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Laptop or desktop

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Mind-Freeze
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Laptop or desktop

Hello I'm going to be buying a new computer soon and wanted to know if there is a big difference in laptop or desktop when it comes to gaming and I know it comes down to personal preference but I always played on desktops. Just wanted to know is there difference when playing on a laptop ? Hard getting used to playing on due to the difference in the size ? Just looking for some comparisons if anyone can help me out

Honey Badger Do...
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Well, it depends on what sort

Well, it depends on what sort of game you want to play. Many games can be played on integrated video, but discrete video is the way to go, buit that means it is a much more expensive laptop. That being said, Lenovo has a lot of "gaming lite" options. I think I paid about $900 for an i7 with a GTX 660 and a 1080p screen. That was in December of 2012. It plays most stuff no problem.

HBDC

Mind-Freeze
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Thanks was also thinking

Thanks was also thinking space also figure laptop would take up less room but I'm just so use to desktops hard decision but so far I'm looking at Alienware

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I always been a Desktop man

I always been a Desktop man myself. Never had a need for a laptop. For gaming I would say compare the options. What games you want to play what are the requirements, then see what the prices are for Laptop vs Desktop for those requirements.

Ask the questions "What would I be using the system for besides gaming." If you go to classes at college often and can take a laptop, buying a laptop would be more logical. However if most of the time you're at your home when computing and a hand held device can work. Would the laptop be the best option for you? For me a laptop be a waste of money I don't go anywhere where I need a computer system. My phone has all the features I would need at work.

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2.) If it goes as planned it's not good RP

Izzy
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Mind-Freeze wrote:
Mind-Freeze wrote:

Thanks was also thinking space also figure laptop would take up less room but I'm just so use to desktops hard decision but so far I'm looking at Alienware

Just a quick search on newegg revealed one for thousand bucks: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=34-317-541

Mind-Freeze
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Thanks izzy that is nice

Thanks izzy that is nice price thanks ! I know what you mean rotten always been a desktop guy myself but figure I'd ask the forums you guys have greater computer skills than me and just wasn't sure yet which way to go

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Dont go for Alienware... they

Dont go for Alienware... they are overpriced for what they provide.

The one thing to remember with laptops is that with the exception of the hard drive, RAM, and DVD drive you cannot really upgrade the internals of it. So if something goes wrong with the laptop hardware wise, it is very hard/expensive to repair. With a desktop PC you can just replace the piece of hardware with minimal problems.

For a laptop it is also better to overspec it at the start, and keep it for a few years, compared to a desktop where you can skimp just a little bit and then if need be upgrade the parts over time.

I recently had to spec up a laptop for a friend of mine, and they were (like you) tempted by the alienware by the name brand and the case of the machine.

I had a look around and saved them £500 on the price (about a 33% saving), and found a similar specced MSI laptop for them.

Yeah, that is not a mistake... you could have bought *another* backup laptop for the price that Alienware were wanting.

Quote:

1) I reject your reality.... and substitute my own
2) Not to be used when upset... will void warranty
3) Stoke me a clipper i will be back for dinner
4) I have seen more intelligence from an NPC AI in TR beta, than from most MMO players.

Mind-Freeze
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Good points definitely

Good points definitely gangrel thank you ! See that's why I consulted the experts here :-)

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I've never been able to get

I've never been able to get used to laptops. I can't seem to get the typing flow going on those keyboards. I hit the wrong keys, my fingers keep tripping over each other and I don't think the touch pads hold a candle to an actual mouse. And by no means do I have giant bear paw hands either.

Currently trapped inside the Speed Force...

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Zerohour wrote:
Zerohour wrote:

I've never been able to get used to laptops. I can't seem to get the typing flow going on those keyboards. I hit the wrong keys, my fingers keep tripping over each other and I don't think the touch pads hold a candle to an actual mouse. And by no means do I have giant bear paw hands either.

I use a wired mouse with my laptop anyway, only resorting to the touch pad when I am on the move and even then it is just for *general* usage.

If I was playing an MMO, I really need my Naga/G600 to hand anyway.

