Laptop Help

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Sapphireoath wrote on 2013-02-07 08:20

Soon to be without PC+internet, so I started looking around for a gaming-grade laptop. Highest demanding game I "might" play on it is Battlefield 3 (but as I'll be without internet, it probably isn't the biggest concern).
I do actually own a desktop, but I won't be able to easily take it with me (we're moving house, going travelling for a bit. Desktop isn't exactly made for that sort of thing xD)

What I'm looking at currently is a Clevo (Rebranded Sager or something I read, either way they have pretty good reviews), rough price limit is ~$1300
Metabox P151EM1 laptop by Clevo
At around $1255AUD, taking the i7 down to an i5 and 16GB RAM down to 8GB. No OS, but I can sort that out.
Specs:
750GB 7200rpm HDD
GTX 670MX 3GB GDDR5
[email protected] Turbo
8GB DDR3 1600Mhz

What I want to know, is there anything similar or is this the best deal I'll find for the price? Note that I live in Australia, so sites like newegg and most of the recommended laptop sites are kinda out of reach for me.

I was also looking at the Metabox W370ET laptop by Clevo as well.
Specs:
750GB 7200rpm HDD
GTX 660M 2GB GDDR5
[email protected] Turbo
8GB DDR3 1600Mhz

$1099AUD. So same thing again, i7 > i5 and 12GB > 8GB. Only difference is this is a 17.3" and the previous one is 15.6"
Another question I have, how much difference will I notice between the GTX 660M and the GTX 670MX?
Yanm wrote on 2013-02-07 15:44

I'd go with the GTX 670MX. Generally, it's about a 15% improvement over the 660m. Taken from notebookcheck's review of the gtx 670mx: The GTX 670MX's gaming performance is rather mixed. First the good news: Undemanding games are no problem for the Kepler GPU even in the native resolution. Half of the tested games managed our ultra-setting (maximum details, multiple anti-aliasing) with over 30 fps. These included some audience favorites, such as Dishonored, Skyrim, Borderlands 2 and Black OPS 2.

The bad news: Computing-intensive tracks only run smoothly in reduced settings. In particular, blockbusters released in late 2012 like Far Cry 3, Assassin's Creed III, Hitman: Absolution and Need for Speed: Most Wanted have high requirements on the G75VX. The graphics card is not ideal for Guild Wars 2, Sleeping Dogs and Battlefield 3 either.

The user occasionally has to be satisfied with 1600x900 pixels (the screen interpolates quite well), high details and 2x anti-aliasing. However, users willing to accept compromises should be adequately equipped for the next 1 - 2 years.

The GTX 670MX surpasses its GeForce GTX 660M Kepler brother by approximately 15%. The GTX 675M (+20%) and GTX 675MX (+35%) are no threat for the graphics card - unlike in the synthetic DirectX 11 benchmarks.

Of course, I'd recommend you look up the 660m and 670mx on notebookcheck and compare the FPS they both get some games.
Sapphireoath wrote on 2013-02-09 00:05

Thinking about going with the P151EM1.

They are having a promotion for a free upgrade to a 120GB SSD (Samsung 840), so I was thinking of taking up that offer. I can always use my 1.5TB External for storage (and add a secondary HDD if I ever deem it necessary). Others around the same price ($1255) still only have either a 650M or a 660M, the P151EM1 seems to be my best value for money option.
Taycat wrote on 2013-02-09 00:10

Iunno, Yanm, my Intel HD Graphics integrated can run GW2 decently.
Sapphireoath wrote on 2013-02-09 00:13

Quote from Mythical Detective Loki X;1028979:
Iunno, Yanm, my Intel HD Graphics integrated can run GW2 decently.

I think GW2 is more CPU than GPU (really wish it would utilize the GPU more though :P), which is probably why.
Yanm wrote on 2013-02-09 00:17

Quote from Mythical Detective Loki X;1028979:
Iunno, Yanm, my Intel HD Graphics integrated can run GW2 decently.

That's not surprising. On what settings? GW2 was made so that even integrated cards can run it. When they said it wasn't ideal for GW2, I believe they meant max settings at 1080p. It is also dependant on the CPU, as even stronger GPU's can suffer if the CPU is weak.
Taycat wrote on 2013-02-09 00:26

Quote from Yanm;1028986:
That's not surprising. On what settings? GW2 was made so that even integrated cards can run it. When they said it wasn't ideal for GW2, I believe they meant max settings at 1080p. It is also dependant on the CPU, as even stronger GPU's can suffer if the CPU is weak.

Well my CPU is i3, so...
And on some rather low settings, I get around 60fps in the field, a little less in cities/places with lots of people.
Also, smoke and fire kills my FPS.
Lewd wrote on 2013-02-09 03:18

You should just get an Alienware