Laptop suggestions

[J0nnD0ugh 31]

I'm picking up a new laptop this week (North Carolina's sales tax-free weekend starts Friday). I use my computer for just basic stuff. But the one game I have is SC4. What specs would you suggest for someone that wants to use a lot of plugins? My current laptop just isn't powerful enough. Just in case you need to know what I currently use......

Acer Aspire 5630-6288

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor

15.4" WXGA Acer CrystalBrite LCD

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950

160GB HDD

2 GB DD2

802.11a a/b/g wireless LAN

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

I'm picking up a new laptop this week (North Carolina's sales tax-free weekend starts Friday). I use my computer for just basic stuff. But the one game I have is SC4. What specs would you suggest for someone that wants to use a lot of plugins? My current laptop just isn't powerful enough. Just in case you need to know what I currently use......

Acer Aspire 5630-6288

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor

15.4" WXGA Acer CrystalBrite LCD

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950

160GB HDD

2 GB DD2

802.11a a/b/g wireless LAN

I don't recommend laptops for this game due to overheating problems, but if you must:

Get the fastest processor you can afford. Multiple cores don't matter.

Get at least 4GB of RAM, if you get multiple cores 2GB per core is not a bad rule of thumb

A fancy graphics card is not needed for SC4, but get what you like. Remember to set all options to "program selected".

You'll undoubtedly get something on the order of a half a terabyte of disk. That's lots. Make sure your swap space is at least as big as your RAM. Mine is 20GB.

Be sure it has a CD/DVD-RW drive and as many USB ports as you can get.

What you get for a LAN interface depends on what kind of connect you get from your ISP, but the bigger the bandwidth the better.

Find out what the operating limits are with one core at 100% for an extended period, because that's what SC4 does. If you get overheats, think about a compatible laptop cooler.

Try and avoid bloat-ware bundles. If you have to take them, don't install or uninstall them. You'll probably never use them.

Don't be sucked in by hype about windows 8

  Edited August 2, 2011 by A Nonny Moose  

[J0nnD0ugh 31]

Thanks for the tips. I have a cooler already, BTW.

[DuskTrooper 316]

What is your budget? I mean, you can get a pretty sweet machine if you're willing to spend around 700 or so, but if you want something in the i7/6gb/17" range, you''ll probably spend about 1k.

As for basic specs, what Nonny said seems to be a little on the lower end side of things these days. 4-6 GB seems alright, and at least get an i5 processor. As for the HD, you'll probably automatically get something at least 500GB.

[J0nnD0ugh 31]

What is your budget? I mean, you can get a pretty sweet machine if you're willing to spend around 700 or so, but if you want something in the i7/6gb/17" range, you''ll probably spend about 1k.

As for basic specs, what Nonny said seems to be a little on the lower end side of things these days. 4-6 GB seems alright, and at least get an i5 processor. As for the HD, you'll probably automatically get something at least 500GB.

700 is about what I'm going for. I've seen a number of deals online.......for students.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

If you don't insist on a laptop you can get a really nice desktop for that. Mind you, you would need to also buy peripherals if you don't already have them.

[J0nnD0ugh 31]

If you don't insist on a laptop you can get a really nice desktop for that. Mind you, you would need to also buy peripherals if you don't already have them.

Well, I wanted a laptop because my current one is coming up on 5 yrs old. 'Z" button is missing. Right click no longer works. I figure this is the time to upgrade.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Sounds like it has had a rough go. Give it a respectful recycling.

[Loney 22]

Get the fastest processor you can afford. Multiple cores don't matter.

Get at least 4GB of RAM, if you get multiple cores 2GB per core is not a bad rule of thumb

A fancy graphics card is not needed for SC4, but get what you like. Remember to set all options to "program selected".

I would recommend at least a dual core processor as the extra core is needed for other background tasks.

Regarding the GPU, avoid Intel's graphic cards. As Nonny stated, a high end isn't required, but Intel's graphic cards are the worst performers. Some of their graphic cards can't even play HD videos without stuttering, and that makes me wonder how they can render SC4's frames.

GMA 950 GPU is on par with Nividia's MX and AMD's Radeon (not HD) series, both were released in the early 2000's. If you really want GMA 950, don't be surprised if you can't play HD videos or any other games.

  Edited August 5, 2011 by Loney  

[Jazzmaster 716]

You'll probably get an integrated mobile card for that budget. As stated above, you don't need a fancy GPU to run SimCity 4. You will need hard drive space. I would recommend an SSD for optimal load times, but you won't be able to afford one right away.

If you DO get a dedicated video card, mind whether or not it has graphics switching. Mine will drain battery in an hour and a half, but I can turn it off and more than double the life I get.

4GB is the minimum RAM, for Windows 7+SC4 to run fluidly. If you could, perhaps push it up to 6GB, but you'll never need more than 8GB.

Personally, I would always spend more than less. You won't be gaming, but you'll be 'gaming' with SC4, which means your computer will endure more than simple email checking, and casual music listening/movie watching. As also stated above, I would get at least an i5, and a 15-16 inch screen. If it's in the medium size notebook range, it'll air out better and be less likely to overheat.

[Kifflom112 355]

I'm picking up a new laptop this week (North Carolina's sales tax-free weekend starts Friday). I use my computer for just basic stuff. But the one game I have is SC4. What specs would you suggest for someone that wants to use a lot of plugins? My current laptop just isn't powerful enough. Just in case you need to know what I currently use......

Acer Aspire 5630-6288

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor

15.4" WXGA Acer CrystalBrite LCD

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950

160GB HDD

2 GB DD2

802.11a a/b/g wireless LAN

I don't recommend laptops for this game due to overheating problems, but if you must:

Get the fastest processor you can afford. Multiple cores don't matter.

Get at least 4GB of RAM, if you get multiple cores 2GB per core is not a bad rule of thumb

A fancy graphics card is not needed for SC4, but get what you like. Remember to set all options to "program selected".

You'll undoubtedly get something on the order of a half a terabyte of disk. That's lots. Make sure your swap space is at least as big as your RAM. Mine is 20GB.

Be sure it has a CD/DVD-RW drive and as many USB ports as you can get.

What you get for a LAN interface depends on what kind of connect you get from your ISP, but the bigger the bandwidth the better.

Find out what the operating limits are with one core at 100% for an extended period, because that's what SC4 does. If you get overheats, think about a compatible laptop cooler.

Try and avoid bloat-ware bundles. If you have to take them, don't install or uninstall them. You'll probably never use them.

Don't be sucked in by hype about windows 8

It overheats? I've noticed the PC heating up, but not overheat. Maybe I should get a laptop cooler for my laptop to sit on, just encase.

[Loney 22]

You'll probably get an integrated mobile card for that budget. As stated above, you don't need a fancy GPU to run SimCity 4. You will need hard drive space. I would recommend an SSD for optimal load times, but you won't be able to afford one right away.

If you DO get a dedicated video card, mind whether or not it has graphics switching. Mine will drain battery in an hour and a half, but I can turn it off and more than double the life I get.

4GB is the minimum RAM, for Windows 7+SC4 to run fluidly. If you could, perhaps push it up to 6GB, but you'll never need more than 8GB.

If you wanted integrated graphics, go with Sandy Bridge processors, their Intel HD 2000/3000 GPUs are significantly more powerful than the GMA 950.

If you want a more balanced performance (better GPU, weaker CPU) without murdering your battery life, go with AMD's Llano processors. Their lowest end processors' integrated GPU is more powerful than the Intel HD 3000.

  Edited August 6, 2011 by Loney