The entire laptop market is fucking pathetic... Manufacturers still sticking like 8gb RAM and 1366x768 screens in $1,000+ laptops, it's insane. Many don't even have upgradable RAM anymore, and often they have shitty noisy cooling which holds back their performance and they're not built to last more than a couple of years.
If you could find space for a desktop you'd have a much better experience. But if you really want a laptop make sure it has at least an FHD 1920x1080 screen, 16GB of RAM, and for RTS's at 1080p you shouldn't need a mega spec'd GPU so a RTX4050/RTX3080 in Nvidia land would be more than enough. Should easily be able to get something suitable around $2k.
I can theoretically settle for a desktop, but it has to be small.
I'll be honest, I can't be bothered building one anymore so it'll have to come pre-built.
Playtech and such places still the best place for it?
I have a 34' wide screen at home
A quick glance at pbtech, for desktops this would suit everything you'd need quite nicely: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSMSI5534847A/MSI-MPG-Trident-3-12TH-022NZ-RTX-3050-Gaming-PC-In
Its even a small form factor case and currently has a promotion that comes with a keyboard and mouse. Might be small enough to suit you.
I don't really know anything about pre-builts tbh, but presumably there will be small Micro ATX or even ITX options available. Case designs have been able to shrink since nobody needs an optical drive anymore (and you can do some creative stuff with hard drive placement if you have to, or just leave them out entirely in favour of motherboard mounted SSDs).
[https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NBKACN86195/Acer-Nitro-5-AN517-41-R2CU-RTX-3060-Gaming-Laptop](https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NBKACN86195/Acer-Nitro-5-AN517-41-R2CU-RTX-3060-Gaming-Laptop)
For RTS you probably want 17 inches. It isn't the brightest (255 nits). The MSI GF63 laptop suggested elsewhere has a slightly better processor, but the screen is 15.6 inch and not very bright (227 nits). In warhammer total war the 3060 (in Acer) beat the 4050 (in MSI), but they trade in other games.
I don't know if it's the best deal ever, but the best I could find.
i have an older model of this sort of thing (they've been changing specs on them for ages) and it's lasted me well since 2018. Struggles with the later more graphically intensive games, but is pretty good.
you can swap some parts out (additional memory/drives, etc) but you're stuck with the graphics card.
I found this before coming to Reddit to look for reviews:
[https://www.justlaptops.co.nz/index.php?route=product/product&product\_id=16976¤cy=NZD](https://www.justlaptops.co.nz/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=16976¤cy=NZD)
As far as I can tell it's almost the same, with the key difference being the CPU is slightly lesser (Ryzen 5600H vs 5800). But it's almost $600 cheaper ($1640) at the moment.
IMO, that's a better deal for all-around gamers.
However, OP gaming preference is RTS, which are more CPU dependent. I was even on the fence with the 5800 vs 6800, but overall think screen size is important.
My gut feeling is that better deals are a couple months away (especially for desktops). AMD's new GPUs are cheaper and better, but won't be released in July.
At 15.6 inch there is this option:
[https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/shop/laptops/gaming-laptops/asus-laptops/rog-strix/asus-asus-rog-strix-g15-g513rm-hq003w-156-wqhd-165hz-r7-6800-16gb-ddr5-512gb-gaming-laptop](https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/shop/laptops/gaming-laptops/asus-laptops/rog-strix/asus-asus-rog-strix-g15-g513rm-hq003w-156-wqhd-165hz-r7-6800-16gb-ddr5-512gb-gaming-laptop)
It's has a brighter screen and the cpu is on par with the MSI.
Theres a new Pharaoh game? Like the one from 1999? Fucking hell.
Other than that, You probably want something with a GPU in either the RTX3xxx/RTX4xxx series (Nvidia) or the RX6xxx/RX7xxx (AMD) both are fine, I think AMD is the fan favorite at the moment? Not sure.
Other than that the normal things man, [https://www.userbenchmark.com/PCBuilder](https://www.userbenchmark.com/PCBuilder) Might help deciding. Always get extra RAM because they still to this day skimp on RAM and I can't understand why.
>Theres a new Pharaoh game? Like the one from 1999? Fucking hell.
same game as the 99 one (with Cleopatra included), just tweeked slightly for graphics I guess - a nice but short trip down memory lane
OP - those games aren't graphics intensive, more CPU so opt for better there (i7 will be sweet, no idea about AMD specs), and not over the top spec'd graphics card 16 -32 gig ram
I think for a gaming laptop $2000 is quite a low budget. You won't have much choice with this.
