Gaming Laptop Advice (Budget $1500)

LSeahorse on 21/11/2020 - 21:58
Last edited 21/11/2020 - 22:14 by 1 other user

I'm a noob at all this tech stuff and trying to keep up with my teenager who is looking to buy a gaming laptop. Wanting to buy something around $1200 - $1400 in the Black Friday sales, $1500 at a stretch.

If I see a deal with an i5 CPU with RTX 2060 graphics card, is that better than i7 with GTX 1660?

Is there anything else that's important to look for? So far we've been eyeing the Acer Nitro 5 i7 or Tuf Ryzen 7 or an Asus but open to suggestions so I know what to snap up if I see a good deal rather than procrastinating.

He only plays Fortnite at the moment. Not the most demanding game but a demanding player who yells at the PC when it's not cooperating.

Looking for laptop for portability

Gaming Computer Gaming Laptop Laptop

Comments

  • No Username on 21/11/2020 - 22:09

    Is there anything else that's important to look for?

    Thermals. Do some googling and see if anyone has any thermal issues with the device. My Alienware kept thermal throttling so I had to do a repaste which is fine with me but an inexperienced person could damage their device.

    • FireRunner on 21/11/2020 - 22:38

      Undervolting is another option to keep temperatures down. It will affect the performance but if its thermal throttling then you're better off with a bit lower but consistent performance.
      I've done thermal repaste, CPU undervolt and laptop cooler from my Alienware. I think the best improvement was from the undervolting

      • No Username on 22/11/2020 - 08:03

        Yeah, When I undervolted my CPU to -110 I think I saved 7°c . GPU use to go to 95°c when playing games. Now it's only 60-70 under high load.
        Played around with Liquid Metal and MX4 and found MX4 to be the better choice as you could go overkill with the amount of paste. Where as liquid metal was unpredictable as once you apply pressure there's a change the liquids might spill onto the transistor so I only applied a small amount which did nothing for temp control.

        With MX4 my laptop now idles at 35-40 in High Performance and Overclocked Mode.

  • FireRunner on 21/11/2020 - 22:41

    Checkout the Dell Outlet if you're alright with refurbished. The G5 with i7 and 1660Ti would suit well.

    • Seahorse on 22/11/2020 - 21:50

      Missed out by the time I checked this morning. Thanks for sharing though

  • kazuyamishima on 22/11/2020 - 19:37

    JB Hi-Fi will have this one on Black Friday for $1099: https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/hp-pavilion-ec0102ax-15-6…

    • Seahorse on 22/11/2020 - 21:52

      Thanks, I'll look into it. Hadn't considered a HP

      • kazuyamishima on 22/11/2020 - 22:00

        https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/acer-nitro-5-an515-55-544…
        This one is better and will be for $1279.

        • Seahorse on 23/11/2020 - 22:58

          That sounds great. Where are you seeing these deals?

          • kazuyamishima on 24/11/2020 - 08:33
            +1

            @Seahorse: I found a contact that works at JB and he told in a FB group called Aussie Gaming Bargains that he could provide a link with the BF discount in order to secure the item before it goes to the public.

            So I sent him a PM on FB and that's the price he gave me, just bought on Sunday night and picked yesterday :)

            • Seahorse on 24/11/2020 - 09:32

              @kazuyamishima: Sounds like you've got a great contact there! If you're allowed to share the contact details by DM, I'd really appreciate it.

              So you bought the Acer nitro 5?

              • kazuyamishima on 24/11/2020 - 11:34
                +1

                @Seahorse: Yes, I did buy the Acer Nitro 5 for $1279.2

                Already sent you a DM.

                Cheers!!

  • casho on 22/11/2020 - 20:59
    -1

    Mac mini

    • Seahorse on 22/11/2020 - 21:54

      Apple & Epic games are in a legal battle so he couldn't get Fortnite updates or play against his friends on his iPad so he's sold it to buy the laptop we're now looking for. The iPad was perfectly portable and did the job.

      • casho on 23/11/2020 - 09:20

        Dang

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