Building high-end laptop for linux, running 3D calculations

[Rachel Koncewicz]

Hi Everyone,
It's either that I buy a sexy new MacBookPro (extremely tempted, as long as I can dual boot with Linux?) or I learn something new by building my own laptop, which seems more fun.
Basically, aside from listening to music, and browsing/emailing, I just want to use this computer for 3D physics calculations (no 3D time-dependent simulations, not even youtube!, and no games.)
So, I'm guessing that the CPU is the most important part here? Or is a better choice to use the GPU? I'm also a bit worried about whether I can find a mobo+case/screen to work with this combo.
The cost isn't too much of an issue at the moment, but if it costs loads, I'd like its longevity to be good - or at least be able to upgrade the parts on the mobo.
Sorry, this is a bit mixed up now, but any suggestions of mobos/CPU/GPU etc etc gratefully received. Thanks!

 

[johnjohn67]

Building a laptop isn't worth it. It's easier and cheaper to buy a prebuilt one. If you want to build something, build a desktop.

 

[pauls3743]

The nearest you'll get to a self build laptop is a barebones laptop where you can pick and choose processor, graphics card, memory and a couple of other things. About the only one I know of, even though there are other out there, is Clevo which a number of suppliers add their own branding to.

 

[dottorrent]

You can't build a laptop. I can however, build you a small, silent CADCAM system to suit your needs -

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Be Quiet DARK ROCK PRO 2 67.8 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus GRYPHON Z87 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($162.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($333.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($209.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PNY Quadro 6000 6GB Video Card ($3648.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($98.07 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Pioneer BDR-208DBK Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($98.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus PB278Q 27.0" Monitor ($549.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $5740.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-06 19:01 EST-0500)

Let's hope a budget is not a concern.

 

[pauls3743]

Sorry, my point about the barebones system was that you can buy a system with your choice processor, graphics card, hard drive, memory, etc. But, unless your on very good terms with your supplier, it comes already built. Also ,there barebones system are usually expensive and used for high-end gaming laptops and mobile workstations.

As has already been said, if you want to build something go for a desktop.

 

[Rachel Koncewicz]

Hi Everyone, thanks for the replies; I was aware of the barebones laptop, but it seems really hard to get hold of, and my desktop systems are already built happily It just seemed like building a laptop would be more fun, especially since I have a ton of DDR3 and SSDs lying around. However, I found PC specialists online, and got them to build one and it turned out to be not too expensive, with i7 4800M processor and a good graphics card (not quite as good as dottorrent's suggestion!). It is a bit annoying that getting the Mobo and chassis is so hard, though, especially since I have so much unused DDR2, a couple of screens, keyboards, HDDs from old projects. Next time I feel the urge to build something, I'll hope I'm in a job with a tech-budget, and try dottorent's plan; since I have to use Linux, at least I can save 100 bucks!