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#4408860 - 03/04/18 08:17 PM Need new laptop advice for DCS 2.5  
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Tread_Head57 Offline
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I'm going to buy a new laptop for DCS 2.5. Old one is 4yrs old and not up to the task. Budget is around $2500. I've done some comparisons and am trying to decide between these two:

ALIENWARE 17
Processor: Intel i7-7820HK (Quad Core), 8MB Cache, Overclock up to 4.4 GHz
Graphics: GTX 1080 with 8GB GDDR5
Memory: 32GB DDR4 @ 2400 MHz
Dual Drives: 512GB SSD and 1TB SATA (storage)
Screen: 17.3 inch (2560x1440) 60Hz

HP Omen X 17T
Processor: Same except only up to 3.9 GHz
Graphics: Same
Memory: Same
Dual Drives: Same
Screen: 17.3 inch (1920x1080) 120Hz

The HP is around $300 cheaper. Any suggestions on what I should prioritize? Goal is to run 2.5 at max settings w/out issues. Can anyone comment on whether any of the above specs can achieve that? I dont use VR. Thanks.

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#4408873 - 03/04/18 09:03 PM Re: Need new laptop advice for DCS 2.5 [Re: Tread_Head57]  
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From what I've gathered based on all complaints and the general mayhem in the 2.5 threads at ED, most important is SSD.
Make sure you keep room on the SSD and do not install DCS to the HDD.

What I would worry about running DCS on a laptop is heat.
The A17 is more powerful on the paper but maybe the HP will generate less heat at 3.9?
Also, I think the 120Hz is a good thing, people usually buy performance and totally forget the primary connection between hardware and human smile

You already have a good HOTAS I guess?
If so, maybe use the 300 to get TIR5 if not already having one.

#4408878 - 03/04/18 09:44 PM Re: Need new laptop advice for DCS 2.5 [Re: Tread_Head57]  
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any laptop throttles down due to heat and M2 SSD dissipate heat as well - ends up ruining any game that demands a lot of your PC.

#4408891 - 03/04/18 11:09 PM Re: Need new laptop advice for DCS 2.5 [Re: Tom_Weiss]  
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Tread_Head57 Offline
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Originally Posted by Tom_Weiss
any laptop throttles down due to heat and M2 SSD dissipate heat as well - ends up ruining any game that demands a lot of your PC.


Understand desktops are always better for heavy applications. Unfortunately I have to have a laptop for several reasons (kids would destroy a desktop being reason #1 smash) Any tips/things to purchase which help with the laptop heat issue?

Last edited by Tread_Head57; 03/04/18 11:09 PM.
#4408894 - 03/05/18 12:25 AM Re: Need new laptop advice for DCS 2.5 [Re: Tread_Head57]  
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since you have the money :

buy the fastest CPU you can, you can set the speed down either in BIOS or in Windows and that in itself will make it run cooler

and get an external ( fast ) SSD and put your games there, don't do it in the laptop SSD as that will radiate heat

unless you have Photoshop, 16 GB RAM is what you need, I have 32 GB for Photoshop and I keep P3D v4 on the background while I edit a skin and the one gobbling up RAM is Photoshop, DCS should be the same.


#4408937 - 03/05/18 11:15 AM Re: Need new laptop advice for DCS 2.5 [Re: Tread_Head57]  
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- Ice Offline
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Why not buy a cheap laptop for some of your reasons, then teach the kids to respect other people's property, and buy yourself a desktop? I know, I can't really tell you how to do your work/hobby, but people seem to run into trouble all the time with DCS on desktops, you may really be tearing your hair out on a laptop.


- Ice
#4408948 - 03/05/18 12:34 PM Re: Need new laptop advice for DCS 2.5 [Re: - Ice]  
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Originally Posted by - Ice
..........you may really be tearing your hair out on a laptop.


Especially given the state of 2.5 currently with absolutely no indication of when it will really be optimised. Is there a real danger you could go out and spend $$$ on a top-end laptop only for it never to be using the full grunt within DCS. The same applies in that respect to a 120Hz screen, there is a slim chance you're going to be pushing 120 frames per second until ED get a grip....the danger is that 2.5 remains unoptimised, ED focus on the Hornet and additional modules and a $700 laptop or desktop performs equally as good and then in 3 years time you need to upgrade your laptop yet again....probably for an unoptimised DCS 3.0.....and the cycle continues.

If anything, and if possible I'd advise you to see if ED really start fixing 2.5 because a top-end laptop may never get a proper run-out with this title.