In terms of the keyboards, I know people who are marvelous typists on *their own* keyboard, but if I swapped it for another model, they have troubles... so it is nothing really new, just practice and eventually you will get used to it.

Quote:

1) I reject your reality.... and substitute my own
2) Not to be used when upset... will void warranty
3) Stoke me a clipper i will be back for dinner
4) I have seen more intelligence from an NPC AI in TR beta, than from most MMO players.

Izzy
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Zerohour wrote:
Zerohour wrote:

I've never been able to get used to laptops. I can't seem to get the typing flow going on those keyboards. I hit the wrong keys, my fingers keep tripping over each other ...

I hear that Lenovo's keyboards were designed differently, spaced out enough, to prevent such things. :)

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I'd recommend NOT buying

I'd recommend NOT buying Alienware. They're essentially almost standard Dell machines nowadays and you're paying through the nose for the branding.

Laptops are more portable, but tend to be more expensive and lower-performing compared to desktops with ostensibly the same hardware setup.

Mostly because laptop components are built to run at lower power settings to prevent excessive heat and battery consumption, so there's a tradeoff in performance.

Honestly it's up to you what you finally prefer.

Now, making your dollars stretch further.

If you're custom ordering a laptop, prioritize things you CANNOT upgrade over things you CAN.

Stuff you usually cannot upgrade:
* Higher resolution/nicer screen.
* CPU
* Discrete GPU.

These things contribute more to the longevity of a system than things like:

* Hard Drive
* Initial Amount of Memory

etc.

If it comes to "settling" for a smaller hard drive and 4GB of RAM so you can wind up with a faster/better CPU, GPU and screen? SETTLE!
Seriously. 8GB of aftermarket memory is dirt fricking cheap.
You can get a decent hard drive or Hybrid drive (a hard drive with a small Solid State disk for caching most frequently used stuff). Basically OS startups and shutdowns are faster. And your most frequently used apps run faster) for under $100. You can get a decent Solid State drive for under $200 (then EVERYTHING zooms).

You can use some of the same tradeoffs to pull better components in a desktop machine too, but the margins are smaller, so trading off doesn't usually save you as much since almost everything is upgradeable.

I used to publish a guide for CoH. Lots of pertinent questions. Answering them tends to help focus the mind on exactly what you're looking for.

http://www.cox-supergroups.com/guides/asking-about-buying-or-building-a-new-computer/

1) 99% of the stuff that comes out of my mouth is intended to be funny on one or more levels.
2) The other 1% is just straight BS.
3) You're never going to be entirely sure which is which.
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Mind-Freeze
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Guess it's been awhile since

Guess it's been awhile since I bought a computer you guys are great this is some great advice I thank you all and I'm going to research my options . I think I'm going to stick with desktop for sure I always used laptops for school and work and never for gaming so that's why I figure I ask cause some days I just don't want to get out of bed so figure hey let's play in bed lol or if the character creator for titans is so addicting due to the new graphics I can bring it in the bathroom with me I know I know TMI haha :) but again I'm loving the advice thanks again all I apprciate all the time in your answers and advice .

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Mind-Freeze wrote:
Mind-Freeze wrote:

Guess it's been awhile since I bought a computer you guys are great this is some great advice I thank you all and I'm going to research my options . I think I'm going to stick with desktop for sure I always used laptops for school and work and never for gaming so that's why I figure I ask cause some days I just don't want to get out of bed so figure hey let's play in bed lol or if the character creator for titans is so addicting due to the new graphics I can bring it in the bathroom with me I know I know TMI haha :) but again I'm loving the advice thanks again all I apprciate all the time in your answers and advice .

If you do go for a laptop, I would say go for one with an Nvidia x50 (or above) built in graphics card. This is enough to game on for current gen games.

The person I look after bought themselves a new laptop and it ends up playing Wildstar pretty damn smooth at 1920x0180 resolution.

Quote:

1) I reject your reality.... and substitute my own
2) Not to be used when upset... will void warranty
3) Stoke me a clipper i will be back for dinner
4) I have seen more intelligence from an NPC AI in TR beta, than from most MMO players.