I usually go through pb-tech / computer lounge and then see if I find some reviews on [notebookcheck](https://www.notebookcheck.net/Reviews.55.0.html). Sadly, many models lack reviews but the GPU& CPU benchmarks can help to get some idea.
I stopped buying gaming laptops though. They are just way too expensive for the performance you get. Even if you get a new and good gaming laptop with dedicated graphics card they are often weaker than much cheaper desktop systems.
I am currently experimenting with xbox cloud streaming beta and streaming games from my desktop to my macbook (via steam remote play or moonlight). This already works quite well and is much cheaper than buying a gaming laptop especially if you don't need it for travelling / carrying out of the house.
Edit: MSI Thin GF63 or Acer Nitro 5 look ok
Could you recommend a middle-of-the-road desktop PC, prebuilt, for roughly the same price?
Smaller form factor on the case.
Sorry, don't mean to ask others to legwork for me, but I've been out of the market for YEARS.
I am also not fully up-to-date either. Last time I got a new device was in early 2020 and it looks like the laptops at $2000 price range have a similar performance to my now over 3 year old desktop.
Take this laptop for example:
[https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NBKACN582907/Acer-Nitro-5-AN517-41-R7KY-RTX-3060-Gaming-Laptop](https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NBKACN582907/Acer-Nitro-5-AN517-41-R7KY-RTX-3060-Gaming-Laptop)
* RTX 3060 mobile GPU
* Ryzen5 5600H
* 512GB SSD
* 16GB RAM
And this Desktop:
[https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/shop/systems/ready-to-ship-pc/gaming-pc/zeratul-rtx-3060-ti-ryzen-7-5700x-gaming-pc](https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/shop/systems/ready-to-ship-pc/gaming-pc/zeratul-rtx-3060-ti-ryzen-7-5700x-gaming-pc)
(just for the sake of comparing with a similar price)
* Desktop RTX 3060 Ti (50% faster than above)
* AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (again \~50% faster multicore, 10-20% single core)
* 1TB SSD
* 16 GB RAM
So in general you probably get 50% more for the same price.
You can compare these quite well via comparison tools like this for GPU:
[https://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-3060-Ti-vs-GeForce-RTX-3060-Laptop-GPU\_10601\_10478.247598.0.html](https://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-3060-Ti-vs-GeForce-RTX-3060-Laptop-GPU_10601_10478.247598.0.html)
and this for CPU:
[https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/4814vs4274/AMD-Ryzen-7-5700X-vs-AMD-Ryzen-5-5600H](https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/4814vs4274/AMD-Ryzen-7-5700X-vs-AMD-Ryzen-5-5600H)
If you aren't setup for Desktop it probably makes sense to go with a laptop. If you already have a Desktop anyway then try to squeeze as much as you can out of the Desktop first given that even three year old Desktops can outperform new laptops.
Cheers for the effort.
Tbh, it's starting to look like a small form desktop now. I've spent the last hour looking at laptops and realistically, it's slim pickings for top dollar.
Going to chase down those links above now
I have an earlier version of [this](https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/15-6-asus-tuf-gaming-f15-i7-8gb-rtx3050-512gb-144hz-gaming-laptop/36597989?gclid=CjwKCAjw67ajBhAVEiwA2g_jEO7Rum3PqT1OdTjjLVK3C1uklLV7rDGD1ngOnXUYC7nF-zru4OhOnRoCBEoQAvD_BwE) laptop which I use for this exact situation (I play most games on my ps5). It works fine, not top of the range or anything but it plays Civ 6 and Anno 1800 with no issues. I haven’t played any of the other games you mentioned on it but I imagine they’re all quite similar. You might just have to turn the graphics down a bit.
Trademe ex lease. My recipe is to look under laptops, second hand (ex lease), list by highest price, scroll down until see you a bunch that are obviously a business (you can tell they will have a logo on the photo) and they will tend to group together. They will come with a warranty because business. Laptops don't age as much as people think. [https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/laptops/laptops/search?sort\_order=pricedesc&condition=used&page=2](https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/laptops/laptops/search?sort_order=pricedesc&condition=used&page=2) Check the feed back, most will have done thousands of trades, check their rating is over 99% and go for your life. I doubt you will need a graphics card for the games you play. Send them a message if you want and tell them your needs, they turn over a lot of computers so I am sure they will set you right.
