# Comparing gaming laptops...
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945
**Category:** The Game Room
**Created:** [January 4, 2020, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945 "2020-01-04T21:17:15Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2020, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/1 "2020-01-04T21:17:15Z")
We’re trying to choose between gaming laptops. The specs we want are 17.3 inches screen i7-9750 processor . The problem is that when we find the specs we want, it has a much less graphics card, usually GTX 1660 Ti. On the reverse, we’re finding the graphics card RTX 2070, but it tends to be paired with 8750. We want the laptop to be competitive for at least the next ten years. So would it be better the get the option with the better graphics card or the one with the better processor. We want to keep the price around $1500 or less.
In comparison, we have this Alienware-
> **[Alienware - 17.3" Gaming Laptop - Intel Core i7 - 16GB Memory - NVIDIA GeForce...](https://www.amazon.com/Alienware-Gaming-Laptop-Memory-GeForce/dp/B07PDJLGL5)**
>
> Buy Alienware - 17.3" Gaming Laptop - Intel Core i7 - 16GB Memory - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 - 512GB SSD + 1TB+8GB Hybrid Hard Drive - Epic Silver at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision!
with a great graphics card but lesser processor,
contrasted with this, where the processor is better but the card is not-
[https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-SCARIII-i7-9750H-GeForce-Keyboard/dp/B081C3VF36/](https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-SCARIII-i7-9750H-GeForce-Keyboard/dp/B081C3VF36/)
Thanks for your help.
I’m closing the other thread.
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### Author:  [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2020, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/2 "2020-01-04T21:46:57Z")
**Moderator Action**
Since you are looking specifically for a gaming laptop, let’s move this to the Game Room (from IMHO) where folks will be more familiar with games and hardware requirements.
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### Author:  [@Premislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Premislaus)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2020, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/3 "2020-01-04T23:34:42Z")
Get the 2070 version. For most games, graphic cards are more important. I don’t believe there’s much difference between 8750 and 9750, and these days top of the line processors stay relevant for years.
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### Author:  [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2020, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/4 "2020-01-05T00:37:15Z")
I have been doing some research, looking for my next gaming laptop.
This is about 6 months old, but the 2070 seem to be only marginal over the 2060,
> **[Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 (Laptop GPU) Review](https://www.techspot.com/review/1804-geforce-rtx-2060-laptop/)**
>
> Considering the popularity and widespread use of the GeForce GTX 1060 in gaming laptops, the new RTX 2060 is set to be one of the key offerings...
> [@](#):
>
> To our surprise, the RTX 2060 isn’t much slower than the RTX 2070 Max-Q on average. We’re talking 4% slower on average, with some games clocking in faster than what is supposed to be a higher tier GPU. This could place prospective RTX 2070 Max-Q buyers in an awkward position.
Always take with a grain of salt as things are constantly changing and being tuned, But personally, I’m not really looking at 2070 because of the cost/benefit over 2060 doesn’t seem good from what I’m finding.
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### Author:  [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2020, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/5 "2020-01-05T00:44:55Z")
Just to be clear that is only the laptop versions of those cards, the Desktop version of 2060 v 2070 is a whole other beast.
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### Author:  [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2020, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/6 "2020-01-05T21:10:18Z")
Does anyone know about the Eluktronics brand?
[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081XT9KLJ/?coliid=I2Y9AZB3Y4NZ1O&colid=23BGAUTUNTO1R&ref\_=lv\_ov\_lig\_dp\_it&fbclid=IwAR1yd5G9EKAXFzYBvH2lUGOjNXGOQ37CQGS2As8zwwsGwUqnrErHxYB3G\_w&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081XT9KLJ/?coliid=I2Y9AZB3Y4NZ1O&colid=23BGAUTUNTO1R&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&fbclid=IwAR1yd5G9EKAXFzYBvH2lUGOjNXGOQ37CQGS2As8zwwsGwUqnrErHxYB3G_w&th=1)
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### Author:  [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2020, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/7 "2020-01-05T22:29:44Z")
I don’t think there is a meaningful difference between those CPUs given there’s only a 100 MHz difference between their all-core turbo boosts.
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### Author:  [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2020, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/8 "2020-01-06T00:16:38Z")
Yeah, the consensus seems to be that graphics card quality outweighs processor speed, especially when the processor speed difference is not that significant.
A friend did complicate matters by noting that her AMD processor made a significant difference but that a gaming laptop using AMD with a Nvidia graphics card was not common. What’s the consensus here?
We’re still intrigued by the Eluktronics laptop above but that is a new brand to us and we have no idea about its reputation.
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### Author:  [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2020, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/9 "2020-01-06T00:48:25Z")
> [@FriarTed](#):
>
> Yeah, the consensus seems to be that graphics card quality outweighs processor speed, especially when the processor speed difference is not that significant.
This is generally true. It’s possible to bottleneck with a high end GPU and a cruddy CPU but that’s a “I’m upgrading the GPU in my six year old computer” issue, not a buying a new laptop issue.
> [@](#):
>
> A friend did complicate matters by noting that her AMD processor made a significant difference but that a gaming laptop using AMD with a Nvidia graphics card was not common. What’s the consensus here?
