DiabloFans

Quote from Funkarte

Quote from ZeitGeist

If they gave out beta keys for growing out armpit hair most of the women in Europe would have them already!

Where in Europe did you see that? O.o where I live, unshaved armpits on a woman are quite rare.

I think it was a jab at the stereotype that European women don't shave their armpits

Quote from MrH

I think I'd rather eat cat food through a straw than game on an integrated GPU. I would shop around

This, so much lol. I would never attempt to play games on an iGPU. They are really only meant for "workstation" computers (IE: people who only need a computer for internet browsing and doing word documents/spreadsheets)

Quote from MrH

If you don't need to be mobile there's no reason not to buy a desktop.

This, even more. Unless you constantly need to take your computer places get a desktop. They really arent hard to move around; well, until you get into "super tower" range (IE: HafX, Antec 1200,Temjin 7)

If you still insist on a laptop, I really don't think you will find anything better than this one for your price range.

I'd say something along the lines of the Acer Aspire.

It's a 17" screen, but if it is mostly staying on your desk that shouldn't be a problem.

It meets everything else you asked for aside from maybe the 3-5 years thing. That is really down to how you plan on using the computer for the next 3-5 years. I'd personally suggest looking into desktop. I know you said it's not an option but you can get SO much more for the same price. Or perhaps think about raising your budget a few hundred?

EDIT: I should have mentioned that this notebook should net you medium/high settings according to other users in this thread (I don't have a lot of exprience with mobile GPUs).

EDIT2: Yes, they are talking about Macs, but they are similar spec to the laptop I linked at the top

Unless you need a new computer now...Wait a few months (April). Intel is releasing Ivy Bridge CPUs and Nvidia will be releasing it's new GPU's as well.

i5's are perfect for gaming: get a "K" series (2500k) as they can be overclocked (much easier now with the new GUI BIOS)
with a 2k budget you should be able to get a top of the line GPU: Radeon HD 7970 or Nvidia 580 (or 680 when it's released)

If yoyour main use of the computer is gaming, don't "waste" your money on an i7. The extra features it provides over the i5 is NOT worth $100 (when it comes to playing games).

Quote from Molster

MANY big waves

Get your surfboards ready!?

I lol'd...co-workers stared...

Conclusion: Molster is bad for inter-work relations.

Quote from Bitters

I put all of the settings to "off" or "low" when allowed. I forget if I turned off VSync or not.

After reading more (on official forums) it seems lots of people, with higher end rigs than my own, are experiencing similar problems too. A buddy also mentioned that playing the game before it is fully downloaded (while in the yellow 'playable' mode) has a negative effect on performance, so I'm going to try again tonight.

Ah, yes definitely. I couldn't play at all before the game was fully downloaded (it was like a slideshow).

I play at 1680x1050 and am able to play with every thing maxed except shadows (believe those are at low) and no AA. If you were trying to play before it was fully downloaded I definitely see that as being your issue here.

What settings are you running at? You card is comparable to what I'm using (9800GT SLI) and the game seems smooth enough for me (though you may be more picky than I am :P).

Have you tried turning off VSync (if it's on)?

Also, the game will give a lot of stutter when you first start it up (at least for me) as it has a caching issue.

Quote from demonsslayer210

well im going with new processors now 3570k

Excellent choice. If I wasn't an impatient S.O.B. I definitely would have gone with a 3570k.

You won't regret it

I used to play D2 on a PowerBook G4 with a track-pad. Actually, for a while, I preferred it to a mouse.

I'm sure he would be just fine with a trackpad but, as Neophyte said, go buy a cheap $10 mouse and be happy (I use a $10 logicrap mouse that has done me well for the last 5 years :))

I don't like pre-order bonuses that involve in-game items, UNLESS they are obtainable some other way.

Now if they are just some sort of vanity thing or early access to new content (D3 expansion beta key? :D), then I guess a pre-order bonus would be a nice thing.

Quote from Frocharocha

I Me. The beta should have more things on my opnion. I hope that Blizzard still honor Diablo 3 "probaly realese date". I can imagine everybody killing Diablo for zod rune.

Edit: Is the rune sistem really coming back?

I believe the "rune system" refers to the skill runes, not the ones from Diablo 2

The AMD is cheaper...the Intel is more powerful. Pick your poison.

If this is purely for Diablo 3, save yourself the $$ and get the AMD. If you are just upgrading in general, get the Intel.

If it was me, I would get the 2500k (in fact, I did :P)

If you get a GTX 570 you will be able to max the graphics settings with no problem. The 275 on the other hand, depends on your
resolution. You might have to turn down shadows or disable AA.

Also, I wouldn't spend $150 on RAM; total ripoff in my opinion. If you MUST have 8GB, why not just buy another 2x2GB set for $60?

What's your system specs? If you can run starcraft you should be able to run D3.

Most people won't notice the performance difference between the 2500k and the 3570k. However, if you plan on overclocking, the Ivy Bridge will probably be able to achive higher overclocks.

But really, unless you are going to SLI/Crossfire high end GPU's (which you don't appear to be), the 2500k is more than enough.

If you can wait, then definitely go for the 3570k (they aren't coming until April). Otherwise, stick with the 2500k.