Laptop

[Lyka]

Sorry if this isn't the right place to post this, but I'm looking for a laptop in the $600-$1000 range that can play FFXIV in decent medium-high settings. I'm not too into laptops so I'm not exactly sure on what to go for. I know I will mostly be suggested to get a desktop, but I'm not always home, I'm mostly outside the house so a laptop would be a great convenience for me. Especially with starting college.

[Coldfire]

For this game three components need to be fast in order to run the game at decent settings without stuttering:
1. HDD - for laptops an SSD is a good option anyway, a fast HDD also works though but is rare in laptops
2. CPU - should be 2.6ghz dual core or 2.0ghz quad core, AMD or Intel doesn't matter
3. GPU - hard to find a laptop with a good GPU. Here's some hints:
- much RAM doesn't mean it's fast
- mobile gpu model numbers have nothing to do with desktop gpu model numbers
- a fast gpu will shorten the battery time and increase the heat

Since modern laptops usually have pretty fast CPUs and the HDD is usually easily replacable the only problem is the GPU. When getting a laptop with Optimus (Nvidia+Intel) you might also run into compatibility issues.
Try this link to get infos about a mobile gpu: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Compari...rds.130.0.html
For FFXIV class 1 and 2 should be fine.

[REDace0]

I run mine on an Alienware M11x at full resolution on standard settings with a decent framerate. You could use that model's GPU (GT540M) as a reference point and get a larger, cheaper laptop with the same or comparable GPU from another manufacturer.

[auritribe]

I've run this on decent settings on a Sager NP5165. That is around 800$

At your bare minimum, and running roughly the same chips as the m11x, there's the NP5160, which goes at 750$

http://www.powernotebooks.com/Sager-...-sys-3784.html

There's also the Sager NP8130, which is a very popular model. It will be able to handle FFXIV without breaking a sweat, and goes for about 960$ average.

http://www.powernotebooks.com/Sager-...-sys-3726.html

What you REALLY want though if you can spare a 50$ over your budget is the model I currently use:

http://www.powernotebooks.com/PowerP...-sys-4273.html

15.6"
1920 x 1080 display
Geforce 570M
Awesome speakers
core i7
Two hard drive bays

FFXIV screams on this thing and I have no regrets getting it. Comparable models spec for spec can go up to 1500$

The game runs at native resolution 1080p with everything medium or high with full framerate. The speakers on this unit are probably the best laptop speakers I've ever heard, sounds like a desktop speaker set. Built in subwoofer too....

I've owned 3 laptops recently, the m11x R1, the Sager NP5165, and the PowerPro. I am happiest currently with the PowerPro model overall. The NP5160 and NP5165 have slightly nicer looking screens, but they have atrocious speakers and keyboard quality.

As far as the m11x is concerned, it is the most mobile solution, and it will likely run the game but not ideally. A few other issues that the M11x used to have at least, were a weak hinge and certain issues with sleep. It is a very pretty, solid, mobile laptop though. Except for the screen. At least the earlier M11x models had really really crappy screens.

Another thing to consider with both the M11X and the Sager models I linked is that they use Optimus. Optimus has been known to give FFXIV trouble. So, I still stand by my original suggestion.

The Powerpro is basically the MSI GT683R without the fancy lighting and useless features. It is also 200-400$ cheaper for basically the same specs.

In any case, good luck in your search, if you need anything else feel free to contact me.

[Raldo]

I'm not hardware savvy, but I can give a firsthand suggestion. Do NOT get a NVIDIA GeForce card with a number less than or equal to 250 (ex. GTS250M). I burned mine out after one year of playing.

If you find your laptop getting super hot around the video card, you may need to get a laptop cooling pad.

[auritribe]

I'm not hardware savvy, but I can give a firsthand suggestion. Do NOT get a NVIDIA GeForce card with a number less than or equal to 250 (ex. GTS250M). I burned mine out after one year of playing.

If you find your laptop getting super hot around the video card, you may need to get a laptop cooling pad.

Anything beyond entry level graphics chips should be accompanied by a cooling fan of some sort when being used for gaming. It's just a good idea in general. Today's chips just run too hot for any built in cooling to be adequate over long periods of time. That being said, I heard that the Sager 8130 dual fan cooling system is said to be stellar.


http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-.../dp/B004C5MVBK

[Raldo]

That's the cooler I bought! It is great! I would suggest getting this one instead of that one, unless you really need USB 3.0 ports on your cooler, though <_<; $20 cheaper.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Lyka]

Thank you guys so much for all your suggestions. I'll be looking into all of these and choosing what fits. You all were a great help!

[auritribe]

That's the cooler I bought! It is great! I would suggest getting this one instead of that one, unless you really need USB 3.0 ports on your cooler, though <_<; $20 cheaper.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have not a single USB 3.0 device in my house.


....except the USB 3.0 cooling pad I wasted money on instead of 2.0

I liked the black over the gray.

In any case, yeah, you're likely better off going for the USB 2.0 one unless you have money to burn.

[auritribe]

Thank you guys so much for all your suggestions. I'll be looking into all of these and choosing what fits. You all were a great help!

Hopefully you're still reading this but whatever you do, your most important consideration will likely be your GFX chip. Pay special attention to the SECOND digit, not the first. The second digit will roughly tell you how much power the chip has.

In other words, a Geforce 520 is NOT going to be more powerful than a Geforce 480. Ideally, as said above, you want the second digit to be a 5 or above.

So you'll want a Geforce 555M, 560M, 570M, or 580M. I wouldn't settle for anything less.

Same goes for Ati chips. You're going to want a 6700 6800 etc. 65xx may do but I'd suggest something a little higher.

In the CPU dept go for at least an i5. Preferably i7 for the time being.

Of course, you can choose any of the three models I linked above and I can guarantee they'll work. However, the game wlil only look really good on the Sager NP8130 or PowerPro, of the models I linked.