Need help selecting a new computer

**Lemur** · 08-14-2011, 15:49

I'm not a big fan of gaming laptops -- too many compromises to get them working within the thermal constraints -- but Sager has a good rep and doesn't seem to charge overmuch. Something else to consider would be going with an AMD fusion notebook for now, with a plan to supplement/replace it with a real gaming rig somewhere down the line. Might save money and heartbreak all around.

**Prussian to the Iron** · 08-14-2011, 16:22

Originally Posted by Lemur

I'm not a big fan of gaming laptops -- too many compromises to get them working within the thermal constraints

Don't even get me started. I have to have mine constantly in an elevated position (I got a stand) because if I don't, the back gets extremely hot, and then turns off the screen and leaves me only being able to turn off the whole thing.

BTW what sort of graphics card would you guys suggest? I unfortunately don't know really anything about graphics card specifications, but AFAIK ATI is better than Nvidia. But I could be totally wrong, I just have no idea.

**Lemur** · 08-14-2011, 21:52

Originally Posted by Prussian to the Iron

AFAIK ATI is better than Nvidia. But I could be totally wrong, I just have no idea.

Totally depends. My understanding, which may be out of date, is that AMD holds the lead for heat/power savings, but Nvidia holds the crown for things like GPU compute. Seems like a wash to me. No idea who's stronger in notebook parts.

**Prussian to the Iron** · 08-14-2011, 22:17

Originally Posted by Lemur

Totally depends. My understanding, which may be out of date, is that AMD holds the lead for heat/power savings, but Nvidia holds the crown for things like GPU compute. Seems like a wash to me. No idea who's stronger in notebook parts.

Well heat and power isn't really an issue; if I need to cool it down i can always just buy a little fan to put next to it. High caliber performance is what matters as far as graphics cards go. I was looking at some of those Sager notebooks you mentioned and they had options for either an ATI or an Nvidia so I just wasn't sure; I think I've always had Nvidia so I know nothing about ATI

**Lemur** · 08-15-2011, 20:59

Originally Posted by Prussian to the Iron

it will have to be a laptop

Originally Posted by Prussian to the Iron

heat and power isn't really an issue

**Drunk Clown** · 08-15-2011, 22:45

Don't think it matters that much. ATI or Nvidia, just go with one with decent performance and a nice cooling.

Wasn't there something with PhysX and Nvidia?

**Prussian to the Iron** · 08-15-2011, 23:21

Originally Posted by Lemur

If the power is what you think is facepalm worthy, I have it constantly hooked up to the charger so it really isn't an issue. If it's the heat it's because I can put a fan next to it for that.

**Drunk Clown** · 08-15-2011, 23:24

Originally Posted by Prussian to the Iron

If the power is what you think is facepalm worthy, I have it constantly hooked up to the charger so it really isn't an issue. If it's the heat it's because I can put a fan next to it for that.