Need help with specific processors - which is best?

[The Gallant Forty-Twa]

Hi there, I just need a quick clarification from you people in the know about which of the following processors offers the best performance for gaming. Which one out of this list, offers the best performance for pure gaming as that's what the computer it would go into requires.

1. Intel Core i3 Processor 330M (2.13GHz, 3MB cache)
2. Intel Core i5 Processor 430M (2.26GHz, 3MB cache)
3. Intel core i5 Processor 520M (2.40GHz, 3MB cache)
4. Intel Core i5 Processor 540M (2.53GHz, 3MB cache)
5. Intel Core i7 Processor 620M (2.66GHz, 4MB cache)
6. Intel Core i7 Processor 720QM (1.60GHz, 6MB L3 cache)

Thank you very much for your help, in advance. I need independent opinion on these matters instead of salesman "Buy this! Yes its the most expensive, but trust me - it is the best!" rhetoric...

Regards,
The Gallant Forty-Twa

[Jaketh]

the i7 720qm although that 620m has alot higher clock speed

[erasmus777]

Hi there, I just need a quick clarification from you people in the know about which of the following processors offers the best performance for gaming. Which one out of this list, offers the best performance for pure gaming as that's what the computer it would go into requires.

1. Intel Core i3 Processor 330M (2.13GHz, 3MB cache)
2. Intel Core i5 Processor 430M (2.26GHz, 3MB cache)
3. Intel core i5 Processor 520M (2.40GHz, 3MB cache)
4. Intel Core i5 Processor 540M (2.53GHz, 3MB cache)
5. Intel Core i7 Processor 620M (2.66GHz, 4MB cache)
6. Intel Core i7 Processor 720QM (1.60GHz, 6MB L3 cache)

Thank you very much for your help, in advance. I need independent opinion on these matters instead of salesman "Buy this! Yes its the most expensive, but trust me - it is the best!" rhetoric...

Regards,
The Gallant Forty-Twa

First answer this question: what kind of games do you play?
in some cases a top processor and a mid range processor perform almost exactly the same. Seriously. Once you've established what you'll be doing with your PC, google for benchmarks where they've tested similar games. Here's an example of a benchmarking site:
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2...hmarks,60.html

[Poisoner]

Go for the i7 620m. It has a higher clock speed which will matter more in games.

[erasmus777]

Go for the i7 620m. It has a higher clock speed which will matter more in games.

Don't believe the lies. Check the benchmarks. There are $200 processors that perform as well as $1200 processors depending on the game.

Here's benchmarks for GTA iV. You could drop an extra $1000 on a top notch i7 and see almost no gain in performance over an i5 (scored on FPS):

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The effects your PCU has on gaming is overestimated by most consumers. Save yourself $500, invest it in something worthwhile like women and booze, or put it in a graphics card, which will make a much bigger difference to your gaming experience.

[karamazovmm]

I always go for teh mid range. so go for the mid range.

the i5 430m is good enough. I recommend the i5 540m

[erasmus777]

I always go for teh mid range. so go for the mid range.

the i5 430m is good enough. I recommend the i5 540m

I agree. Unless you need a high-end processor for work, it's a waste of money.

[Freddie]

To be honest you really need to know what video chip is under the hood as that will have a bigger bearing on game performance then the CPU. Being a laptop its bound to crap so don't expect miracles and if your serious about PC gaming get yourself a proper desktop, I consider the phrase 'gaming laptop' an oxymoron as laptops just weren't invented with games in mind.

[HansDuet]

] Being a laptop is bound to crap so don't expect miracles and if your serious about PC gaming get yourself a proper desktop, I consider the phrase 'gaming laptop' an oxymoron as laptops just weren't invented with games in mind. [/FONT]

Yep. This has been repeated to death but since people come up asking for suggestions for gaming laptops rather than desktops... urgh.

[The Gallant Forty-Twa]

Well, I just want to be able to play the Total War games (including Napoleon) Aside from all the classic ones I enjoy which can run on anything nowadays, it would be good if it could run any of these (preferably most of them) Company of Heroes + Mass Effect 2 + Dawn of War II + Left 4 Dead 2 + Call of Duty 4 + Elder Scrolls IV + Fallout 3. I don't care if its on the lowest settings and what not, but if it could run any of these I would be happy enough.

As for the video chip, it would be a 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX260M with it.

Thanks for all the responses so far.

[The Gallant Forty-Twa]

Some people also don't have the room for a huge gaming desktop, and thus the only resort to continue their passion is to go down the laptop route. We all know they are no where near as powerful as desktops, and cost a heck of alot more, but for someone in my position its the only thing I can do if I want to keep up my gaming past-time.

[Roman_Man#3]

If its just meant as a desktop replacement you can get a case less than 1 sq.ft that has more power than any laptop. If its just size you're worried about and not portability than you can still go the desktop route.

[The Gallant Forty-Twa]

It really is a case of portability though. I'd much prefer a desktop of any kind over a laptop, but its a laptop I need.

[Karklos]

It really is a case of portability though. I'd much prefer a desktop of any kind over a laptop, but its a laptop I need.

Why is the portability important? E.g how do you envisage using it?

If it isfor taking notes in class for example you might be better off with a lightweight netbook for carrying around and then a gaming desktop with small form factor.

[The Gallant Forty-Twa]

Well I'm going to Uni soon and as most people who have stayed in Halls know, there's precious little room for a full desktop hence the need for this kind of laptop. I don't want to completely give up the games.

Don't worry about that last aspect, I have an old laptop I plan on using for that kinda stuff.

[Roman_Man#3]

Alright, we can't blame you too much for wanting a laptop then.

[The Gallant Forty-Twa]

Yeah, I'd rather not resort to it but gaming (as I'm sure you all know) can be a hard thing to just completely stop doing

[karamazovmm]

Since you're going to need it for college, trust me you don't want a gaming laptop. A regular more mainstream one would do it. since you're going to be on the move all day ( I know what I say, I'm in my second graduation)

You can take a look at notebooks with less than 3 kg.

Here are some options for youL

Envy 15

base config, you can always build one

i5 430m
HD 5830 (you can oc it to the levels of a gtx 260m)
320gb
1366*768 it's a ok screen, the best one out there is the 16sxps screen
price 1300

the new macbook pro

i5 530
GT 330
1440*something
250gb
the plus here is the battery life, with light use (itunes playing and 4 pages without flash constant a battery life of 8 hours)
and you can play etw with high to ultra settings here
price 1700

msi gx640
i5 430m
HD 5850
320gb
kudos to the screen

price 1200

all these notebooks are 15'' and below 3 kg, which is important for you.

now you can also play with the new sony sz11
its a 13'' beauty with
i5 something something
gt330 (underclocked to the level of the gt325)
ssd of unknown size

price kudos

the weight here is the thing it weights 1.5kg and that's with the charger the laptop itself weights 1.2kg

[The Gallant Forty-Twa]

Hmmm... I would consider a Macbook if it wasn't for the fact I despise Apple utterly

I could always just use my basic laptop I have for the actual work aspect of it, so I don't have to lug a huge thing around though... I'll check out some of the things you mentioned.

Also, is this laptop heavy? Weight, along with specs, are another thing I'm clueless on, but it is 3.5KG so I guess that's probably a bit harsh. That said, my schoolbag in school was a hell of alot heavier than that and I had to spend over an hour each day walking with it on. Nevertheless, thanks for that detailed input.

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=8je5Ot4HBnKOdT81

[HansDuet]

Never go apple.

Never.