OK PC peeps CPU question

[Lason]

I need a new PC and am toying with the idea of a high end gaming laptop only because I really dont have the room in my house for another desktop. With all that said, Im thinking about getting a off the counter laptop with some upgrades and I dont know jack about CPU's so aside from being able to move up to 1600MHZ and 1866MHZ will I notice a huge difference in going from the lowend to the highend on these processors?

All I plan on doing is playing some PC games (SWTOR, BF3 and a few other new ones) and surf the net. No image or video work aside from a rare occasional photochop.

2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM, 2.0-2.8GHz, (32nm, 6MB L3 cache) (Does not support DDR3 1600MHz Ram) (SKU - X2R213)

2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2760QM, 2.4-3.5GHz, (32nm, 6MB L3 cache) (SKU - X2R208) ( + 298 )

2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2860QM, 2.5-3.6GHz, (32nm, 8MB L3 cache) (SKU - X2R209) ( + 480 )

2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2920XM, 2.5-3.5GHz, (32nm, 8MB L3 cache) - Special (SKU - X2P218) ( + 950 )

2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2960XM, 2.7-3.7GHz, (32nm, 8MB L3 cache) (SKU - X2R210) ( + 990 )

Only reason Im even considering them is I would love to play any current game on ultra settings and future proof myself as much as possible.

[Tx Redneck]

There will be a difference but the GPU and it's available ram are going to have more effect than the cpu.

Are you trying to meet min/recommended specs for a certain game?

[Lason]

Nope this laptop is above the required specs of any game, just asking because I know some processors arent worth the hassle and honestly I know very little. The laptop is a MSI 780DXR-099. 16 gig 1333MHZ and Nvidia 570M 1.5gig card off the shelf.

**EDIT** I dont have the laptop yet either, the reason for this post is Im trying to decide if I should order it stock or get it through a retailer like xotixpc that will mod it.

[Tx Redneck]

Forgive me but I must ask, is there a reason for going lappy v box?

AFA the cpu goes, the difference will be minimal for gaming purposes. Where you'd see a difference in them most is encoding, compressing files and such.

I have a really hard time recommending anyone go lappy for gaming. Heck, a good friend of mine bought a killer Hateway model that was more powerful than his desktop, used it for a few weeks and put it on a shelf. He spent well over 2K on it and never uses it.

[CJ]

Your processor selection is the least of your concerns for laptop gaming. GPU should be your focus. As for BF3 on ultra, not going to happen.

[Lason]

I know, like I said in my original post, I just simply dont have the room for a desktop right now. I have my old one setup for kids on a small desk big enough to hold my 19" LCD monitor and even that thing is taking up too much room. I would much prefer a laptop I can pull out and throw on the dining room table and game for a little while if I can.

In a perfect world I would spend that $2k+ on a desktop with 3 24" lcd's rocking eyefinity but no can do.

[CJ]

I know, like I said in my original post, I just simply dont have the room for a desktop right now. I have my old one setup for kids on a small desk big enough to hold my 19" LCD monitor and even that thing is taking up too much room. I would much prefer a laptop I can pull out and throw on the dining room table and game for a little while if I can.

In a perfect world I would spend that $2k+ on a desktop with 3 24" lcd's rocking eyefinity but no can do.

The 2860 is probably the best for the buck in that lineup given it's cache bump.

[Tx Redneck]

Sorry, I completely read over the part about lack of room for another box.

[Lason]

The 2860 is probably the best for the buck in that lineup given it's cache bump.

Thanks, I was thinking the same thing myself.

[Lason]

Your processor selection is the least of your concerns for laptop gaming. GPU should be your focus. As for BF3 on ultra, not going to happen.

Yeah I know, if I could talk myself into that alienware M18X with dual 6990's on xfire I might have a slim chance though. But then I see the price and wonder how the hell anyone could justify that to themselves.

[CJ]

Yeah I know, if I could talk myself into that alienware M18X with dual 6990's on xfire I might have a slim chance though. But then I see the price and wonder how the hell anyone could justify that to themselves.

The problem I have with high dollar laptops is they usually don't last as long as desktops, usually the heat of the high performance components ends their lives prematurely, and repairing them is not possible 90% of the time. You might want to look into one of those fan bases if you plan on playing on a desk for long periods.

[Lason]

The problem I have with high dollar laptops is they usually don't last as long as desktops, usually the heat of the high performance components ends their lives prematurely, and repairing them is not possible 90% of the time. You might want to look into one of those fan bases if you plan on playing on a desk for long periods.

Yeah I thought the same thing. Any laptop I get, Im planning on getting a good extended warranty for that very reason. I know dell/alienware supposedly has awsome extended coverage with accidental no questions asked. If it burns up or somethign gets spilled on it in 4 years then they will upgrade you.

[roliath]

what are the price differences between them?

my alienware has already been swapped out 3 times on its warranty.

[Lason]

MSI is ALOT cheaper. A nicely built M18X with crossfire 6990's is going to run $3500+, MSI off the shelf is $1899

[CJ]

MSI is ALOT cheaper. A nicely built M18X with crossfire 6990's is going to run $3500+, MSI off the shelf is $1899

I thought MSI announced the 570M was not going to be offered in their latest laptop?