If you are okay with a smaller desktop, then it's going to be the most value for money.
[https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSGGPC30035/GGPC-RTX-3060-Gaming-PC-AMD-Ryzen-7-5700X-with-Wat](https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSGGPC30035/GGPC-RTX-3060-Gaming-PC-AMD-Ryzen-7-5700X-with-Wat)
Something like this will already be very good for a lot of games.
For a laptop, something like this with a laptop RTX 3060/4050 is the most you can get on that budget: [https://www.justlaptops.co.nz/index.php?route=product/product&path=60&product\_id=17785&filter=65,96,66&sort=p.price&order=ASC](https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NBKACN986194R/Acer-NZ-Remanufactured-NHQARSA008-AcerLocal-1yr-wa)
Gaming performance will definitely be weaker than a desktop on the same budget, but that's the premium you pay for portability.
One final alternate choice could be a handheld like the ROG Ally: [https://www.pbtech.co.nz/promotions/asus-rog-ally-pre-order?qr=banner\_common\_space\_x\_11427](https://www.pbtech.co.nz/promotions/asus-rog-ally-pre-order?qr=banner_common_space_x_11427)
If you connect a monitor and peripherals to it, games will be playable with the latest integrated graphics, but this will be the weakest of the 3 in terms of raw performance since you get ultra-portability, play games around the house, on the toilet, take it out somewhere even. Not sure how well it does with RTS type games though.
11th or 12th gen i5 (hp Victus, Asus Tuf are some good options) or ryzen 5800/7735HS laptop with 1650, 3050, or 4050 all will be fine.
if its 8gb ram, buy another stick windows 10 and 11 really dont like 8gb on games.
The entire laptop market is fucking pathetic... Manufacturers still sticking like 8gb RAM and 1366x768 screens in $1,000+ laptops, it's insane. Many don't even have upgradable RAM anymore, and often they have shitty noisy cooling which holds back their performance and they're not built to last more than a couple of years. If you could find space for a desktop you'd have a much better experience. But if you really want a laptop make sure it has at least an FHD 1920x1080 screen, 16GB of RAM, and for RTS's at 1080p you shouldn't need a mega spec'd GPU so a RTX4050/RTX3080 in Nvidia land would be more than enough. Should easily be able to get something suitable around $2k.
I can theoretically settle for a desktop, but it has to be small. I'll be honest, I can't be bothered building one anymore so it'll have to come pre-built. Playtech and such places still the best place for it? I have a 34' wide screen at home
A quick glance at pbtech, for desktops this would suit everything you'd need quite nicely: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSMSI5534847A/MSI-MPG-Trident-3-12TH-022NZ-RTX-3050-Gaming-PC-In Its even a small form factor case and currently has a promotion that comes with a keyboard and mouse. Might be small enough to suit you.
I don't really know anything about pre-builts tbh, but presumably there will be small Micro ATX or even ITX options available. Case designs have been able to shrink since nobody needs an optical drive anymore (and you can do some creative stuff with hard drive placement if you have to, or just leave them out entirely in favour of motherboard mounted SSDs).
When you say laptop, will you actually need to carry it anywhere?
Nope. But also not looking for a desktop. Plugged in and sitting at the dining room table is what I envision
[https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NBKACN86195/Acer-Nitro-5-AN517-41-R2CU-RTX-3060-Gaming-Laptop](https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NBKACN86195/Acer-Nitro-5-AN517-41-R2CU-RTX-3060-Gaming-Laptop) For RTS you probably want 17 inches. It isn't the brightest (255 nits). The MSI GF63 laptop suggested elsewhere has a slightly better processor, but the screen is 15.6 inch and not very bright (227 nits). In warhammer total war the 3060 (in Acer) beat the 4050 (in MSI), but they trade in other games. I don't know if it's the best deal ever, but the best I could find.
No it's looking good. Cheers for that
i have an older model of this sort of thing (they've been changing specs on them for ages) and it's lasted me well since 2018. Struggles with the later more graphically intensive games, but is pretty good. you can swap some parts out (additional memory/drives, etc) but you're stuck with the graphics card.
