I5 with Sli or I7

I'd like to throw in my thoughts on this, unpopular though they may be:

Whatever GPU and CPU combo you go for, don't get a laptop. Desktops are not only less expensive (meaning more computing power/better graphics for your buck), they are easier to cool (meaning higher-speed everything). You are much less likely to drop a desktop and wreck it, too.

Did I mention more options for keyboards and monitors? Of course, you could always get a supplemental keyboard and monitor, but at that point, why are you buying a laptop?

Upgrades? WAY easier with a desktop.

Of course, laptops are more mobile but ask yourself, really, how much will you be playing SWTOR anywhere other than your chosen computer station/dock? Laptops are severely overrated.

Yeah I was looking at building a desktop since I already have a 23' monitor and peripherals but I also need a laptop for school next year and because my parents would help me get a laptop I have decided to go that way.

Well, here's my take on the two options you suggested:

Considering CPUs: The i5 and i7 are essentially equivalent, so far as SWTOR is concerned. The i5 might actually be the faster of the two but not in any noteworthy way.
Considering GPUs: Both are using GT755s. That's a suitable, though not stellar card. It's more than enough to play the game in high quality. I'd disable SLI even if you had it. SLI can give amazing graphical performance, but it can also give you infuriating driver and game bugs that cannot be worked around (except by disabling SLI). I suppose its there as an option for you to try. I just wouldn't base you decision on the assumption that SLI is going to make everything better.
Considering Storage: Its up to you to decide how much you need. The hybrid drives will perform nicely, but ultimately, the speed will be about the same with either option and it will only help with planet/zone loads.
Considering Memory: The i5 is using 6GB of RAM, the i7 is ... unspecified. I'd say that 6GB is just a touch lower than I'd want. And that's why I threw an extra 4GB into my wife's laptop. It's a cheap and simple upgrade. For the i7, I'd suggest selecting an 8GB option.

In the end: They will likely perform about the same. I don't think you get any noticeable improvement off the i7 and I wouldn't be willing to bet that you'll get better performance off of SLI. The good news: Both of them will probably be good choices. You still might get some stutter in heavy WZ or Ops action, but there isn't much to be done about that.

Malastare, thank you. I logged in to respond to those ridiculous AMD claims before I saw your post.

Well since it seems you are someone you actually knows what you are talking about, are there any other laptops you can suggest for under 900$?

Sadly, this is false.

It's been a few generations since AMD was better at gaming. For now, and the next generation at least, AMD simply cannot match the single-core performance of an Intel chip.

The only reason that AMD chips are suggested for gaming is because, in most games, performance is primarily dependent on GPU performance and the CPU has next to no impact. In that case, pick AMD because it cheaper. SWTOR, however, is highly CPU dependent, and does the bulk of its processing on single thread family (ie: single core). In that situation, you want a CPU with good single-core performance, and no one reputable claims that AMD has better single-core performance.

If the OP is trying to do a budget build, we can discuss AMD as an option. For performance: Intel.[//QUOTE]
Wrong, performance per buck goes to AMD chips, Intel is only energy efficient and good at excell and common tasks for computers not gaming.


[QUOTE
From what I can see, the 7850k's GPU is not what I'd call 'powerful'. It's good for integrated graphics, but it turns in half the framerate of a GTX 580, and noticeably less performance than a Radeon 6750.

This is pretty wrong. The i5-2500K is still one of the most popular gaming CPUs, and the most popular bang-for-the-buck CPU for new gaming builds is the i5-4570. Check out this rundown for May 2014. Intel is the best pick in all categories except entry-level gaming... and SWTOR is not a game for entry-level builds.

This is absolutely false with SWTOR. For CoD or Battlefield, sure. But MMOs put a lot of work on the CPU. In SWTOR, the most common cause of graphical lag is high CPU loading.

The 7850k does not have great graphical performance. It seems to be on par with a AMD 5700 or a GTX 560. Yes, its cheaper than a i5-4570 and a GTX-750, but the performance is much lower, too. It would be great for a budget gamer, but in SWTOR you should expect low framerates (20-40fps), particularly in warzones and Ops.

cost me around 400 dollars or less and very happy with it, there isnt a game I cant play on max.

Just to clarify:
The CPU/GPU cost $400 right? Because I can't imagine a $400 computer that could play all current games on max.