New Computer (Laptop) Help/Suggestions?

[McMillan 8th ID]

So I'm thinking about get a new laptop as my 11 year old MSI is starting to show its age.  I haven't bought a laptop since my old geezer MSI and 6 years since I've built a PC.  Since then I have not followed anything related to computers or computer tech.  I've been reading and watching youtube videos but I feel like I'm out of touch.  I don't need much but I would like to be able to do the following:

• Under $800 - willing to spend more if its worth it
• Laptop - PC does not work with my lifestyle
• In addition to DODS I would like to be able to play newer games like Hell Let Loose   Seems like this is out of my budget 
• Potential for video editing
• Do not want to purchase another laptop for at least 5 years

I was wondering if anyone could give me some suggestions on what you think would be a good fit and why? Thank you!

Edit 1: What's the difference between spending $800 on a laptop vs $1000 and do you think its worth it?

Edited May 28, 2021 by McMillan 8th ID

[Smith 8th ID]

This is going to be a hard task given the video card shortage. The best video card you can get at that budget is a 1650, and even those are not the easiest to find. I just bought a new laptop last week, and I went with this:

https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-laptops-and-notebooks/vostro-5310-laptop/spd/vostro-13-5310-laptop/cav135w10p1c2127

I got it for $847 on sale. It has an MX450, which uses the same chipset as the 1650, but at reduced power and a smaller memory bus. I needed a 13" though for use while flying.

If you are willing to go bigger, something like this is likely your best bet at the moment:

https://www.dell.com/en-us/member/shop/gaming-laptops/g15-gaming-laptop/spd/g-series-15-5510-laptop/gn5510erets
 

Edited May 28, 2021 by Smith 8th ID

[Smith 8th ID]

Other similar options:

https://www.amazon.com/HP-Pavilion-Gaming-Laptop-GeForce/dp/B08P6MRZBG/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=laptop+1650&qid=1622213382&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-i5-10300H-Processor-Wireless-AC-Bluetooth/dp/B08FF358SW/ref=sr_1_15?dchild=1&keywords=laptop%2B1650&qid=1622213382&sr=8-15&th=1

[McMillan 8th ID]

Thank you @Smith 8th ID! Very much appreciated now Im going to look through all of those

My brother suggested spending a bit more for this:
https://www.newegg.com/black-lenovo-legion-5-15arh05h/p/1TS-000E-0P0D1?Description=lenovo legion 5&cm_re=lenovo_legion 5-_-9SIA24GD0N9532-_-Product&quicklink=true

Do you think its worth spending more for something like that?

[Smith 8th ID]

I haven't seen that exact model before, but at first glance and specs, I'd say it looks good for another 50-100 bucks. Just make sure it cools well enough.

[Van Der Vechte]

only real problem i see with those 3 options is they barely meet the minimum for HLL. The one your brother suggested is just under recommended so if you dont mind playing on low settings they that would be your best bet. Sadly with the way GPU's are these days you cant get much for cheap anymore

[Lanier 8th ID]

HLL is really rough on GPUs. My 5700 doesnt even perform like I was hoping it would.

[Smith 8th ID]

Agreed. I'd say if @McMillan 8th ID has time to wait, then wait for a 3000 series laptop to become available at a reasonable price, but that won't be for at least a year, likely longer.

Edited May 28, 2021 by Smith 8th ID

[McMillan 8th ID]

@Smith 8th ID @Van Der Vechte 8th ID @Lanier 8th IDThanks for the feedback guys I appreciate it.  I think I'll get rid of the HLL requirement probably not the best for a laptop anyway. I think ill revise my question and ask what's the difference between spending $800 on a laptop vs $1000 and do you think its worth it?

[Van Der Vechte]

55 minutes ago, Lanier 8th ID said:

HLL is really rough on GPUs. My 5700 doesnt even perform like I was hoping it would.

go pick up this bad boy

https://www.newegg.ca/evga-geforce-rtx-3080-10g-p5-3897-kr/p/N82E16814487518?Description=3080&cm_re=3080-_-14-487-518-_-Product

[Savage 8th ID]

It might be a little higher than what your wanting to spend on a laptop. I just recently picked this one up. And it runs any game that ive wanted to play with no issues at all. HLL, Squad, and others. I dont remember what my settings were on but they wasnt running on low. Its performed way better than I expected.