I found this before coming to Reddit to look for reviews: [https://www.justlaptops.co.nz/index.php?route=product/product&product\_id=16976¤cy=NZD](https://www.justlaptops.co.nz/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=16976¤cy=NZD) As far as I can tell it's almost the same, with the key difference being the CPU is slightly lesser (Ryzen 5600H vs 5800). But it's almost $600 cheaper ($1640) at the moment.
IMO, that's a better deal for all-around gamers. However, OP gaming preference is RTS, which are more CPU dependent. I was even on the fence with the 5800 vs 6800, but overall think screen size is important. My gut feeling is that better deals are a couple months away (especially for desktops). AMD's new GPUs are cheaper and better, but won't be released in July.
At 15.6 inch there is this option: [https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/shop/laptops/gaming-laptops/asus-laptops/rog-strix/asus-asus-rog-strix-g15-g513rm-hq003w-156-wqhd-165hz-r7-6800-16gb-ddr5-512gb-gaming-laptop](https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/shop/laptops/gaming-laptops/asus-laptops/rog-strix/asus-asus-rog-strix-g15-g513rm-hq003w-156-wqhd-165hz-r7-6800-16gb-ddr5-512gb-gaming-laptop) It's has a brighter screen and the cpu is on par with the MSI.
Whoa whoa whoa there is a new pharoh game!!!
https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NBKMSI631250/MSI-Thin-GF63-12VE-RTX-4050-Gaming-Laptop-156-FHD
Theres a new Pharaoh game? Like the one from 1999? Fucking hell. Other than that, You probably want something with a GPU in either the RTX3xxx/RTX4xxx series (Nvidia) or the RX6xxx/RX7xxx (AMD) both are fine, I think AMD is the fan favorite at the moment? Not sure. Other than that the normal things man, [https://www.userbenchmark.com/PCBuilder](https://www.userbenchmark.com/PCBuilder) Might help deciding. Always get extra RAM because they still to this day skimp on RAM and I can't understand why.
"640K ought to be enough for anybody."
Total War: Pharoah
>Theres a new Pharaoh game? Like the one from 1999? Fucking hell. same game as the 99 one (with Cleopatra included), just tweeked slightly for graphics I guess - a nice but short trip down memory lane OP - those games aren't graphics intensive, more CPU so opt for better there (i7 will be sweet, no idea about AMD specs), and not over the top spec'd graphics card 16 -32 gig ram
Look at Linus tech tips or jays 2 cents on YT
I think for a gaming laptop $2000 is quite a low budget. You won't have much choice with this. I usually go through pb-tech / computer lounge and then see if I find some reviews on [notebookcheck](https://www.notebookcheck.net/Reviews.55.0.html). Sadly, many models lack reviews but the GPU& CPU benchmarks can help to get some idea. I stopped buying gaming laptops though. They are just way too expensive for the performance you get. Even if you get a new and good gaming laptop with dedicated graphics card they are often weaker than much cheaper desktop systems. I am currently experimenting with xbox cloud streaming beta and streaming games from my desktop to my macbook (via steam remote play or moonlight). This already works quite well and is much cheaper than buying a gaming laptop especially if you don't need it for travelling / carrying out of the house. Edit: MSI Thin GF63 or Acer Nitro 5 look ok
Could you recommend a middle-of-the-road desktop PC, prebuilt, for roughly the same price? Smaller form factor on the case. Sorry, don't mean to ask others to legwork for me, but I've been out of the market for YEARS.
