What laptop are you going with if you don't mind me asking?
I'm just in the market for one around that price point. I liked the Asus I have used previously so felt like going with them and the original one I linked seen to get good marks.
2016+ Gaming Laptop Thread: Embracing Pascal's Wafer (Please Read OP)
- Thread starter K.Jack
- Start date
What laptop are you going with if you don't mind me asking?
I'm just in the market for one around that price point. I liked the Asus I have used previously so felt like going with them and the original one I linked seen to get good marks.
Ragnorok64
Member
Haswell is extremely power efficient; just use Windows' processor power management settings to limit the CPU frequency when on battery. I can get nearly 6 hours of constant internet/word processor use on a 72WHr battery with a 50% maximum processor power state (max 1.2GHz, which is good enough imo). ThrottleStop works too if you want finer control over your processor clock speed, but for me Windows' power management works well enough.
I did some quick tests with ThrottleStop and HWMonitor to show the maximum recorded power that an i7-4700MQ uses at different clock frequencies, and the minimum recorded power when idle.
Idle Minimum = 0.675V, 1.01W
0.8GHz = 0.679V, 4.62W
1.6GHz = 0.785V, 12.03W
Max 2.4GHz = 0.885V, 20.75W
Turbo 3.2GHz = 1.115V, 41.38W
edit: whoops you're the same guy who I tried to help with battery life a few pages back. lol.
The ULV processors are pretty magical in terms of the amount of computing power they can deliver per watt, but nothing stops you from making your processor consume less power than an ULV processor. Also ULV processors have half the cores as their non-ULV counterparts.
Yeah. I tried throttlestop, but if I push it down too much then it causes too much of a slowdown, and it doesn't save on battery at all. It somehow sticks at that power usage. How do you set it properly?
I've doublechecked now with HWMonitor though, and it seems that the CPU is using 5-6w average, with max CPU set to 5%. Doesn't seem to bad honestly, but really, then I'm wondering what the hell could be causing this power draw. My discharge rate is at 16.5k mW according to BatteryMon. I guess the screen just uses up a whole lot of power, but then the power draw ups considerable when there are pictures or GIFs on a webpage, all the way up to 21 (which equals < 2hrs of battery life). Meh, I guess I feel kind of cheated by the available reviews, because 2 hours of battery life was mentioned only when you actually game. But when you game it's actually < 50min, not 2 hours Let alone reach 4 hours when doing some mild surfing... well perhaps if you let it idle, and only type into notepad every once in a while.
Azzurri
Member
MSPaint ftw.
I forgot to draw it in the image, but don't forget to "Turn On" ThrottleStop when you want it active, and to "Turn Off" ThrottleStop otherwise.
ThrottleStop is a pretty awesome CPU monitor. It's a good way to check exactly what your CPU is up to.
Imo Windows' processor power management is fine and you should stick with it.
However, you can use TSBench to check whether the processor is actually being properly limited or not.
If you really want to use ThrottleStop to manage your CPU frequencies, you should change Windows' minimum & maximum processor power states to 100%, otherwise Windows & ThrottleStop might fight for control over the CPU.
That's about all you can do, CPU wise.
Btw, in HWMonitor, you should not see your GPU temperatures. If you see GPU temperatures, it means your GPU is active and using up power.
Also, what does HWMonitor say about your battery's capacity?
Oh well that is easy.
Screens are fine. Measurements are 14.80" (w) x 10.08" (d) x 1.38"-1.69" (h) so yes it's kinda thick.
GPU temps are not shown, and GeForce experience shows that no apps are using the dedicated card, so that's good. Battery capacity is fine, only 2% wear level (54140 of 54760), also did a calibration with the Lenovo software, turned out fine as well.
If I view text pages without GIFS or big pictures, using wifi, the drain is around 13-16k mW. When GIFS are there or youtube vids it goes up to 22k mW. This is with the CPU being limited from 0 to max 5%, display brightness one higher than the lowest.
Help me Gaf!
Although im not really looking for a gaming laptop, seems like the best place where to ask advice.
