Gaming Laptop specs help

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mbrodyj

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Jun 18, 2013
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Okay, so for the past few days I have been trying to decide on what laptop I want. My budget is around 2500$ since my parents are buying it for me I would prefer for it to be lower so it is more likely they will pay for it.

I need help on making some decisions, about the gpu, cpu, hard drives, in terms of how much it will help me gaming. I play mostly MMO's like SWTOR and GW2.

I have come to find a few computers I like.

One being the Alienware 17... but I have a few possibilities.. I am trying to figure out which gpu+cpu+hard drive I want in it...
Do I want the 4800MQ processor with 770m GTX gpu + 256 gb ssd boot drive 750gb hhd. about 2500$ (unable to get 780.. too much)
Or would I want the 4700MQ processor with 780 GTX gpu + 750gb hdd + 64gb SSD cache drive . about 2300$ (unable to get the boot drive with this one

OR would I want more of an MSI G laptop? and which one would I want?
I was thinking the 15 inch msi gt60, 4700 + 780 gpu + SSD boot drive.. for 2,099$
or there is even a 15 inch msi gt60 4700+ 770 + SSD boot drive.. for 1,799$ .. is the 4800 really worth it?

or the SAGER laptops that are completely customizable in terms of pieces you want in them. I would probably prefer all SSD's if possible? Right?
the 17 inch sager with 770m GPU + 4800 cpu +256gb crucial drive + 750gb hdd.. for 2,094$
or 17" 770m gpu + 4800 cpu + 2 240gb SSD, one as boot drive .... for around 2,300$

MY MAIN QUESTION/CONCERNS are towards what I should really focus on in terms of the money I am spending...
Should I take the higher gpu chip with the lower cpu.. or vice versa... and then should I really want a SSD boot drive or no? or a cache drive?

What exactly should I focus on. I am kinda more into the Alienware just cause of the look, and the combos that I actually like, MSI are my second favorite in terms of looks and such but idk which one I really want.. I would like the first alienware i listed for 2500 if my parents allow and if that would be the best combo...

Please help

EDIT: If it would be best/just as good as others.. I do prefer the alienware 17 with SSD boot drive 770m and 4800 cpu from what i hear.. as long as the boot drive works good?
 
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King Hackintosh

King Hackintosh

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Jun 1, 2013
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Ok for gaming you really want to focus on a good processor AND graphics card. Some games are more CPU dependent while others use mostly the GPU. The GTX 780m is a beast of mobile graphics card, so I'd definitely go for that if possible, however, if you can get a laptop with 2 GTX 650s in SLI, that will easily outperform even the 780m. As far as the 4700mq and the 4800qm go, they are both excellent and the difference between them is relatively minimal from what I understand, so you should be good with either. As far as SSD storage goes, you really want to have at least a SSD boot drive as it is MUCH (like 5x) faster than mechanical drives. SSD caching is when you use a solid state drive as the cache for your mechanical drive effectively giving you better performance without the price of a SSD. While this works relatively well, it really cnt compare to having an SSD (as boot or primary drive). If you opt for a configuration that has only solid state storage you can expect to pay more but it will definitely make a big difference in speed. This is not necessary, however, and a SSD boot drive config should work just fine. One thing you didn't mention but is worth covering is RAM (random access memory). Many people are asking how much is needed, and I think it is worth discussing. For almost all applications 8gb of RAM will be adequate is the answer I usually give. If you need more than that for heavy multitasking or RAM eating apps, 16 gb should be suffienct. With this in mind, for a gaming laptop 8gb will be perfect (6 gb will do but is a little on the small side).

Hope all of this info helps you in you decision!
 
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mbrodyj

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Jun 18, 2013
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Yes King it has helped quite a bit! I know about the RAM already, I will not settle for any less than 12gb so thats good. I am now really stuck between the Alienware 17 with boot ssd, 7800 processor, 770 gpu, 16 gigs ram, which is 2,400$ at first, and im gonna try to haggle it down a bit... or the MSI GT60 that has the 7700 processor, 770 gpu, 12 gigs of ram, which is 1,700$

I have seen where the games I will probably be playing takes more cpu.. but I am really just needing to know is if the MSI combo would suit it well and if the alienware combo is worth the upgrade for bigger screen, more processing power, cooler laptop in whole.
 
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mbrodyj

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Jun 18, 2013
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Oh yes... definitely gonna be looking at here for sure

 
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mbrodyj

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Jun 18, 2013
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so you suggest the 4700 over the 4800?
 
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King Hackintosh

King Hackintosh

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They are quite similar on paper, however, there are no benchmarks to look at as of this moment. If you're parents will pay the extra $$ for a 4800 then by all means go for it, but again there are benchmarks to look at. Also you will definitely want to get 1600 MHz ram over 1333...
 
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mbrodyj

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Jun 18, 2013
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thank you both. Pretty sure it depends on what I can get the dell sales rep down to on the alienware one first. if my parents don't like it I will try to make a cyberpower they will take, if not then Ill go with the 4700 + 770 msi + 12 gig ram for 1,700, they will surely get that.
 
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