Horizons = New laptop required, please help with spec

[the100thmonkey]

8GB RAM is more than you need for the game. More important is vRAM on the GPU. 2GB probably won't allow you to run with textures and the like at ultra (I don't know; I don't even try to run the game at ultra on my laptop - an Alienware 13 with the "Amplifier," an external GPU dock.)

Whatever you do, make sure that the CPU is a quad core model; an i7-5500u struggles with conflict zones and intense RES work on an Alienware 13 with the graphics amplifier. Even with an external soundboard, I get audio stretching as the CPU prioritises graphics over audio. FPS doesn't take a hit for it though. It's almost like the sound daemon takes one for the team, as it were.

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I have been looking at gaming laptops for some weeks now. Experiencing some scope creep... Is really a GTX 960M sufficent for ED in 1920×1080? 960M was my initial idea, but right now I'm looking at 980M options.

Sure, it will run it. Just forget about ultra settings.

 

[Chainguns]

8GB RAM is more than you need for the game. More important is vRAM on the GPU. 2GB probably won't allow you to run with textures and the like at ultra (I don't know; I don't even try to run the game at ultra on my laptop - an Alienware 13 with the "Amplifier," an external GPU dock.)

Whatever you do, make sure that the CPU is a quad core model; an i7-5500u struggles with conflict zones and intense RES work on an Alienware 13 with the graphics amplifier. Even with an external soundboard, I get audio stretching as the CPU prioritises graphics over audio. FPS doesn't take a hit for it though. It's almost like the sound daemon takes one for the team, as it were.

Are you sure it's CPU? I have a 4810MQ (+980M) and it can handle Flight Sim X photo scenery with max sliders at >25FPS. In ED I'm mostly >60FPS all settings maxed out, but combat zones are so patchy (single digits) I'm constantly expecting it to crash...

 

[Firestarter]

All the specs are fine but the graphics cards in laptops is always the big compromise. The M series you've listed is no exception. An I5 would do instead of the I7 if it means you can afford a better graphics card.

 

[lovely lovely]

Thanks for everyone's input so far.

Just found a similar machine that has a 17 inch screen, Intel Core i7 4720hq quad core processor (3.6GHz) and NVIDIA GeForce gtx-960m graphics card, the only downside being 8GB ram instead of 16gb and it costs 830 pounds.....sounds tempting though as a bigger screen would be great!

Does anyone know if these better CPU and GPU specs are worth the extra money and will a drop in ram from 16GB to 8GB be an issue?

bigger than a 17" ? MSI - they do an 18" - serious dough though. Check out MSI for 17", some good value.

 

[ratchet5000]

Also I'm wondering whether horizons will require a better spec than the main game, really hope they confirm minimum and recommended specs for horizons soon. Tbh I don't necessarily want platinum standard but just want a comfortable 60 fps performance on high settings. Given the min and recommended specs for ED (see below from the ED web site) I would hope that a gtx960m would do the job well.

Min spec:
OS: Windows 7, Windows 8
CPU: Quad Core CPU (4x 2GHz)
RAM: 4GB RAM
VIDEO: Nvidia GTX 260 / ATI 4870HD
HDD: 7GB Available Space

Recommended spec:
OS: Windows 7, Windows 8
CPU: Intel Core i7 - 3770K or better / AMD FX 4350 or better
RAM: 8GB RAM
VIDEO: Nvidia GTX 770 / ATI Radeon R9 280X
HDD: 7GB Available Space

You'll be completely fine with a 960m or 950m with ultra/high 1080p 60 FPS no supersampling. I have a 980m that can run E maxed out (I mean everything, including draw distance) 1080p with 2x supersampling (effectively rendering at 4K resolution), 40-50 FPS in stations, 60-75 FPS (75 Hz screen) in space/battles/scooping etc. The 960m has half that power - it might even be able to do max settings/1080p 1.5x SS. The 950m will have to stay at 1080p without downsampling for anti aliasing though.

 

[Smugallo]

My advice is do not play on a laptop unless you want a sub-par gaming experience. I have bought a few gaming laptops in the past and unless you want problems with overly loud fans and excess heat, I'd just go over to overclocker and order a mid-range desktop solution.

 

[Asp Explorer]

My advice is do not play on a laptop unless you want a sub-par gaming experience. I have bought a few gaming laptops in the past and unless you want problems with overly loud fans and excess heat, I'd just go over to overclocker and order a mid-range desktop solution.

