15.6" mild/moderate gaming

[adidan]

Hi all.

I need a 15" laptop for the usuals, browsing, plunging into the TV for btsport plus moderate gaming

My laptop games of choice will only be X3 Terran Conflict (which even hd4000 can handle a bit) but also Skyrim which I'd like to run pretty maxed out (I save Rome II and the like for my PC).

Soooo my questions.
I've been looking at various options, the 15.6 Cosmos II (850m) / Optimus V (860m)

1 Would the Cosmos II handle Skyrim pretty much maxed out on IPS 1920x1080
2 Would the Cosmos II be a better choice due to weight (as I'll be using it in flight and therefore lugging around)
3 Are there big differences in noise/heat/casings and power birck size between the Cosmos and Optimus

My gut is that the Cosmos would be better due to taking it on flight and having a PC for my main gaming and if it was GDDR5 then I wouldn't even be asking as I'd snap it up straight away but any pointers would be appreciated. Notebookcheck seems to indicate the 850m GDDR3 should be good enough but hearing from owners would be better.

Thanks all.

 

[thaban]

Well I do not own this laptop but I've done lots of online researches about this. So as far as I can say GTX 850m is a pretty good for gaming 1080p @High settings. So almost all the titles are playable with details bit reduced. Since almost all other 860m laptops does not provide the IPS option , this is a pretty good choice to make.

 

[adidan]

Well I do not own this laptop but I've done lots of online researches about this. So as far as I can say GTX 850m is a pretty good for gaming 1080p @High settings. So almost all the titles are playable with details bit reduced. Since almost all other 860m laptops does not provide the IPS option , this is a pretty good choice to make.

Thanks thaban.

Yup, I know the GDDR5 850m would be far better but the GDDR3 version seems to be pretty good for the price range. I have to keep reminding myself that I'll mainly game on my PC and so not to get too hung up on getting a better and better card but I want something that copes well with some titles.

I guess that's one thing though, I'm starting to think an IPS and 850m is going to suit more than a non-IPS and 860m....

Edit: Mind you part of me is thinking hang on a few weeks and see what happens when (if) the 900m series starts showing up....

 

[ReapingRose115]

Just go for it. The 850M DDR3 won't lose much performance against its GDDR5 variant, a couple frames is not a big issue

 

[amoshi]

I have the Cosmos II with an IPS screen and it looks amazing. The fact that colours don't change if you slightly tilt the screen is great.

 

[adidan]

Just go for it. The 850M DDR3 won't lose much performance against its GDDR5 variant, a couple frames is not a big issue

True, I'm leaning that way TBH as it's only for occasional gaming afterall. Hanging around to see what happens with the 9-series could see me waiting quite a while.

I have the Cosmos II with an IPS screen and it looks amazing. The fact that colours don't change if you slightly tilt the screen is great.

Thanks amoshi, that's great to hear.

If you don't mind me asking how is it noise/heat wise and is the power brick very large?

 

[amoshi]

True, I'm leaning that way TBH as it's only for occasional gaming afterall. Hanging around to see what happens with the 9-series could see me waiting quite a while.


Thanks amoshi, that's great to hear.

If you don't mind me asking how is it noise/heat wise and is the power brick very large?

I've only had it since Tuesday and I'm very busy in real life at the moment so haven't had time to install any games. It's my first own laptop, so not much to compare to but it is quiet although there is sometimes the slight humming sound of the HDD (I went for the 7200RPM Scorpio Black; I'm pretty sure it's a normal sound). The DVD drive is a bit loud when it's in use but I that's as expected. Heat wise it averages around 40 degrees Celsius during normal usage.
There are lots of reviews on the forum, definitely have a look around.
I can take some pictures of the power brick in comparison with household objects if you want, or the laptop itself, just let me know.

 

[adidan]

Thanks amoshi.

I was just curious of heat/fan noise when it's running full speed (I'll be dropping a SSD in anyway so HDD won't be an issue) - from what I've read it seems pretty good on temps, definitely with an i5 anyways, and I've not read much about noise so I presume that means it's pretty much ok.

I'd appreciate a comparison size wise for the power brick though as I'll be carrying it around a bit, although I'm presuming it's pretty much the same size as general laptop bricks as it's not an uber power hungry lappy.

No need to trouble yourself with photos though just a rough size guage would be good and I've been trawling all the threads checking out photos though - I personally like the understated look rather than the 'look at me! I'm a laptop that can do a few things' look, but that's just me.

Appreciate the help, you need rep for that

 

[amoshi]

It's about 2.5 cm high as well.

 

[adidan]

That's really helpful, thanks amoshi.