I'm looking for:
-Between 11(too small/low performance) and 15.6 (too big)
-Light and easy to transport (i'm a student, so at least once a month i head back to home with the laptop in my bag, so the more portable the better)
-Don't need a super screen, 1366x768 is fine, 1080p would just be the icing on the cake
-It needs to have HDMI-Out (so i can hook it to my TV for comfy couch movies)
-Don't need long battery life, i keep it at home 90% of the time
-I use it mostly for intense web navigation (does it even exist? lol), lots of YT/Gamersyde/Streaming navigation and for media reproduction (Music, ability to smoothly play 720p+ videos both downloaded and online is a must)
-Gaming wise, i'd like to casually play Divinity:Original Sins on a good quality (med to high), some emulators (PS1,N64,PS2 and Dolphin) and that's it, for the rest ill hold to my PS4
-Needs Italian Keyboard
Budget is around 500/640$.
Thanks in advance!
Although im not really looking for a gaming laptop, seems like the best place where to ask advice.
I'm looking for:
-Between 11(too small/low performance) and 15.6 (too big)
-Light and easy to transport (i'm a student, so at least once a month i head back to home with the laptop in my bag, so the more portable the better)
-Don't need a super screen, 1366x768 is fine, 1080p would just be the icing on the cake
-It needs to have HDMI-Out (so i can hook it to my TV for comfy couch movies)
-Don't need long battery life, i keep it at home 90% of the time
-I use it mostly for intense web navigation (does it even exist? lol), lots of YT/Gamersyde/Streaming navigation and for media reproduction (Music, ability to smoothly play 720p+ videos both downloaded and online is a must)
-Gaming wise, i'd like to casually play Divinity:Original Sins on a good quality (med to high), some emulators (PS1,N64,PS2 and Dolphin) and that's it, for the rest ill hold to my PS4
-Needs Italian Keyboard
Budget is around 500/640$.
Thanks in advance!
What voltage, power, and multiplier numbers does ThrottleStop say when idle vs. when viewing GIFs/Youtube? Don't turn ThrottleStop on, just read the numbers.
Edit: Decided to check out BatteryMon. It's pretty cool.
Windows Power Saver mode, CPU 5%-50%, brightness 4 from minimum.
Watching a 480p youtube video: 16W
100% CPU using TSBench while constrained by Windows power management: 16W
Browsing the web: 13W
Typing this post: 8W
Sitting idle: 6W
You're getting 22W when watching Youtube? That's way too much, there's definitely something going on.
Using your power saver settings, run TS Bench, and note your frequency and CPU power use.
Don't limit your CPU to 0%-5%. CPUs can't actually run that low (my CPU won't run lower than 0.8GHz, or about 33%), and there's a chance that Windows isn't doing anything because it's so low. Limit your CPU to something like 5%-50%.
What's your discharge rate when sitting idle?
Check your Intel Graphics settings, make sure you're on "Maximum Battery Life" when Windows is in Power Saver. Intel graphics should be smart enough to change its profile based on your current power plan, but might as well check.
This is starting to become a sort of mystery to me as well.
You were right with the minimum processor level - it doesn't matter if its 5 or 30 percent, the multiplier sticks to the minimum of 8 in ThrottleStop, doesn't go lower than that. Highest percentage I've seen was around 60 percent CPU usage. TS shows between 5-8w of CPU.
But BatteryMon still showed around 15-22k mW, especially with youtube videos.
So yeah, I tried the extreme: Disabled WiFi, lowered the resolution from 3840x2160 to 1920x1080, dimmed the screen to the lowest possible value, closed off firefox and disabled the touchpad. All that was on: Netlimiter, Dropbox and Tresorit in the background, Lenovo Energymanager, Intel Rapid Storage, Geforce Experience tray icon, Bluetooth (not using it, but it is in the tray), and BatteryMon / ThrottleStop. I noticed that the Intel XTU used up CPU consistently so I turned that off as well. The minimum power draw I could get? 12.1k mW. Mehhhh!
