[aims]

Hi my daughter is looking to buy her first laptop and it is down to me (somewhat a novice) to choose the best ones. Her main criteria is that it should play the sims 3. Obviously I can't take it back if it doesn't so I need to make sure I make the best choice.
We've narrowed it down to two but it boils down to AMD processor or intel dual core I was always taught to choose intel pentium over any other processor but opinion now seems quite divided.
Anyway here is the spec of the two we are considering:

MSi-CR610 £449.00

AMD Turion 2 Ultra dual core M300 processor.

2.00GHz processor speed.

4GB DDR2 RAM.

16in screen size.

Resolution 1366 x 768 pixels.

320GB SATA hard drive.

Multi format dual layer drive.

ATI Radeon HD 4200 graphics.

256MB graphic memory.

Multi card reader.

3 USB ports.

e-SATA port.

Bluetooth.

HMDI.

1.3MP webcam.

802.11 b/g/n wireless enabled.

Windows 7 Premium operating system installed.

and

Samsung R519-£399.00
Free 3-Year Pre-Registered Warranty.
Free 3-Year Pre-Registered AVG Internet Security.

Intel Pentium dual core T4300 processor.

2.1GHz processor speed.

4GB DDR2 RAM.

15.6in screen size.

Resolution 1366 x 768 pixels.

250GB SATA hard drive.

Multi format dual layer drive.

Intel GMA X4500M graphics.

3 in 1 card reader (SD, SDHC, MMC).

3 USB ports.

0.3MP webcam.

802.11 b/g/n wireless enabled.

Windows 7 Premium operating system installed.

Weight 2.6kg.

and here is the sims 3 spec http://www.thesims3.com/game/systemreq

Any help will be really welcome, I don't want to get it wrong!!

Thanks in advance

[Couriant]

well the thing about laptops is that most are not built for gaming, however I have seen some laptops with dedicated video cards. That's what you want and not ones that have 'shared memory'. Shared memory is video cards that uses the physical RAM to power the video, which can (and most cases will) slow the machine down.

As to which CPU... well that's all about preference/experience. I always had issues with Intel machines. AMD for me seems more better.

[wiley8425]

AMD is considerably cheaper than Intel. Personally, for the money, I think the performance is better.

[like 45 ninjas.]

CPU doesn't affect gaming performance as much as the graphics card does. Both laptops you have shown have comparable graphics cards, but I would personally recommend the ATI graphics card. In my opinion, both Intel and AMD are viable CPU choices, but I would recommend the first laptop, becuase MSI has a good reputation, and Samsung is not known for its stellar laptops.

[Couriant]

or stellar anything ...

[like 45 ninjas.]

Originally Posted by Couriant

or stellar anything ...

haha now, don't hate XD
but yes. tis true.

[Couriant]

Originally Posted by like 45 ninjas.

haha now, don't hate XD
but yes. tis true.

heh... well they have some decent tvs... in fact my plasma is a samsung... rather have a sony though to complete my entertainment area

[Syst3mSh0ck]

The AMD system is the only viable system for gaming, the Intel system is using their integrated GMA graphics architecture which quite frankly sucks for anything other than video playback, FPS will be horrid.

[aims]

Thank you very much for all your help which has been really informative and useful. As advised I have gone for the MSi.

Thank you for taking the time to reply x