Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Gaming Laptop - RAM or processor more important??

  • 07-09-2014 11:24am
    #1
    Under_Graduate
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 621 ✭✭✭


    Hi, just looking into getting a new laptop in the near future.

    Looking over the specs for different models, and being new to laptops and computer specs in general, I'm wondering which specs I should focus on most.

    I need the laptop for general computer applications, but I do like to watch flicks and play games also, so want something that can handle that.

    Was looking at
    ASUS X550CA
    or
    Acer E1-572

    Now, one has an i5 core processor with 4GB, 750GB hard drive memory, where as the other has
    i3 core processer with 8GB, 1000GB hard drive memory.

    In terms of my requirements, which would be the smarter purchase, or is there much difference in general?


Comments

  • #2
    Last_Minute
    Closed Accounts Posts: 177 ✭✭Last_Minute


    I would purchase the i5 and buy another 4GB's of RAM to bump it up to 8GB's.

    The RAM and hard drive can be upgraded easily and cheaply and a 750GB hard drive is more than enough for most.

    Regarding gaming - if you want to be able to play some newer or more demanding games you will want to get a laptop with a dedicated graphics card - this is a must. If you don't you will more than likely receive a laptop with integrated graphics (Intel HD 4000 or something similar) which will only run some of the less demanding games.


  • #3
    cillit_bang
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23 ✭cillit_bang


    Firstly, neither of those laptops are gaming laptops. They do not have dedicated graphics and will struggle with most modern games at a decent detail level.

    Secondly, go for the i5. It's about 25% faster than the i3. You can pick up new ram to add to it for pennies.


  • #4
    Under_Graduate
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 621 ✭✭✭Under_Graduate


    cheers for the replies.

    Okay so, i5 is better, got it.

    From what I understand, the graphics card would add quite a bit to the laptop cost, and I'm kind of going on a budget.
    500 would be my cost ceiling really.

    In terms of the games I would play, mainly PS1 and PS2 emulated games like GTA.
    I don't know what kind of graphics card they would need.
    Would the mentioned laptops be sufficient for that?

    Also, watching flicks; I'm guessing the mentioned laptops will be able to handle HD and what not?


  • #5
    Under_Graduate
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 621 ✭✭✭Under_Graduate


    cillit_bang wrote: »
    Firstly, neither of those laptops are gaming laptops. They do not have dedicated graphics and will struggle with most modern games at a decent detail level.

    Secondly, go for the i5. It's about 25% faster than the i3. You can pick up new ram to add to it for pennies.

    If you were to recommend me a gaming laptop close to 500, what names would I be looking at?


  • #6
    Under_Graduate
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 621 ✭✭✭Under_Graduate


    Under_Graduate wrote: »
    If you were to recommend me a gaming laptop close to 500, what names would I be looking at?

    PS new ram is in the region of forty euro. And one fits it themselves. That sound about right?


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    Last_Minute
    Closed Accounts Posts: 177 ✭✭Last_Minute


    Under_Graduate wrote: »
    PS new ram is in the region of forty euro. And one fits it themselves. That sound about right?

    Yes RAM is pretty cheap and you can fit it in no time, just look up a YouTube video or a guide online.


  • #8
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,648 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    Under_Graduate wrote: »
    If you were to recommend me a gaming laptop close to 500, what names would I be looking at?

    Its not about names its about gaming performance. You should do some research on the performance of laptop graphics in games

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057206301

    http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-8750M.87147.0.html


  • #9
    Under_Graduate
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 621 ✭✭✭Under_Graduate


    HP
    AMD A8-6410 APU
    Windows 8.1
    Memory: 8 GB
    Hard drive: 1 TB

    ASUS
    Intel® Core™ i5-3337U processor
    Windows 8
    Memory: 4 GB
    Hard drive: 750 GB


    It's between these two.
    Prices are the same.

    Any recommendations between either one?


  • #10
    Under_Graduate
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 621 ✭✭✭Under_Graduate


    Tried running a PS2 emulator on a computer with the above specs and, unfortunately, did not function at all really.
    Far too slow, and graphics were quite terrible.

    Looks like I'll need to move up in price range quite a bit to find something suitable.


  • #11
    ED E
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,170 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    Under_Graduate wrote: »
    If you were to recommend me a gaming laptop close to 500, what names would I be looking at?

    Bank of ireland. For a loan :pac:

    Gaming laptops start at 850-1000€ and lose value pretty fast. Unless you're flush dont bother. Get a laptop for your college work and when youve got a few bob spare buy a gaming desktop.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement