I want a graphics card that will be able to support games coming out for a few years on their highest settings.  Other specs include 12-16gb ram, 3rd gen Intel® Core™ i7-3740QM quad-core processor (2.70GHz / 3.70GHz with Turbo Boost), and 512gb SSD.  I was also wondering if it would make a difference if I had a 3rd gen Intel® Core™ i7-3630QM quad-core processor (2.40GHz / 3.40GHz with Turbo Boost) instead of the other one.

I believe the AMD HD 7950 is reasonably priced now ($300 on some sites) so that would be a good investment

You're buying a laptop? If so please link the complete laptops, you can't buy individual parts and desktop GPU advice doesn't apply as well.

Also I don't understand why you'd buy a laptop to play future games on their highest settings. For that you need a desktop. Also desktops will be a lot cheaper for the same performance.

I never said laptop

off topic: are any of you interested in the PC game planet side?

Core™ i7-3740QM

Why are you listing mobile CPUs then ? i7-3630QM/i7-3740QM are for Notebooks.

oh huh I guess maybe it counts as a laptop then.  I was looking at Sony computers and under their desktop tab.  Very strange.

For gaming you want to be building from components. At the high-end, prebuilts from Sony etc are overpriced.

They will have used that CPU for lower power draw, less cooling or less space needed.

Here is a good start: http://techreport.com/review/24059/tr-christmas-2012-system-guide/4

You know I've never been an assembler when it comes to PCs (why I prefer consoles).  Is it particularly difficult to get down or will a couple youtube videos make it easy enough to see.