y510p vs y500?

[TomWray]

Hey guys,

I am currently considering purchasing a laptop for gaming (before you ask, I also need it for college - hence why it's not a desktop). I know that gaming laptops won't get the best gaming performance, but I'm OK with that.

Currently, I'm caught up between two laptops, the Lenovo Y500 and the Lenovo Y510p.

Here are the specs:

Y500: Processor:
3rd Generation Intel Core i7-3630QM ( 2.4Ghz 6MB Cache, up to 3.4Ghz with TurboBoost )
Operating System:
Windows 8 Standard 64Bit
Total Memory:
8GB ( 4GB x 2 ) ( DDR3 PC3 12800 1600 MHz )
Hard Drive:
1TB 5400PRM 2.5" SATA HD
Display:
15.6" FHD 1920x1080 Glare Wedge LED Backlight Display with integrated HD Camera
Graphics:
Dual Nvidia GeForce GT 650M 2GB SLI
Optical Device:
NONE
Keyboard/Pointing Device:
Standard TouchPad
Battery:
6 -cell Lithium Ion battery
Ethernet/Wireless:
Intel Advanced 2230N WiFi
Bluetooth:
4.0
Integrated Camera:
YES
Keyboard with Backlit:
BackLit Keyboard
Miscellaneous:
USB3.0 x 2, HDMI (out)
Warranty:
One Year Lenvo standard Warranty Until Nov-2014
Package Contents:
IdeaPad Y500 Laptop / AC Adapter / 6Cell Battery

Y510p:
Processor:
4rd Generation Intel Quad Core i7-4700MQ ( 2.4Ghz 6MB Cache, up to 3.4Ghz with TurboBoost)
Operating System:
Windows 8 Standard 64Bit
Total Memory:
8GB ( 4GB x 2 ) ( DDR3 PC3 12800 1600 MHz )
Hard Drive:
1TB 5400PRM 2.5" SATA HD
Display:
15.6" FHD 1920x1080 LED Backlight Display with integrated HD 720p Camera
Graphics:
Nvidia GeForce GT 750M 2GB
Optical Device:
DVDRW Burner Serial ATA
Keyboard/Pointing Device:
Standard TouchPad
Battery:
6 -cell Lithium Ion battery
Ethernet/Wireless:
Intel Advanced 2230N WiFi
Bluetooth:
4.0
Integrated Camera:
YES
Keyboard with Backlit:
BackLit Keyboard
Miscellaneous:
USB3.0 x 2, HDMI (out)
Warranty:
One Year Lenvo standard Warranty Until Nov-2014
Package Contents:
IdeaPad Y510p Laptop / AC Adapter / 6Cell Battery

Now, the only thing I'm concerned about is the GPU. THe Y500 has 2x 650m capable of SLI, while the Y510p has ONE 750m.
I intend to play some fairly intensive games, such as Battlefield 4, Tomb Raider, etc.

Which laptop would you guys recommend?

 

[Chainzsaw]

If those are your only choices, the first one definitely has more GPU power due to the SLI. Hence, more gaming power. Be warned though, the gpu performance of those cards are quite low - so it may be "OK" for now, but 1-2 years down the road it might struggle with games. Also - it is a pain to upgrade laptop GPU's - not sure if it's possible with these two.

Check out the numbers here:

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-650M-SLI.84953.0.html

Expect to be able to play medium with high frame rates with most games, or high with lower FPS in more modern games.

 

[TomWray]

Does Battlefield 4 support SLI? Will it microstutter? There's also an option to get 750m SLI, but it's a little more expensive than I'd hoped.

 

[dhruv990]

Does Battlefield 4 support SLI? Will it microstutter? There's also an option to get 750m SLI, but it's a little more expensive than I'd hoped.

Given that you can SLI the 750m (I dont know if the cards out or not, the ultrabay is available in the y510p as well) I'd say go for the y510p but check if the card is available with them first, two 750s will blow 2 650s away because 750m = 660m. Moreover the y510p is a generation up which may give a slight performance boost here and there (not very large though, but it may make it a bit more future proof in my opinion, as far as repair parts are concerned). Apart from this both are pretty much the same.

So again ask if the 750m is available for ultrabay, if it is, I suggest go for the y510p, because if you save a little more money in a few months you'll have machine that will blow away the y500.

Also I do suppose that BF4 supports sli, given that this video shows it to be working with the settings cranked up to high Battlefield 4 Beta- Lenovo y510p GT750M SLI Gameplay Test

 

[TomWray]

Does Battlefield 4 support SLI? Will it microstutter? There's also an option to get 750m SLI, but it's a little more expensive than I'd hoped.

So again ask if the 750m is available for ultrabay
Beta- Lenovo y510p GT750M SLI Gameplay Test[/url]

They do have they 750m available for the ultrabay, but it costs about 200USD. That's about 210 AUD plus I would have to get the item shipped through a postal forwarding service, which would bump the price up to about $300. (I checked all over Amazon and ebay, they don't have any 750m ultrabays on their for some reason)

 

[dhruv990]

Does Battlefield 4 support SLI? Will it microstutter? There's also an option to get 750m SLI, but it's a little more expensive than I'd hoped.

So again ask if the 750m is available for ultrabay
Beta- Lenovo y510p GT750M SLI Gameplay Test[/url]

They do have they 750m available for the ultrabay, but it costs about 200USD. That's about 210 AUD plus I would have to get the item shipped through a postal forwarding service, which would bump the price up to about $300. (I checked all over Amazon and ebay, they don't have any 750m ultrabays on their for some reason)

Ahhhh. didnt see that, yes its gonna cost you cuz the ultrabay is available, from what i read here and there, from the OEM only, not retail. Still it's your choice now, The 650 SLI is a very good option, it beat quite a number of top end GPUs so you wont really be very far behind. I just said the 750 is better because it is, if you can wait for money to come in, and if spending that money doesnt become a problem for you later then I still suggest the 750, however if it does seem too expensive, even in the near future, then get the 650.

 

[TomWray]

I guess I could get the single 750m and buy a second one if I need to
Thanks! Much appreciated

 

[dhruv990]

I guess I could get the single 750m and buy a second one if I need to
Thanks! Much appreciated

Glad I could be of help PS Since I'm also looking into buying it, next year though, please just leave a short reply about your experience with the performance. Or PM me Cheers

 

[TomWray]

No worries mate! might have to send me a reminder but

 

[dhruv990]

No worries mate! might have to send me a reminder but

Will do man in a month or so