Laptop or Slim/HTPC for Gaming?

[trogdor796]

My friend needs a system to play games but here's the thing, it needs to either be a laptop or a very slim/small desktop, like were talking Alienware X51 size(only used for size comparison because I know Alienware is Sh!t).

His budget is $800-$900, and if it's a laptop it needs a smart card reader and the ability to use a docking station.

Also, budget does not include an OS, monitor, or any of that. He can get Windows 7/8 at no charge and already has a monitor.

Games he is interested in playing are GW2, SC2, possible Dayz. Whatever one he gets he will use a 1080p monitor.

Given those requirements, which option is the best bet?

 

[marshallbradley]

The problem with slim builds is that you need a half sized video-card to go in them. At the moment the best one availiable is a 7750, which doesn't have super stellar 1080p performance. Here's an article Tom's did on building a slim gaming rig: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mini-itx-gaming-radeon-hd-7750,3369.html

Then again with a budget like that, the gaming laptop is going to be absolute bottom spec, and definitely have something worse than a 7750.

The final option is to slightly increase the size and go for like a Bitfenix Prodigy build: (so you can get a sense of scale) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGYatxJzaBI It can fit any double slot graphics card, so would be much more upgradeable, and certainly have much, much better performance than either of the other two options.

M

 

[markiz]

If you can substitute slim for simply small, maybe this:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($118.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.64 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone SG06BB-450-USB3.0 (Black) Mini ITX Desktop Case w/450W Power Supply ($144.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On DS-8A9SH-01 DVD/CD Writer ($27.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $876.53
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-15 09:24 EDT-0400)

Or this for better everyday performance:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H77N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($98.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.64 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone SG06BB-450-USB3.0 (Black) Mini ITX Desktop Case w/450W Power Supply ($144.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On DS-8A9SH-01 DVD/CD Writer ($27.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $885.80
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-15 09:29 EDT-0400)

 

[trogdor796]

I'll talk to him specifically about what size he needs/wants. The reason it has to be slim/small is because he's at Air Force Academy and I don't think they really want them owning big desktops.

As for a laptop, $800-$900 would be able to get him something with a 3610QM and GTX660M. Wouldn't that mobile 660 be as good or slightly better than a desktop 7750? But a desktop would be better since it would perform better and be upgradeable. Gotta see if it will be okay though.

I know that custom sites have done this, but is it possible to use a PCI-E raiser to fit a GPU vertically in a slim case, or are those not available to general consumers?

 

[markiz]

Just for reference, the Silverstone case has a footprint of an A4 paper, and is 7"(h)x8.5"(w). Not really slim, so it can't be carried easily in a rucksack or something like that. But still pretty small.

Here's a Tom's hardware built-it-yourself mini-ITX:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mini-itx-gaming-radeon-hd-7750,3369.html

You'll have to wait for someone more knowledgeable to answer your other questions. My knowledge is very limited. I'm only familiar with the basics of building a PC.

 

[jesot]

The problem with slim builds is that you need a half sized video-card to go in them. At the moment the best one availiable is a 7750, which doesn't have super stellar 1080p performance. Here's an article Tom's did on building a slim gaming rig: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mini-itx-gaming-radeon-hd-7750,3369.html

Then again with a budget like that, the gaming laptop is going to be absolute bottom spec, and definitely have something worse than a 7750.

The final option is to slightly increase the size and go for like a Bitfenix Prodigy build: (so you can get a sense of scale) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGYatxJzaBI It can fit any double slot graphics card, so would be much more upgradeable, and certainly have much, much better performance than either of the other two options.

M

I built an i3 Mini-ITX box recently for about $525. Plan on adding a 7750 at some point, which brings it up to $635. An i5 upgrade would bring it up to the $700-$750 range. Easily doable.

My machine:
i3 3225
ASRock Z77E-ITX
8GB Ballistix 1600
In Win BP655.300TB3L (10"x 13"x 4" case)
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108428)
Lite On BluRay player/DVDR combo drive
60GB OCZ Agility 3 SSD
2TB WD Green HDD

I definitely landed a couple deals, but could easily fit a 7750 and i5 in here for under $800

 

[trogdor796]

So my friend is pretty sure it would be okay if we go with what Markiz listed.

Also, I'm gonna take that as a no for being able to do a PCIE riser setup like in the Tiki? That a vendor only thing?

Also, just curious, how does a 660M compare to like a 7750?

 

[marshallbradley]

I believe the 670M is on par with the 7750 (from a graphics hierarchy chart on TH so I don't know how accurate that is). I imagine the 660M is somewhat worse therefore.

They do sell PCIE risers that would work from a quick Google, you'd probably have to do a little bit of modding though to get the graphics card to attach to the case at its new angle. I don't know of a case that natively supports it.

M