AMD CPUs can play fine with Nvidia GPUs. You usually don’t see them mixed in a laptop because AMD is usually the ‘cheaper’ option and once you decided on a lesser priced AMD CPU, it stands to reason that you’d pair it with a relatively less expensive AMD GPU. It’s more common to see a “premium” Intel CPU with an budget-friendly AMD GPU than to go the other way around with the economics. But a laptop with an AMD processor and Nvidia GPU wouldn’t worry me on any technical basis (and AMD CPUs are roughly equal to Intel offerings these days in most cases).
> [@](#):
>
> We’re still intrigued by the Eluktronics laptop above but that is a new brand to us and we have no idea about its reputation.
I’m not familiar with them though the few reviews I read suggest that they’re okay. You’re maybe doing a little better than “you get what you pay for” but $1,500 isn’t a ton in gaming laptop budgets so it’s not as though it’s going to compete with the high end ASUS and Razers. Still, it looks as though if that’s your budget then Eluktronics isn’t a bad way to spend it. Pity they don’t seem to be available in store to actually see a display or give the keyboard a whirl.
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### Author:  [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2020, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/10 "2020-01-06T01:19:18Z")
10 years is too long of a timeframe for gaming hardware, unless one is playing the same games in 10 years as one is today. CS:GO anybody?
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2020, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/11 "2020-01-06T01:20:56Z")
I have an AMD processor in my desktop with an Nvidia card. It works fine.
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### Author:  [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2020, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/12 "2020-01-06T02:33:10Z")
I failed to mention- in the OP comparing the Alienware and the ASUS, that the ASUS does indeed have double the memory.
To what extent would it make up for the lesser graphics card?
We are wondering about replacing graphics cards in gaming laptops? Can that be done?
Every time I look for graphics cards by themselves, they seem to be only for desktops.
Where do I go if I just wanted to purchase a laptop graphics card?
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### Author:  [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2020, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/13 "2020-01-06T03:25:30Z")
> [@FriarTed](#):
>
> I failed to mention- in the OP comparing the Alienware and the ASUS, that the ASUS does indeed have double the memory.
> To what extent would it make up for the lesser graphics card?
In this instance, probably none. 16GB is more than sufficient, 32GB is (for most non-graphic workstation applications) just overkill.
> [@](#):
>
> We are wondering about replacing graphics cards in gaming laptops? Can that be done?
Assume not. They’re generally not intended to be and are often soldered to the boards. When you’re buying a laptop, assume that the GPU in there is the GPU it’ll die with (aside from solutions like external GPU housings).
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### Author:  [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2020, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/14 "2020-01-06T04:20:14Z")
What games/genres do the users like? Does it need to be a laptop?
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### Author:  [@Hrnac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hrnac)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2020, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/15 "2020-01-06T22:26:03Z")
> [@Atamasama](#):
>
> I have an AMD processor in my desktop with an Nvidia card. It works fine.
I have the same combo and have had no issues for almost a year now. Ryzen 5 paired with a GTX 1060 card.
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### Author:  [@Mirik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mirik)
#### Post date: [January 7, 2020, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/16 "2020-01-07T16:37:25Z")
there are things as reviews, maybe try to find those and decide by them… I know ASUS brand, but not Alienware, so I would probably go with ASUS
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### Author:  [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)
#### Post date: [January 7, 2020, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/17 "2020-01-07T17:33:10Z")
> [@Mirik](#):
>
> I know ASUS brand, but not Alienware, so I would probably go with ASUS
Alienware is just Dell’s gaming machine brand. They were an independent PC builder before 2006, but it’s unlikely you’d have heard of them before then.
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### Author:  [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2020, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/18 "2020-01-19T19:00:27Z")
Thanks for the assistance, everyone- we ended up going with this
HP Omen Gaming 17-an179wm.
> **[HP Omen 17-AN179WM 17.3″ FHD i7-8750H NVIDIA GTX 1070 16GB RAM 1TB HDD 256GB...](https://www.ebay.com/p/5031096370?iid=233324483918)**
>
> Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for HP Omen 17-AN179WM 17.3″ FHD i7-8750H NVIDIA GTX 1070 16GB RAM 1TB HDD 256GB SSD Laptop - Black at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
We’re now looking for a keyboard cover & also a replacement for the back cover of the top part of the laptop.
I think I’ve found the cover but not sure where to look to see how much it would be to replace the back/top cover.
I appreciate the assistance!
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [January 19, 2020, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/19 "2020-01-19T21:42:51Z")
I’m having trouble finding a replacement for the back cover. I’m seeing 15” replacements but not for the 17”.
Do you need an actual replacement? I see decals that can cover the lid if you just want a different appearance.
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### Author:  [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2020, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparing-gaming-laptops/845945/20 "2020-01-20T14:49:43Z")
> [@Atamasama](#):
>
> I’m having trouble finding a replacement for the back cover. I’m seeing 15” replacements but not for the 17”.
>
> Do you need an actual replacement? I see decals that can cover the lid if you just want a different appearance.
Thanks. We actually did find a back cover. I took the radical step of looking up the actual manual, finding the part number, and seeing some available on eBay.