I also turned off hardware accell in Firefox to see if it might be the HD4600 or the GT860m that was causing it, but to no avail.
edit: Now this might be a bit funny. TSBench CPU @ 100% with Windows max CPU usage @ 30% (8 multiplier) 22k mW. Though now when I start typing in Firefox it goes up to 23k mW. So 100% CPU equals to watching a youtube video.
You were right with the minimum processor level - it doesn't matter if its 5 or 30 percent, the multiplier sticks to the minimum of 8 in ThrottleStop, doesn't go lower than that. Highest percentage I've seen was around 60 percent CPU usage. TS shows between 5-8w of CPU.
But BatteryMon still showed around 15-22k mW, especially with youtube videos.
So yeah, I tried the extreme: Disabled WiFi, lowered the resolution from 3840x2160 to 1920x1080, dimmed the screen to the lowest possible value, closed off firefox and disabled the touchpad. All that was on: Netlimiter, Dropbox and Tresorit in the background, Lenovo Energymanager, Intel Rapid Storage, Geforce Experience tray icon, Bluetooth (not using it, but it is in the tray), and BatteryMon / ThrottleStop. I noticed that the Intel XTU used up CPU consistently so I turned that off as well. The minimum power draw I could get? 12.1k mW. Mehhhh!
I also turned off hardware accell in Firefox to see if it might be the HD4600 or the GT860m that was causing it, but to no avail.
edit: Now this might be a bit funny. TSBench CPU @ 100% with Windows max CPU usage @ 30% (8 multiplier) 22k mW. Though now when I start typing in Firefox it goes up to 23k mW. So 100% CPU equals to watching a youtube video.
King Tubby
Member
Are the GTX 960Ms expected to release by the end of the year? I live in the USA and plan to get myself a new 15" laptop around the holidays for about $1000-1100 or so. If those cards are going to be released soon I would want to wait for them, but if it's not going to be until later next year then I might not.
Right now my top choices are between Lenovo Y50 and MSI GE60. My questions are which one typically has better build quality/speaker, screen quality etc. and would an extra hundred or so to upgrade from dual core to quad core be worth it?
Right now my top choices are between Lenovo Y50 and MSI GE60. My questions are which one typically has better build quality/speaker, screen quality etc. and would an extra hundred or so to upgrade from dual core to quad core be worth it?
Rogue Agent
Banned
There are rumours that Nvidia has delayed them to 2015, but not sure how true those rumours are.
I can't wait for this graphics card either.
Wait, 12.1W when idle or 12.1W at full load? Anything less than 15W full load is fine so long as your idle power use is something like 6W.
If your idle power use is 12.1W then you have a problem. What's your CPU idle wattage? If it's less than 6W, then something other than your CPU is draining your battery.
Worthintendo
Member
Hey guys, need some advice.
My last laptop was an Alienware M14x, died after just over 2 and a half years of life. It overheated and the motherboard fried itself. So I'm in the market for a new one. Wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what to get.
I'm in Australia, my budget is under $1800 Australian, not looking for anything much bigger than my old one, 15 Inches would be enough. And looking at it as a gaming system, main thing I can see myself playing on it is FInal Fantasy XIV 2.0 and if I can play that on decent settings I would be happy.
I've been looking at a local site for Western Australia called Metabox, from what I am aware they are a Clevo resller
I'm sort of looking at this at the moment
http://www.metabox.com.au/store/b100/Metabox-Alpha-W355SS-Laptop
pretty much as is, thinking about adding a 1TB HDD to it, is it worth upgrading the RAM from 8GB to 16GB?
My last laptop was an Alienware M14x, died after just over 2 and a half years of life. It overheated and the motherboard fried itself. So I'm in the market for a new one. Wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what to get.
I'm in Australia, my budget is under $1800 Australian, not looking for anything much bigger than my old one, 15 Inches would be enough. And looking at it as a gaming system, main thing I can see myself playing on it is FInal Fantasy XIV 2.0 and if I can play that on decent settings I would be happy.
I've been looking at a local site for Western Australia called Metabox, from what I am aware they are a Clevo resller
I'm sort of looking at this at the moment
http://www.metabox.com.au/store/b100/Metabox-Alpha-W355SS-Laptop
pretty much as is, thinking about adding a 1TB HDD to it, is it worth upgrading the RAM from 8GB to 16GB?
