Razer Core Compatability

[Brian_99]

Hello,

I was wondering what laptops are compatible with the Razer Core? I understand that it only officially supports the Blade and Stealth, but there is considerable talk of it be able to work with several other non-Razer models with the correct Bios and Drivers. I am hoping you all will be able to help identify some of the ones it works best with.

Regard

 

[Chugalug_]

It is compatible with any laptop that has a Thunderbolt 3 connector.
It is not recommended however, given that the CPU is almost ALWAYS going to be the bottleneck in use.
The Core is extremely overpriced, and is just the empty enclosure, requiring you to purchase a graphics card separately.
You're better off to get a high end gaming laptop if this is the price range you're in, or even better; a GTX 1080 ITX build. which you can carry around.

 

[Brian_99]

What is the likelihood there will other devices similar to the Core being released by other competitors in the near future? If I wait it would be for a laptop with 1080m in SLI or else one with a full gtx 1070 or 1080, as an actual laptop is required to meet my needs. As much as I would like to, with traveling and university, an ITX really just isn't a suitable solution with the time it would take to transport, set up, or tear down.

 

[Brian_99]

One possible solution I'm considering to the CPU bottleneck is buying a laptop with a full desktop CPU such as an Alienware or Origin Eon, but only laptop grade graphics to reduce cost.

 

[Chugalug_]

ITX can be the same size if not smaller than the Razer core and a laptop for a cheaper price with better performance if built in a slim case.
The Origin Eon is a good laptop, but would you allow me to put together an example ITX build for you?
You can just use any old laptop with a HDMI port and plug the graphics card straight in, using the laptop keyboard and a mouse of your choice with much greater performance at a better price.
What would be your budget? I'll put together an example.
Of course the laptop must support video in for this to work, although I can put together an build AND a laptop for cheaper than a gaming laptop with an external dock.
Give me a chance. 😉

 

[Brian_99]

Let me explain my situation a bit further and then you can decide if you think you're suggestion is still a viable option. First, I am a student. That means my daily class rig has to be highly portable, and capable of being set up and functioning in a classroom environment (no inordinate amount of desk space or giant monitor). The Core appealed because the laptop itself would be able to function strongly on its own and then rejoin the Core in the dorm for greater performance. My concern with an ITX system is that, for example, I can't really go around carrying a keyboard, case, monitor, and so on with me all day. Therefore I assume what you are suggesting requires two independent systems (I may be mistaken). For class (Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics), I am required to have a laptop with an i5 (i7 is recommended), 8 GB of ram (16 GB recommended), and integrated video (discrete graphics HIGHLY recommended). So there is that cost which is impossible to avoid. It was due to this requirement that I think it would just be cheaper and more sensible to buy a higher end laptop with the core. If you think you can find a laptop which can offer the performance I need with enough cash left over to build a desktop which is capable of competing with the high-end laptop and a core, by all means, please let me know. My budget it approximately $2,000 -$3,000, preferably closer to the lower end. I get the core for pretty much free when my discounts and credit (if I buy a laptop from Razer, or about 50% off if I buy from another seller) is considered so it's really just a question of purchasing the GPU along with the laptop. Thanks again for your help in this matter.

 

[Chugalug_]

Here is what I have for you.
This allows you to have both a fully fledged gaming setup in your dorm room, in a very slim profile (smaller than the core) with a 1440p 144hz gaming monitor, and a great i7 workstation laptop for work with 7 hours of battery life for $579, also includes a free printer, which is amazing for Uni, I can tell you!
If you want to spend more, I can upgrade it to an i7 GTX 1080 build for $300 extra.
Do you need a keyboard and mouse included in the cost by the way? I can add a mechanical keyboard and a good mouse for $150 total.
As is costs 2400 all up.
Laptop link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834315380

PC Setup:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/3sRF8K
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/3sRF8K/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($198.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H170N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($113.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($66.37 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Sandisk SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Mini ITX OC Video Card ($385.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Silverstone FTZ01B Mini ITX Desktop Case ($129.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: Silverstone 500W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply ($94.99 @ B&H)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.00 @ B&H)
Monitor: Dell S2716DG 27.0" 144Hz Monitor ($522.05 @ Amazon)
Total: $1783.34
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-11 22:50 EDT-0400

 

[Chugalug_]

Build with i7, GTX 1080, mechanical keyboard and mouse.
There are currently no GTX 1080 ITX versions out that I know of, but put in the G1 gaming as a price filler.
If you are willing to go with a slightly larger, boxier ITX case, it would greatly improve airflow considering this is just for use in a dorm.
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/gsRF8K
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/gsRF8K/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($298.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H170N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($113.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($66.37 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Sandisk SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 8GB G1 Gaming Video Card ($629.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Silverstone FTZ01B Mini ITX Desktop Case ($129.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: Silverstone 500W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply ($94.99 @ B&H)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.00 @ B&H)
Monitor: Dell S2716DG 27.0" 144Hz Monitor ($522.05 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Corsair STRAFE Wired Gaming Keyboard ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Chroma Wired Optical Mouse ($56.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $2264.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-11 22:48 EDT-0400

 

[Chugalug_]

Let me know what you think of these builds.

