the new 14nm Skylake mobile i7 and a matte IPS 1080p screen, the laptop's build quality is ABYSMAL. It's entirely made of plastic and judging from the amount of flex I'm worried this thing will die during the first bus ride home.

Prices are close to each other. Anyone got ideas, pointers or tips from past experience?

If the heat won't outright murder the Lenovo I might just go with it.

Tags: @D2ultima @ShadowCaptain  @QueenDemetria @STRMfrmXMN

I'd get the The Asus RoG GL552VW given the 3 choices.  But, I'd choose none of the above over everything on the market.

[exercutor5]

http://www.mysn.de/xmg-advanced-gaming-notebooks/xmg-a506

 

This has the potential for PCIe SSDs down the road.

[don_svetlio]

http://www.mysn.de/xmg-advanced-gaming-notebooks/xmg-a506

 

This has the potential for PCIe SSDs down the road.

Not available here.

I'd get the The Asus RoG GL552VW given the 3 choices.  But, I'd choose none of the above over everything on the market.

These are the best ones within budget. MSI, Sager and Clevo aren't available here.

[TheCaptain53]

@don_svetlio, I hate to be that guy, but if you already have a decent rig, why not get a cheap laptop for class and use your main rig when you go home?

If you're not taking your rig with you then I understand, otherwise, I'm scratching my head a little...

[AresKrieger]

I was going to say the third option, but after you pointed out just how flimsy it was the lenovo looks like the strongest contender, it will need tlc down the line but at least it won't snap in two from a brisk breeze

[exercutor5]

Not available here.

 

They ship to European countries. They are a European Clevo reseller. The reason why I linked the German site is because their main European site is down.

[don_svetlio]

@don_svetlio, I hate to be that guy, but if you already have a decent rig, why not get a cheap laptop for class and use your main rig when you go home?

If you're not taking your rig with you then I understand, otherwise, I'm scratching my head a little...

4 weekdays I'm away.

EDIT: Was on phone. @TheCaptain53 sorry.

Thursday Evening, Friday, Saturday and Sunday I probably won't be able to use my main rig since I will try to get a part time job and I split my time between my mom and dad so yeah.

[JefferyD90]

don_svetlio, on 02 Nov 2015 - 08:04 AM, said:

Not available here.

These are the best ones within budget. MSI, Sager and Clevo aren't available here.

You have my vote, and I never mentioned any of those other brands either.

[don_svetlio]

They ship to European countries. They are a European Clevo reseller. The reason why I linked the German site is because their main European site is down.

I need to get it LEASED. I don't have the budget to buy at once.

[exercutor5]

I need to get it LEASED. I don't have the budget to buy at once.

 

Oh my bad lel. Sorry.

[D2ultima]

Not available here.

These are the best ones within budget. MSI, Sager and Clevo aren't available here.

http://www.plesio.bg/laptopi-c-69977907/turbo-x-furious-iii-i747-810-backlit-p-309690.html

 

Found you a Clevo W355SSQ. It's not a currently selling model though, so I'd understand if you didn't want to grab it. I also don't know if you can get it leased from that site should you choose to get it.

 

From what you listed, I can tell you that the ASUS laptops would likely start giving problems down the line. The lenovo is not really designed very well, but it would be your best choice. A little cooling modification with some good paste jobs and some throttlestop to stop the CPU killing turbo boost when the CPU and GPU are stressed, and maybe a modified vBIOS to fix your 960M's erratic behaviour (believe me, it will have it. =D. nVidrosoft ALWAYS fucks over laptop users) and you'd be good to go.

[tejinder]

msi ge72 246
it will cost you a bit  more then y50
i am international student and dont have a permanent stay so i couldn't get a pc which i intended to but i researched a lot about laptop and finally chose to buy this one
if this is bit expensive get yourself a clevo 

[don_svetlio]

msi ge72 246

it will cost you a bit  more then y50

i am international student and dont have a permanent stay so i couldn't get a pc which i intended to but i researched a lot about laptop and finally chose to buy this one

if this is bit expensive get yourself a clevo 

MSI have been blacklisted by Laptop shops It seems - they've been gone from shelves for 2-3 years now

http://www.plesio.bg/laptopi-c-69977907/turbo-x-furious-iii-i747-810-backlit-p-309690.html

 

Found you a Clevo W355SSQ. It's not a currently selling model though, so I'd understand if you didn't want to grab it. I also don't know if you can get it leased from that site should you choose to get it.

 

From what you listed, I can tell you that the ASUS laptops would likely start giving problems down the line. The lenovo is not really designed very well, but it would be your best choice. A little cooling modification with some good paste jobs and some throttlestop to stop the CPU killing turbo boost when the CPU and GPU are stressed, and maybe a modified vBIOS to fix your 960M's erratic behaviour (believe me, it will have it. =D. nVidrosoft ALWAYS fucks over laptop users) and you'd be good to go.

Turbo X are rebadged Clevos? That's new. I will look into it. Thanks!

I don't mind CPU's turbo going out - supposedly the 4720HQ Y50 doesn't have that "feature" though

[crystal6tak]

Not available here.

These are the best ones within budget. MSI, Sager and Clevo aren't available here.

On the contrary, you might be able to get a Clevo laptop. If I'm correct, you're in the EU. So here's a website that ships within the EU (I've checked, Bulgaria included). They've got the Clevo N150RD at a reasonable price (with VAT and shipping included, they use Polish ZT as currency btw). Here's the review by notebookcheck. Only issue is their shipment of this laptop has not arrived and I have no idea when they will. You can contact and ask them if you want. They know english, I've contacted them before.

[TheCaptain53]

4 weekdays I'm away.

Ah, I see.

Then definitely the Lenovo.

You're going to be using it as a work horse most of the time, so the performance during gaming isn't as important as actually lasting and being usable.