Hyperstrike
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Okay, if you're planning on a

Okay, if you're planning on a desktop, that can be quite liberating. As you can always upgrade in the future.

Take a quick look-through of that guide I pointed you at. That will help the hardware fiends on the forum to dial in on things to suggest for you.

What will you primarily be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
What’s your budget? (Real Dollars) Are tax and shipping included? This is important as it allows people trying to help you to suggest things appropriate to your budget.
Where do you live? This is important as it affects what vendors you may buy from and how much shipping costs might be.
Are you planning to buy or build?
What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word “Everything” is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you’ll need. If you’re unsure what exactly you need, say so.
If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Will you be overclocking?
What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have? What is the resolution?
When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? etc.
Any specific must-have features? Must be able to max out Ultra-Mode? Must have 6+GB of RAM? Must have an SSD? etc.
Are there any vendors/brands you’d specifically prefer to use?
Are there any vendors/brands you’d specifically prefer to avoid?
Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit? (Note: If your current OS came with your computer, odds are that it is NOT transferable.)

1) 99% of the stuff that comes out of my mouth is intended to be funny on one or more levels.
2) The other 1% is just straight BS.
3) You're never going to be entirely sure which is which.
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Hyperstrike wrote:
Hyperstrike wrote:

Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit? (Note: If your current OS came with your computer, odds are that it is NOT transferable.)

With Windows 8, the license is now transferable, even if you bought the machine and it came with the OS.

This is one of their most recent changes. You are however correct with Windows OS XP up to Windows 7 OEM versions.

Quote:

1) I reject your reality.... and substitute my own
2) Not to be used when upset... will void warranty
3) Stoke me a clipper i will be back for dinner
4) I have seen more intelligence from an NPC AI in TR beta, than from most MMO players.

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I don't find Win8 to be good

I don't find Win8 to be good for anything other than a Tablet PC. Win7 Pro is what drives my box.

Be Well!
Fireheart

Hyperstrike
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Fireheart wrote:
Fireheart wrote:

I don't find Win8 to be good for anything other than a Tablet PC. Win7 Pro is what drives my box.
Be Well!
Fireheart

Agreed.

1) 99% of the stuff that comes out of my mouth is intended to be funny on one or more levels.
2) The other 1% is just straight BS.
3) You're never going to be entirely sure which is which.
http://cox-supergroups.com

RottenLuck
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If you have the money and

If you have the money and want a good system I recomend http://www.pugetsystems.com/. When I got the system I have now I got great customer support not just sales wise but they took over half an hour asking about what I wanted and what I wanted to do with the system. Even talked me out of getting a more expensive one because I wouldn't need the extra power it had.

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2.) If it goes as planned it's not good RP

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The REAL question is, how

The REAL question is, how much do you want to pay?

You can easily buy a very fine Desktop for 700-900 euro's (I think that's somthing like 950-1200 dollars atm).
However, if you want to buy a laptop -which obviously is portable- (+points!) you'll be looking at 1200-1400 euro's (1600-1900 dollars) for more or less the same thing.
Another thing, don't buy top of the line stuff. They'll age just as fast and you really don't need all that force, they're just that much more expsensive.
Definitely do not buy Alienware :P Seen people say it before just want to add to the list.
Just one more thing, I would advise to NOT buy a laptop/desktop with Windows 8; it is and will always be a whiney b*tch. Windows 7 is that much more reliable.

If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought.

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I have about 2500 to spend

I have about 2500 to spend but just wanted to get some advice from the experts here and they all agree do not buy Alienware :-)

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I have no problem with

I have no problem with Windows 8 to be honest... there are some (understandably) strange things that take a small period of time to get used to, but I have had no problems with it compared to the old Win7 install I had on it.

Yes, the Start screen does take some getting used to, but seeing as I rarely used the start menu in the first place under Win 7 (and that had problems that I didn't like[1]), it doesn't really bother me. There are some things that I do like with it, strangely enough I enjoy the Netflix app, because it means that I no longer have to keep a webpage open/broken off and accidentally close down the wrong browser window, which means that I could lose all of my pinned websites, so go back to checking. The various other apps are handy, although I will admit I do categorise my apps in windows, so that they are all in groups that make sense.

