Analyzing performance requirements
Analyzing performance requirements
Is there a resource that offers a categorized list of hardware compatible with around 1% low FPS figures? You're looking for the best CPU-GPU pairings suited for games like CS:GO and TF2, aiming for stable 150 FPS at 1280x720 in older titles. You're also planning to build a collection of laptops for modding on lower refresh rates, targeting 144Hz displays and supporting LAN parties with solid hardware. You've considered desktops but feel more comfortable gathering options from laptops.
I don't believe such a platform truly exists (perhaps I'm mistaken). The main issue I notice, particularly with laptops, is that even if two devices share identical CPU, RAM, and GPU, their performance can vary significantly because of manufacturing power constraints and cooling capabilities. Some high-end gaming laptops come with powerful coolers that allow them to run at maximum settings continuously without overheating, while others are lighter or cheaper and may throttle after a short time or limit performance to avoid damage. It would be necessary to test each specific model's performance in those games. For desktops, you get better value for money, but if you need to transport multiple units frequently along with monitors and accessories, it could be quite challenging even with an IT-style setup. Laptops seem ideal, but you'd likely have to locate sellers who carry identical models in large quantities, which can be difficult or time-consuming compared to last year's clearance sets that are easier to find. If you can afford new units, it becomes much simpler.
I did some performance testing extensively on my cheaper laptop and came up with an result of sorts. Laptop is a thinkpad T495, 3700u. I have it overclocked somewhat, very conservative, just a overall tdp bump. It's getting 100ish at the worst in csgo and usually around 140 at 1152x64 8 everything lowest lmao. It would be a fairly cost effective platform I think if I can get a 144hz panel with freesync to work, which I should. Yeah the desktop idea was going to be 8-10 dell optiplex sff units which I can get for free sans ssd. They are i5-8400. By the time I included a 144hz monotor, gtx 16xx card, and a reasonable keyboard, it's not a lot cheaper than waiting around for a cheap T495 or similar performance. I'd like to be around $350/unit, that's for the laptop, the display, a good mouse, good mouse pad, charging cable, cheapish headset. It should be doable but also I could get an older laptop for around the same price with a 6700hq, slower gpu but faster cpu, dunno what's better
I also used a more costly laptop with an 11th generation processor. The Ryzen 3700U on KILL OC achieves around 2150 multi/415 single in CPU-Z (add 10% to stable FPS figures), whereas the 11th gen models reach about 2800/500, making it slightly quicker. I first tested it with an Intel GPU and it struggled at about 50 frames per second with noticeable lag spikes (though smooth at 1280x720). With the T500 GPU it ran between 160-180 FPS. The T500 is roughly twice as strong as the Vega 10. I need to compare the Intel GPU performance against the Vega 10 since that seems unusual, but overall it appears performance depends heavily on CPU speed, as many people note online, and the Vega 10 can be limited by its CPU. Now it raises the question about how important the GPU really is and where it might face major problems like the Intel GPU does.
To grasp recommended gaming configurations on platforms like Steam, Min Spec refers to the bare minimum needed just to play the games. Suggested specs represent the typical "median" used in quality assurance testing. It's always possible to upgrade beyond these baseline requirements, but usually there are performance caps for major aspects such as resolution where exceeding around 60 to 144 FPS won't be noticeable to the human eye. XD
I've completed several tests within a reasonable budget and can confirm that CSGO isn't feasible on basic laptops for now. My evaluations show no consistent option under $200 for 144Hz at the moment—about $130 for the laptop plus costs for the screen and cable. However, I've managed to get a few laptops for testing, and the setup remains viable. I anticipate having three units ready in a few weeks, with more arriving soon. The current selection (8th gen low-power, UHD 620 GPU) handles source engine games smoothly at 240fps in 720p and should still support newer titles at 60fps. It's not the setup I originally envisioned, but it's a solid starting point. One of these laptops with a 144Hz display is pict.
I see it as a strong idea but it won't be inexpensive, roughly 300 to 500 for each machine... that’s about 940 in total performance. By the way, I own one of those laptops and it handles most recent titles "fairly" at 30/720p, while older games (like CS:GO, etc.) usually run smoothly at 200 or less. Some even on the older side can go up to 500+ FPS with an iGPU, though that’s just my guess on what’s required.
It delivers around 200 at 720p, which is quite solid given it usually goes with strong 7th generation processors. These models are often found in T470p thinkpads or similar laptops. The typical cost is about three hundred dollars, and upgrading to a newer panel means extra work like using 3D printed mounts and some tape.
It really depends on the titles you're running. Mine handles high-frame-rate games smoothly at 1080p, even at 30fps, but you can always lower the settings. The issue seems to be with a weaker processor—your i5 isn’t ideal, though the 940 tends to be the main bottleneck.