Building a Gaming Computer and buying Gaming Laptop (Budget of $1500)

[Man eating catfish]

Hello there, people who are far more knowledgeable than me about computers. I am planning on building a gaming computer, while also buying a gaming laptop.

I intend for the custom computer to be able to run most games on their highest settings (Starcraft 2 on ultra settings is the benchmark). And the laptop should be close behind it, though doesn't have to be on the same level.

I prefer a build that can incorporate two graphics cards, as I already have a GeForce 440 GT from my last computer and a double graphics card setup should satisfy all graphics benchmarks. In that vein, I'd like a motherboard, processor, etc. that are fully compatible and optimum with a dual graphics card setup.

The build should accommodate future upgrades, as I would like to do so...in the future.

The laptop of course will be mainly used for gaming on the side and schoolwork, etc. It doesn't have to be very high-end but powerful enough that it can run Starcraft 2/Dota2/League of Legends on high to med graphics, or high in the case of League. The actual finding of the correct laptop model may be a hassle, being situated in India, so if one does not work out, I'll report back.

The combined budget I have to build/buy both is approximately $1500, with a bit of leeway of $50 - $100.

Note I do not live in the US, but in India, so many deals and discounts won't apply to me, and possibly (hopefully not) some parts may be unavailable to me.

Also note I am new to building a gaming computer from scratch and therefore a complete and utter scrub at this...

Also filling out this little survey in case it will help in helping me:

Approximate Purchase Date: Late August to early September at most

Budget Range: $1500-1600

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, school work, watching movies, home

Are you buying a monitor: Yes



Parts to Upgrade: Everything!

Do you need to buy OS: Yes, but I'll do that myself (separate cost outside the budget)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any will do, considering I don't know many.

Location: New Delhi, India. However I may be able to import parts, though not a recommended option.

Parts Preferences: Intel Processors, not sure on Motherboard and Graphics cards are whatever is SLI compatible with a GeForce 440 GT and has lots of power.

Overclocking: I'd rather not, as I have no experience in it.

SLI or Crossfire: Yes on SLI

Your Monitor Resolution: 1024x768 is the standard for me, though if a better resolution is available in the budget (such as HD *cough*) I'd love to have that

Additional Comments: At most, something that doesn't make a whole lot of sound.

 

[miikeb]

Have you considered just spending your entire budget on a gaming laptop and hooking it up to an external monitor/keyboard/mouse when you want the desktop experience?

$1500 will not go a long way towards a laptop and desktop so this would seem the best option.

 

[Nw333]

Laptop will cost atleast $1000 since its for gaming. So, you have to decide between the two.

 

[Man eating catfish]

Hmm, well what if I just wanted a standard laptop that could run games on low/med, that would cost around $600-700?

And the rest could be spent on the PC?

Or, what kind of gaming laptop would you recommend? Around the $1000 range of course.

Edit: And if not, how much of a budget would be required for both the laptop and PC?

 

[Nw333]

Well, thats going to be quite hard, as you want to play SCII on highest. Its gonna take a bunch of CPU power to have alot of units in the game. Check if your 440 Gt even supports SLI too cause if it doesnt, well, we have a problem.

Id say an Alienware M14 (or whatever the model is lol.) will be good enough for your gaming needs. (its a laptop.)

Id say around $1700. 700 for a laptop and the 1000 for the desktop. ($2000 if you want a good gaming laptop and desktop.)

Why not just get a netbook for your schoolwork then have the rest of the money go for your gaming desktop?

 

[Man eating catfish]

Well, thats going to be quite hard, as you want to play SCII on highest. Its gonna take a bunch of CPU power to have alot of units in the game. Check if your 440 Gt even supports SLI too cause if it doesnt, well, we have a problem.

Id say an Alienware M14 (or whatever the model is lol.) will be good enough for your gaming needs. (its a laptop.)

Id say around $1700. 700 for a laptop and the 1000 for the desktop. ($2000 if you want a good gaming laptop and desktop.)

Why not just get a netbook for your schoolwork then have the rest of the money go for your gaming desktop?

Alrighty, let's continue the thread assuming I'll be just going for a netbook that can run games on low, etc.

What would you recommend for said netbook model, and how much would be leftover for the desktop. In tandem, what should I get for the desktop?

According to the website, the GT 440 is SLI compatible but must be paired with another GT 440. The link is here:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/product-geforce-gt-440-oem-us.html

It's in the specs tab, the first asterisk at the bottom.

 

[Nw333]

In all honesty, Im not one good with laptops. Id check any Asus, Dell and HP stores around you. Mostly you will be checking the processor when it comes to laptops.

If you can provide us a website where you will buy your parts, Ill gladly get you a build from there.

 

[Man eating catfish]

Almost any parts will usually do, I can check their availability through various providers. But considering I'm in India, most websites won't do, so just name parts and I'll report if they aren't available to me at all.

On that note, any clue if Alienware is available in SEA or do I have to import?


(Mind my supposed scatterbrainedness, I just want to know every option.)

 

[maskills24]

If your looking for a laptop that can do some mid range gaming, start searching for laptops with amds apus. The integrated graphics on the chip itself is very strong, much better than intels hd 3000 graphics, they are on par with desktop dedicated gpus.

 

[Nw333]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/eQSx

Left you with some room for the monitor.
If you have a 660Ti available, you can get that.

 

[Man eating catfish]

While I check the availability of these parts (May take a few days), what are your opinions on the MSI GT60/GT70 as a possible gaming laptop buy? (I know for a fact these are available in India.)

And excuse me if I'm wrong, but aren't LGA1155 Mobos incompatible with some LGA1156 parts? If I ever need to upgrade to one such, would that be a major problem?

 

[Nw333]

LGA 1156 is older than 1155. (correct me if im wrong.) So, if ever you are upgrading, LGA 2011 will be the way to go since it is newer (but expensive), it will last longer.

and the MSI Gt70 is a great gaming laptop.

 

[Man eating catfish]

But the GT60 ONE has more Graphics VRAM, 4 GB. As opposed to the GT70 ONE's 3GB.

 

[Nw333]

I only checked the GT70, but whichever one is better, get it. 1GB of vRAM isnt much of a difference. You'll only notice it in BF3 with everything on Ultra.

 

[Man eating catfish]

Any idea of the price range of the GT60 ONE? I'm double-checking if I can get my budget increased to $2000, so I might be able to afford the PC upgrade (or something close to it) you gave and the MSI GT60.

 

[Nw333]

Well, Im not sure on the price cause I dont know where your buying lol.