Is it perfect? No, it isn't but then again, Microsoft are doing the change back to a *form* of the start menu for Windows 9 apparently (you can still have tiles in it apparently).

[1] With the mouse, move it carefully through the various layers, because if you slip, you can accidentally open the wrong program... That was an annoyance for me.

Quote:

1) I reject your reality.... and substitute my own
2) Not to be used when upset... will void warranty
3) Stoke me a clipper i will be back for dinner
4) I have seen more intelligence from an NPC AI in TR beta, than from most MMO players.

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My answer is, get both!

My answer is, get both!

Granted is not quite an option for most, but it's always good to invest in multiples. For me, I'm in a situation where I likely will move around at a moments notice so relying on only a desktop might leave me in a compromised position. Only having a laptop limits what I can accomplish and/or requires peripherals to accomplish the same goals. Investing in both opens options, of course. You can get a laptop that can handle loss of games and software for around $800 but if you want high performance that can also edit videos or use professional rendering programs, you'll be paying a fortune for a portable version. But mmos and multiplayer is becoming increasingly social so gaming on the go is a big plus. Just know, if you get both, the laptop doesn't have to be high end to play a lot of those nice games, because if you want to do heavy stuff like record or stream, that's what the desktop can be for.

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you have $700 to burn?

you have $700 to burn?
See this pre-built XBOX sized PC ;)

and if you want to punch up the performance.. I would get theses parts:
http://amzn.com/w/1Y6BL55DSF59O ..and put it together. Comes to around $1,300

You can Swap out the GFX Card for another one (even though the Memory CPU SSD chosen will use LESS power.. remember.. you only have 600 Watts).

You can look at the GFX benchmarks and average pricing here: http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html
..but the GTX 760 seems to be the best bang for the buck. ;)

Someone else put together a very similar Steam OS box https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiT0aHxMf8s
and it comes close to 1,200

Someone made a review of the Case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdZESYS1CjI (saying some good things)

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I routinely played COH on an

I routinely played COH on an Alienware laptop because I travel a lot for business, and a laptop is the best option for travelers. I've had mine for quite a few years.

Today I would not buy Alienware...too much Dell in it now. Too little special sauce for the money.

Unless you travel, a desktop will just be better all around. Easier to upgrade and cheaper to buy at outset.

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There are some laptops that

There are some laptops that you can upgrade yourself, even the video card, such as Metabox/Clevo/Eurocom.
I have a Metabox myself (P150EM) which is a very powerful machine. It came with a AMD 7970M GPU and I can upgrade it myself just by buying a newer GPU (of course after checking it is compatible and Ill have to buy it from the same supplier, but its better than NOT being able to at all).

Problems with gaming on my laptop
- smaller screensize. I chose a 15.6" screen but even with a 17" it cant compare to my desktops 27". Less screen real estate.
= solution: buy a 24+ monitor and plug it in, set the laptop to not go into standby when the lid is closed and viola.

- tighter keyboard. My laptop keyboard also includes a numpad so the keyboard is a bit squished. Also the keys are VERY different with a lot less travel and actuation. Takes some getting used to if you have been on a desktop keyboard for a while (ie: 8hrs at work)
= solution: plug in a standard keyboard.

- heat. Your gaming laptop WILL generate heat so you need to be aware and be prepared to deal with it. I always use a laptop cooling stand with fans to help with the air flow and heat dissipation.

Another option is a SFF PC (Small Form Factor).
Example (note this is an Australian website so prices will be cheaper in the US due to no "Australia IT Tax"):
http://www.originpc.com/gaming/desktops/chronos/

The Phoenix Rising Initiative Rules Lawyer

Izzy
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cybermitheral wrote:
cybermitheral wrote:

http://www.originpc.com/gaming/desktops/chronos/

I just tried to build my ideal Origin PC (like the parts i listed in my post above, comes out to roughly $1,300) but the price was a bit higher:

Hmm.. for $115 more, i could get another SSD (same*) and make it a RAID 0 for double the Disk throughput. ;)

------------------
Ohhhhh... I came across this site that lets you pick your parts..
..and i just put together the parts: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mJqXVn
Total is just $1,007 :D

Izzy
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Damn... Best Case i could

Damn... Best Case i could find is the one AzzA makes called "Z", mini-ITX (CSAZ-103).
Full ATX Power supply fits in there. as well as a Full Graphics card (but limited to length of 10.5-11" though).

