Looking For - Pre-Built Laptop for $250-300

[BasedGodRaptor]

Hey everyone, I'm looking for a pre-built laptop that's somewhat capable of running games (Sims 3 in particular) at low to medium settings for around an average $300. I'm trying to find a laptop for a friend, and I'd really appreciate some help in being steered in the right direction. I'm currently trying to avoid the Intel HD Series, but its kinda difficult. Also I'm trying to get above 2.0 GHz on the CPU. Battery life doesn't really matter. Any help is appreciated, thanks

[don_svetlio]

Intel HD 530 is more powerful than Nvidia GT 920M/830M and Intel HD 4460 is on the same level as a GT 920M and more powerful than a 820M

[Julian5]

20 minutes ago, BasedGodRaptor said:

Hey everyone, I'm looking for a pre-built laptop that's somewhat capable of running games (Sims 3 in particular) at low to medium settings for around an average $300. I'm trying to find a laptop for a friend, and I'd really appreciate some help in being steered in the right direction. I'm currently trying to avoid the Intel HD Series, but its kinda difficult. Also I'm trying to get above 2.0 GHz on the CPU. Battery life doesn't really matter. Any help is appreciated, thanks

if your on that tight of a budget i suggest you go second hand. I personaly got an alienware with 6gb of ram and an i5 for 200€

[don_svetlio]

2 minutes ago, Julian5 said:

if your on that tight of a budget i suggest you go second hand. I personaly got an alienware with 6gb of ram and an i5 for 200€

Neat score - what GPU?

[Julian5]

1 minute ago, don_svetlio said:

Neat score - what GPU?

I believe its a 650m

[don_svetlio]

1 minute ago, Julian5 said:

I believe its a 650m

GDDR5 or GDDR3?

[Julian5]

6 minutes ago, don_svetlio said:

GDDR5 or GDDR3?

GDDR5

[don_svetlio]

1 minute ago, Julian5 said:

GDDR5

So essentially a 660M   - 650M and 660M are the same core but most 650Ms come with GDDR3 to reduce performance and make people buy 660Ms but some OEMs were awesome and put GDDR5 on their 650Ms

[Julian5]

1 minute ago, don_svetlio said:

So essentially a 660M   - 650M and 660M are the same core but most 650Ms come with GDDR3 to reduce performance and make people buy 660Ms but some OEMs were awesome and put GDDR5 on their 650Ms

 I didn't actually know that, thanks for the info!

[Julian5]

3 minutes ago, don_svetlio said:

So essentially a 660M   - 650M and 660M are the same core but most 650Ms come with GDDR3 to reduce performance and make people buy 660Ms but some OEMs were awesome and put GDDR5 on their 650Ms

actually all of my PC is second hand apart from the case, Nobody I know recommends second hand but its been a lovely experience for me, looking forward to making my new pc in a couple days. Will make a build log

[don_svetlio]

1 minute ago, Julian5 said:

actually all of my PC is second hand apart from the case, Nobody I know recommends second hand but its been a lovely experience for me, looking forward to making my new pc in a couple days. Will make a build log

2nd hand is great for CPUs and RAM. HDDs are iffy as they may have been mishandled, GPUs are a mixed bag - lower end ones are fine but hotter higher end ones like a 770 or 970 tend to die quickly. PSUs I ALWAYS buy new - too much of a fire hazard. Case, Screen and Board are also fine used.

[BasedGodRaptor]

I've found some solid options and I'd really appreciate some input

Laptop #1: $292.96

AMD Quad-Core A8-6410 (2.00 GHz, 2MB Cache). 4GB DDR3 memory (1600Mhz, supports up to 8GB)

500GB SATA Hard Drive, AMD Radeon R5 Graphics

DVD+/-RW: Burns DVDs and CDs in multi formats

15.6" HD display delivers bright, crisp visuals in 16:9 widescreen format and 1366 x 768 resolution.

802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, Webcam, SD card reader, 3 USB, Windows 8.1 Home (64-bit)

 

Laptop #2: $289.99

2.2gHz up to 2.5GHz AMD Quad-Core A8-7410 APU

6GB DDR3 SDRAM (2 DIMM) - 1TB 5400RPM hard drive

15.6-inch diagonal HD BrightView WLED-backlit display (1366x768)

Microsoft Windows 10 Home (64-Bit)

AMD Radeon R5

 

Laptop #3: $308.88 + $7.99 shipping

AMD Quad-Core A8-7410 2.2GHz processor, 2MB L2 Cache

15.6" HD WLED-backlit Touchscreen display (1366 x 768)

4GB DDR3L SDRAM (1 DIMM), 500GB 5400RPM hard drive, SuperMulti DVD burner

Front facing VGA Webcam with integrated digital microphone, Multi-Format Digital Media Card Reader

HD Audio with stereo speakers, AMD Radeon R5 graphics, Integrated 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet LAN

 

Whats the best value, and ranking the Laptops would help

Thanks

 

[don_svetlio]

1 minute ago, BasedGodRaptor said:

I've found some solid options and I'd really appreciate some input

Laptop #1: $292.96

AMD Quad-Core A8-6410 (2.00 GHz, 2MB Cache). 4GB DDR3 memory (1600Mhz, supports up to 8GB)

500GB SATA Hard Drive, AMD Radeon R5 Graphics

DVD+/-RW: Burns DVDs and CDs in multi formats

15.6" HD display delivers bright, crisp visuals in 16:9 widescreen format and 1366 x 768 resolution.