Idle, and yes, it's less than 6W idle. I was thinking that as well, but it doesn't seem to be the resolution, brightness of the screen, wifi, touchpad, keyboard backlighting.
So I don't really know what else it could be, the only things left are Bluetooth and the SSD. I don't think it's Bluetooth, but I will try, and I'd be very surprised if it was the SSD, since there wasnt being used.
Parallax Scroll
Banned
Ordered a Sager NP8268-S (Clevo P150SM-A) with GTX 970M. Now I just have to wait till the end of the month for them to start shipping. Thanks for the recommendation KJack.
Pegosaurus
Banned
any word about the clevo P650SE release date?
longlivegaming
Member
I'm waiting for the Gigabyte P34W v3. It's a 14" slim laptop with GTX 970M which fits what I'm looking for. Hopefully it'll be released by the end of November.
Speaking of Gigabyte laptops, it'll be interesting to see how the P35X v3 will turn out since it's a slim 15.6" laptop with a GTX 980M. I'd imagine it would run really hot.
Speaking of Gigabyte laptops, it'll be interesting to see how the P35X v3 will turn out since it's a slim 15.6" laptop with a GTX 980M. I'd imagine it would run really hot.
No prob. Please give us a mini-review once you have it.
PCSpecialist (UK) says it starts shipping on November 10th. Mythlogic (US) says ETA Late Oct/Early Nov.
I'd be really concerned about both of those getting too hot. The 980M is a 100w GPU, and the 970M isn't far behind.
That 14" looks like something I would like :O
I really don't know much about laptop...
I need a good laptop to take notes in class.
Im searching for something reliable, that won't break after a while
I live in Canada (should I specify my territory ? it's Quebec)
My max budget is around 300 to 500 canadian dollars huehue but it's really my maximum, I prefer to spend my money on a gaming computer at my house, this is just for class and maybe watching movies in bed.
I don't really care about the weight or anything, but I would like 15,6 inch of screen and a nice resolution (1080p?)
I plan to play some simple game, mostly old games or indie, like Fallout 2 or King of Dragon Pass, I have a lot of indie and small games on my library and I can wait till I got a better computer for heavier games.
I don't really care either about the fan noise, but maybe a long battery life would be good. I don't know anything about i3 or i5, all I know is I can add RAM to get to 8go, so that's good.
I need a good laptop to take notes in class.
Im searching for something reliable, that won't break after a while
I live in Canada (should I specify my territory ? it's Quebec)
My max budget is around 300 to 500 canadian dollars huehue but it's really my maximum, I prefer to spend my money on a gaming computer at my house, this is just for class and maybe watching movies in bed.
I don't really care about the weight or anything, but I would like 15,6 inch of screen and a nice resolution (1080p?)
I plan to play some simple game, mostly old games or indie, like Fallout 2 or King of Dragon Pass, I have a lot of indie and small games on my library and I can wait till I got a better computer for heavier games.
I don't really care either about the fan noise, but maybe a long battery life would be good. I don't know anything about i3 or i5, all I know is I can add RAM to get to 8go, so that's good.
SocksForWoks
Banned
Aren't the mobile equivalents the GTX 800M series?
longlivegaming
Member
I'd say somewhere between a GTX 760 and GTX 770. I'm judging this based on benchmarks and framerate in games so far.
Rogue Agent
Banned
@K.Jack - So, I'm gonna wait for the Optimus V laptop (PCSpecialist) to be updated with the GTX 960.
However, in the future, will I ever be able to upgrade that laptop with another graphics card? If not, then will I need to buy another laptop?
However, in the future, will I ever be able to upgrade that laptop with another graphics card? If not, then will I need to buy another laptop?
960m hasn't been announced yet
and its very little chance they will make upgradeable version for the 960m
mostly they will do 970 and 980
Azzurri
Member
Nice, much fast than my GTX 580 in my desktop.
Hmm, definitely looking for a laptop with these specs. Pretty stoked.