One site that already uses that case for its Custom Builds is: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Zeus_Mini-I_200
Base price is $699... Should run Most* AAA games at 40-60 FPS at 1920x1080 on High

But i'd rather go with: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Zeus_Mini-I_760
Base price $985 with pretty much ALLOT of the features i would want from a gaming pc. :)
Well, I would get an SSD instead. or 2.5 SDD for OS/Caching + 2.5 HDD 7200 rpm for games.
(youtube review of that custom build: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6NYv2OOfI4)

RottenLuck
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With as much Tech swave

With as much Tech swave people here I bet they could figure out a nice system for you. Be kind of an interesting challenge a community driven PC!

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2.) If it goes as planned it's not good RP

Izzy
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Here are 2 Budget Builds that

Here are 2 Budget Builds that meet Unreal Engine 4's Minimum requirements as noted in their FAQ: https://www.unrealengine.com/faq

Intel Based: (Parts info: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/IzzySoft/saved/wTxRsY)

AMD Based: (Parts Info: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/IzzySoft/saved/ZwfnTW)

:)

Mind-Freeze
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That's not bad I like those

That's not bad I like those izzy could always select that set up then make a few adjustments

Izzy
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Ohh.. this might be a better

Ohh.. this might be a better AMD build.. and a tad faster than the Intel build.

parts link: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/IzzySoft/saved/8xqPxr

Plus, this build isnt limited by the Radeon R7 compatibility limit for doing CrossFire (Dual Graphics) with the APU...
...and you can upgrade to ANY Graphics card. :)

Izzy
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Ohhh.. maybe you're looking

Ohhh.. maybe you're looking for a Build close to or better than the Alienware X51?

The build I was going for is Very Similar to the one they have that starts at $1,599. (but i dont need an i7)

The same build if you put it together (parts list: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/IzzySoft/saved/zRt9TW)

If you overclock the CPU/GPU, you're looking at 20-30% better performance than the stock Alienware X51.

Plus, Two SSD Drives... Raid 0 Striped (very FAST)
Plus, the Raven case looks kinda similar to Aleinware X51. Sorta. ;)


Sibe by Side:

And if you spend time on eBay, you could probably shave off 10-20% off the cost for some parts. Use caution, and you should be ok. :{
So you could basically save $300-$400 if you bargain shop. Maybe More! ;D

Ohh, if you plan to run this machine hours and hours on end, for $20+ you should get the 80Plus GOLD power supply. Eats Less Electricity also. :)

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I don't have much to add that

I don't have much to add that hasn't already been said.
Personally, I prefer desktops to laptops.
Unless you have a pressing need to be mobile, like a job that sends you on the road a lot, you generally get more bang for your buck with a desktop.
As far as Win 7 vs Win 8, when I built my last computer the research I did indicated Win 8 is more efficient than Win 7 in its use of resources which means those resources are available to your game.
I don't have any numbers to back that up, but before I bought Win 8, I had a copy of Win 7 which I installed as a 30-day trial to just test things out (I couldn't register it with my new computer because the key had already been used on my old one). I felt a noticeable performance increase when I got Win 8 installed.
As far as the UI is concerned, it DOES take some time adjusting to the new ways of doing things, but it isn't too bad and you can boot directly to the desktop and don't have to ever see the tiles if you don't want to.

"I don't think you understand the gravity of your situation."

Mind-Freeze
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All of these posts have been

All of these posts have been great yeah I always had desktops and wanted something smaller to move around with or if I was over a friends house maybe show them the game or play but just wanted some opinions on people who have used laptops for gaming and you guys have made great points

Riptide
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The last time I used a laptop

The last time I used a laptop for gaming was around 2000, so my bias against them is admittedly based on very old tech.