 https://www.walmart.com/ip/ASUS-ROG-Gaming-17-3-FHD-Intel-Core-i7-10750H-NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-2070-Super-Graphics-8GB-RAM-512GB-SSD-Original-Black-G712LWS-WB74/276945277?athcpid=276945277&athpgid=athenaItemPage&athcgid=null&athznid=PWVUB&athieid=v0&athstid=CS020&athguid=18f67fd1-007-179bdc1571097c&athancid=null&athena=true

[Samo 8th ID]

1 hour ago, Savage 8th ID said:

It might be a little higher than what your wanting to spend on a laptop. I just recently picked this one up. And it runs any game that ive wanted to play with no issues at all. HLL, Squad, and others. I dont remember what my settings were on but they wasnt running on low. Its performed way better than I expected.

 https://www.walmart.com/ip/ASUS-ROG-Gaming-17-3-FHD-Intel-Core-i7-10750H-NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-2070-Super-Graphics-8GB-RAM-512GB-SSD-Original-Black-G712LWS-WB74/276945277?athcpid=276945277&athpgid=athenaItemPage&athcgid=null&athznid=PWVUB&athieid=v0&athstid=CS020&athguid=18f67fd1-007-179bdc1571097c&athancid=null&athena=true

That looks nice 

def worth the extra bucks 

 

[McMillan 8th ID]

21 hours ago, Savage 8th ID said:

It might be a little higher than what your wanting to spend on a laptop. I just recently picked this one up. And it runs any game that ive wanted to play with no issues at all. HLL, Squad, and others. I dont remember what my settings were on but they wasnt running on low. Its performed way better than I expected.

 https://www.walmart.com/ip/ASUS-ROG-Gaming-17-3-FHD-Intel-Core-i7-10750H-NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-2070-Super-Graphics-8GB-RAM-512GB-SSD-Original-Black-G712LWS-WB74/276945277?athcpid=276945277&athpgid=athenaItemPage&athcgid=null&athznid=PWVUB&athieid=v0&athstid=CS020&athguid=18f67fd1-007-179bdc1571097c&athancid=null&athena=true

Thanks Savage, that thing looks like a beast!

[Smith 8th ID]

K, McMillan, I think I found something that meets your requirements. The battery is tiny, and its only a 10th Gen i5, but its got an RTX 3050 for $784. This should run most modern games at 1080P at High or Ultra settings:

https://www.dell.com/en-us/member/shop/gaming-laptops/g15-gaming-laptop/spd/g-series-15-5510-laptop/gn5510erets?configurationid=21e56e07-c894-4a69-af1b-e90c99a2125e
 

EDIT:
@McMillan 8th ID You can also get a 10% off coupon from Dell by giving them your email using this link:

https://www.dell.com/preferences/signup/?c=us&l=en&s=epp&AID=1225267&cjevent=468ef98ac21d11eb80a2c6880a82b839&cjdata=MXxOfDB8WXww&gacd=9614781-23761182-5750457-265988609-127889515&dgc=af&VEN1=12578053-1225267-45715626c21d11eba41b96e3530149c00INT-Slickdeals LLC&dclid=CJKP-faR9PACFdEqAQodFb4FYg

Edited May 31, 2021 by Smith 8th ID

[Smith 8th ID]

And since you asked what stretching your the budget to around $1000 looks like, this is a good option at that range:

https://www.dell.com/en-us/member/shop/cty/pdp/spd/g-series-15-5510-laptop/gn5510evhls?cartitemid=57bb3a0e-c13c-49eb-8298-6036a20772fc&ref=carconfigedittitle&configurationid=8593fb82-4367-457c-992a-e7da4fc954ea

Use the coupon and it comes out to $1014. for the $250 to $300 difference, you get

1. i7 vs i5 (8 core vs 4 core processor)
2. 16GB RAM vs 8GB
3. RTX 3060 vs RTX 3050 (40% to 50% faster, depending on benchmark, and 50% more VRAM)
4. 512GB SSD vs 256GB
5. About 50% bigger battery

Overall, its a large jump in performance if longevity is your concern. But the first one will still meet your needs. Just don't expect 120 fps on the first one (both have 120HZ screens).

[Samo 8th ID]

Did you end up deciding which one you going for? 

Or you waiting on the 3000 series? 

@McMillan 8th ID

[McMillan 8th ID]

Ended up going with the Legion 5.  Should be here in a few weeks.  Thanks everyone for your help! 

[Lanier 8th ID]

13 minutes ago, McMillan 8th ID said:

Ended up going with the Legion 5.  Should be here in a few weeks.  Thanks everyone for your help! 

Nice. Looks like you made a solid choice.

[Samo 8th ID]

Show us the new baby when it arrives! Congrats Mc!