Rogue Agent
Banned
970/980 would be good enough in the future. For now, I'll wait for 960. I'm hoping it arrives before March at the latest.
MSI has already recalled/delayed the highest SKUs, to refit them with the IPS panels. Link plus some conversations I've had with resellers are my sources.
The safe assumption is that they'll be doing this for the lower configs eventually as well.
It's never really possible to know if it can be upgraded, this far ahead.
Rogue Agent
Banned
I see. Thanks.
The Incredible Muffin
Member
Hi everyone,
I am trying to make a decisions between the Acer Nitro Black Edition: 1299 dollar
Acer Aspire V15 Nitro Black Edition Gaming Laptop Intel Core i7 4710HQ (2.50GHz) 16GB Memory 1TB HDD 256GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M 2 GB GDDR5 15.6" Windows 8.1
And the Lenovo Y50 1249 dollar
Lenovo Y50 4K Gaming Laptop Intel Core i7 4700HQ (2.40GHz) 16GB Memory 256GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M 2GB 15.6" Windows 8.1 64-Bit
I dont mind the 50 bucks.
But I have heard mixed messages about 4K. The laptop wont be able to handle a lot of 4K games but more importantly it supposed not to scale very well on software.
I will buy a laptop primarily for school. So Word Excel etc are the most important things. The fact that I can game on it is a nice extra
What are you experiences with 4K laptop monitors?
Which one would you choose?
I am trying to make a decisions between the Acer Nitro Black Edition: 1299 dollar
Acer Aspire V15 Nitro Black Edition Gaming Laptop Intel Core i7 4710HQ (2.50GHz) 16GB Memory 1TB HDD 256GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M 2 GB GDDR5 15.6" Windows 8.1
And the Lenovo Y50 1249 dollar
Lenovo Y50 4K Gaming Laptop Intel Core i7 4700HQ (2.40GHz) 16GB Memory 256GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M 2GB 15.6" Windows 8.1 64-Bit
I dont mind the 50 bucks.
But I have heard mixed messages about 4K. The laptop wont be able to handle a lot of 4K games but more importantly it supposed not to scale very well on software.
I will buy a laptop primarily for school. So Word Excel etc are the most important things. The fact that I can game on it is a nice extra
What are you experiences with 4K laptop monitors?
Which one would you choose?
Messofanego
Banned
Does anyone know what the benefit of an SSD is outside of loading times for a gaming laptop?
I'm eying this MSI GT72 2QD laptop, and the more expensive variations of it involve just more SSD.
I'm eying this MSI GT72 2QD laptop, and the more expensive variations of it involve just more SSD.
The Incredible Muffin
Member
With regards to only gaming? I think only load times.
But you will notice the difference with SSD with everything you do besides gaming.
Boot times of the OS as every other software you launch. Go SSD,, you will never want to go back.
For games,,,, its not a must.
walkmetothelake
Banned
I'm probably pushing it with the things I'm looking for and the budget but I'll give this a go.
Country where it will be purchased.: USA
Maximum budget.: $500-$600
Max size: 14-15 inches
Planned usage: I mainly just want this to be able to watch movies/play games away from my desktop. I probably won't be playing too many intensive games on here since my library is pretty indie heavy. My most played games are Audiosurf 2, Tomb Raider series (not the reboot), Mass Effect, and an assortment of other indie games like Blackwell or The Cat Lady. I don't care about hitting 60 FPS or anything but it is always nice to have a steady framerate that isn't all over the place.
Whatever else you find relevant, misc. things such as desired battery life, screen resolution, fan noise, etc.: The best resolution available for my money. A big(ger) hard drive or a blu-ray drive would be cool but isn't a must by any means.
edit: Can possibly budge a bit with the budget towards $700-$800 if really necessary.
Country where it will be purchased.: USA
Maximum budget.: $500-$600
Max size: 14-15 inches
Planned usage: I mainly just want this to be able to watch movies/play games away from my desktop. I probably won't be playing too many intensive games on here since my library is pretty indie heavy. My most played games are Audiosurf 2, Tomb Raider series (not the reboot), Mass Effect, and an assortment of other indie games like Blackwell or The Cat Lady. I don't care about hitting 60 FPS or anything but it is always nice to have a steady framerate that isn't all over the place.