On the Eighth day God created Paratroopers and the Devil stood to attention.
#4408978 - 03/05/18 03:56 PM Re: Need new laptop advice for DCS 2.5 [Re: - Ice]  
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Originally Posted by - Ice
Why not buy a cheap laptop for some of your reasons, then teach the kids to respect other people's property, and buy yourself a desktop? I know, I can't really tell you how to do your work/hobby, but people seem to run into trouble all the time with DCS on desktops, you may really be tearing your hair out on a laptop.


Because a 1yr old doesn't really grasp the idea of respecting property. Not too worried about my 4yr old, he's more interested in my tools in the garage. Being active military, I want to be able to have a "powerful" laptop to take with me since I can't bring a desktop overseas when deployed. Tracking 2.5 has issues, but hopefully it will be optimized in the future and memory leaks fixed to where it will run much smoother. Plan is to buy an "overkill" laptop so it will run 2.5 smoothly now and be able to handle any additions down the road (like increased town/road density, better AI, etc...I know, I'm dreaming).

#4408979 - 03/05/18 04:08 PM Re: Need new laptop advice for DCS 2.5 [Re: Tread_Head57]  
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Paradaz Offline
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That's a fair one.......still, I would be tempted not to pay too much extra $$$ for a laptop with a 120Hz screen as I think you'd probably get more out of getting the settings maxed to make everything look nicer than dialling it back in exchange for a high framerate.


On the Eighth day God created Paratroopers and the Devil stood to attention.
#4408987 - 03/05/18 04:56 PM Re: Need new laptop advice for DCS 2.5 [Re: Tread_Head57]  
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if you use it only at home the screen is no longer a problem ...

#4408991 - 03/05/18 05:19 PM Re: Need new laptop advice for DCS 2.5 [Re: Tread_Head57]  
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Originally Posted by Tread_Head57
.. since I can't bring a desktop overseas when deployed...


Avoid AV8B and future modules if you plan to bring the laptop overseas (unless you're stationed with good internet)

#4409002 - 03/05/18 06:15 PM Re: Need new laptop advice for DCS 2.5 [Re: theOden]  
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Originally Posted by theOden
Originally Posted by Tread_Head57
.. since I can't bring a desktop overseas when deployed...


Avoid AV8B and future modules if you plan to bring the laptop overseas (unless you're stationed with good internet)


That includes all campaigns as well since they also use the new keyless system now.


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#4409003 - 03/05/18 06:18 PM Re: Need new laptop advice for DCS 2.5 [Re: Tread_Head57]  
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- Ice Offline
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Originally Posted by Tread_Head57
Because a 1yr old doesn't really grasp the idea of respecting property. Not too worried about my 4yr old, he's more interested in my tools in the garage. Being active military, I want to be able to have a "powerful" laptop to take with me since I can't bring a desktop overseas when deployed. Tracking 2.5 has issues, but hopefully it will be optimized in the future and memory leaks fixed to where it will run much smoother. Plan is to buy an "overkill" laptop so it will run 2.5 smoothly now and be able to handle any additions down the road (like increased town/road density, better AI, etc...I know, I'm dreaming).


Fair enough smile Position the PC in a position where the 1yr old can't get to it? Sounds impossible, I know smile

I can only echo Paradaz on this one. You may get a top-of-the-line laptop and still not understand why DCS runs the way it does. If it were me, I'd go for the 1080p laptop.... I doubt you'd see the difference between a 1440p and 1080p on a 17" laptop and less pixels means less demands on the GPU so hopefully better performance. Good luck!


- Ice
#4409120 - 03/06/18 04:04 AM Re: Need new laptop advice for DCS 2.5 [Re: Tread_Head57]  
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nadal Offline
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what about baby gate + desktop?

#4409144 - 03/06/18 08:24 AM Re: Need new laptop advice for DCS 2.5 [Re: Tread_Head57]  
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leaf_on_the_wind Offline
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@Tread_head , how do you think the new 3 day limit DRM might effect you on deployment ?



Ferengi Rule of acquisition #1 Once you have their money ... never give it back.

#4409206 - 03/06/18 04:59 PM Re: Need new laptop advice for DCS 2.5 [Re: leaf_on_the_wind]  
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Tread_Head57 Offline
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Originally Posted by leaf_on_the_wind
@Tread_head , how do you think the new 3 day limit DRM might effect you on deployment ?


It depends. As an armor officer, if I'm deploying to fight an actual war...well, then I'm not bring my laptop anyway. Otherwise, almost anyplace I might deploy now (Kuwait, Europe, Africa) we're stable in hard-stand buildings with Internet. The connection isn't usually as fast as in the US, but good enough for Skype and for DRM purposes. I wouldn't want to have to re-download DCS on those connections though.


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