Buy New Laptop or Reinstall Windows and Upgrade RAM

colbarr

Hi folks,

I'm looking for a bit of advice regarding my laptop. Lately I've been getting the BSOD upon waking up my laptop from a sleep and I've also been getting into RAM heavy games as well. My laptop specs are attached. From what I am taking from that info is that I have 8GB RAM and 2GB dedicated graphics RAM but when I play games like PUBG, FSX, Cities:Skylines etc. all the RAM is maxed out and the game is really slow on screen. I bought the Laptop 2 years ago to the month (30MAR17)

So my question is, should I reinstall/reset Win10 to fix the BSOD problem and buy additional RAM for the laptop (one slot free) or buy a new laptop with more dedicated graphics RAM for the gaming aspect of it?

If you need more info, just let me know.

Cheers,
Colbarr.

drunkmonkey

You've integrated graphics. For gaming it's a basic spec. Extra ram won't help you need something with a dedicated graphics card.

What error are you getting from the bsod?

colbarr

I never read any error, just left it to restart itself.

EDIT

Also, just googled the difference between integrated and dedicated RAM. I think I'm better off getting a new laptop that's fit for purpose!

TomOnBoard

Your disk is being maxed out according to that screenshot.. If thats a usual reading, theres something really out of whack! What type of disk is in there?

colbarr

Toshiba MQ01ABD100? is that what you're looking for? I was running a deep scan with AVG when that screenshot was taken, and it's finished now so it's at 5% now, but occasionally jumped back to 100% as I was typing this becaus of a couple of different service host apps. Still at 5% now as I'm sending this reply. Now 2%.

TomOnBoard

colbarr wrote: »

Toshiba MQ01ABD100? is that what you're looking for? I was running a deep scan with AVG when that screenshot was taken, and it's finished now so it's at 5% now, but occasionally jumped back to 100% as I was typing this becaus of a couple of different service host apps. Still at 5% now as I'm sending this reply. Now 2%.

Ah, OK. That's better alright.

Yeah, there is a problem thats resulting in that BSOD. As said earlier, next time it happens, take a.note of what is stated as being the error code and the module involved.

You'll need to sort that BSOD in case theres a hardware issue. If its software thats at fault, a Windows re-install may clear it up. I would then max out RAM and put in an SSD which would significantly improve what the machine can do for you (although it will still not be as good as a laptop with dedicated graphics components and top processor) . If that doesnt give adequate performance, and if processor hungry games have become important to you, you may have to bite the bullet and replace it. Hopefully with a good SSD and 16GB RAM, itll be much more saleable on the used market.

that graphics card (Radeon R7) is pretty much out of date at this point and very weak.

an ssd is a cheap upgrade that will speed up general operation of things

reinstalling windows completely on the new drive may help clear up BSOD issues to some extent.

get the ssd before the ram. it will make a big difference.

if you want to run modern games going fwd a device with a better graphics card would be in order. would recommend a 1050ti minimum.

Alanstrainor

Yeah this is not a laptop for gaming at all really. RAM will not greatly help this, nor will an SSD. As for what is causing your BSOD, as others have said you need to investigate further as it could be anything. Bad hardware or bad software are both likely. A reinstall of Windows may not solve anything and is a waste of time with no root cause.

Really I think you're looking at a new laptop here, this was never a gaming machine.

I've had BSOD issues get a lot better or completely rectified by a windows reinstall.

yes a lot of the time it is hardware related but it's worth a try - especially if he's considering an ssd - ideal point to reinstall windows.

colbarr

Cheers for the replies. I've decided to get a new laptop in the next couple of weeks that is designed for gaming (gtx 1060, i7 processor etc) and reinstall Windows on the current laptop and give it to the Missus.

colbarr

colbarr wrote: »

Cheers for the replies. I've decided to get a new laptop in the next couple of weeks that is designed for gaming (gtx 1060, i7 processor etc) and reinstall Windows on the current laptop and give it to the Missus.

not sure what your budget is but the new dell G5 with the 2060 card offers decent value if you can get it when a voucher is running

https://www.dell.com/en-uk/shop/gaming-laptops-desktops/dell-g5-15-gaming-laptop/spd/g-series-15-5590-laptop/cng5503

2060 card is as powerful as the older 1070 card and also has the latest Nvidia tech like DSS and RTX.

that laptop has a newer build design also.

of for less the g3 is offering the 1060 card for cheaper.

https://www.dell.com/en-uk/shop/laptops-notebooks-and-2-in-1-laptops/dell-g3-15-gaming-laptop/spd/g-series-15-3579-laptop

they run 50 to 100 off voucher codes usually on the homepage so keep an eye out for those to get a better deal

SAVE10 is on at the moment for 10% off

colbarr

Is there much value in buying a used gaming laptop?

colbarr

colbarr wrote: »

Is there much value in buying a used gaming laptop?

Not really as most ones being sold are older and are well down in the GPU power stakes.

Or if newer, price drop but not enough. Cheaper to buy last year's model new rather than second hand.

Unlike a desktop you can't upgrade.

So no