Whatever else you find relevant, misc. things such as desired battery life, screen resolution, fan noise, etc.: The best resolution available for my money. A big(ger) hard drive or a blu-ray drive would be cool but isn't a must by any means.
edit: Can possibly budge a bit with the budget towards $700-$800 if really necessary.
paolo11
Member
How long would this laptop last me to play max settings 1080p 60fps games?
MYTHLOGIC Nyx 3713-A Black Chassis (Clevo P377SM-A)
CPU: Intel Core i7-4810MQ 2.8GHz, 6M L3 Cache, 22nm, DDR3L-1600MHz, Quad Mobile Processor
System Memory: 16GB (2 x 8GB) , PC3-12800, 1600MHz SODIMM
Video Adapter: 2 x nVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M 8GB GDDR5 (SLI) PreOrdered: End of Oct
Optical: Notebook Black 6X BD-ROM/5X DVD+RW Blu-Ray Combo Drive
RAID [Requires Identical Hard Drive Selections]: RAID 0 | 2 Disk Min. Striped set, improved performance, additional storage drive highly recommended
Hard Drive: Samsung 1TB 850 PRO Series SATA III 6Gb/s Solid State Drive
Hard Drive: Samsung 1TB 850 PRO Series SATA III 6Gb/s Solid State Driv
MYTHLOGIC Nyx 3713-A Black Chassis (Clevo P377SM-A)
CPU: Intel Core i7-4810MQ 2.8GHz, 6M L3 Cache, 22nm, DDR3L-1600MHz, Quad Mobile Processor
System Memory: 16GB (2 x 8GB) , PC3-12800, 1600MHz SODIMM
Video Adapter: 2 x nVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M 8GB GDDR5 (SLI) PreOrdered: End of Oct
Optical: Notebook Black 6X BD-ROM/5X DVD+RW Blu-Ray Combo Drive
RAID [Requires Identical Hard Drive Selections]: RAID 0 | 2 Disk Min. Striped set, improved performance, additional storage drive highly recommended
Hard Drive: Samsung 1TB 850 PRO Series SATA III 6Gb/s Solid State Drive
Hard Drive: Samsung 1TB 850 PRO Series SATA III 6Gb/s Solid State Driv
Messofanego
Banned
No they are not. Ever.
Hi everyone,
I am trying to make a decisions between the Acer Nitro Black Edition: 1299 dollar
Acer Aspire V15 Nitro Black Edition Gaming Laptop Intel Core i7 4710HQ (2.50GHz) 16GB Memory 1TB HDD 256GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M 2 GB GDDR5 15.6" Windows 8.1
And the Lenovo Y50 1249 dollar
Lenovo Y50 4K Gaming Laptop Intel Core i7 4700HQ (2.40GHz) 16GB Memory 256GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M 2GB 15.6" Windows 8.1 64-Bit
I dont mind the 50 bucks.
But I have heard mixed messages about 4K. The laptop wont be able to handle a lot of 4K games but more importantly it supposed not to scale very well on software.
I will buy a laptop primarily for school. So Word Excel etc are the most important things. The fact that I can game on it is a nice extra
What are you experiences with 4K laptop monitors?
Which one would you choose?
I'd go with the Acer. The 4k screen is or no use to you, and it's locked at 48Hz. And it has an ugly yellow tint.
This
A long time. That's like having SLI GTX 780s, plus you can overclock even higher.
Two 1TB SSDs seems a bit overkill though.
Like K. Jack said, this is going to last you a good while. I'm curious though, how much will such a configuration COST?
paolo11
Member
With warranty, $4700.
Hopefully GTA V PC or Phantom Pain is optimized so it can play 1080p 60fps max settings.
Damn, upgrademonkey has the 980M preorder at almost 1000, guess I'll wait for the 970M...
A SSD affect everything and not just games, and is the single best upgrade you can do to a machine, ever. Having said that, for games specifically is not that important.
You sure you need a laptop, with that budget?