802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, Webcam, SD card reader, 3 USB, Windows 8.1 Home (64-bit)

 

Laptop #2: $289.99

2.2gHz up to 2.5GHz AMD Quad-Core A8-7410 APU

6GB DDR3 SDRAM (2 DIMM) - 1TB 5400RPM hard drive

15.6-inch diagonal HD BrightView WLED-backlit display (1366x768)

Microsoft Windows 10 Home (64-Bit)

AMD Radeon R5

 

Laptop #3: $308.88 + $7.99 shipping

AMD Quad-Core A8-7410 2.2GHz processor, 2MB L2 Cache

15.6" HD WLED-backlit Touchscreen display (1366 x 768)

4GB DDR3L SDRAM (1 DIMM), 500GB 5400RPM hard drive, SuperMulti DVD burner

Front facing VGA Webcam with integrated digital microphone, Multi-Format Digital Media Card Reader

HD Audio with stereo speakers, AMD Radeon R5 graphics, Integrated 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet LAN

 

Whats the best value, and ranking the Laptops would help

Thanks

 

the 6GB A8 is probably the best. What exact model is it?

[Julian5]

1 minute ago, don_svetlio said:

2nd hand is great for CPUs and RAM. HDDs are iffy as they may have been mishandled, GPUs are a mixed bag - lower end ones are fine but hotter higher end ones like a 770 or 970 tend to die quickly. PSUs I ALWAYS buy new - too much of a fire hazard. Case, Screen and Board are also fine used.

going a bit off topic but anyways, I currently have a 600w second hand psu but its a really high end expensive one here in spain so im not worried. My gtx 660 oc 2gb was second hand and the guy gave me a warranty and the website I use has a protection so I was not worried. a GTX 660 OC 2gb 1,4 years ago for 80€

 

[BasedGodRaptor]

5 minutes ago, don_svetlio said:

the 6GB A8 is probably the best. What exact model is it?

HP 15-af113cl 15.6" HD LED Notebook PC - AMD A8-7410 2.2GHz 6GB 1TB DVDRW Windows 10 (Certified Refurbished) From Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/HP-15-af113cl-15-6-LED-Notebook/dp/B017S01MQA/ref=sr_1_7?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1466784424&sr=1-7&keywords=amd+a8+laptop

[don_svetlio]

2 minutes ago, Julian5 said:

going a bit off topic but anyways, I currently have a 600w second hand psu but its a really high end expensive one here in spain so im not worried. My gtx 660 oc 2gb was second hand and the guy gave me a warranty and the website I use has a protection so I was not worried. a GTX 660 OC 2gb 1,4 years ago for 80€

 

It's not automatically bad - just a bigger risk

[don_svetlio]

1 minute ago, BasedGodRaptor said:

HP 15-af113cl 15.6" HD LED Notebook PC - AMD A8-7410 2.2GHz 6GB 1TB DVDRW Windows 10 (Certified Refurbished) From Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/HP-15-af113cl-15-6-LED-Notebook/dp/B017S01MQA/ref=sr_1_7?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1466784424&sr=1-7&keywords=amd+a8+laptop

Avoid Acer and HP at that price

[BasedGodRaptor]

1 minute ago, don_svetlio said:

Avoid Acer and HP at that price

Why? Is it because the build quality goes to poop at that price range?

[don_svetlio]

1 minute ago, BasedGodRaptor said:

Why? Is it because the build quality goes to poop at that price range?

Everything with those 2 goes to shit. Asus and Lenovo are also crappy. Grab a Dell Inspiron preferably.

[BasedGodRaptor]

10 minutes ago, don_svetlio said:

Everything with those 2 goes to shit. Asus and Lenovo are also crappy. Grab a Dell Inspiron preferably.

I think I've found the one I'm looking to purchase

Laptop: Dell Inspiron 15-5555 - $279^.99

• 15.6-inch (1366 x 768) LED Display
• AMD A8-7410 Processor (Quad-Core, 2.5GHz, 2MB Cache)
• 6GB DDR3 System Memory
• 1TB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
• Integrated AMD Radeon R5 Graphics

Link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=1TS-000A-00TC0&cm_re=amd_a8_laptop-_-1TS-000A-00TC0-_-Product

 

[don_svetlio]

1 minute ago, BasedGodRaptor said:

I think I've found the one I'm looking to purchase

Laptop: Dell Inspiron 15-5555 - $279^.99

• 15.6-inch (1366 x 768) LED Display
• AMD A8-7410 Processor (Quad-Core, 2.5GHz, 2MB Cache)
• 6GB DDR3 System Memory
• 1TB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
• Integrated AMD Radeon R5 Graphics

Link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=1TS-000A-00TC0&cm_re=amd_a8_laptop-_-1TS-000A-00TC0-_-Product

 

Perfect