Searching For A Gaming Laptop - Any Suggestions? [ Edited ]

[The_Real_Koteyka]

Hello!

I'm about to go to college in a different city and I can't take my Mac OS with me so I'm looking for a laptop to replace it. My computer is 8 years old but I have almost all of the expansions, 20 GB of custom content, settings set on high and so far my game is running surprisingly smooth (except I don't play on lots bigger then 40x30).

The specs of my Mac are: 

iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)

3,4 GHz Intel Core i7

32 GB 1333 MHz DDR3

AMD Radeon HD 6970M 1024 MB

I'm looking for a gaming laptop that can run my game better or at least at the same quality. My budget is under 1000 (preferably around 500-700). I know barely anything about laptops (or any computers, actually), especially when it comes to choosing something for a heavily modded game like mine. I've been considering an ASUS TUF Gaming Fx505-Al235 but I'm not sure it'll be able to handle my game fine.

If anyone has any suggestions or recommendations, that'd be a really great help!

Thanks in advance! 

(P.S For some reason this post keeps getting marked as spam, I don't know what to do )

[puzzlezaddict · Accepted solution]

@The_Real_Koteyka  An Nvidia 1650 is around 40-60% faster than a 1050, although the gap is significantly larger in newer games than in older ones.  That's not surprising, given that the 1050 is two years older.  I don't think a 1650 would be 60% faster in Sims 4, although it should still be significantly faster.  A 1050 is currently capable of ultra settings, but only barely, and some people with that card may need to drop to a mix of high and ultra settings even now.

A 780M is much older and doesn't hold up well against the 1650 in newer games, but it can equal the 1650's performance in older games, which is not surprising either.  The 780M also does much better, relative to the other two cards, at lower graphics settings than higher, which is probably explained by the fact that higher settings have interesting graphics effects that the 780M wasn't built to handle.  For Sims 4 specifically, it looks like the 780M and the 1050 are about equal at ultra settings.

So the best choice for you really depends on your plans for the laptop.  If your goal is to play Sims 4 and nothing else (or maybe some older games), and the laptop with the 780M is still in good condition and is significantly cheaper than the others, it would probably work well, at least for a couple years.  If you're thinking about playing newer games, then the 1650 is clearly the best choice, followed by the 1050.  If you want to be able to do graphic design or other activities that involve graphics processing, the 1650 will be much faster than the others as well.

Still, the decision might come down to price and convenience.  Getting the secondhand laptop now and planning to buy something new in a couple years is a legitimate option.  On the other hand, if this laptop is supposed to last through college and maybe beyond, it would be better to get a new laptop now and not have to wonder how long it will be good enough.

[puzzlezaddict]

@The_Real_Koteyka  What country are you in?  How far 700 goes depends on your location and currency.  I'd be happy to list some good options for you, once I know where to look.

This site's spam filter can be a bit overzealous at times, especially if you edit your post more than once.

[The_Real_Koteyka]

@puzzlezaddict hello! Sorry, I was referring to USD, suppose I forgot to mention that bit, haha! I live in Russia but it doesn't matter much, I'm searching worldwide.

[puzzlezaddict]

@The_Real_Koteyka  I really have no idea what you might be able to get shipped to Russia, so I'll list some examples of good laptops from Amazon, and other websites with the same laptops for similar prices, in case one of them works.  There are a lot of laptops in the same performance category for around the same price though, so if one option doesn't work out, there are plenty of others.

The most important component in determining how well a given computer will run Sims 4 (and most games) is the graphics card, provided the other hardware is sufficient.  An Nvidia 1650 will run all Sims 4 packs together on ultra graphics settings now, with some room to spare.  That may or may not quite be true by the time the game is out of development—we don't know how demanding future expansion packs will be—but it should be a close call either way.  An Nvidia 1660 ti is a bit of overkill and is also more expensive.

You don't need to worry as much about the other components.  These days, any laptop that comes with at least a 1650 will have a processor that's more than strong enough for Sims 4; and at least 8 GB RAM, which is also enough for the game.  Memory can be upgraded easily, if you decide it's necessary.  Storage might be an issue, depending on what else you have planned for this computer, but most gaming laptops have room for a second drive if you want to install one yourself.

This laptop, at $600 U.S., is the cheapeast I've seen recently with a 1650.  Its hard drive is small, but 256 GB is enough for Sims 4, mods and custom content, plus plenty of small apps and text documents.  If your schoolwork is going to involve larger files stored locally though, that might not be enough.  Still, you could add the second hard drive of your choice (the Acer has both a free NVMe slot and an empty 2.5" drive bay) for less money overall than the cost of the next cheapest laptops.

