HELP - Customizing A High Performance Notebook PC

[larss]

Hello everyone, I'm new here and I need some advice as soon as possible.

So here's the deal; in February I'm starting architecture classes and I've already began working with rendering programs, just to get the hang of it. The only problem is my current notebook can't seem to handle the "pressure" of 3D rendering so I'm in desperate need of a high performance one (I'm also an occasional gamer, it's not just for work). Here's my current system configuration, just so you know my starting point:

intel core i3 M 380 @ 2.53GHz
hdd WD 500gb 5000rpm
graphic card nVidia geforce 310m cuda 1gb
3gb ddr3 RAM

So I figured I'd pass this notebook to my younger brother and just get a new one, rather than improve it. I definitely require a notebook and not a desktop, since I will have to carry it to classes. Someone suggested the horize website for high performance notebooks, anyone heard of them, or can you recommend me other online stores, as well as advice on what exactly the system configuration should look like. As for the price range, I'd say $3000 - 4000 is as much as I'm willing to invest right now.

Thanks and I'm looking forward to your replies.

 

[patonb]

Hell, you do not need something that crazy.

If you get any i7 laptop, it should be more than capible.

You're looking in around 1-1500 for something good.
Any one of theses 98, Newegg.com - PCs & Laptops, Laptops / Notebooks, Intel Core i7 Would do.

The price gets crazy when you start getting higher end gpu's and ssd drives.

 

[Talyor]

X7-Xtreme S2 Gaming Notebook

Newegg.com - MSI G Series GT780DXR-405US Notebook Intel Core i7 2670QM(2.20GHz) 17.3" 12GB Memory DDR3 1TB HDD 7200rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570M

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152266
[/URL]

 

[tj_extreme]

Asus G74 all the way. Got this model last month, it's the best notebook I've ever used. EVER.Newegg.com - ASUS G74 Series G74SX-XN1 Notebook Intel Core i7 2630QM(2.00GHz) 17.3" 12GB Memory DDR3 1333 500GB HDD 7200rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M

 

[heister]

What kind of rendering are we talking about here? 3D CAD? Thats going to take 1500 dollar GPU to get decent rendering times on.

 

[Night Fox]

Asus G74 all the way. Got this model last month, it's the best notebook I've ever used. EVER.Newegg.com - ASUS G74 Series G74SX-XN1 Notebook Intel Core i7 2630QM(2.00GHz) 17.3" 12GB Memory DDR3 1333 500GB HDD 7200rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M

Agreed. (Although, there are different configurations with lower prices, higher prices, etc. I think the lowest price on a G74 I've seen is $1,300...on Newegg anyhow..)

 

[patonb]

^ Actually only $1000

 

[tj_extreme]

^ Actually only $1000

$1000 for the refurb.

 

[larss]

I really appreciate your suggestions!

Talyor - that looks awesome, I was actually looking into the nVidia gtx580m, I've seen great reviews on it. Definitely searching for a good graphics card since I want to be able to run diablo 3 (soon hopefully).
tj-extreme - seems like a great deal for that price.
heister - working with Revit

I'll keep you updated and if you have any questions that will help you make recommendations, just ask.
Thanks!