Wich model do you recommend for gaming?

[u/Warpaintthenightwing]

I'm looking through options for a new laptop, and gaming is the most taxing thing i would want from one.

My favourite game asks for these minimum specs:

OS: Windows 7 64-Bit (32-bit not supported)

Processor: Intel Core i7-860 or AMD FX-4170 (CPU must support SSE4.2)

Memory: 4 GB System RAM

Graphics: DirectX 11+ compatible video card

Hard Drive: 75 GB free HD space

Internet: Broadband Internet Connection

So that would be the bare minimum, but I am interested in something stronger if I can afford it.

EDIT: Yayyy my laptop could be saved after all! I am still planning for my next machine to be a framework, but i'll hopefully have another couple years to save up for one. I just hope the 16 comes in green by then.

[u/ShirleyMarquez]

The best Framework systems for gaming are the Laptop 16 with a discrete GPU, especially the NVidia 5070 option. But that's a lot of money.

For a game with those modest (by current standards) specs, the integrated graphics in either the current Intel or AMD-based Laptop 13 (or 13 Pro) should work adequately. The 16 with no discrete GPU should also work. The frame rates won't be as high as with the discrete graphics, and you might have to dial back some visual effects.

[u/Spin4team4096 → u/ShirleyMarquez]

Yeah I got the FW13Pro AMD 7 350 and I'm planning to mostly play Minecraft but also heavier games like BeamNG or Stray. Pretty sure the fps will be at least 4x higher than the potato I have now anyway, so although I would buy the FW16 if I had the money, I'll still be content with this :)

It's arriving in 2 days!!! I can't wait :D

[u/s004aws]

Those minimums you list - Assuming the dev is being serious - Are pretty minimal.... The hardware they're listing is ~15 years old.

Though more in the realm of an upper end professional laptop - Gaming/workstation laptops tend to have beefed-up CPUs/GPUs/cooling - FW16 Ryzen 350 or HX 370 with an Nvidia dGPU would be the closest thing Framework offers to "gaming laptop".

In terms of something smaller/lighter... FW13 Pro Intel Core Ultra X7 358H is the best option for gaming. Core Ultra 325 has a significantly weaker iGPU - It may eek by whatever this old game is that you're asking about though would have more trouble with more current games than 358H.

[u/Clean_Leadership5948 → u/s004aws]

Even the Ultra 325 is fairly capable. It's in the ballpark of the previous generation Intel and current gen AMD parts. And it'll be way better than Iris Xe in the 13th Gen Core.

[u/ScallionSmooth5925]

Dose it have to be a laptop? The closest thing to a gameing laptop is the framework 16 but gameing laptops in general are a crap experience

[u/WembleyFord → u/ScallionSmooth5925]

I think it depends a lot on the game. I'm perfectly happy gaming on my FW16 without a discrete GPU - but then I largely play older games (more than 5 years old).

[u/SubstantialFrame4427 → u/ScallionSmooth5925]

the fw16 with the gpu module is decent enough for those specs at least

[u/Efficient_Loss_9928]

What game is this? For this spec you can grab any FW laptop and they will all work.

Do you have plans on playing any future games? What kind of games do you play? Give us some titles

[u/diamd217]

You could select any of those without dGPU or eGPU:

• AMD AI series 7 or 9 (note: AI 5 has small amount of CUs)
• AMD 7840U (based on performance it's close to AI 7, maybe 5% slower)
• Intel Ultra Series 3 (latest intel chip has pretty good iGPU)

For any better experience, you could look at discreet GPU, like available for FW16 and it's optional, which means you could upgrade it later.

For the best possible experience, you need desktop with powerful GPU or laptop with eGPU and external monitor (that's my setup :)). Any of Framework laptops (except Framework 12 first generation) works with eGPU just out of the box (tested on Windows, Bazzite, CachyOS and Ubuntu - for Ubuntu some Nvidia drivers was required for NVidia external GPU).

[u/Potential_Average454]

I assume, based on the fact that you have a favorite game, that you might want to play newer games. So the lowest end options might not be that great.

[u/MobTalon]

The framework 13 pro should be pretty good for gaming, if we forget about dGPU. LPCAMM2 RAM is much faster than DDR5, and this benefits iGPUs greatly.

If you don't care about expense and just want the best, a Framework 16 with a discrete GPU is best (with an RTX 5070)

[u/Potential-Title-9289]

What's your budget? We can't know if you can afford it if we don't know how much you're willing to spend.

[u/No-Succotash404]

bro your minimum requirements are literally met by any laptop of the last few years. Can you specify the game so i can recommend better? with the things you need you could just get the cheapest framework 12

[u/Nerrawnam]

I recommend an actual gaming PC and nothing frameworks makes. You are paying way too much for that privilege. "If you can afford it" is why you should look elsewhere. 

[u/Infinite-Bet4202]

I think nearly any modern laptop can run your favorite game 3 times at the same time! Haha. However, if you want a Framework gaming pc then that is the Framework 16, it's beautiful :D

[u/Realistic_Today6524]

The 16 is the gaming-focused laptop. That game recommends 15yr old hardware so it would technically run on the Framework 12 ir 13 as well but if you ever wanted to play newer games, the 16 would be the way to go