Shopping for Gaming Laptop $1,300 max

[sithramir]

I am shopping for a good gaming laptop. Wanted to keep it near $1000 (no more than $1300). I found a great deal on Lenovo Y410p - Haswell I7 4700, 2GB Nvidia 750, 1TB HDD, 8GB 1600Mhz RAM - $769 FS. I could upgrade for a small SSD for 60 bucks. Problem is graphics benchmark was crap.

I can't afford Origin PC or Alienware to try to get the good graphics card (i'd like a 13 or 14" screen and semi light). They range in $1,800. Any ideas?

I saw Lenovo had an ultra bay (the y500 not my model). Could I use that to put a second graphics card or something to boost it up? I don't mind the lower resolution. Not sure I can do dual graphics with nvidia?

Any other ideas? I was hoping for a 4th gen I7, graphics at a benchmark near 5000, 8 MB Ram, small SSD (just for Windows 8) with secondary drive to keep it cheap. Help?

 

[cars12345]

Just a suggestion, I would highly recommend building your own pc for $1000. This would outperform any laptop. If you are interested, I can compile a list of parts for you.

But, to answer your question, here is a list of some top performers in no particular order:
-MSI GE60
-MSI C Series CX61
-Acer Aspire V3-772G
Acer Aspire V3-771G
-HP ENVY dv6t-7200
-Samsung Series 3 NP350V5C

 

[sithramir]

Just a suggestion, I would highly recommend building your own pc for $1000. This would outperform any laptop. If you are interested, I can compile a list of parts for you.

But, to answer your question, here is a list of some top performers in no particular order:
-MSI GE60
-MSI C Series CX61
-Acer Aspire V3-772G
Acer Aspire V3-771G
-HP ENVY dv6t-7200
-Samsung Series 3 NP350V5C

I looked through these models and no luck on anything standing out. I would love some thoughts on building a desktop. The issue was I wanted to be able to remote into it but I don't think that works well for any real gaming but i'm also not wanting something I won't be happy with. I had been looking at Digital Storm Vanquish Tier 4 which has an Intel I-5, Nvidia GTX 770 card, SSD with 1 TB SATA, etc. It seemed to be a really great price point and pre-built with water cooling, etc and they overclocked the processor, etc.

Never built a PC myself (though my uncle did for me 10 years ago). Would I be able to get the 4th gen I-7, the Nvidia GTX 780 and such cheaper doing it this way? I'd love some input

 

[cars12345]

Here is a very good 3-part video on building a pc: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw

Similar build to the Digital Storm Vanquish Tier 4:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($86.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Pro3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($71.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($79.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($398.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Rosewill Hyperborea 89.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Arctic Cooling Arctic F12 74.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($4.98 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Arctic Cooling Arctic F12 74.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($4.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($57.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-118BB DVD/CD Drive ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1234.82

If you would like to spend more, you could improve the case, video card, motherboard, and/or storage space.

 

[sithramir]

Wow. Thank you. Just learning of that website for parts breakdown and shopping is worth it!

I would need to add more for sound or is it integral to the motherboard? And I know the Vanquish didn't have Wifi but how does a normal internet connection work with a build like this? Are all wires needed included from each part or would I need to buy more? Like is a power cord part of the power supply?

Somewhat surprised how close in price it would be to just buying Digital storm considering they overclock for me, stress test it and assemble it all.

I"m assuming that was just a good price point from them. Is there a better price point for building it? LIke going to the I7 processors and the 780 graphics or Titan, etc. The reason i'm always scared is do I now need a different case and more fans and then a different cooling system, etc. I may need to break out some specific questions elsewhere on forum since this is a lot. Thanks for the help so far though.

Here is a very good 3-part video on building a pc: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw

Similar build to the Digital Storm Vanquish Tier 4:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($86.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Pro3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($71.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($79.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($398.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Rosewill Hyperborea 89.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Arctic Cooling Arctic F12 74.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($4.98 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Arctic Cooling Arctic F12 74.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($4.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($57.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-118BB DVD/CD Drive ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1234.82

If you would like to spend more, you could improve the case, video card, motherboard, and/or storage space.

 

[cars12345]

For the posted motherboard, it has 6 audio outputs, and has 7.1 sound. Most motherboards have this, or similar setups, and a sound card is only needed is you need true high quality sound. This has LAN, which should work with your internet connection. Once again, this is pretty standard, and Wi-Fi is not that standard. You could buy a good $20 Wi-Fi adapter, or find a motherboard with built-in Wi-Fi.

Changing from that build, I would get rid of the SSD if faster boots and loading is not that important to you. Also, a better case with better airflow.

Here is another option: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1E8Km
With this, you could downgrade to the i5. Also, you could get rid of the CPU cooler if you plan not to overclock.
You could also downgrade the graphics card if you only plan to use 1 monitor at 1080p.

 

[TechDude58]

How about an MSI GX70?

AMD A10-Series quad-core processor
AMD Radeon™ HD 8970M Discrete Class Graphics
AMD Eyefinity Multi-Display Technology Support
Exclusive Audio boost design technology
17" Full HD (1920x1080) anti-glare LCD panel

When I saw the HD 8970m, I think it might just be worth it

 

[cars12345]

How about an MSI GX70?

AMD A10-Series quad-core processor
AMD Radeon™ HD 8970M Discrete Class Graphics
AMD Eyefinity Multi-Display Technology Support
Exclusive Audio boost design technology
17" Full HD (1920x1080) anti-glare LCD panel

When I saw the HD 8970m, I think it might just be worth it

You will get around low FPS on high/ultra settings in top games.
http://b-i.forbesimg.com/jasonevangelho/files/2013/07/MSI-GX70-Benchmarks.png

But, for 1080p gaming, building a pc would for that price would for sure outrun that laptop.

 

[sithramir]

Well MSI has been one of the top laptops i've been looking at. I was hoping for a 14 or 15" if i went laptop (to avoid it being huge) though it's not a deal breaker. Can I ask what you like about the 8970M? Most laptops of comparison use the Geforce GTX 765M. I just did some looking at comparisons and the 765 is showing better for gaming though the 8970 may be overall better for other things (uses a lot less power for sure). I'm still in over my head so just trying to get an opinion. Thanks

How about an MSI GX70?

AMD A10-Series quad-core processor
AMD Radeon™ HD 8970M Discrete Class Graphics
AMD Eyefinity Multi-Display Technology Support
Exclusive Audio boost design technology
17" Full HD (1920x1080) anti-glare LCD panel

When I saw the HD 8970m, I think it might just be worth it

 

[cars12345]

Here is a good comparison: http://gpuboss.com/gpus/Radeon-HD-8970M-vs-GeForce-GTX-765M
The Radeon 8970M is much better for gaming. You should be able to play at medium setting with acceptable FPS.