Which laptop would run WoW better?

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armapker

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May 19, 2012
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Here's what I would do. I know that the K55N with the 6gb of ram has a 4gb stick and a 2gb stick (meaning the ram isn't running in dual channel mode), get the 4gb model (the second one) and then buy another 4gb stick to make 2x4gb (8gb) THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT because the integrated graphics on both those laptops use the system ram, and having that system ram in dual channel mode (just in case you don't know what this is - it is a higher bandwidth mode of your ram that can only occur when you have 2 indenticle size ram chips, so if you get 2 4gb sticks you will run in dual channel mode) is very important because it makes the integrated gpu much more powerful.

Sorry if this is a bit messy, I am using my phone. Please ask if you need clarification on anything
 


That's not what that means. The system will still run in dual channel operation. It will not run in synchronous dual channel unless the capacity of each module is identical. Still, there is not much of a performance difference between synchronous and asynchronous dual channel functionality.



They would run it at indiscernible frame rates as it is the same laptop in both links. The only (subtle) difference is the RAM and hard drive capacity. It looks like you get a better price on the unit with more RAM and more hard drive space; more bang for your dollar.
 
Get this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231455 it's only a little bit more than the K55N-DB81 and will be A LOT faster in games. You'll be spending about %20 more for a %100 gain in video performance. Keep in mind that laptops are not upgradable much aside from RAM and hard drive, you're better off spending more now than buying something that you won't be happy with in the long run.
 
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Xathom

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Just so I can get an idea of the laptops, what are the max settings that each one would run? (between the one hang-the-9 suggested and the 2 I have listed)
 


WOW does not take that much power to run, even at medium settings, even a standard office laptop with an i5 chip and no extra video power will be able to run it at Medium, maybe with shadows off and some other effects lower like AA and AF off. But there is no sense in getting a LAPTOP that is not the best you can possibly get and settle for a lower model that will just barely reach to what you want to do with it. It's not like a desktop where you can buy a cheaper system with a low end video card and a year later add a faster video card. Unless you buy a $1,500 laptop, you are stuck with the video card you buy it with. Spending $100-150 more now will lead to a lot better results for you. You won't be going around a year from now saying "man, I wish I had a faster laptop for this new game", or "why can't I turn up quality more?".

I once spent $300 on my computer speakers. But I have never in the 10 years since I got them wished I bought another set. If I bought a decent $100 set I would have probably gone around and bought a better one anyway later, just spending even more money. Every time I listened to them I am still impressed with the quality, even comparing them to newer high end PC speakers. If you go with a lower laptop model, pretty soon you will thinking about something better. Happens all the time when people buy cheap slow netbooks, you soon see them trying to sell them on craigslist and going out to buy a faster system.

The ASUS I linked will play WoW a lot smoother at all settings and will play it on High and maybe even Ultra well (I'd say at least 30fps steady which is all you really need for WoW)
 
Just to clear the air for future reference:



That's not entirely true. Many systems can have their CPU upgraded, and in higher end systems that use MXM graphics cards, these can sometimes be upgraded too (though it's rather rare).

That aside, the Asus hang-the-9 linked is a much better alternative for gaming. :)
 
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