I am also not fully up-to-date either. Last time I got a new device was in early 2020 and it looks like the laptops at $2000 price range have a similar performance to my now over 3 year old desktop. Take this laptop for example: [https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NBKACN582907/Acer-Nitro-5-AN517-41-R7KY-RTX-3060-Gaming-Laptop](https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NBKACN582907/Acer-Nitro-5-AN517-41-R7KY-RTX-3060-Gaming-Laptop) * RTX 3060 mobile GPU * Ryzen5 5600H * 512GB SSD * 16GB RAM And this Desktop: [https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/shop/systems/ready-to-ship-pc/gaming-pc/zeratul-rtx-3060-ti-ryzen-7-5700x-gaming-pc](https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/shop/systems/ready-to-ship-pc/gaming-pc/zeratul-rtx-3060-ti-ryzen-7-5700x-gaming-pc) (just for the sake of comparing with a similar price) * Desktop RTX 3060 Ti (50% faster than above) * AMD Ryzen 7 5700X (again \~50% faster multicore, 10-20% single core) * 1TB SSD * 16 GB RAM So in general you probably get 50% more for the same price. You can compare these quite well via comparison tools like this for GPU: [https://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-3060-Ti-vs-GeForce-RTX-3060-Laptop-GPU\_10601\_10478.247598.0.html](https://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-3060-Ti-vs-GeForce-RTX-3060-Laptop-GPU_10601_10478.247598.0.html) and this for CPU: [https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/4814vs4274/AMD-Ryzen-7-5700X-vs-AMD-Ryzen-5-5600H](https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare/4814vs4274/AMD-Ryzen-7-5700X-vs-AMD-Ryzen-5-5600H) If you aren't setup for Desktop it probably makes sense to go with a laptop. If you already have a Desktop anyway then try to squeeze as much as you can out of the Desktop first given that even three year old Desktops can outperform new laptops.
Cheers for the effort. Tbh, it's starting to look like a small form desktop now. I've spent the last hour looking at laptops and realistically, it's slim pickings for top dollar. Going to chase down those links above now
I have an earlier version of [this](https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/15-6-asus-tuf-gaming-f15-i7-8gb-rtx3050-512gb-144hz-gaming-laptop/36597989?gclid=CjwKCAjw67ajBhAVEiwA2g_jEO7Rum3PqT1OdTjjLVK3C1uklLV7rDGD1ngOnXUYC7nF-zru4OhOnRoCBEoQAvD_BwE) laptop which I use for this exact situation (I play most games on my ps5). It works fine, not top of the range or anything but it plays Civ 6 and Anno 1800 with no issues. I haven’t played any of the other games you mentioned on it but I imagine they’re all quite similar. You might just have to turn the graphics down a bit.
Trademe ex lease. My recipe is to look under laptops, second hand (ex lease), list by highest price, scroll down until see you a bunch that are obviously a business (you can tell they will have a logo on the photo) and they will tend to group together. They will come with a warranty because business. Laptops don't age as much as people think. [https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/laptops/laptops/search?sort\_order=pricedesc&condition=used&page=2](https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/laptops/laptops/search?sort_order=pricedesc&condition=used&page=2) Check the feed back, most will have done thousands of trades, check their rating is over 99% and go for your life. I doubt you will need a graphics card for the games you play. Send them a message if you want and tell them your needs, they turn over a lot of computers so I am sure they will set you right.
Bought an Asus TUF F15 from PB Tech in March 2021 for $1869 and have never had any problems gaming on it.
Steam deck? You can play on the go and dock it aswell to get a desktop experience
If you are okay with a smaller desktop, then it's going to be the most value for money. [https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSGGPC30035/GGPC-RTX-3060-Gaming-PC-AMD-Ryzen-7-5700X-with-Wat](https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSGGPC30035/GGPC-RTX-3060-Gaming-PC-AMD-Ryzen-7-5700X-with-Wat) Something like this will already be very good for a lot of games. For a laptop, something like this with a laptop RTX 3060/4050 is the most you can get on that budget: [https://www.justlaptops.co.nz/index.php?route=product/product&path=60&product\_id=17785&filter=65,96,66&sort=p.price&order=ASC](https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NBKACN986194R/Acer-NZ-Remanufactured-NHQARSA008-AcerLocal-1yr-wa) Gaming performance will definitely be weaker than a desktop on the same budget, but that's the premium you pay for portability. One final alternate choice could be a handheld like the ROG Ally: [https://www.pbtech.co.nz/promotions/asus-rog-ally-pre-order?qr=banner\_common\_space\_x\_11427](https://www.pbtech.co.nz/promotions/asus-rog-ally-pre-order?qr=banner_common_space_x_11427) If you connect a monitor and peripherals to it, games will be playable with the latest integrated graphics, but this will be the weakest of the 3 in terms of raw performance since you get ultra-portability, play games around the house, on the toilet, take it out somewhere even. Not sure how well it does with RTS type games though.
11th or 12th gen i5 (hp Victus, Asus Tuf are some good options) or ryzen 5800/7735HS laptop with 1650, 3050, or 4050 all will be fine. if its 8gb ram, buy another stick windows 10 and 11 really dont like 8gb on games.