New laptop: 950M, 960M or 970M?

(Litego) #1

I’m considering buying a new laptop, and I need it to have a minimum FPS of 60. Minimum (not counting random stutters DB seems to have), not average! Graphic settings, whatever, as long as the resolution is 1080p or above, and I don’t need to use custom configs to achieve that frame rate. I was looking at the 970M, but it is rather pricey for a machine I will barely use. So if I can get away with a 960M, I’ll go for that. Doubt a 950M is gonna cut it, but I’d still like to hear about its performance if someone has experience with it. 980M is just out of the question, ridiculous price on that thing.

Looking at benchmarks is useless, as they don’t test DB, and they test at high or ultra graphics where the frame rate is like 30, and some don’t even show minimum FPS, which is all I care about.

So yeah, if anyone has got any experience with these, I’d like to hear about it. Don’t need to be all about DB either, other game experiences with them are welcome too.

(kAndyREW) #2

may i ask why you’re getting a laptop and not a desktop? college?

960m should be enough. I have a lenovo 750m SLI and that runs DB at around 70-80 FPS at low settings… maybe right around 50-60 at the highest. I just stay away from using my laptop b/c i hate the 60z refresh rate.

(Litego) #3

I work out of town 4 days a week, which means I don’t have access to my desktop 3 evenings a week after work, where I could be playing games. Like right now, I’m on a shitty laptop from 2009 that I can’t even watch 60FPS YouTube videos on. All it’s good for is playing the forum game (which some say is better than the actual game).

I also hate 60 Hz, but I guess that’s what I’ve got to put up with if I want to be playing games those 3 evenings. Unless I could acquire a 120 Hz laptop that has the power to push out 120 FPS. Seems unlikely, at least to a reasonable price.

(kAndyREW) #4

hrm where are you staying while you work? Is there an apartment where you could set up at 2nd desktop?

honestly getting a modern gaming laptop that could run DB over 60 at (at least low settings) isn’t that hard to come by. I played DB on my 60hz laptop while in Japan and while it could push out good frames, it was a rough 2 weeks.

(Amerika) #5

I have a 2011 Sandy Bridge QM i7 with an nvidia 550m which I tested DB with recently and I was getting 90-125 FPS IIRC while using the 550m and 70-90 using the onboard Intel GPU. That was on Low settings at 1080p. I played a few matches with that and I didn’t get any stutters or anything that people have said they get (and I don’t get with my main machine).

I am not a fan of using laptops for gaming as heat tends to be a real issue (laptops will clock themselves down as soon as they get in the 70c area…for intel at least) but in your case it’s definitely understandable (it’s why I own my 550m laptop).

I’d say go with the 960 but I’d wager you could get away with the 950 easy enough considering the performance upgrade of both the CPU and GPU compared to my laptop.

(Litego) #6

hrm where are you staying while you work? Is there an apartment where you could set up at 2nd desktop?[/quote]
I suppose I could, but it’s not very viable as I’d have to move it around. I work on construction projects in various places, so I don’t stay in a single place for too long. Besides, I want a laptop for convenience when I’m out traveling as well.

Wow that is impressive. On-board graphics even? You serious?! And we’re talking regular in-game low setting here, not Amerka custom config low, right?

I am not a fan of using laptops for gaming as heat tends to be a real issue (laptops will clock themselves down as soon as they get in the 70c area…for intel at least) but in your case it’s definitely understandable (it’s why I own my 550m laptop).

I’ll probably buy one of those fan table things you put under your laptop to improve airflow.

(Amerika) #7

Yup, I was just using Low at the time. I’m on Win10 Pro with latest drivers.

(B_Montiel) #8

The cpu will make a more noticeable difference on UE3, especially on DB as it is now. So I’d probably prioritise the cpu choice upon the gpu. If you have two laptops for the same price, one with 970 and a cpu, one with 960 and a better cpu, I’d go for the later choice if playing DB is your main gaming criteria.

(Litego) #9

The choice in CPU with those GPUs in Norway seems to be the 4720HQ and the 5700HQ.

(XavienX) #10

hrm where are you staying while you work? Is there an apartment where you could set up at 2nd desktop?

honestly getting a modern gaming laptop that could run DB over 60 at (at least low settings) isn’t that hard to come by. I played DB on my 60hz laptop while in Japan and while it could push out good frames, it was a rough 2 weeks.
[/quote]

This guy has a point because desktops can also be replaced easily with new parts especially when your graphic cards get outdated. Laptops is hard.

(Enzo) #11

My friend games on a laptop for the last 3 years and has only 1 issue around 2 years in you will need to upgrade. Also you can’t replace a party but need to buy a whole new unit.

Playing on a laptop is fine and awesome because of mobility. Desktop is the best because for the price of the laptop and specs you get a way better spec desktop.

In the end you have to choose how often will you use the laptop to game vs the desktop. My friend works on a ship so he has to get a laptop and trust me he has experienced burning hot and ice freezing temps on his Asus laptop and it withstood everything. So don’t worry when people try to frighten you about heating issues. Just make sure to read up on reviews and pick a good brand laptop.

Right now he wants to upgrade I’ve advised getting 970m he wants the 980m but it’s pricey. I told him look 970m should give him a good solid 2 years before another upgrade he agrees but is still horny for 980m hahaha. We shall see. Good luck on your purchase.

May yours temps be low and fps high :wink:

(Litego) #12

Damn it! All the new gaming laptops have IPS panels. WTF kind of casual BS is this?! Did they suddenly make IPS panels good? Or are they just charging extra because casuals don’t know better. Oooh, pretty colors… Fokk off!

Wish I could just find a store that lets me build my own laptop. None of the BS.