Any advices on new laptop?

[1337]

Hello, sorry for posting questions again but recently, I have purchased a Sony VPCCA35FG for school work and some casual gaming. They spec is:

Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-2430M Processor 2.40 GHz
RAM: 8GB of RAM
HDD: 500 GB, 7200 RPM
Graphics: AMD Radeon™ HD 6630M (1GB) / Intel® HD Graphics 3000

I would like to ask, whether can I handle some games like Diablo III, StarCraft II, etc easily? I plan to getting them.

Also, is there anything I need to do when I power on? I did, Windows Update, installed Soluto, CCleaner, etc.

Thanks in advance.

 

[FuturDreamz]

Can You RUN It | Can I run that game | Game system requirements

 

[marsmimar]

I've got a Sony Vaio VPCEB47GM. Same specs as yours except my HDD is 5900 rpm. You should be able to play those games without problem. Two things to consider: (1) A laptop will generate a lot more heat and needs really good ventilation. You might consider a cooling pad. (2) The Vaio keyboard, touchpad, and 14" monitor were designed for business users not for gamers. At some point you might want to invest in a gamer's external USB keyboard/mouse and a larger external monitor. They'll give you a better playing experience but still not as good as a dedicated gaming computer (IMHO.)

I'd also want to install some kind of software to monitor my temperatures. Piriform (the same company that makes CCleaner) has a tool called Speccy. Or you could take a look at SpeedFan.

Speccy - System Information - Free Download

SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer

I've read posts here and on other forums that say 80-90C is OK. But since a Vaio was built to be a business machine and not a gaming machine, I tend to err on the side of caution. Personally, I'll shut down if my temps get over 70C.

 

[chris1neji]

One thing in my past experience with gaming especially on laptops your using them in a much higher gear, with very small breathing room. Components will get hotter, I had a laptop that I use for pure gaming it ended up dying on me after 2 years. Gaming for me was laptop running on high for 6hours daily at least.

When you finish your setup please download mse
Anti-Malware, Virus, Spyware Protection | Microsoft Security Essentials
Make sure to do Windows updates.
I do not know if your laptops will be able to run DiabloIII, however it should be able to run StarCraft with a couple of frames and performance issue.

Your laptop is better suited for high RAM intesive task, this can range from Office, school, programming, picture and video editing. However gaming is not the strongest point.

 

[1337]

Thank you, chris1neji, marsmimar and FuturDreamz.

Your advices are very valuable to me. I will only be gaming with my friends in school if I were to bring the laptop to school and when I'm home, I don't usually on it. But it is a good news saying that I can handle some major games as I will be buying Diablo III soon after I get my salary. I have yet to invest on a cooling pad yet but will look into it soon.

Lastly, thanks again.

 

[alishathomaz]

Its a good laptop, its specification is high to play the games you have mentioned. But i would recommend to use some good cooling fans because while playing game laptop gets hot.

 

[1337]

Thank you, alishathomaz.

Can I ask another question regarding the temperature as I have never done it before. I have downloaded CoreTemp and give it a shot, so I only have to see Core#0 and Core#1 temperature, right? Sorry for asking stupid questions.

 

[chris1neji]

Core 0 and 1 will average out to about the CPU tempature. This and your Integrated graphics chips are the main components that create most heat. After that it tends to heat up the motherboard, HDD, case, battery and everything else.

One more thing PLEASE learn the airflow of your laptop. Learn the exhaust and intake so that you know what kind of external fan pad to buy. They are all usually the same but not always. Some laptops only have vents on side and none underneath.

 

[1337]

Thank you everyone for all the information. It has helped me a lot. I am still experimenting some games on my laptop first to see how it goes. Lastly, thanks again!!!

 

[suspect008]

and until you buy a cooling pad, and if you intake vents are placed under the notebook, as a temporarily solution, I suggest you keep your notebok on a thick book so rear side will elevate for some little more ventilation. and yet you're using a VAIO, I would keep some fan running behind it even though in a A/C room. because I expirienced 95C on a test that my G6 gave me while playing crysis. but with a book and a table fan, it kept under 75C and I'm not a gamer though trust me when you start to play something awesome, you won't stop until you see the end Good luck.