I don't know where you are getting your info, Orion, but SSDs have been available on laptops for many years! I suspect they assume that after all these years most people are aware that the Samsung EVO is a PCIe SSD, not an M.2 SSD.

That looks like a killer gaming laptop. I would be curious about battery time unless you plan on playing while it's plugged in. If you are concerned about temps, you can also add a cooling pad to help pull the heat away.

Yeah, like Drac said manufacturers are using SSD's, both M.2 and the older Gen 1 in some laptops. It maybe that the particular model of laptop that you are looking at doesn't have M.2 ports, or the company that's configuring the laptop doesn't handle Samsung? Most companies limit you to only what they have offered in their configurator. Maybe you could post a link to the laptop you're looking at. I'm interested in who's building it.

Gaming laptops do run hot, that's just the nature of the beast, but good manufacturers will configure the cooling fans to take care of that. It's just important not to block the intakes and vents. The new M.2 drives can run crazy hot, but laptops with those are made to be appropriately ventilated. Expect the fans to be a bit louder on a gaming laptop due to the heat exchange that's taking place while gaming. Also like Drac said you can get a laptop pad, which is kind of a wedge that the laptop sit upon that has slim-line cooling fans built into it. They are usually powered by either the USB from the laptop or a separate transformer and wall plug. Just need to make sure the model you choose doesn't run counter to the laptop's air flow. Really though, as long as you keep it on a hard flat surface and keep the sides and back clear, you probably don't need a pad.


Sure looking forward to playing Starfield (mod attempt to keep the thread on topic)

Gotta throw that on-topic comment to keep it "official!"

I have read about those cooling pads Drac and I would definately get one if needed. Playing adventure games for the most part would not run too hot I can only guess. Starfield would be a good test on the cooling system. The 2020 model's fans ran at 85 DBa under stress. Thats loud. The fan noise on this 2023 version is suppose to be quieter. How much quieter I do not know. The curvature of the fan blades have been changed to achieve this

I really like these Origin laptops. That system config I already mentioned was from the 2021 version EON17-X model. It offers the $1000 off.

Taking a look at the 2023 EON 17-X model it would cost me $3000 with only $100 discount. It's got me scratching my head. It already comes with a nice config but needs a little tweaking

By clicking on "Customize" top right on both models you can go run though the prebuild and upgrade at same time


My config on the 2023 version:

17.3" QHD 240Hz - Intel i9 13900HX - NVIDIA RTX4080 - does not mention "VR Ready"

Upgraded to the "Corsair Vengeance 32GB Kit (2x16GB) DDR5 4800MHz SODIMM" - upgradable to 64GB

2TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus PCIe NVMe(SSD) - 2TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus NVMe M.2 (SSD) is not offered, 1TB is

MS Windows 11 Pro

Warranty not decided yet


I will have to call to check on VR Ready and that M.2 SSD - 2TB

****

Video review of the 2021 EON 17-X model - 2:10 in gives you a look at that cooling system and internals

IGN review of the 2023 version - Calls it "hot and loud" at the end of the review. Has a battery life between 2 to 5 hours depending. "Hot and loud" may not get it. CPU temps of 100* C consistantly on start-up with their config.....maybe I should order that pad now

You might want to post this in the Glitches forum to get input from the boffins that Drac herds

Also, all RTX cards are VR ready. That's pretty much a standard now except for lower tier cards, and that 4080 is brand spanking new.

Here's a fun review on an Origin/Corsair build : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bflZYG5DWPg

BBB Customer Review rating (note: the A+ rating by BBB is not official and Origin is not BBB Accredited. They're rating only based on Origin follow-ups AFTER the customers had to log complaints with the BBB) the customer reviews are most telling: https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/miami/profile/computer-dealers/origin-pc-corporation-0633-92018296

Also, new box opening reviews, right when a PC comes out aren't usually fully accurate. They will of course be "glowing" about the level of tech put into the box or laptop, but it's the reviews that happen a few months down the road that really tell the tale. That's why I tend to stay away from being an early adopter. It's also why I like to check out Gamer's Nexus. Sure, they can be quite pragmatic and overly technical on some of their reviews, but they know what they are talking about. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any reviews by them on Origin Laptops.

Unfortunately, since Jenny100 passed, I have no one to herd down there, boffins or otherwise! It's very lonely with my limited knowledge, but Marian pops in for some backup sometimes!

"Starfield."

I nominate Trail_Mystic to mod the Glitches forum!

While I appreciate the confidence, no thank you. I have a hard enough time making sure I leave the house with matching shoes.

