Help Selecting a Laptop

[Fr0st_P1xel]

Minimum specs for the laptop:

GPU: GTX 1060 6GB
RAM: 16GB

CPU: Core i5/i7 (preferably i7)

Storage 1: SSD (top priority)

Storage 2: HDD or an expansion slot

 

The budget is $1200. The whole RGB keyboard and aesthetic stuff is not necessary. For price reference use USA pricing.

 

Thanks for the help

[WallacEngineering]

$1150: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834154702

 

Also be sure to check out sales and open-box specials. Seen an i7 powered MSI very similar to this one for $1000 even.

 

Simply filter laptops by selecting 1060,1070, and 1080 gpus, then select i7 cpus, then select all SSDs 128GB or higher (most come with a second HDD in this price range) then sort by price lowest to highest

[genexis_x]

That's not how you choose laptops. You need to read reviews from reputable websites like Notebookcheck, Ultrabookreview and Laptopmedia. Most MSI GL and GP laptops are quite mediocre.

 

There are many good Clevo laptop models like N950KP6 (desktop CPU), P650HP6, N850HK1 (needs repaste and undervolting) etc. Lenovo Y720 also not bad but it's quite heavy and has an entry level IPS panel. Dell 7577 has an entry level IPS panel but with Max-Q of 1060 (about 10% less performance compared to regular 1060N). If you can find a good deal, Alienware 15/17 also a good choice. In some cases, you can add RAM and SSD by yourself (which is usually cheaper) if the specs are not enough.

 

Also, do you have any other requirements like display, max weight etc?

[D13H4RD]

Here are a few shortlists.

 

Dell Inspiron 7577: Doesn't have a stellar display and uses a Max-Q version of the 1060 instead of the full-blown model but due to its cooling, you can actually squeeze more out of it through overclocking to stock levels.

 

Alienware 15: If you can find one on a deal, this is definitely a go. Great build quality, excellent performance in 1080p gaming and has a capable stock cooling solution.

 

Some Clevos are a good choice and while I generally discourage the ASUS GL5XXVS line due to their tendency to run super warm on GTX 1070s owing to very mediocre thermal compound application (alongside the whole physics of putting a very powerful GPU in a thin casing), the VM version of the GL503 is at least less of a toaster but a repaste is highly recommended along with an undervolt because while the 1060 has a much lower TDP than the 1070, the quality of ASUS's thermal compound application still leaves much to be desired. Not my first choice but if you need a high refresh rate display, that's one I can suggest, alongside the MSI GE63/73 although these are brand-new, so their price will be over your budget. So either shop for deals or get their predecessors, which share mostly the same components but with a 60Hz display.

 

Some laptops I'd avoid are the lower-end range of MSI's lineup like the GL and GP and the ASUS GL55x

[genexis_x]

10 minutes ago, D13H4RD2L1V3 said:

GL503 is at least less of a toaster

Slightly off topic, but I still can't believe that the GL703 (yup not GL503) uses the same chassis and cooling system for 1050 and 1060 GPU. I mean, seriously. Typical ROG laptop problems are still there like high fan noise under load, very hot surface temps under load and mediocre inner temps (dies in unrealistic CPU+GPU heavy load). It's still a toaster IMO, just not as serious as the GL-VS.

[D13H4RD]

8 minutes ago, ZM Fong said:

Slightly off topic, but I still can't believe that the GL703 (yup not GL503) uses the same chassis and cooling system for 1050 and 1060 GPU. I mean, seriously. Typical ROG laptop problems are still there like high fan noise under load, very hot surface temps under load and mediocre inner temps (dies in unrealistic CPU+GPU heavy load). It's still a toaster IMO, just not as serious as the GL-VS.

I wouldn't be surprised.

 

The GL503 and 703 hasn't changed much when it comes to the chassis itself. The overall shape is identical along with the location of the fans and heatpipes.

 

There's very little in it that makes me want one. The display is improved as is the keyboard but the key specs are identical and the cooling solution has somewhat improved through making additional intakes and no-longer obstructing the exhaust vents alongside better fans, but I think significant thermal gains won't be seen until ASUS either;

• Improves thermal compound application for the RoG line or adds it as an option for RoG customers
• Overhauls the chassis design internally for future generations

I don't know, but although I personally am not fond of the recent MSI laptop's tendency to break down just before the warranty expires (don't know why but I've seen and heard more of them than I would have liked), the cooling solution on the GE and GT line are top-notch. Excellent airflow both in-and-out and keeps a GTX 1060 under control, although it would also benefit from better thermal compound application.

 

As for the GTX 1050 and 1060 sharing cooling solutions, I too wouldn't be surprised. I've seen that a lot.

