Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Dedicated Graphics. Important?

Aug 17, 2018 9:57AM PDT

I'm looking to buy a new laptop for school. I'm going into software/computer engineering. I'm not a huge gamer but I would like the capability to video games on lower settings. Should I make sure I get something with dedicated graphics? What laptops would you recommend to someone in my situation? I'm not too limited on money.

Post was last edited on August 17, 2018 9:58 AM PDT

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
How low is low?
Aug 17, 2018 12:15PM PDT

Let's look at the results of gaming on say the APU (AMD CPU with graphics) and Intel graphics.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/HP-Pavilion-15z-bw000-A10-9620P-HD-Laptop-Review.234230.0.html
A game from 2016 did run on low settings but at 19 frames a second.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Dell-Inspiron-13-7370-i5-8250U-Laptop-Review.264124.0.html is your run of the mill non-gpu equipped laptop. Games run at tens of frames a second.

For most folk we call that "no games here." I'd look at models with the usual i5, i7 and the 1050 (Ti preferred) GPU.

Here's a list.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Notebookcheck-s-Top-10-Multimedia-Laptops.98608.0.html

- Collapse -
Answer
Balance is the Key
Aug 17, 2018 7:41PM PDT

The link provided by R. Profitt to a list of well-reviewed laptops is very informative, with a dizzying amount of detail.
Here's the thing - for gaming you need a laptop that is equipped with one of the following:
1. Nvidia GTX 1050 - nice graphics chip, plays most of the current games, doesn't generate a whole lot of heat, and impacts battery life least of the three mentioned here. Downside is that newer games coming out soon may be more demanding, so the GTX 1050 may be less able to play them smoothly with good detail.
2. Nvidia GTX 1050Ti - A step up in gaming power over the more basic 1050 provides smoother gaming and higher detail. Should handle new, upcoming generation of games. Generates a little more heat and uses more battery power (but you don't play 3D games while on battery power, do you?).
3. Nvidia GTX 1060 - Another clear step up the graphics ladder above the 1050Ti. Handles current and future games, runs smooth and detailed, runs battery down pretty fast (but you don't really play 3D games while on battery power, do you?)
4. Nvidia GTX 1070 or recent Radeon Vega graphics generate lots of heat, increase the weight of the laptop noticeably, and cost a bundle. These are probably not in line with what you requested, but they are available .... at a price .... and they'll be heavy .... and noisy ....