I had no idea that when I said "needing more power to run it" that this "Starfield Mega Thread" would become overrun with my concerns about needing a new computer to run Starfield. By all means please shift it over to Glitches, if you see fit, where it should have been in the first place. I'm sorry. I was thinking this "Mega Thread" would cover all aspects of Starfield including computer issues. If I have any other computer concerns I will bring them up on Glitches

After watching that GN review I am completely on hold here with getting ANY Origin product at this point. Some of that review went over my head. The fact that GN knew what to check out and then by doing so found serious issues with a $6000 computer is not good. On top of that those BBB customer service complaints, some most recent, are absolutely horrible

Another issue.....You just can't take top of the line components and throw them into a compacted pretty much tightly sealed compartment, laptop, and expect all to be well especially those temps and the fan noise that will come with it. How long would it take to burn all up possibly loosing the lifetime of the laptop or individual - vid card, processor, any card. If you had any issues and then having to deal with ORIGIN.....I don't know. That leaves me with checking out a tower from another vendor. With Starfield not releasing until 9/6 and then holding off purchasing to see what issues come up and how bethesda fixes those issues......well I have some time here to figure this out

Those 2 origin laptops I was looking at are nice setups. The 2021 model would actually do what I needed it to do with some room to spare on the power side. You just could not upgrade any further. That is why I took a look at that 2023 model, very much so top of the line. I would have been good with upgrades for quite a while. Oh well..... Its not over

I want to thank you both for all your input. It helped steer me along, very much appreciated!! Now to check out eCollegePC again and give Mike a call. Don't need anything fancy just very good

I wear flip flops so not to get my shoes wrong Trail

I would recommend looking at eCollegePC for a desktop. If nothing else using their builder is an education!

"Starfield!"

We've had a desktop from eCollegePC and were very happy with it.



What she said.

Sounds good Orion, it's always good to take a step back before making a purchase like that.

Yeah, Stephen on Gamer's Nexus can get very, very technical with the explanations, but they are by far the most transparent of any reviewers I've ever come across. They even build there own test equipment and have good relations with a number of different manufacturers. They've also been known to back those same manufacturers up against a wall to make them admit they have an issue that's not being addressed. That's another reason I like them, they're ethical and will even refuse monetizing their videos if they feel it's a conflict with the information they're going to present. Really a great group of folks who know what they are doing.

I don't know what's up with Origin. They are part of Corsair, which has been a very reputable PC components maker for years. My guess is that Origin is using the deep pockets of their parent company to pump up the marketing, but their execution and customer service seems quite weak.

"Starfield."

Huh, weird. I actually put "Starfield :-D" in my edit reason, but it wasn't showing until I saved the Edit a second time. Go figure

18 days and counting down - 9/6

Starfield Home. Check out these pre-order purchase options

Steam

Humble - Via Steam


I tried to get a hold of Mike but no answer. I will try again Monday. His builder is an education Drac. I have some questions for him

Have always wanted one - If they can control laptop temps any better maybe I can still get one, an 18". They are very nice, so are the desktops but gonna cost ya either way. As long as I can keep $3000-

I am gonna find that new computer. I will post any other concerns over on Glitches.

Thank you so much for the help!

Gamescom 2023 has released a Starfield World Premiere Trailer

More on Gamescom HERE

That's a nicely produced trailer, but too bad it has nothing to do with the actual game. All aboard the hype train. I'd rather see footage produced from the game engine or in-gameplay. I am looking forward to the game, but I'm hoping that Bethesda is being monitored by their overlords so as to not set us up for a let down. I know I am being sort of a hypocrite though, when Microsoft and Bungie released the live action Museum of Humanity trailers for the release of Halo 3 I was all over those. Course that actually had a story you could get behind. I need some meat with my CGI

That "World Premiere Tailer" was more like a trailer to an animated movie coming out. I did not get it

You might have checked these out already Trail. There are a number of videos that give game development, gameplay, and thoughts of Starfield. I still have a few more to check out but so far I like what I have viewed

Gameplay Demo - xbox console exclusive

OK, Gamers Nexus just benchmarked graphics cards running Bethesda's Starfield, so if you're interested to see if your card was tested and how it will perform, this is the vid to check out:

Gamers Nexus: Starfield GPU Benchmarks


Surprised how abysmal my 3060 TI was rated for 4K. Guess I'll find out. With these findings, I think we'll need to take Bethesda's minimum PC requirements with a grain of salt. Although, as Mr. Burke pointed out that may (will) change as AMD and nVidia start tweaking their drivers.

I was surprised to see that 3060 Ti rated that poorly too!

I can see I have a busy winter ahead of me, what with definitely playing BG3 a couple of times, plus Cyberpunk with all its improvements and the new DLC, and now Starfield, which I'm downloading right now. And then there's my never-ending game of Fallout 4 plus all of its mods. And I keep forgetting Elder Scrolls Online, which I love.

When I moved I upgraded my internet package to the maximum speed and holy smokes is it downloading fast!

I upgraded my internet a couple of months ago and I LOVE it!

Yes, for me it's worth it. I was watching Starfield download and within about 10 minutes it was 20% downloaded.

Last year they ran fiber optics throughout the neigborhood giving us AT&T's 1000mbps Plan. What a difference that made. Because we have been with them for some time now we got a real good monthly rate. Check out this monthly rate on 5 GB Internet available in my area. $250 / mo. Are you kidding me. Business directed I guess

I am still pondering this computer upgrade so I can play Starfield. My dilema is still between a laptop and the destop. I know desktop is the way to go, its cheaper and you can control temps a lot better. Meantime I can start checking out any issues and comments on Starfield

Looks like you are all set for the winter hagatha

Orion, hagatha does all her gaming on laptops. Maybe you could hit her up for some tips and suggestions!