I'd definitely agree with the desktop solution, and playing Elite on my air makes it run hot and the fans scream - but for convenient portability it's very hard to beat. I have "luggable" PC's the size of PS4's that I take to friends places and use spare TV's, and the performance is much better, but they are no good without a screen

 

[Drink!]

I would try to find something with a better graphics card. It will run this game, but at lower settings.
CPU is less important and you should be better off getting a i5 and better graphics card.

You could get a gaming desktop for cheaper than a gaming laptop and just stream the game to a cheap laptop.

 

[MottiKhan]

This is all excellent information. I'll need to get a new laptop for when I'm travelling. Might as well get one that can play the expansion. Hopefully, it won't be too rough on the budget.

 

[Pazmino]

Well, I'm playing on an HP Envy 14 i580, 8GB, ATI HD5650 from 2011. With tweaked drivers and medium settings I get 45 fps (limited to it, otherwise it screams like a piggy). Concerned about Horizons as well. I'm looking for an ITX tower and found this: DAN A4-SFX.
.

Tested specs by a German computer journal (text in german)

CPU	Intel Core i7 5820k
Mainboard	Asrock X99E-ITX
RAM	2 x Crucial Ballistix Sport DIMM 4 GB
GPU	MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti / AMD Radeon R9 Nano
CPU cooling	Dynatron T318 mit Thermalright TR-TY 100
Power	SilverStone Strider 500W SFX12V-L
HD	Crucial MX200 M.2 SSD 250 GB

a bit OT. *case is around $200-$250

 

[the100thmonkey]

Are you sure it's CPU? I have a 4810MQ (+980M) and it can handle Flight Sim X photo scenery with max sliders at >25FPS. In ED I'm mostly >60FPS all settings maxed out, but combat zones are so patchy (single digits) I'm constantly expecting it to crash...

I believe it is - it's a dual core CPU with 4 logical cores. Audio stutter coincides with 100% CPU usage, both on the internal GTX960m and the external GTX970.

Battlefield 4 suffers heavy stutter and fps loss with settings over medium at 1080p, again coinciding with 100% CPU. BF3 is fine though.

I admit I haven't looked into optimising the games as I have a perfectly capable desktop that runs all my games very well. The laptop is for travelling (which I do extensively) and when I multibox with my kids. I'll look into what I can do to get my games running more smoothly, but to save the OP a lot of hassle, I think 4 physical cores is the way to go.

*edit*

The issue is that the CPU is a ULV design more commonly found in ultrabooks. It's one of the compromises that gives the AW13 a semi-respectable battery life of about 3.5 hours

 

[the100thmonkey]

Well, I'm playing on an HP Envy 14 i580, 8GB, ATI HD5650 from 2011. With tweaked drivers and medium settings I get 45 fps (limited to it, otherwise it screams like a piggy). Concerned about Horizons as well. I'm looking for an ITX tower and found this: DAN A4-SFX.
.

Spoiler

https://www.dan-cases.com/img/gallery/a4sfx_6.jpg

https://www.dan-cases.com/img/gallery/a4sfx_2.jpg

Tested specs by a German computer journal (text in german)

CPU	Intel Core i7 5820k
Mainboard	Asrock X99E-ITX
RAM	2 x Crucial Ballistix Sport DIMM 4 GB
GPU	MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti / AMD Radeon R9 Nano
CPU cooling	Dynatron T318 mit Thermalright TR-TY 100
Power	SilverStone Strider 500W SFX12V-L
HD	Crucial MX200 M.2 SSD 250 GB

a bit OT. *case is around $200-$250

I built a mini-ITX rig recently:

Spoiler

i5-4590
8gb DDR 3 1600
GTX970 4gb
Asrock H81-m-itx
Silvertone 450w psu
250gb Samsung Evo

Its awesome!

 

[Pazmino]

Nice - which case is this?

 

[Smugallo]

I'd definitely agree with the desktop solution, and playing Elite on my air makes it run hot and the fans scream - but for convenient portability it's very hard to beat. I have "luggable" PC's the size of PS4's that I take to friends places and use spare TV's, and the performance is much better, but they are no good without a screen

Yep. I bought a Sony VAIO a few years back for portability, though I intended to play games on it. Gaming on it was horrible and would have probably ended it's life if I kept using it. Bought a desktop from OC on credit for 600 quid and it's great, though I want to upgrade my graphics card as I'm running a GTX 660 just now and I don't think it'll be good enough for Horizons.

