Buying a gaming laptop - quad core 4GB VRAM or dual core 2GB VRAM?

[DrRobotnik7]

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy an entry-level gaming laptop, as my budget allows, but I can't decide between the below options. Your advice would be much appreciated!

It comes down to whether I go for a dual core processor with GTX 1050 4GB VRAM (NOT a Ti I don't believe), or a quad core with GTX 1050 2GB VRAM. I understand that this isn't an amazing GPU so there's no point spending more money than I need to if the CPU will be underutilized, but I want to future proof a little. Is 2GB extra VRAM better for that than a quad core processor? Something has to give to fit into my budget, VRAM or CPU. I'm aware that the GPU has a far bigger impact on gaming than the CPU, but does 2GB extra VRAM make that much difference?

I'll predominantly be gaming and doing work, but work includes very basic use of Office and browsing so I don't need the fastest CPU possible.

1. MSI LEOPARD GP62 7RD - £750
15.6" inch Full HD screen
Intel Core i5-7300HQ - 2.5 GHz turbo boost to 3.5Ghz - 6MB cache
NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1050 2GB
8GB DDR4
128 GB SSD + 1TB 7200 RPM HDD
I could upgrade to i7-7700HQ - 2.8Ghz boost to 3.8Ghz for £50 extra but I'm not sure the graphics card would justify this, but again thinking of future proofing.

2. HP OMEN 15-ax202na - £750
15.6" inch Full HD IPS screen
Intel Core i5-7300HQ - 2.5 GHz turbo boost to 3.5Ghz - 6MB cache
NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1050 2GB
8GB DDR4
128 GB SSD + 1TB 7200RPM HDD
No optical drive
Similar option to number 1, with the addition of an IPS screen. I could pay £50 to upgrade to 256GB SSD but lose the IPS. Not sure if that's necessary or if SSD is really even needed.

3. MEDION ERAZER P6681 - £700
15.6" inch Full HD screen
Intel Core i5-7200U - 2.5 GHz turbo boost to 3.1Ghz - 3MB cache
NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1050 4GB
8GB DDR4
No SSD - 1TB HDD - £100 extra to upgrade to 128GB SSD
This is the cheapest option, it has the worst processor and the GTX 1050 with 4GB VRAM, 2GB extra VRAM vs the other options. I didn't know the 1050 4GB version existed, I thought it was just 1050 2GB or 1050Ti 4GB. After finding this laptop on multiple websites none say Ti.

4. The final option is to spend more than I really want to, £850, on an ACER PREDATOR 15 G9-592 with Intel Core i5-6300HQ Quad Core (2.3GHz, 6MB Cache, Intel Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz) and GeForce GTX 970M 6GB. If someone here recommends one of the £800 models above it doesn't seem too much more to pay £50 extra and get a better GPU. That said, I'd prefer to spend less and get more bang for my buck than spend lots on what is still a relatively entry-level machine.

TL;DR Should I opt for a dual core processor with a GPU with 2GB extra VRAM or a quad core with 2GB less. And how important is it to get SSD really?

Thanks in advance!

 

[kookie3010]

i would go for the msi.the 1050 2gb should be enough and it wont really be able to utilise all the 4gb vram if u go for the 4gb option.however i do see some games pushing the 4gb 1050 above 2gb and close to 3gb.(on a friends dell 7567 with i5-7300hq and 4gb gtx 1050).the predator 970m is about the same or slightly faster than the gtx 1050 but will run hotter though.but if u can find a 1050ti around this price range should be a good grab.(acer vx15 maybe)

 

[DrRobotnik7]

i would go for the msi.the 1050 2gb should be enough and it wont really be able to utilise all the 4gb vram if u go for the 4gb option.however i do see some games pushing the 4gb 1050 above 2gb and close to 3gb.(on a friends dell 7567 with i5-7300hq and 4gb gtx 1050).the predator 970m is about the same or slightly faster than the gtx 1050 but will run hotter though.but if u can find a 1050ti around this price range should be a good grab.(acer vx15 maybe)

Thanks for your response. No point in getting the Predator then as it's a lot more expensive. Is the 1050ti really worth the extra cost? Why would you choose the MSI over the HP? And would you spend more to upgrade to the i7?

 

[DrRobotnik7]

I've looked up the Acer VX15 and again, I can only find it listed as 1050 4GB, NOT 1050Ti. This makes me wonder whether it truly is a Ti in the Medion.

If that is the case, it it worth getting the Medion dual core + 1050Ti, or one of the others i.e. quad core + standard 1050?

 

[kookie3010]

I've looked up the Acer VX15 and again, I can only find it listed as 1050 4GB, NOT 1050Ti. This makes me wonder whether it truly is a Ti in the Medion.

If that is the case, it it worth getting the Medion dual core + 1050Ti, or one of the others i.e. quad core + standard 1050?

i doubt its a Ti in the medion.as i mention there is a variant of 1050 that came with 4gb of memory(dell 7567 base model/acer vx15 base model/acer nitro 5).plus the processor on the medion will hold back the 1050 so the 4gb vram will be wasted.right now among all in the list the MSI is the best bet.however the 970m on the predator will perform slightly better overall than the 1050 though.however the 1050 will pull less power thus more battery life.and newer driver support should see the 1050 going neck and neck with the 970m.

 

[DrRobotnik7]

I've looked up the Acer VX15 and again, I can only find it listed as 1050 4GB, NOT 1050Ti. This makes me wonder whether it truly is a Ti in the Medion.

If that is the case, it it worth getting the Medion dual core + 1050Ti, or one of the others i.e. quad core + standard 1050?

i doubt its a Ti in the medion.as i mention there is a variant of 1050 that came with 4gb of memory(dell 7567 base model/acer vx15 base model/acer nitro 5).plus the processor on the medion will hold back the 1050 so the 4gb vram will be wasted.right now among all in the list the MSI is the best bet.however the 970m on the predator will perform slightly better overall than the 1050 though.however the 1050 will pull less power thus more battery life.and newer driver support should see the 1050 going neck and neck with the 970m.

Excellent, thanks so much for your help.

Would you recommend upgrading to the i7 processor for the MSI for £50 more. I'm sure it would be a bit wasted on the 1050 but could be good just for future proofing. Or is the performance difference between that and the i5 negligible given the tasks I'll be doing aren't that intensive?

 

[kookie3010]

I've looked up the Acer VX15 and again, I can only find it listed as 1050 4GB, NOT 1050Ti. This makes me wonder whether it truly is a Ti in the Medion.

If that is the case, it it worth getting the Medion dual core + 1050Ti, or one of the others i.e. quad core + standard 1050?

i doubt its a Ti in the medion.as i mention there is a variant of 1050 that came with 4gb of memory(dell 7567 base model/acer vx15 base model/acer nitro 5).plus the processor on the medion will hold back the 1050 so the 4gb vram will be wasted.right now among all in the list the MSI is the best bet.however the 970m on the predator will perform slightly better overall than the 1050 though.however the 1050 will pull less power thus more battery life.and newer driver support should see the 1050 going neck and neck with the 970m.

Excellent, thanks so much for your help.

Would you recommend upgrading to the i7 processor for the MSI for £50 more. I'm sure it would be a bit wasted on the 1050 but could be good just for future proofing. Or is the performance difference between that and the i5 negligible given the tasks I'll be doing aren't that intensive?

if the diff is just 50 bucks then why not.the i5 is already a very good mobile processor but if u can get an i7 for a small amount of money i say go for it.