Some gaming cases include handles to make them easier to move around (my nephew has one from Cooler Master that he swears by) but that makes them more lugable than truly portable. It's probably still be a PITA to haul around.

You have a pretty decent budget so you could do well either way.

I built this back in February for about $1300:

i5 4670K processor
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo cpu cooler
ASUS 787-A motherboard
16GB Patriot Viper RAM (DDR3 1600MHz)
EVGA GTX 760 video card 2GB RAM
128GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD
1 TB Western Digital Black HDD
ASUS SATA DVD/CD burner
Corsair RM 750W 80+ Gold power suppply
Rosewill Challenger case
Windows 8

It runs everything I've tried on Ultra settings and is really quiet.

If you need a new monitor, you can get a decent 24 - 27" for around $200.

But you could also shave about $200 off the list by doing without the SSD (booting in under 10 seconds is awesome though) and you could get by with 8GB of RAM (I got 16 because I edit a lot of video and if I ever feel the need to upgrade to 32, I don't have to get rid of what's installed).

"I don't think you understand the gravity of your situation."

Izzy
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Rigel wrote:
Rigel wrote:

If you need a new monitor, you can get a decent 24 - 27" for around $200

Is this BenQ Monitor a good buy? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G1R19513
One article notes that Gamers should go for monitors with a "TN" Panel type.. and 1 or 2ms Response times.

Riptide
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I'm not familiar with the

I'm not familiar with the brand but the specs look good and that is a really good price for a 24" monitor in general. The TN type panels, as I understand it, have faster response times so are generally better for gaming. At 2ms you will will see fewer motion artifacts like fading etc due to the monitor.

I got an email last night that Newegg has a 27" ASUS monitor with 2ms response on sale for $209 through the Labor Day weekend. Irritatingly enough, that's what I paid for the 24" version a couple of months ago when I had to replace my dead monitor. I didn't see it when I just checked their web site. I'll try to link it when I get home from work.

Edit:

Here's the link
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236295&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL082814&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL082814-_-EMC-082814-Index-_-LCDMonitors-_-24236295-L012B

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An even cheaper but Faster

An even cheaper but Faster build alternative to Alienware X51:

What?! >.>
I dont play in MID's anymore. :/

Visty
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Well your options that you

Well your options that you put up aren't too bad at all. There are questions of what you're doing on your PC besides gaming but you can with that budget get both that would play pretty much anything that's on the go now game wise and probably good for the next few years. You could try going to http://www.ibuypower.com/ and build a system there they have some nice options for custom gaming systems. As for a Laptop there's a new Asus gaming laptop that will meet any need you have for the next while. Now here's one that about half your budget and you can still go either way with it http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231630

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much like Mind-Freeze...doing

much like Mind-Freeze...doing the ole upgrade. current rig is aging quickly (yikes...closing in on 8 years old!...go Intel Core 2 Duo!!! hehe) and figured I would update to take care of me for a few years (ok ok...5+ years more than likely. lol). anyways...the below is what I was thinkin and not bein a pro builder thought I would get some opinions from you all. :)

Motherboard
Asus Z97-A ($144.99)

CPU
Intel Core i5-4690K ($235.99)

Arctic Silver 5 Thernal Compound 3.5 grams ($7.92)

CPU Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO ($28.66)

RAM
Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB 1600 MHz ($74.99)

Video Card
EVGA GeForce GTX 770 SuperClocked 2GB ($324.99)

System Drive
Crucial M500 120GB Solid State Drive ($73.16)

Storage Drive
Seagate Barracuda 1TB ($53.99)

Optical Drive
Asus 24x DVD Burner ($21.19)

Case
Cooler Master Storm Scout 2 Advanced Mid Tower, ghost white (107.34)

Power Supply
XFX PRO 650W Core Edition 80+ Bronze ($99.68)

Totals out at $1,172.90

Visty
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For one WhitePeregrine make

For one WhitePeregrine make sure that you get RAM that works with your mother board. Check the Asus website and see if it's on the qualified vendors list. I have a feeling though that having one stick you'll be fine but you really should consider either 2 4GB sticks or go with 2 8GB sticks it make use of dual channel. I'd also recommend getting a gold certified power supply just for the better power efficiency and delivery in them plus you can still get something at about the same price. I personally recommend Western Digital as your storage drive just because I have plenty experience with them and currently have like 5 of them working as my storage. Everything though looks pretty decent for your selection. Oh and remember games are getting larger and larger so you might consider a separate drive just for your games. I think battlefield 3 or 4 was like a 50 GB install.