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-i5-9300H-MaxxAudio-Keyboard-AN515-54-5812/dp/B086KJBKDW/

This MSI has the same specs as the Acer, minus the free NVMe slot, and is $700:

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-9SCX-005-Gaming-i5-9300H-GTX1650/dp/B0843JCV17/

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1542057-REG/msi_gf63_thin_9scx_005_gf63_i5_9300h_8gb.html

https://www.newegg.com/black-msi-gf-series-gf63-thin-9scx-005-gaming-entertainment/p/N82E16834155354...

This Asus is the same, except with an equivalent processor:

https://www.amazon.com/R5-3550H-Processor-Graphics-FX505DT-AH51-Keyboard/dp/B07VBK4SYS/

If you can get this Lenovo, it would be an even better option for $700.  It has a slightly stronger processor than the others, and a combination 256 GB SSD/1 TB HDD.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1561720-REG/lenovo_81y4001wus_l350_15_i5_10300_8gb_256gb.html

This Dell is $730 and has the same processor as the Lenovo, a 256 GB SSD, and a slightly faster graphics card.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/gaming-laptops/new-dell-g3-15-gaming-laptop/spd/g-series-15-3500-lap...

These laptops have a 512 GB SSD and are $750.  The HP has a stronger processor, although it wouldn't make a difference to Sims 4.

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Display-GeForce-Keyboard-A715-41G-R7X4/dp/B087BGWNFK/

https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16834235502?Item=N82E16834235502

https://www.amazon.com/HP-Pavilion-15-inch-GeForce-15-ec1010nr/dp/B0897B9J48/

On the very high end, this laptop has a much stronger processor than the others, an Nvidia 1660 ti, 16 GB RAM, and a 512 GB SSD, in case you're wondering what $1,000 could buy you:

https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-IPS-Type-GeForce-Battery-TUF506IU-ES74/dp/B0865RZR9S/

This MSI has an even faster graphics card, although its other components are not as strong as the one above.

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-9SEXR-249-Gaming-i5-9300H-RTX2060/dp/B0843HJY3C/

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1542060-REG/msi_gf65_thin_9sexr_249_gf65_i5_9300h_8gb.html

If you have more questions, please feel free to ask.  And if you find a laptop you like that does ship to your location, you're welcome to link it here for a second opinion.

[The_Real_Koteyka]

@puzzlezaddict thank you for such a great answer, it really helped a lot! I was also wondering how does 1050 compare with 1650 in laptops? Or 780m for that matter, since I am also offered a second-hand Asus ROG G750 but not sure if it's worth it.

Thanks!

[puzzlezaddict · Accepted solution]

@The_Real_Koteyka  An Nvidia 1650 is around 40-60% faster than a 1050, although the gap is significantly larger in newer games than in older ones.  That's not surprising, given that the 1050 is two years older.  I don't think a 1650 would be 60% faster in Sims 4, although it should still be significantly faster.  A 1050 is currently capable of ultra settings, but only barely, and some people with that card may need to drop to a mix of high and ultra settings even now.

A 780M is much older and doesn't hold up well against the 1650 in newer games, but it can equal the 1650's performance in older games, which is not surprising either.  The 780M also does much better, relative to the other two cards, at lower graphics settings than higher, which is probably explained by the fact that higher settings have interesting graphics effects that the 780M wasn't built to handle.  For Sims 4 specifically, it looks like the 780M and the 1050 are about equal at ultra settings.

So the best choice for you really depends on your plans for the laptop.  If your goal is to play Sims 4 and nothing else (or maybe some older games), and the laptop with the 780M is still in good condition and is significantly cheaper than the others, it would probably work well, at least for a couple years.  If you're thinking about playing newer games, then the 1650 is clearly the best choice, followed by the 1050.  If you want to be able to do graphic design or other activities that involve graphics processing, the 1650 will be much faster than the others as well.

Still, the decision might come down to price and convenience.  Getting the secondhand laptop now and planning to buy something new in a couple years is a legitimate option.  On the other hand, if this laptop is supposed to last through college and maybe beyond, it would be better to get a new laptop now and not have to wonder how long it will be good enough.

[The_Real_Koteyka]

@puzzlezaddict thank you so, so, so much for all of your amazing help! I cannot express in words how easier you've made everything for me but I truly appreciate it. Thank you