Gaming, Tower vs Laptop, is there a difference at this point?

[Zak Browning]

So I just built a PC, for the second time, this time the cost came to $930, including the parts I had initially. I really didnt intend to spend that much but it all came up quickly, with the cost of peripherals really making me wonder if there is really any disparity in 2016 in the cost-performance between laptops and desktops.

Obviously laptops are harder to switch parts, if they can be swapped at all, but do you gain much of a savings if the processor/video card in your PC lasts for about 3 years? At this point if either of those parts die wouldnt it be safe to assume that you need to switch out the MOBO too?

Im a student so I need to have a laptop for backup, but this raises another point that I can utilize free internet and save about $20 a month on the cost of internet.

Whats the concensus?

My part build is below. What would an equivalent laptop tend to cost?

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Wy2pzM

 

[atomicWAR]

laptop will always be more expensive and getting a CPU as fast as your build, even more so. heres the cheapest laptop on newegg that is close (minus CPU 3.3ghz vs 2.6ghz) to your build.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834233180

1199 vs 894...305 dollars...so fair difference depending on your budget. Could buy a much better GPU or CPU for example on a desktop.

 

[atomicWAR]

Also when building a desktop when its time for your next build in three years or so. things like your case, monitor, blu-ray/dvd player, SSDs, HDDs are easy to transfer over saving you even more the next go round not to mention the ability to easily upgrade as time passes instead of buying a whole new system when your GPU is too weak, for example.

 

[synphul]

The desktop will be more powerful. Taking a look at the system atomicWAR linked to and reviewing the specs, it's using mobile variants. It's using a mobile 1060m, not a gtx 1060 discrete card which by default runs around 10-12% higher performance than its mobile brother. They're not the same components.

The mobile i7 does have hyper threading but its core speeds are base 2.6ghz and with turbo boost 'up to' 3.5ghz. That's a situation where one core is active, not all 4 and it's partially determined by load and heat. The i5 6600 has a base of 3.3ghz 'up to' 3.9ghz turbo. You can expect the mobile variety to not reach its turbo potential as often since cooling a cpu in a laptop is much tougher and it will run hotter than a cpu in a desktop with better cooling and airflow. Even ignoring turbo boost entirely the i5 desktop cpu is already running 700mhz faster out of the box.

Then you have screen size, a 15.6" screen is nowhere near a 24" desktop screen. That laptop does offer 1080p but I'm referring to physical screen size which can make the gaming experience more enjoyable on the larger screen. It's true that a laptop can be portable but if planning on gaming either plan on lowered performance due to power savings features likely causing stuttering or plan on ignoring power savings when unplugged from the wall and much shorter use off the battery at full power. Then you'll be right back to a wall outlet somewhere to recharge.

Each have their place but especially when factoring cost to performance and overall experience, desktop wins. That doesn't even address the reduced cost of upgrading components individually on a pc as needed being much simpler and cost effective vs a laptop. If going to a laptop with a 17" or greater screen and a better gpu you're easily reaching the $1500-2000 price range.