 

[Axelsson]

The ITX road is not for me, I need a computer to easily bring in a backpack together with my work laptop (that I cannot game on). I would prefer a 13 incher with the best possible performance as I'm thinking I will be using it with the HTC Vive when that is available.

 

[Noddie]

Thanks for everyone's input so far.

Just found a similar machine that has a 17 inch screen, Intel Core i7 4720hq quad core processor (3.6GHz) and NVIDIA GeForce gtx-960m graphics card, the only downside being 8GB ram instead of 16gb and it costs 830 pounds.....sounds tempting though as a bigger screen would be great!

Does anyone know if these better CPU and GPU specs are worth the extra money and will a drop in ram from 16GB to 8GB be an issue?

I run only 8gb, and it's fine. I'd apply that logic that if you don't have enough RAM you can easily upgrade it later. However if you don't have enough CPU or GPU, you need a whole new laptop. 17" screen is a MUST for a gaming laptop, BTW.


Personally, if it were me, I wouldn't buy a laptop right now to play E D. I'd leave it until you know what spec Horizons needs..

 

[the100thmonkey]

Nice - which case is this?

It's the SilverStone Sugo SG05-540.

I'm considering modding it to put a watercooling loop on it - I haven't OCed the CPU because I'm concerned about cooling. The PSU comes with full-length cables, which block airflow, despite the 120mm fan on the front. I'm probably being unjustifiably cautious - I've never seen it run at greater than 60°C - or perhaps I just can't stop myself tinkering. It's definitely one of the two.

That said, I really like it - it does the same job my massive tower (a Zalman Z9) used to do, in less than 20% of the space.

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I run only 8gb, and it's fine. I'd apply that logic that if you don't have enough RAM you can easily upgrade it later. However if you don't have enough CPU or GPU, you need a whole new laptop. 17" screen is a MUST for a gaming laptop, BTW.


Personally, if it were me, I wouldn't buy a laptop right now to play E D. I'd leave it until you know what spec Horizons needs..

^This^ although I would quibble with the comment about display size - it all depends on how far the screen is from your face! Additionally, most hotels will at the very least have a TV with an HDMI port. They won't know (or, likely, care) if you plug the laptop into that. If you're using it at home, you can always plug it in to your TV/monitor.

 

[ratchet5000]

My advice is do not play on a laptop unless you want a sub-par gaming experience. I have bought a few gaming laptops in the past and unless you want problems with overly loud fans and excess heat, I'd just go over to overclocker and order a mid-range desktop solution.

Not all laptops. You want quiet and cool fans, for for a thick, but still portable 10 pound laptop. You want light, you're going to have to make room for loud fans. You probably bought the latter, or just a poorly made laptop. My fans are next to inaudible (Asus g751), even when at max capacity with a 10% overclock on the GPU, and never goes over 85 celsius.

I wouldn't call being able to game at really nice detail settings and FPS anywhere with a power plug (with the power of a stock 970 and without the latency that comes with streaming) a "sub par experience". Sure, I had to pay for said portability, but that's really not that different from any other extra feature on your PC (watercooling, LEDs, case mods etc).

 

[NeilKD]

I don't know UK prices - South African - but I'm using a stock standard HP Envy 17 which runs ED fine.

It can get a little hot, but our ambient temperatures are higher than yours, so I just raise the back of the machine to assist cooling.

Slightly noisy fan? Headphones.

Works for me.

 

[Mike Thomas]

Not all laptops. You want quiet and cool fans, for for a thick, but still portable 10 pound laptop. You want light, you're going to have to make room for loud fans. You probably bought the latter, or just a poorly made laptop. My fans are next to inaudible (Asus g751), even when at max capacity with a 10% overclock on the GPU, and never goes over 85 celsius.

I wouldn't call being able to game at really nice detail settings and FPS anywhere with a power plug (with the power of a stock 970 and without the latency that comes with streaming) a "sub par experience". Sure, I had to pay for said portability, but that's really not that different from any other extra feature on your PC (watercooling, LEDs, case mods etc).

I'm playing on 3 year old Aspire M3-581 with a 730M in it. I can play ED on Medium at 60 fps with the laptop on a good cooling tray

Like the OP, I'm looking at a new gaming laptop too and I like the spec of the G751 too (and there are few to choose from). I'm on the move quite a bit is the only reason, I've been looking at a few but these two stand out for me.

The Aorus X7 V2-CF2's look good with an SLI'd 860M.

Or the...

Asus G751 with the 970M


Both are quad-core and about the same price (not inexpensive), there are a couple of Gigabyte laptops worth considering too.