Question Desktop vs Laptop

Nov 18, 2021
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Hello

I'm looking to purchase a new PC and I'm unsure whether to purchase a desktop or a laptop. I would be using the computer for CG work: modelling, animation & rendering. I would also be using it for gaming. I would like to have an 11th gen intel i7 processor or AMD equivalent, 16GB RAM and a adequate GPU. Below are links to two systems that I've been looking at. I'd be looking to spend around £1,200.

How does a desktop NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6 GB compare to a laptop NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060 6 GB?

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/compu...7-1-tb-hdd-512-gb-ssd-black-10222663-pdt.html
- I would need to purchase additional memory for this system.


Many thanks

Luke
 
Nov 18, 2021
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advantages and disadvantages of using a PC and laptop

The advantages of using a PC are
- More durable for long-term activity for daily activities
- the screen can be bigger and customized as desired, and more comfortable when doing modeling, animation, rendering and playing games, clearer
- suitable if used for live streaming and can be added with an additional camera.3
- VGA can be changed at any time if you feel less satisfied in the future

Disadvantages of using a PC
- can't be carried anywhere
- use more electricity

Advantages of using a laptop:
- Can be taken anywhere we want
- less electricity usage.

Disadvantages of using a Laptop
- For long periods of daily use, it breaks quickly.
- monitor screen can not be adjusted (already permanent)
- VGA is included in the package.
 
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Laptops are downclocked in order to reduce heat. Example is the RTX 3060 .. the laptop version is not only downclocked but it has less memory.

Try this.

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/compu...p400a-atx-mid-tower-pc-case-10205481-pdt.html
PHANTEKS Eclipse P400A ATX Mid-Tower PC Case £64.99

Exhaust fan for that case,

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/120...50rpm-53cfm-fluid-dynamic-bearing-black-4-pin
Arctic F12 PWM120mm 4 Pin Case Fan £3.98

Corsair RM550x 80+ Gold Modular PSU £56.99

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/msi...ta3-2x-m2-crossfire-25gbe-usb-32-gen2x2-m-atx
MSI MAG B560M BAZOOKA £89.99

https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/int...cket-lake-processor-bx8070811700f/version.asp
Intel Core i7 11700F £278.98

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/arct...ack-white-cpu-cooler-2-x-120mm-hs-074-ar.html
Arctic Freezer 34 eSports Duo CPU Air Cooler £34.99

https://www.ebuyer.com/1410671-patr...b-3200mhz-pc4-25600-pv432g320c6k-pv432g320c6k
Patriot Viper 4 Series DDR4 3200MHz 32GB (2x16GB) CL16 £89.99

https://www.ebuyer.com/947319-wd-blue-sn550-1tb-nvme-m-2-2280-pcie-gen3-ssd-wds100t2b0c
WD Blue SN550 1TB NVME M.2 2280 PCIe Gen3 SSD £69.98

MSI GeForce RTX 3060 12GB GAMING X Graphics Card £450.00

Total: £1140

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B560M-BAZOOKA

 
You know your situation best, so I can't really say how handy a laptop's portability is going to be, or how much of a detriment your desktop is going to be if you'll be going to an office in future. I look at it this way: you're paying for a laptop's portability, and for every second you're not using it away from home, it's wasted money. A desktop however is money you could've put on a laptop, but I don't know how many CG artists/techs do their work on the go anyway.

While I do recommend a desktop for the reasons others have said (much more realistic performance expectations for specs, maintenance, lifespan, cost), I should warn you that prebuilts will skimp on vital components. The desktop you linked for example features the impressive i7 and a decent 1660 Ti, but the unknown motherboard, unknown power supply, 8GB RAM and cooling solutions will no doubt be the first to bite the dust. And if your power supply decides to cack its duds, it might take the rest of the system out too.

You can go to systems integrators/boutiques where you can pick parts and have them build it for you, but the labour adds to the cost. It's OK if you don't have the confidence, know-how or ability to do it, but expect to pay around the price you are for known prebuilt brands like the Dells above for perhaps less horsepower but more stability because you got a reliable power supply.

Out of those two I'd be going with the desktop. It's far easier to get a replacement component for a desktop than it is a laptop, and that integrated battery in that laptop has me worried given laptop batteries tend not to strain under pressure.
 
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Nov 27, 2021
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Laptop for sure, you could always connect screens to assist with resolution should you need the desktop feel and you could also carry your laptop in a carry-on bag, helps you work on the go
 
Nov 18, 2021
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Yeah, I'll opt for a desktop. I think I'm most likely to go for a pre-built as I'm not confident about putting together a PC myself - I'm worried that I'd go wrong somewhere.

Currys did have the below desktop at £1099 during Black Friday, so I think I'll wait for them to reduce it again:

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/gamin...6600-xt-1-tb-hdd-256-gb-ssd-10230543-pdt.html

Just for reference I was looking at the following sites when looking for a new PC:

 
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