Computer for games
Author
Discussion

balders118

Original Poster:

5,940 posts

197 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
I'm getting a new laptop as this one has given up (no hinges left).

I do all the usual stuff as well as playing a few games, and will be hopefully getting battlefield 3 later this year.

My question is what do I need to focus on: Graphics card? Processor? or RAM?

I'm looking at two laptops

The Sony has AMD Phenom 2 triple core p840, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5145 Graphics with 512mb, and 6BG RAM

The Toshiba has Intel i3 350, nVIDIA GeForce G310 graphics card with 512MB, and 4GB RAM.

Links...
Sony

Toshiba

The grahics and RAM is better on Sony, but the Processor is better on the Toshiba. Both the same price, but the Sony is heavily discounted so started off at £930, where as the toshiba was £650 but they look similar to me, am I missing something?

FeatherZ

2,422 posts

225 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
neither will run battlefield 3, im actually pretty sure that no current gaming laptop will run battlefield 3 at full settings, the recent clip of battlefield 3 was run using 3 560's cards that are quite expensive, a gaming laptop that will play battlefield 3.. your looking at an alienware overpriced laptop.

My advice get over to overclocker.co.uk forums and ask for some advice there as they know alot more than anyone on here.

Id buy a desktop with a 6870 card for a budget build with that card your looking at about 600 pound, if you build yourself.

VeeFour

3,339 posts

191 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
Consoles for gaming computers for doing stuff.... or you'll just end up chasing ever increasing specs for diminishing returns.

balders118

Original Poster:

5,940 posts

197 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
FeatherZ said:
neither will run battlefield 3, im actually pretty sure that no current gaming laptop will run battlefield 3 at full settings, the recent clip of battlefield 3 was run using 3 560's cards that are quite expensive, a gaming laptop that will play battlefield 3.. your looking at an alienware overpriced laptop.

My advice get over to overclocker.co.uk forums and ask for some advice there as they know alot more than anyone on here.

Id buy a desktop with a 6870 card for a budget build with that card your looking at about 600 pound, if you build yourself.
Thanks, I enrolled over there earlier and have been waiting to be accepted by a mod.

Really? I play BF2 on this at the moment, and it's not a new laptop. One of the first duo processors, 1GB RAM and a graphics card of sorts. Runs fine. Is BF3 really such a massive step up? I have looked at the expected requirements, and according to those I'd have the it would run. Maybe I got it wrong.

Desktop isn't really an option, as I have nowhere to put it! I also use a laptop as a laptop quite regularly taking it to work etc.

balders118

Original Poster:

5,940 posts

197 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
VeeFour said:
Consoles for gaming computers for doing stuff.... or you'll just end up chasing ever increasing specs for diminishing returns.
Good point, but I prefer keyboard/mouse for these kind of games.

FeatherZ

2,422 posts

225 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
It may run it on lowest settings but you will be compromising performance big time, battlefield 3 on the pc really is next gen and alot of systems are going to struggle to run it.

Battlefield 2 bc2 needs alot i mean newest cards struggle to run it max, its very cpu dependant.

Pissing in the wind with gaming laptops, a desktop may last you 5 years for gaming a laptop is un-upgradeable in many circumstanced unlike a self built pc.

Blue Meanie

73,668 posts

284 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
Do you think it would be worth having a keyboard and mouse accessory for the likes of the 360, and PS3? Would that not then get PC gamers into their market?

balders118

Original Poster:

5,940 posts

197 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
Blue Meanie said:
Do you think it would be worth having a keyboard and mouse accessory for the likes of the 360, and PS3? Would that not then get PC gamers into their market?
I can't tell if thats sarcasm, as they might have this already? If not it's a good idea. If they do, I can't afford both a laptop and a PC at the mo.

Blue Meanie

73,668 posts

284 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
Not sarcasm at all. The only real split between PC'ers and gamers is the peripherals. Gamers like controllers, and PC types like keyboard and mouse. I figured it would be a no brainer for the likes of Sony and Microsoft.

balders118

Original Poster:

5,940 posts

197 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
Blue Meanie said:
Not sarcasm at all. The only real split between PC'ers and gamers is the peripherals. Gamers like controllers, and PC types like keyboard and mouse. I figured it would be a no brainer for the likes of Sony and Microsoft.
So they haven't already done this? I'm sure they have for earlier consoles?

Blue Meanie

73,668 posts

284 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
balders118 said:
So they haven't already done this? I'm sure they have for earlier consoles?
I've no idea... That's why I asked. Then people wouldn't have to 'find a gamer PC' they just get a games console, and don;t worry about spec for the next year or 3. I mean, how long has the PS3 been about?

balders118

Original Poster:

5,940 posts

197 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
Blue Meanie said:
I've no idea... That's why I asked. Then people wouldn't have to 'find a gamer PC' they just get a games console, and don;t worry about spec for the next year or 3. I mean, how long has the PS3 been about?
Good few years now. If I had an extra £howevermuch I'd get both!

FeatherZ

2,422 posts

225 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
Bluemeanie people game on pc because the graphics are hugely superior, search crysis on max settings, or metro 2033 on pc, in a different league, on pc battlefield 3 will be 64 player multiplayer xbox/ps3 32 player.

Pc gaming isnt really anymore expensive, dont need to upgrade every 5 mins like people seem to think, especially now a days.

MorrisCRX

638 posts

222 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
FPS (real) gamers play on pc. No substitute.

Blue Meanie

73,668 posts

284 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
I'm not a gamer. Was just wondering.

MorrisCRX

638 posts

222 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
Sorry not being arsey. Just making a point. Desktop > console > laptop.

FeatherZ

2,422 posts

225 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
Haha no argueing here matey - can also play with xbox and ps3 controllers on PC also, i dont know of a xbox keyboard and mouse but the dreamcast used to have one way back in 1999.

SlipStream77

2,153 posts

220 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
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For simulations a PC is the only real option, FSX, iRacing, rFactor etc. are PC only.

Altrezia

8,740 posts

240 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
Blue Meanie said:
Not sarcasm at all. The only real split between PC'ers and gamers is the peripherals. Gamers like controllers, and PC types like keyboard and mouse. I figured it would be a no brainer for the likes of Sony and Microsoft.
That and the vastly superior graphics on the PC. smile And mods!

Blue Meanie

73,668 posts

284 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
Are games really about the graphics? I would have thought the big split would have been controllers.