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PCPartPicker part list
Visty
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Not a bad little system Izzy

Not a bad little system Izzy though mini systems can be a pain to work on and that video card is 12" long and that case can only can handle an 11" card so you'll have to find another video card or a different case.

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Visty: thanx for the reply. :

Visty: thanx for the reply. :) I actually saw it previously, but didn't have time to sit down and reply (was checking site via phone during some downtime at work..heh). the memory is indeed 2 sticks of 4gb and it was an overlook on my part not stating as much in my post. I did upgrade to a gold standard power source though (Rosewill 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Power Supply ATX12V / EPS12V 650 Power Supply CAPSTONE-650-M). everything else I pretty much kept as is. The goal was to make a decently future proofed system for roughly 1200. is it the "perfect machine"...nah, far from...but I don't need a perfect bleeding edge machine to service my needs.

in regards to getting another drive? I may get another (large capacity) SSD at some point in the future, but for now, between the 120GB SSD and the 1TB hard drive I think I will be ok for a good bit. while I plan on putting the OS (win 7) on the SSD I am actually not all that concerned about load time. I'm not an FPS player and the games I do play are either turn based or of a slower nature over all. in addition, I typically have no issues with just clearing out games that I don't play anymore to make rooms for others that I do, why clutter a system up with dead programs(for all intents and purposes)...besides, if I get the urge for some reason to play them again, it's not hard to reinstall.

again, thanx for the input though, much appreciated! :)

Visty
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The reason I mentioned

The reason I mentioned another drive is that when I reinstalled windows the other day ( I just upgraded a bit ) and my 120 GB SSD got almost completely filled by the OS. Now I'm not stupid I had to get rid of a few things that windows puts in that aren't really needed for me like the hibernation file which ended up coming in at a whopping 25 GB. That had to go LOL. Anyway you shouldn't have too many troubles with game size either way you'll just need to keep an eye to it.

What you've got is a pretty good system and you won't really have to worry about anything for a while. About the only thing you may need to do in the future is maybe get a little more RAM.

Izzy
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Visty wrote:
Visty wrote:

Not a bad little system Izzy though mini systems can be a pain to work on and that video card is 12" long and that case can only can handle an 11" card so you'll have to find another video card or a different case.

Ohhh... The product page Here has the video card length as 10.28" :P

This case has 7/10 difficulty rating... which isnt bad for a slim mini case.
Plus, its using the Steam Box design for the PCI Express riser. :D

Visty
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It might have been a mistake

It might have been a mistake on another site but if it works it works :-) It'll be a nice system.

I'm still saving up now for a video card for my system. It's basically the last part I need and I want to get a good card so I can do some streaming and video editing work. Right now my old video card is doing alright but it can't handle games as well with my mother board. I know what I've got built is slightly overkill but it'll do good in the long run. :-)

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Maxim #37: There is no

Maxim # 37: There is no overkill. There is only "Open fire" and "I need to reload."

This way, it'll be longer before you have to upgrade again. ^_^

Foradain, Mage of Phoenix Rising.
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Visty
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LOL yes I'll agree with that

LOL yes I'll agree with that comment.

Riptide
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Visty wrote:
Visty wrote:

The reason I mentioned another drive is that when I reinstalled windows the other day ( I just upgraded a bit ) and my 120 GB SSD got almost completely filled by the OS. Now I'm not stupid I had to get rid of a few things that windows puts in that aren't really needed for me like the hibernation file which ended up coming in at a whopping 25 GB. That had to go LOL. Anyway you shouldn't have too many troubles with game size either way you'll just need to keep an eye to it.
What you've got is a pretty good system and you won't really have to worry about anything for a while. About the only thing you may need to do in the future is maybe get a little more RAM.

