Re: Re: Best laptop
@puzzlezaddict Any thoughts on this one? https://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/omen-15t-dh100-laptop-8vd75av-1
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@JShope1109 That laptop, the specific one you linked, would run Sims 4 (all packs included) on ultra graphics settings, now and perhaps for the entire development of the game. We don't know exactly how demanding future packs will be, but a 1650 ti should probably be enough for ultra settings.
The laptop is a bit more expensive than seems necessary for a Sims 4 laptop, although the 1650 ti is still uncommon enough that there aren't a lot of examples. Personally, I'd probably choose a different option, for example paying a bit less for a weaker (but still more than sufficient for Sims 4) processor and 16 GB RAM:
https://store.acer.com/en-us/nitro-5-gaming-laptop-an515-55-54q0
or around the same price for a much faster graphics card:
or, even better, though back-ordered, a bit more for a stronger processor, the same much faster graphics card, and 16 GB RAM:
Still, the Omen should be more than fine if you decide to get it.
- My hubby’s gaming friend recommended what he has, an asus, although his is the 14 inch screen so that specific one is a no for me.
So I researched the amd processor and decided if I could find one of those with specs that’s what I wanted. Problem is, it’s been impossible trying to find an asus near me fitting what I want. I don’t know much difference between the graphics cards or what the i on the end of some mean(I never started looking into the details until the other day), so I’ve just been reading and trying to teach myself.
I did find those laptop on Best Buy BUT the only one they have is an open box ? And wouldn’t you have to buy the warranty at the end as well? (Not sure how they work)
But If I’m paying $1000 I only want a 16gb and 512gb for sure.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-rog-zephyrus-g-15-6-gaming-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-16gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1660-ti-max-q-512gb-ssd-metalic-hairline-black/6335912.p?skuId=6335912
Had that asus you linked not been back ordered that would be great. This is the one on Best Buy but it’s only a 8gb and the graphics card is maxed out and people are adding memory to it.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-15-6-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-8gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-rtx-2060-512gb-ssd-fortress-gray/6408464.p?skuId=6408464 Looking on the other website you provided. I ran across this one. For the price being so close to the others, wouldn’t this be the best option for the better memory etc? I guess if I have to end up spending $1200 after a warranty I’d rather just have something I’m going to keep even if I have to spend $200 more because either way I’m dipping into savings. Appreciate any and all feedback. Hubby games a lot on ps4 and daughter games on her ipad for now so this has become my new thing.
@JShope1109 Among the options you listed, I would go with this one:
and add more memory myself. You could probably find a RAM stick that exactly matches the one already installed for something like $40, and adding memory to a gaming laptop is simple. In fact, the reason some of these laptops only come with 8 GB when you'd expect more is that the manufacturers expect some customers will upgrade to 16 GB and others to 32 GB, so they're providing flexibility and not making anyone pay for more than they need.
The processor in the Zephyrus (a 3750H) is not close to the performance of the 4800H; the 3750H is about equal to an Intel 10300H in gaming and only a bit faster than a 9300H.
Open-box laptops are a perfectly reasonable alternative if you're buying from a store like Best Buy that accepts returns. The manufacturer warranty should still be in effect, although it's always a good idea to double-check before buying, and ask about Best Buy's return policy as well. The Asus with the 2060 has a certified open-box option for $930, so that plus more memory would still keep you under $1,000 before taxes.
I would never buy from a third-party seller on Newegg though. Many of them perform their own upgrades, often voiding the original warranty. And returns are probably going to be a huge hassle, since you'd need to deal with both Newegg and the third-party.
Just to reiterate though, you really don't need a super strong processor for Sims 4. There are other reasons to have one, for example video editing, but even tasks that would benefit from the stronger CPU would simply get done faster; it's not like you couldn't do them at all.
As far as graphics cards go, the ti on the end of a name means it's a bit faster than the non-ti variant. The 1650 (regular) is right on the border of what might be required to run Sims 4 on ultra settings by the time the game is out of development, but it should at least always be able to handle a mix of high and ultra settings. The 1650 ti is about 7% faster in gaming, although it varies a little depending on the game. A 1660 ti is more like 40-50% faster in games, but a lot of that takes into account graphics features that the 1650 can't handle and that are not present in Sims 4.
The bottom line is, the graphics card is the first priority, and it sounds like the size of the hard drive should be the second. If necessary, you can get the RAM upgraded after the fact, and any processor in a laptop with the other features you care about should be good enough.
If you're willing to get a 1650 ti, these two are also worth considering. They do have only 8 GB memory, but for $720 or $760, respectively, you'd still save money over the other options with a 1650 ti and a large hard drive.
