Is this computer any good?

[Lord Herman]

I've been looking for a good gaming notebook. I've seen one that looks interesting, but I don't know much about hardware and stuff. Could anyone tell me if this notebook is any good?

Copied from the ad I found it in:
ASUS Z53SC-AP104C notebook
CPU: Intel Core Duo processor T 7300 (2,0 GHz, 2 MB, L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB)
RAM: 2048 MB DDRII
Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M (256 MB)

It's priced at €1099. That's about $1400, or £700.

Will this run recent games on high graphics settings?

[Death, your friend the Reaper]

Hm, not to much an expert on notebooks, but if you find one labeled "Deathnote", I kind of need it back folks.

Sorry to hi jack, carry on computer buffs.

[Pyro]

Notebooks (or so I've heard) don't do as well as PCs with games, but I could be wrong. You may be better off buying a similarly priced PC, but don't quote me on that.

[Totally Guy]

Notebooks (or so I've heard) don't do as well as PCs with games, but I could be wrong. You may be better off buying a similarly priced PC, but don't quote me on that.

My notebook can only handle hangman and noughts and crosses. Computers are probably better.

[Lord Herman]

Yeah, I've been looking at reviews of the various components of this notebook, and it's not looking good. Ah well, maybe I'll just have to go for a desktop, then.

Anyone have any tips on what I should be looking for? What graphics card, CPU, and RAM are best for a gaming rig (while not being ridiculously expensive, of course)?

[purple gelatinous cube o' Doom]

I'd go with an AMD dual core processor than an Intel. When I bought my current laptop, I was told by several computer stores AMD's are better.

[13_CBS]

Hmm...notebooks/laptops are disadvantaged in gaming in that they are uncustomizable. Normally, you can only change out the RAM and, if you're skilled, the hard drive.

As for other things...

You'll need good RAM (by now you'll need more than 1 gig to play anything well on Vista), a good video card (at least...oh, 128 megs? more?), and a good processor (something in the gigahertz).

Once again, for gaming you're best off with a desktop PC, or at least an Intel MacPro with Boot Camp installed.

[AslanCross]

I'd go with an AMD dual core processor than an Intel. When I bought my current laptop, I was told by several computer stores AMD's are better.

Don't AMD processors have a heat problem? Mine does. >_o (Being in a tropical country makes it worse)

[Ashtar]

Notebooks are always more limited than desktops, they can be good enough, but... well they cannot be upgraded. That said, let's look at this lappie:

1) For high resolution gfx, the most important is the gfx card. The NVidia-GeForce-8400M-GT is a DirectX 10 chip which is a good sign for running future games under Vista. But, is it performant enough... A quick look at It's specs (http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVidia-GeForce-8400M-GT.3708.0.html) and the comparison chart (http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html?&or=&search=&sort=3dmark06) shows that for current games (represented by DX9 benchmarks 3dMark05, 3dMark06) it is not that fast.
It is also important to know which declination of 8400M it is, is it a GT, G, GS.

For really being able to play at high resolution on a laptop with current games, maybe aim for a 8600M GT (http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-8600M-GT.3986.0.html) or 8700M GT (http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-8700M-GT.3987.0.html) chip.

The 256 MB of GFX memory is sufficient for current games, few games benefit for having more (10% better under doom 3 for example with 512MB).

2) Ram... 2Gb is sufficient, just hope it's good quality RAM for system stability. Either ask to run a good 24h ram test before you buy or run a ram test once you've got the machine to know.

3) Processors... I'd have to look up the CPU placement in the family, I'll leave that for someone else.

[Lord Herman]

Oh, another thing I might have to add - I have a seperate monitor hooked up to my laptop. It's a 20-inch widescreen with a native resolution of 1680x1050. I'd prefer to actually be able to play games at that resolution (which is practically impossible with my current rig).

[Archonic Energy]

Notebooks (or so I've heard) don't do as well as PCs with games, but I could be wrong.
*COUGH*

my laptop can run things better than most Desktops... ok so it was pricey but still.


Don't AMD processors have a heat problem? Mine does. >_o (Being in a tropical country makes it worse)
no they bloody well don't!!! they may run warmer but that doesn't mean they have a "Heat problem" if you live in a hot country get better cooling.
they are however slower than Intel chips (at the monent) and that's the best reason to go for Intel... well at least till AMD & Intel swap positions again (happens every year or so).

*looks at LH's possible Specs*

Intel Core Duo processor T 7300 (http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Processors-Benchmarklist.2436.0.html) is the 7th fastest mobile processor available... not bad.

NVIDIA GeForce 8400M (http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html) erm... you got any more letters after M? i can't find the specs for ane vanilia 8400m...
i recon you'll be able to run everything on medium quite well... my NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX can still push most games to max at my native res...

not bad for £700... go for it

[Pyro]

*COUGH*

my laptop can run things better than most Desktops... ok so it was pricey but still.

Hey I didn't want to be quoted on that!:smalltongue:

[Archonic Energy]

Hey I didn't want to be qouted on that!:smalltongue:

why do you think i quoted you :smalltongue:

[Malic]

I have a Laptop that does that too. Heck the desktop in my room is hardly for anything other than browsing.

[Lord Herman]

Hmm, so performance-wise, it doesn't really matter if I buy a laptop or a desktop? Either way, I think I'll go for a desktop. I don't really need to move my computer all that often, and being able to replace bits later on might be useful.

@AE: Nope, no more letters. I guess the person who wrote the ad didn't feel it was necessary to give us all the details.

The price tag isn't all that important to me, as long as it's not ridiculously expensive (read: over €2000). My main concern is that I have a solid gaming rig that I can use for several years before having to replace anything.

[Pyro]

Speaking of computers, I just got a call from the comp tech place and it turns out the video card burnt out on my main computer. Now I'll have to buy a new one. Sigh so much cash...

[Lord Herman]

Okay, here's one that looks very nice:

CPU: Intel Core2Quad Q6600 4x2,40 GHz 8M Box
Motherboard: EVGA nForce 680i SLI DDR2 mainboard RevD
RAM: 4x1024 MB Nanya Elixir DDR2/800 Dimm
Hard disk: Samsung 500GB SATA II U300 7200RPM 16MB
Graphics card: EVGA GeForce 8800 GTX 768 MB PCI-E BULK

It's priced at €1774 ($2290 or £1130). Pricey, but within my budget. So, what do you think?

edit: Another advantage of this one is that it is also available with all the software in English. Hooray, no more poorly translated rubbish on my system!

[Pyro]

That is one nice computer. The harddrive is massive and that is a hell of alot of RAM. The video card looks to be one of the best on the market and the CPU is pretty nice. You won't have to upgrade that thing for years.

[Lord Herman]

Well, I've ordered it. Now I'll have to wait for two long weeks for the store's tech people to assemble it.

I am barely resisting the urge to call them every hour asking if it's done yet.