What version of Windows did you install? I have a 120GB SSD. Windows 8.1, plus all of my software that doesn't update very often (if at all) takes up only a third of the space. I don't have the whole list in my head (at work now), but I have Office 2007, an oldish version of Photoshop, Pinnacle Studio video editor, and quite a few smaller applications.
I partitioned off about a quarter of my 1TB HDD for games and left the remainder for my files.

Also, I moved my swap files and other temporary files locations to the HDD, which can take up a lot of space depending on your settings. It has the added benefit of extending the life of the SSD. Reads are "free", but repeatedly writing to the SSD can shorten its lifespan.
I don't have a link handy, but searching "SSD optimization" leads to some really helpful information.

"I don't think you understand the gravity of your situation."

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I'd consider avoiding

I'd consider avoiding anything Radeon. Mine ran too hot, crashed my browser with basic video, and was generally not what I was hoping for,

The competition just came out with the GTX 980 and I am really liking it so far. Though the specs look worse, the Maxwell architecture works well and you're getting comparable or better performance than a 780 Ti for less heat, noise and power draw.

Also, the 780 Ti's are coming down in price, now that they're being phased out...and they're still good cards.

Also consider getting a bigger case than you need. If you don't have pressing need to keep it tiny, a big case can be a godsend (Especially with big graphics cards) if you're building it yourself.

Rigel: I also went with the SSD boot drive and a large (3 TB) conventional drive. It's not a bad setup, though I'm kind of wishing I'd gotten a slightly bigger boot drive.

Mrwrk
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Izzy wrote:
Izzy wrote:

Ohh, if you plan to run this machine hours and hours on end, for $20+ you should get the 80Plus GOLD power supply. Eats Less Electricity also. :)

This is good advice. I run a Platinum supply, but it's not -that- much better than a gold cert one.

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I built two (one for my wife

I built two (one for my wife and I) custom liquid-cooled mini-ITX machines earlier this year, each with a total cost of about $2800. Parts List (mostly Newegg):
• Case: BitFenix Prodigy
• MoBo: Asus Maximus VI Impact
• CPU: Core i7-4770k
• HDD: Samsung 840 EVO
• Graphics: EVGA GTX770 HydroCopper
• RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB
• PSU: CoolerMaster V850 (Had to modify case for this)
• And then customer water cooling parts ordered from FrozenCPU
I wanted a smaller case, liquid cooling for quieter normal operation (and still quiet during gaming), and lower temps for longevity. These are two great machines, you could always drop certain components to reduce cost. I eventually also bought Benq monitors and love them as well.

I also tend to travel a lot, so also use an ASUS UX51VZ - I wanted a SS Ultrabook with a built-in video card - was the only one on the market and I love it. Can't run everything (lower RAM) but can run most with reduced settings.

"it's a long road to wisdom, but it's a short one to being ignored." The Lumineers

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I think the OP is well and

I think the OP is well and answered but I thought I might chime in with my thoughts for any future viewer. Really unless you absolutely have a requirement for a laptop I would absolutely build a desktop. The cost savings are worth it. That said I found myself in that very spot about a year ago.

I looked at the major retailers for what I was looking for and found that among similarly equipped machines Dell/Alienware actually had the best value for laptops. That was about 2 years ago and it was worth the cost. However, there are some caveats. Dell doesn't support the product software (drivers) for more than a year after the line is released. You have to dig and hunt to find drivers that are up to date and work on your special machine. Secondly the GPU has a tendency to fail. This is why I've moved back to my desktop. The GPU failed and you can not buy a replacement or upgrade from Dell. You have to go to e-bay to buy something expensive that may not even work. You'll be lucky to find a warranty for more than 30 days. Maybe there is a price premium for the other brands like falconNW, IBP and the others that resolve those types of issues.

So in the end it really boils down to, do you need it and can you afford to replace it/keep up with the extended warranties in a couple years.