- @puzzlezaddict Thanks a bunch! I definitely like the idea of the asus, seems like a better long term purchase and I’d like to be able to use it for other things as well.
- @puzzlezaddict Do you think the 60hz is an issue for this specific laptop ? https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-15-6-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-8gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-rtx-2060-512gb-ssd-fortress-gray/6408464.p?skuId=6408464
We’ve discussed it and I would definitely be adding Ram to it and even possibly in the future be upgrading to a 1T per recommendation from a friend. So I guess my other question is, after the fact of upgrading cost etc would it be more beneficial to just buy something with the same processor that already has 16gb and 1tb ssd and a bigger hz? I’m terrified of buying the wrong one because theres much conflicting data & reviews online.
Right now because of Covid-19 Best buy has a shipping option and a pickup at curb as well, I assume I should get at least a 1 year geek squad accidental protection? Or is it even worth messing with for almost $200 depending upon which laptop?
So I have it narrowed down to these ones...
And are they all able to be further upgraded in the future or just the first asus? (Never know if I’ll eventually get a different one and hubby will want to try Destiny on this or the daughter will take it etc)
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-15-6-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-8gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-rtx-2060-512gb-ssd-fortress-gray/6408464.p?skuId=6408464
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-rog-zephyrus-g15-15-6-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-16gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1660-ti-max-q-1tb-ssd-brushed-black/6408461.p?skuId=6408461
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-omen-gaming-15-6-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-16gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1660-ti-1tb-ssd-mica-silver/6407752.p?skuId=6407752 @JShope1109 I don't think it's worth the much higher price tag to get a 1 TB SSD. The first Asus has an empty drive bay that would fit almost any 2.5" drive, whether a mechanical hard drive (HDD) or a SATA SSD. The last time I checked, there wasn't a single game out there that ran faster on an NVMe SSD rather than a SATA, and certainly Sims 4 doesn't. So if you ever did decide you needed more storage, you could get the drive of your choice and add it separately. Here's what the Asus looks like inside:
https://laptopmedia.com/highlights/inside-asus-tuf-a15-fa506-disassembly-and-upgrade-options/
You could get a 500 GB SATA SSD for about $50, or a 1 TB SSD for under $100. For example:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DNKKGP8
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TBQ637W
The refresh rate on the screen of the first Asus isn't a problem at all. It just means the screen won't display more than 60 frames per second, no matter how many your graphics card is producing. This has nothing to do with the capabilities of the other components, it just limits how quickly the image on the screen refreshes.
When you have a powerful graphics card, it's actually a somewhat good idea to limit fps for long gaming sessions: it means the GPU doesn't have to work as hard, and it won't heat up as much. This shouldn't be an issue with a well-built gaming laptop like the Asus, but with a powerful card, I'd want to limit fps anyway because there's no point in making hardware work harder than it needs to. (Limiting fps usually only takes a couple clicks with built-in software, but no point in going over it until you actually have the laptop and are looking at the software.) An Nvidia 2060 can probably run Sims 4 at over 144 fps under ideal in-game conditions, but there's not really a benefit to such high framerates.
Some people can't tell the difference between 60 fps and higher, although some can a little bit. If not for the current situation, I'd suggest you go to a Best Buy and look at different screens to see whether you can spot the difference, but I don't know how feasible that is. Still, for the very high-end games that you may or may not play at a later date, you'd probably want to play on ultra settings and take the fps hit rather than lower settings and higher framerates. What fps you'd get depends entirely on the game, but in the most demanding ones, the 2060 would be running close to 60 fps even maxed out.
As for the protection plan, I tend to think those are far too expensive for their supposed benefits. If the laptop itself has an issue, it's covered under warranty. So unless you think you might drop it or sit on it or something, the extra $200 would likely go to waste.
By the way, not to complicate things even more, but if you're fine with the 1660 ti, it looks like Asus may have the first overpowered laptop we talked about before back in stock, for the same $1,000 price tag:
It's upgradable, but if you'd rather not, the version with a 1 TB SSD and a 17" screen is $1,100:
I don't know why Asus has the laptop and the other stores don't—maybe the laptop sold so well that Asus decided it would rather keep the profits—but it's the same model, just with different photos.
- @puzzlezaddict Thanks so much! I had ended up finding the one on the asus website earlier and couldn’t believe it. Although I didn’t see the 17 inch so I’m glad you sent that! Definitely gonna go with one of those probably the 17’. Figure if we’re gonna pay for one we may as well be able to both game on it. Thanks again!
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