Gaming Laptop

[chafed13]

I'm trying to get a new computer in the next couple months. I currently have an old laptop and i definetly need something new. I currently use my laptop to play some games but really cant play much. (WoW, Starcraft on low settings)
I'm looking for a system that can play guild wars 2 and the upcoming simcity on high or good settings and just run overall very smooth.
So i was wondering if itd be possible to get a gaming laptop for this or should i just try to build my own desktop. I've never built a pc but have looked into it.
So any recommendations for laptops with regards to how it would run games and maybe there price range would be very helpful, or if i should truly just get a desktop
Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Frosty is a Snowman]

I think it would be easier for people to give you an idea what you could get if you provide a price range that you are aiming for.
You must have some idea how much you would like to spend.

 

[chafed13]

my price range is prolly max $1000
but if i can a system that can do what i need for cheaper obviously that be better

 

[MrTechProWannabe]

Desktop PC's will always be better than Laptops, especially For gaming and also overall imo.
For 1000 Bucks you could definitely get a sweet setup. You can also 100% get a much much better system if you custom build. When you do the math, For the components most retailers overcharge ridiculously. Visit Newegg.com - Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More! or TigerDirect. Given your needs 1000 Dollars is probably way more than you'll need. I can take a look on Newegg For you and put together something, but it probably won't be as good as what somebody else can do.

Intel Core i5 3330(Ivy Bridge) CPU = $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116781

MSI B75 MA-P45 Motherboard $61.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130655

Corsair Vengeance 8GB RAM (DDR3) = $52.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144

EVGA 2GB GTX 660 Superclocked = $229.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130826
------------------OR--------------------
EVGA 2GB GeForce GTX 650Ti = $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130841

Corsair Enthusiast TX 650W PSU = $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

Corsair Carbide 200r Case $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139018

Corsair Force GT 120GB SSD $129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233191

Seagate Barracuda 1TB HDD $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697

Windows 7 Home Premium/Windows 8 = $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Just clocks in at around 1000 Dollars, switch to the 650Ti if you're not really wanting to spend at the top end of your budget. The 650Ti isn't obviously the best of GPU's but For what you said you do I imagine it'll be just Fine. Keep the SSD, but maybe drop down to a 500GB Hard Drive if space isn't really an issue For you. And if you already have an OS or if you can borrow one of your Friends/Families that would definitely, well it would be $100 Cheaper.

I definitely urge you to go Desktop PC instead of Laptop, unless if you're wanting a Laptop so you can be portable, but in case you aren't then go with the Computer, and if you don't want to overpay For something that you could get For 50% Cheaper, custom build. If you don't know how to there's plenty of videos and tips on the Internet.
Good luck!

 

[chafed13]

So the desktop would prolly be better than the laptop, thats what i was kind of expecting. Now for what im looking to play (Sim city and GW2) do you think there is anyway i can get a system that can play those well for cheaper than $1000 maybe like 700-800 range assuming ill be be building it myself. Id like to be able to play these at high settings and have it be smooth.
Thanks for any help

Guild wars 2 specs
Guild Wars 2 System Requirements and Guild Wars 2 requirements for PC Games

Simcity specs
Processor
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4000+ or better / Intel Core 2 Duo Processor 2.0GHz or better

Operating system:
Windows XP/Vista/7
RAM:

1.5GB (Windows XP)
2GB (Windows Vista / Windows 7)
2GB (built-in graphical chipset)

Graphics card:
ATI X1800 or better*
nVidia 7800 or better*
Intel 4100 Integrated Graphics or better*
(*Minimum of 256MB of on-board RAM and Shader 3.0 or better support)

DVD-ROM:
8x or better

 

[MrTechProWannabe]

And everything I just linked is 5x better than what you need and will blow the requirements to play those games on max out of the water. If your only desire will be social networking and playing those games then to with an Intel Core i3 3220 Processor and a 2GB GeForce GTX 660 Or a 2GB Radeon HD 7850/7870. To save budget just make minor downgrades on unnecessary parts For your desires. For example as I said The Intel Core i3 3220 Processor and a 660/7850/7870

 

[chafed13]

alright perfect thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it i had one last question regarding what to down grade to save money. Would it be fine if i didnt get an SSD and just got a hard drive? As well as maybe finding a cheaper case? You dont need to find me replacements if you dont want to but i was just wondering if not having an SSD would ruin the build and if the a different case would also affect the build.
Sorry if these seem like dumb questions im new to computer building and kind of want to be fully prepared for it and what not

 

[MrTechProWannabe]

Well obviously if you want to, but I would strongly strongly urge you don't lose the SSD, and so would everyone else. Having a SSD boosts boot times dramatically and I guess overall computer speed. Downgrade to a 500GB Hard Drive instead of 1TB.

I can suggest something For you but the Corsair Carbide 200r Case really is your best bet. At $50 For a case in it's category you really can't get much cheaper or better. And I wouldn't recommend you went with a cheap case.

One thing I'd also strongly urge you don't downgrade on is the Power Supply, as a great man once said "One thing you don't want to skimp on is the PSU" o: But yeah. You could downgrade to an Intel Core i3 3320 CPU which will save you around $60 And although I wouldn't downgrade to a Dual Core From Quad Core myself, but CPU's aren't the most important thing in a computer if you're a gamer. That being said, having a good CPU is obviously always nice. But I recommend going with the Intel i3 3220.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116775

I know everybody likes to have nice Graphics and be able to play whatever they want on good looking quality, and I know that a GPU downgrade isn't the thing to do when you're a gamer, but since you don't play BF3 and Crysis etc your best bet to save money without having to downgrade too many other parts would be the GPU.

The card I'll recommend isn't very popular with certain people on these Forums and I'm not going to say they don't know what they're talking about, no way. But AMD Graphics Cards aren't bad like people on here seem to say. If they were bad, They would be out of business. They just aren't as good as NVIDIA. But AMD are the way to go if you value Bang For Buck more and if you're on a strict budget. I'd say go with a 2GB AMD 7850 which will save you around $50-60.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103229

Or you can even go with a 2GB EVGA 650Ti which will save you around $60-70 From the original build I listed.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130840

So in conclusion. 2GB GeForce GTX 650Ti / 2GB AMD 7850 Instead of GTX 660.
Intel Core i3 3220 Instead of Intel Core i5 3330
If you go with the downgrades I suggested you'll still have a good computer and you'll save yourself $150+
And you could even downgrade to a 6GB RAM instead of 8GB If you really wanted, but that won't save you much at all.

Hope I helped, best of luck with your build.
Feel Free to drop me a PM or reply in a Thread if you need anymore help.