[Fr0st_P1xel]

On 3/6/2018 at 1:35 PM, ZM Fong said:

That's not how you choose laptops. You need to read reviews from reputable websites like Notebookcheck, Ultrabookreview and Laptopmedia. Most MSI GL and GP laptops are quite mediocre.

 

There are many good Clevo laptop models like N950KP6 (desktop CPU), P650HP6, N850HK1 (needs repaste and undervolting) etc. Lenovo Y720 also not bad but it's quite heavy and has an entry level IPS panel. Dell 7577 has an entry level IPS panel but with Max-Q of 1060 (about 10% less performance compared to regular 1060N). If you can find a good deal, Alienware 15/17 also a good choice. In some cases, you can add RAM and SSD by yourself (which is usually cheaper) if the specs are not enough.

 

Also, do you have any other requirements like display, max weight etc?

Max weight is not a problem, as I will be using it on the desk always. However it shouldn't be like the insane Acer laptop (dual 1080 one)

 

As for the displays, 1080p 60Hz (IF possible SOMEHOW, I wouldn't mind a 120Hz). I don't know how to give a reference of the quality but the one I have right now is a Lenevo Y510P and I like the display on that one. My brother has a MSI GP62MVR, and I really don't like its display, the viewing angles are quite bad and the screen looks over saturated sometimes.

22 hours ago, D13H4RD2L1V3 said:

Here are a few shortlists.

 

Dell Inspiron 7577: Doesn't have a stellar display and uses a Max-Q version of the 1060 instead of the full-blown model but due to its cooling, you can actually squeeze more out of it through overclocking to stock levels.

 

Alienware 15: If you can find one on a deal, this is definitely a go. Great build quality, excellent performance in 1080p gaming and has a capable stock cooling solution.

 

Some Clevos are a good choice and while I generally discourage the ASUS GL5XXVS line due to their tendency to run super warm on GTX 1070s owing to very mediocre thermal compound application (alongside the whole physics of putting a very powerful GPU in a thin casing), the VM version of the GL503 is at least less of a toaster but a repaste is highly recommended along with an undervolt because while the 1060 has a much lower TDP than the 1070, the quality of ASUS's thermal compound application still leaves much to be desired. Not my first choice but if you need a high refresh rate display, that's one I can suggest, alongside the MSI GE63/73 although these are brand-new, so their price will be over your budget. So either shop for deals or get their predecessors, which share mostly the same components but with a 60Hz display.

 

Some laptops I'd avoid are the lower-end range of MSI's lineup like the GL and GP and the ASUS GL55x

I will take a look into the Dell and Alienware. I am really picky about thermals, if a laptop will throttle when I play a game on ultra (say overwatch), its just a deal breaker for me.

 

As I stated above, besides the display of the GP62MVR, the laptop is really good. It handles thermals well but another downside for me is that it has a 3GB 1060.

[Fr0st_P1xel]

On 3/6/2018 at 12:12 PM, WallacEngineering said:

$1150: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834154702

 

Also be sure to check out sales and open-box specials. Seen an i7 powered MSI very similar to this one for $1000 even.

 

Simply filter laptops by selecting 1060,1070, and 1080 gpus, then select i7 cpus, then select all SSDs 128GB or higher (most come with a second HDD in this price range) then sort by price lowest to highest

Quite tempting but I am skeptical about the display. MSI is not known for good displays at that price from what I have heard.

[genexis_x]

2 minutes ago, Fr0st_P1xel said:

MSI is not known for good displays

Depends on which region you are. In where I live, the display is crap in GV, GL and GP models. In US the display in GP series is quite decent. GL series has entry level IPS if not mistaken.

 

One more thing, brand means literally nothing in laptops, every brand has good and bad models, buy model not brand.

[WallacEngineering]

4 hours ago, Fr0st_P1xel said:

Quite tempting but I am skeptical about the display. MSI is not known for good displays at that price from what I have heard.

Thats true but my little brother has an Intel i7/GTX 970M MSI laptop that he picked up off Amazon for $900 two years ago and he enjoys it quite a bit. If not interested in MSI, then follow my instructions right under OP, just check the i7, GTX 970 and 980, 1060, 1070, and 1080 boxes, then search.

 

NewEgg has alot of options at your price point. I saw at least 10 featuring an SSD. $1000-$1200 is the sweet spot for gaming laptops and so there is a TON of competition in this range.

 

P.S. dont EVER treat your laptop the way my brother does. Less then 6 months in he had dropped it twice and cracked the screen, there are literal HOLES in his chassis with exposed components sticking out, even the damn heatsink is bent somehow. He treats his computers like worthless garbage. Somehow the thing still works, even in his hands. So one thing is for sure, they are tough lol.

