Wait for 8th-gen CPUs or buy now?

[xDyl]

Well, after a long hard think, I've came to the conclusion that instead of building a PC for myself, I should buy a gaming laptop for better portability. Now, what I need to know is if I should wait for the new mobile CPU lineup to release, i.e. 8300HQ, 8700HQ, etc.

 

I play these games: GTA V (can't play on my 650M machine without crashing every ~10 mins), ETS2, Cities: Skylines, BeamNG.drive, CMS18, Stardew Valley.

 

Right now, if I was going to get a new PC, I had my eye on this laptop:

 

Lenovo Y720 80VR0077US (7700HQ, 1060 6GB, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD + 128GB PCIe SSD) at $999 with promo from lenovo.com

 

My friend has more or less the same PC (4K screen, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD), so I went with it since I have somebody who has experience with the PC.

 

Thanks!

[AMDNeko]

Coffee Lake laptops are slowly starting to roll out but so far its with desktop chips so with that in mind and for that price I would just buy the Y720 as the 8700HQ is going to be awhile and it is going to cost you $300+ more for no real good reason.

[paddy-stone]

I'd go itx build before laptops personally... the way I figure it is that with a laptop you have mobility, but sacrifice useability, also some laptops actually downclock some GPUs don't they if they are not plugged in IIRC. So if it'd need to be plugged in anyway, or has crappy battery life then that'll seriously hamper the useability of it for gaming anyway. So might as well just build or buy an SFF PC/itx system and have the best experience. For other tasks just buy a cheaper laptop is what I would do.... again just my opinion. The SFF PC would still be upgradeable too, whereas that laptop might be really showing it's age after a few years.... and they are usually pretty pricey too, you might be able to build a SFF PC and have a cheap-ish laptop than for the price of the laptop .

[xDyl]

14 minutes ago, PPCs-Kat said:

Coffee Lake laptops are slowly starting to roll out but so far its with desktop chips so with that in mind and for that price I would just buy the Y720 as the 8700HQ is going to be awhile and it is going to cost you $300+ more for no real good reason.

Thanks so much! I think I may choose the 7700HQ one.

 

10 minutes ago, paddy-stone said:

I'd go itx build before laptops personally... the way I figure it is that with a laptop you have mobility, but sacrifice useability, also some laptops actually downclock some GPUs don't they if they are not plugged in IIRC. So if it'd need to be plugged in anyway, or has crappy battery life then that'll seriously hamper the useability of it for gaming anyway. So might as well just build or buy an SFF PC/itx system and have the best experience. For other tasks just buy a cheaper laptop is what I would do.... again just my opinion. The SFF PC would still be upgradeable too, whereas that laptop might be really showing it's age after a few years.... and they are usually pretty pricey too, you might be able to build a SFF PC and have a cheap-ish laptop than for the price of the laptop .

Well, I never really have my laptop off the power (except for when I travel), and let’s say I’m going to my friend’s place 40 miles from me. I have to haul a 10-20 pound PC AND pay for a Mini ITX case and motherboard instead of a 5 pound laptop.

 

If you still think an ITX build is better, put together a complete build for $1000.

[AMDNeko]

16 minutes ago, xDyl said:

Thanks so much! I think I may choose the 7700HQ one.

 

Well, I never really have my laptop off the power (except for when I travel), and let’s say I’m going to my friend’s place 40 miles from me. I have to haul a 10-20 pound PC AND pay for a Mini ITX case and motherboard instead of a 5 pound laptop.

 

If you still think an ITX build is better, put together a complete build for $1000.

 

Since portability is an aim a MiniITX wouldnt be worth your time.

 

https://www.3dmark.com/compare/fs/12264649/fs/13809409/fs/12070988

 

This is my laptop against 200th score of i5-7600k +desktop 1060 6gb and then a 7700k.I went with 200th since its middle ground and not highest end. 7700HQ will see a small gain over the 6700HQ and there is a small performance gap but its up to you. (My FS may also be flawed because my win was wonky)

[paddy-stone]

Just now, xDyl said:

Thanks so much! I think I may choose the 7700HQ one.

 

Well, I never really have my laptop off the power (except for when I travel), and let’s say I’m going to my friend’s place 40 miles from me. I have to haul a 10-20 pound PC AND pay for a Mini ITX case and motherboard instead of a 5 pound laptop.

 

If you still think an ITX build is better, put together a complete build for $1000.

ryzen

 

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/Mhw87h

 

intel

 

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/C2w87h

 

Not that I have anything to prove, I was just giving an opinion, you don't have to like it, just wanted to give you options.

[xDyl]

7 minutes ago, paddy-stone said:

ryzen

 

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/Mhw87h

 

intel

 

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/C2w87h

 

Not that I have anything to prove, I was just giving an opinion, you don't have to like it, just wanted to give you options.

Nice builds, but that’s in GBP. That’s about $1400 USD making it not worth it over the laptop

[xDyl]

13 minutes ago, PPCs-Kat said:

 

Since portability is an aim a MiniITX wouldnt be worth your time.

 

https://www.3dmark.com/compare/fs/12264649/fs/13809409/fs/12070988

 

This is my laptop against 200th score of i5-7600k +desktop 1060 6gb and then a 7700k.I went with 200th since its middle ground and not highest end. 7700HQ will see a small gain over the 6700HQ and there is a small performance gap but its up to you. (My FS may also be flawed because my win was wonky)

Thanks for the benches, I think hat may confirm my choice

[ApolloX75]

7 minutes ago, xDyl said:

Thanks for the benches, I think hat may confirm my choice

For some additional information here's a Firestrike and a Timespy run from my Alienware 15 R3 review: https://www.3dmark.com/fs/14176667 & https://www.3dmark.com/spy/2844790

 

Mine runs a 1070, but the 7700HQ score should give you an excellent picture of what to expect. It's a great CPU overall.

[xDyl]

2 minutes ago, ApolloX75 said:

For some additional information here's a Firestrike and a Timespy run from my Alienware 15 R3 review: https://www.3dmark.com/fs/14176667 & https://www.3dmark.com/spy/2844790

 

Mine runs a 1070, but the 7700HQ score should give you an excellent picture of what to expect. It's a great CPU overall.

Awesome, thanks much!

[Arika]

i would say it depends on how much the units are selling for. i could have waited for an 8th gen, but i went for a 7th because it was 40% off on clearance and was going to make little difference to the work load i use the laptop for