 

[Brian_99]

Wow you did excellent work, I'm impressed. I hope I'm not asking too much and feel free to turn me down, but I was thinking and have another idea. My current laptop should suffice on its own for college, I was only intending to upgrade for the gaming capabilities. But now that you brought it up (not sure why I didn't consider it), using the full $2,000-$3,000 budget solely for it, could you recommend a PC build maximum future proofing? As far as dorms go each student has their own desk so if it is stored there size isn't as much of a concern, but I'll being staying in college for a long time (going for PhD after) so need something that can last a while. So think along the lines large case and so on. Thanks!

 

[Chugalug_]

Sure thing!
Are you into overclocking or no?

 

[Brian_99]

I don't have much experience with it to be honest, but I'm willing to give it a go if it doesn't do damage to the components in the long run.

 

[Chugalug_]

As long as you don't go too heavy on the OC, say something modest like 4.6GHz, following a guide to do so, you should be fine.
Mostly a process of repetition, increasing clock speeds, and then increasing voltages if you notice artifacts (graphical bugs) or inconsistencies with performance.
I'll give you some guides when i'm done, definitely adds to the futureproofing of your system.
By the way how do you feel about visuals?
I'm going for a red and black theme, but I can get you a tempered glass case which looks fantastic for $190 as a pose to $100 for a good normal case, thoughts?

 

[Chugalug_]

Using a large amount of your budget, I've put together a nice looking build.
Following a red and black color scheme with Cablemod custom sleeved cables, I've added a 1440p, 144Hz, IPS, G-Sync monitor, an 850w power supply for potential 1080 SLI later on, a single MSI 1080 (bit pricy, but this is following the color scheme) and some other bits and bobs.
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/nzNvf8
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/nzNvf8/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($332.79 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X61 106.1 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($114.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z170A GAMING M5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($132.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LED 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($85.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.39 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($119.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1080 8GB GAMING X 8G Video Card ($719.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo EVOLV ATX ATX Mid Tower Case ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.00 @ B&H)
Monitor: Acer XB271HU bmiprz 27.0" 165Hz Monitor ($799.00 @ Adorama)
Keyboard: Corsair STRAFE Wired Gaming Keyboard ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Chroma Wired Optical Mouse ($59.99 @ B&H)
Other: CableMod E-Series Cable Kit Black/Red ($89.00)
Total: $2967.58
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-12 00:05 EDT-0400

 

[Chugalug_]

I'll put together a purely performance build now, which is what I recommend.

 

[Chugalug_]

Sorry, i've got some serious personal stuff going on now.....not going to be on Tom's for a little bit....
Sorry.

 

[Chugalug_]

Here's the performance build. If you want, get this build with the motherboard listed above and a 6700k, and save for the second 1080.
PM me if you have any questions and i'll get back to you when I can, might be a while at the moment, coping with some stuff. I might be back on tomorrow.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/hxTPVY
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/hxTPVY/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($35.00)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170 Extreme3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($101.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.39 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 8GB G1 Gaming Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($629.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 8GB G1 Gaming Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($629.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.00 @ B&H)
Monitor: Acer XB271HU bmiprz 27.0" 165Hz Monitor ($799.00 @ Adorama)
Keyboard: Corsair STRAFE Wired Gaming Keyboard ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Chroma Wired Optical Mouse ($59.99 @ B&H)
Total: $2980.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-12 02:01 EDT-0400

 

[Brian_99]

Thank you greatly for your help, and I wish you all the best with whatever you're dealing with. I forgot to mention but I already have most of the peripherals and will purchase what I lack on Black Friday at a significant discount so that should free up a bit of the budget. I was wondering how important is the RAM speed? I am only planning on using DDR4 but how much do the numbers after that matter (2134 vs 3400).

 

[Chugalug_]

Thanks.
RAM speed is not important unless you are editing or doing video work, it has very little to no impact on gaming performance, with 2133-2666 providing maybe a 1% increase max, and anything above that doing very little.