Why can't my laptop play games as well as my desktop?

[admiraltbag]

Hello,
I purchased a laptop in Sep 2012, which has better specs then my desktop that I've had for a couple of years, but cant run games as smoothly (World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2, Call of Duty Black Ops 2, most games in general). Does anyone have any insight why that might be?

Laptop Specs: (Sager Brand)
GPU: Nvidia GTX 670M
CPU: Intel i7-3610QM @2.3GHz
RAM: 16GB
SSD: 80GB Intel® SSD 310 Series (For OS)
HHD: 500GB Seagate Momentus XT
OS: Win 7 64 Home Premium

Desktop (What I can remember since I'm not at home)
GPU: Nvidia GTX 480
RAM: 12GB
CPU: Intel i7 (First gen back from 2010 i believe)
HDD: 500GB Western Digital HDD

Any insight on the possible reasons would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!

 

[SIMPLY MARC]

Maybe because the CPU and GPU are mobile versions? I'm not sure but it should be able to play games perfectly

 

[Brett928S2]

Hi

Laptop + gaming = Oxymoron...

My graphics card in my GAMING PC is 12 inches long and takes up 3 slots.... does that give you an idea why ?

All the best Brett

 

[voiidwulf]

Yeah, laptop components are very weak compared to their desktop counterparts. Take a look at this:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

It isn't completely accurate, but it should give you an idea of why your desktop performs better. Your mobile GTX 670 is 4 spots below the desktop GTX 480.

Plus your desktop's i7 is probably running at a much faster clock speed than the mobile one.

 

[simon12]

+1 to the above answers the desktop is just more powerful, the laptop should run those games OK though. Can you run them OK on lower settings than the desktop?

 

[admiraltbag]

Best answer selected by admiraltbag.

 

[admiraltbag]

Thank you all very much for the replies!!! i didnt realize that the hardware in my laptop place so much lower then the hardware in my desktop. Thank you for the insight, now i wont be so mad at my laptop haha

 

[voiidwulf]

Yeah, it is sort of unfortunate though. I'd be pissed off if my PC from 2010 beat my new, expensive one. At least it is portable though.