So I plan on buying a new computer...

I'm not too well off right now though, so I've put myself in a spending range between $400 minimum -$700 maximum. I have been looking across the internet for a decently built computer that could suit my gaming needs as well as work. Right now I have my eye set on two computers, a VAIO E Series 17 Custom Laptop http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores ... 1644784018 and a HP ENVY dv6z-7200 Notebook PC http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-o ... aoid=35252. I don't think either of their specs really standout too much, as I haven't the resources to go on a spending spree for the time being.

I was wondering which one of these would be the better choice to buy. My criteria for buying is probably only for the performance of these computers with games, the processor speed for these 2 computers is relatively close but I am not too familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of these Graphic Cards. I realize I would need a GB or more dedicated to them to run any of my more demanding games well (I have 2k11 on PC, Age of Empires 3, Assassins' creed 1, and other bigger games). If you guys have any recommendations for a PC within my spending range I would gladly look at them. Oh, I prefer Windows 7 over 8.

Looks like you are going for a budget pc and both of those are very low on the gaming scale, imo.

I would look here- The first one is intel processors, the second is AMD. You can hit ~$700 and end up with an AMD 7850 or a Geforce 650 Ti. 7850 is better, I heard. Once you make a selection, look at the power supply thing on the left. If it's blinking, you need more watts. Go down through the selections and look to the right it shows how much more or less each component costs [in red].
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/CyberPower_B75_Configurator/
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/AMD_Six_Core_Configurator/
You may have to play around with some of the options to meet your budget. Personally, I would go with the AMD since you can hit the same price and get a better graphics card and faster processor. FX-6100 is just faster than an i3-3220.

Both the laptop and desktop you linked are worse than the base systems I linked.

There are other sites and options, and I just don't want you to waste your money at HP/Sony since you can get something better.

Thank you for your helpful reply. I'm afraid I may have forgot to mention that I was primarily interested in a laptop, as a student I usually bring my pc everywhere I go. But I'm definitely looking at those too, never heard of that site before.

Another reason I'm pursuing a laptop is because with a desktop I most certainly will have to purchase a monitor which drives the price up, usually another 100 or so dollars. If the desktop(s) can be used with a monitor which I use for television (my wide hd screen) that has HDMI ports I'd probably be fine with it. But then I wonder what the purpose of my PS3 is. lol

And another question I have is if Windows 7 can utilize all the cores, or if this is dependent on the version of windows (ie Pro, Ultimate, Home Premium)?

Last edited by Cpt(K) on Tue Mar 05, 2013 12:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

You're not getting a gaming laptop for $400-700.

A desktop is a different story.

benji, not necessarily looking for a "gaming laptop" but one that would fit my budget while being at least partially capable of running games from some 3 or 4 years ago (I don't really purchase anything new on PC anymore, but I still have untouched games in my desk). Those two desktops looking appealing, I'm still curious if there is a laptop out there of the same performance and perhaps the same price (though highly unlikely like you stated).

ps: the amd desktop may have sealed it for me, however I'll have to save a while more for that extra 125 with UPS.

http://www.gaminglaptopsjunky.com/gamin ... under-800/

The thing with laptops is they aren't very upgradeable, so the moment you buy one that isn't top of the line, it's obsolete. If I were you, I would look at my budget and get a damn good one for 500 down then pay for it monthly.
http://www.originpc.com/gaming/laptops/
http://www.alienware.com/Landings/laptops.aspx
http://www.xoticpc.com/custom-gaming-la ... 1_274.html

Thank you for the suggestions, I'll more likely then not end up buying a desktop. In the meanwhile I'll keep scavenging the internet for what ever deal I can come across. PS: Do any of you think "ibuypower" is a reliable brand?

So I gave up looking for a new laptop for the time being, I've purchased an alienware x51 for around 700. It's a bit pricey for me but eh.. looking forward to using it. Most of my pc games are from 2009 and earlier so I shouldn't have too many if any problems running them I think.

why buy when you can build?

why build when you can steal?

why steal when you can dream?

why dream when you can do?

why do when you can buy?

What you smoking these days? I'm getting worried about you now...

So I gave up looking for a new laptop for the time being, I've purchased an alienware x51 for around 700. It's a bit pricey for me but eh.. looking forward to using it. Most of my pc games are from 2009 and earlier so I shouldn't have too many if any problems running them I think.

Nice buy. What are the specs? Is it this one? If anything like that, I don't think you'd have trouble running any games including up-to-date games like Bioshock Infinite and Faster Than Light. Unless you wanna go ultra max settings, your comp should be more than fiiiine for all games out there imo.

And I like how sleek and nice the design is. Looks like upgradability is bit tricky though but then I usually don't upgrade either but just buy new when it gets outdated.

The specs are very similar to that one, only difference I can distinguish right now is the processors and OS. My processor is an i3 with Windows 7 (I hate windows 8).

$700 for an i3 pc? What are the rest of the specs?

Yep, a fancy PC with brand name comes with a heavier price tag like those All In Ones these days. Love em the looks but wouldn't go for them as a former PC enthusiast. But if those suit your needs, it's pretty cool to have one I guess.

chicagoRAW, Lemme look.

Intel® Core™ i3-3220 Processor (3M Cache, 3.30 GHz)
Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English
8GB (2 X 4GB) Dual Channel DDR3 up to 1600MHz (upped from 6gb)
1TB SATA 3Gb/s (7,200RPM) 32MB Cache (more than enough space for me)
1GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 645 (should do me well, my most resource demanding PC game is.. probably Assassins Creed 1 or Flatout: Ultimate Carnage)
Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD±RW, CD-RW) (I was thinking about getting a blu-ray player but... that's what my PS3 is for)
Alienware mouse and keyboard
DW1506 Wireless-N WLAN Half Mini-Card
Mini-ITX Motherboard
Intel® H61 Express Chipset
Alienware™ 240 or 330 (I forget which) Watt Power Supply
Dell 22 Monitor - S2240L (Really, I was too lazy to look for any other)

Most of my PC games are about 2009 and earlier, some with pretty dated engines I think. I'll probably run Battlefield 2 with some of the larger more renown mods like Project Reality or AIX, I'll very likely be able to use my ENB's on games such as the NBA Live series and NBA 2k11 without too much of a hit on performance. I also really put time into a game called Mount & Blade Warband, the mods for that game, from the battle sizer (which lets you have up to 1000 units on one map) to the Prophesy of Pendor, Floris Expanded, etc I also think will run nicely. The only PC game I'll buy next would probably be Just Cause 2, just [be]cause of the mods.

PS: This is the one http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-x51/ ... :3~8G1602D

I'm not exactly a Dell fanatic, I just usually buy from them- I have a really old PC from them that I've had I think since 2001 and it still works fine (booting up smoothly, haven't had a blue screen, capable of running games from it's generation still too).