Register
Search

Forum

Forums Community Support Other
Laptop to run Capture
You are not authorized to post a reply.

bradipomissile
New Member
Posts: New Member

--
2014-11-10 21:49

    Hallo

    I am looking to buy a laptop to learn how to use Capture in combination with some console simulators (grandma on pc or chamsys magicq for example) perhaps using the simulator on my old laptop connected via ethernet to the new laptop with capture installed.

    I have found a good offer within my budget for the following PC:

    Lenovo IdeaPad Y50-70

    OS: Windows 8.1

    Hard disk: 1 TB SSHD

    Processor: 4e Generation Intel® Core™ i7-4710HQ

    8 GB of memory that can be upgraded to 16 GB

    Graphic card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 860M 2 GB

    My doubt concerns the graphic card. It has a Pass Mark of 1954 but I find this index a bit controversial as there are some cards with a higher mark that are considered equivalent or worst than the GTX 860M in other webistes. For example:

    the GTX 770M has a PassMark of 2883 but on the websie of Nvidia and on other rating websites it is considered to have more or less equivalent performances as theGTX 860M

    the GTX 675MX has a PassMark of 2475 but on the websie of Nvidia and others it is considered to have worse performances than the GTX 860M

    In conclusion: do you think I would have problems to run Capture on this laptop with this videocard? If yes in what kind of projects could I have problems?

    I am planning to download the student version at first and then perhaps to upgrade later to a more professional one.

    Thank you in advance, I hope someone makes it to reply soon as I am looking forward to start working on it as soon as possible

    Best regards

    Marco

    sk8rsdad
    New Member
    Posts: New Member

    --
    2014-11-11 16:13

    Argo appears to run fine on a Y50-70. I have it installed and running with some moderately complicated models. Nothing as busy as a U2 world tour rig though so YMMV.

    Windows 8.1, on the other hand, has some issues with scaling of displays so expect to struggle when moving windows between the 4K laptop display and a 1080P external monitor. Argo manages well but other apps are not as accommodating. I found I had to drop the resolution on the internal display to be functional.

    Note that the Y50 refresh rate is capped at 48Hz so it is not the best choice for a gaming computer.

    bradipomissile
    New Member
    Posts: New Member

    --
    2014-11-11 22:09
    Hallo

    thank you for your reply

    Do you think the problem with windows 8.1 would be solved if I managed to install windows 7?

    What problems could I have using capture or other visualizer with a refresh rate of maximum 48hz?

    I want to underline that I am interested in buying this machine practically only to do lighting visualization. I am not interested in video games nor in any other graphic demanding software. I am a designer and technician working in the theatre mainly with conventional lights and I would like to learn well how to use moving lights consoles.
    I don't plan to program a U2 world tour rig any time soon, but I would like to be able to simulate an average concert environment. Then I don't mind if I have some technical problem or sloppiness if one day I try to simulate a particularly heavy rig.

    I am conscious that the Y50-70 is not a top class gaming laptop, but I found it for 999€. I could afford spending may be 200/300€ more but I couldn't find anything better fror this price range. I am afraid I would have to spend almost the doubble to get something significantly better.
    I would be happy to hear if you or anybody else knows of a better laptop in this price range!

    And I would be happy to read if anybody else has an opinion on these issues

    Cheers

    Lars Wernlund
    Staff Member
    Posts:2016 Staff Member

    --
    2014-11-13 14:53

    Hi,

    The only way of knowing for sure whether the machine will cope with your demands really is to actually run Capture on it. If you can find a shop that has it in store and rigged for demo you could ask to run Capture on it to verify that it meets your needs. That may be difficult if you haven't yet purchased Capture so that you can prepare a representative showfile. From you description the machine does sound "reasonably competent", but there are just too many variables (including your expectations) that come into play to make it possible to give any sort of guarantees!

    Technical Director
    Capture Visualisation AB
    You are not authorized to post a reply.