[Fr0st_P1xel]

On 3/7/2018 at 11:57 PM, WallacEngineering said:

Thats true but my little brother has an Intel i7/GTX 970M MSI laptop that he picked up off Amazon for $900 two years ago and he enjoys it quite a bit. If not interested in MSI, then follow my instructions right under OP, just check the i7, GTX 970 and 980, 1060, 1070, and 1080 boxes, then search.

 

NewEgg has alot of options at your price point. I saw at least 10 featuring an SSD. $1000-$1200 is the sweet spot for gaming laptops and so there is a TON of competition in this range.

 

P.S. dont EVER treat your laptop the way my brother does. Less then 6 months in he had dropped it twice and cracked the screen, there are literal HOLES in his chassis with exposed components sticking out, even the damn heatsink is bent somehow. He treats his computers like worthless garbage. Somehow the thing still works, even in his hands. So one thing is for sure, they are tough lol.

I guess I will take a look into Acer Predator, Lenevo Legion and MSI entry level. I just filter on NewEgg and check the reviews as well.

Thanks for the help.

[genexis_x]

On 3/8/2018 at 2:27 AM, WallacEngineering said:

just check the i7, GTX 970 and 980, 1060, 1070, and 1080 boxes, then search.

That's not how you choose laptop, you need to read in depth reviews first from websites like Notebookcheck, Ultrabookreview and Laptopmedia. Also, in most cases, SSD can be added after purchase so it isn't necessary that the laptop must come with SSD from factory.

19 minutes ago, Fr0st_P1xel said:

MSI entry level

No no, they are mediocre

[Fr0st_P1xel]

1 minute ago, ZM Fong said:

That's not how you choose laptop, you need to read in depth reviews first from websites like Notebookcheck, Ultrabookreview and Laptopmedia. Also, in most cases, SSD can be added after purchase so it isn't necessary that the laptop must come with SSD from factory.

No no, they are mediocre

Huh, thanks for that, I was sort of reluctant towards MSI in that range. As for that review thing, I did mention that I will read the reviews as well :).

For storage options, I currently have a 1TB 2.5" HDD and a 240GB SSD so maybe I can go for a laptop with 500GB HDD and save some money on there and afterwards replace the storage IF it doesn't void warranty (since it does on my brother's MSI).

[genexis_x]

2 minutes ago, Fr0st_P1xel said:

I did mention that I will read the reviews as well

If you don't have the time to read reviews, I can help you to choose the best laptops since I've done it for you

[WallacEngineering]

2 hours ago, ZM Fong said:

That's not how you choose laptop, you need to read in depth reviews first from websites like Notebookcheck, Ultrabookreview and Laptopmedia. Also, in most cases, SSD can be added after purchase so it isn't necessary that the laptop must come with SSD from factory.

Well yea, I usually sort on NewEgg, find laptops I like in my price range, then review them until I find the best one.

 

I know it doesnt HAVE to come with an SSD but upgrading another model is usually more expensive than finding one that just comes with it.

 

There are plenty of laptops and good ones too available in the OPs price range with every specification he desires. So, why not start there?

[Fr0st_P1xel]

3 hours ago, ZM Fong said:

If you don't have the time to read reviews, I can help you to choose the best laptops since I've done it for you

Thanks for considering it but all I needed was some advice, I want to select on my own as I like doing research on such stuff.

 

[Fr0st_P1xel]

@ZM Fong On the second thought, should I wait for the GTX 20/11 series laptops and then get GTX 10 series at lower price? Its only a few months time right?

[genexis_x]

9 minutes ago, Fr0st_P1xel said:

@ZM Fong On the second thought, should I wait for the GTX 20/11 series laptops and then get GTX 10 series at lower price? Its only a few months time right?

No. It will only arrive in next year, no need to wait for new GPU. If you need new 6 core H CPU then it's worth waiting, they are around the corner.

[Fr0st_P1xel]

22 hours ago, ZM Fong said:

No. It will only arrive in next year, no need to wait for new GPU. If you need new 6 core H CPU then it's worth waiting, they are around the corner.

Ok then, I will wait for the CPU then. Having extra cores will help in rendering media.

So I will be closing this topic now and thanks for the help.

[Fr0st_P1xel]

Well, I ended up deciding that I will make a PC instead.

[genexis_x]

But building a PC now is expensive. Either get prebuilt desktops or, gaming/workstation laptops

[Fr0st_P1xel]

13 hours ago, ZM Fong said:

But building a PC now is expensive. Either get prebuilt desktops or, gaming/workstation laptops

The GTX-20 series maybe anti-mining and could be the price which was meant for 10 series initially so I am just waiting on that.