questions about buying a laptop

Discussion in 'Gaming' started by windowlicker., Jun 19, 2007.

  1. windowlicker.

    windowlicker. Member

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    ok
    so im looking into buying this laptop:
    http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VGN-FZ140E-Note...m/dp/B000PWWQJG
    only problem is the graphics card. its an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100, and id like to know if it could run my current games, cod2, cs:s, c&c3. i know its integrated but Amazon says its
    thats quite a big step from my ----ty graphics card on my desktop.
    so really what im asking is, can it run my games, and it takes my memory, in this case i have 2 gbs of it, so it will slow me down?
     
  2. GuitarGuru

    GuitarGuru Well-Known Member

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    I would highly doubt that you could play those games on that graphics card. Also because it has vista, that raises my doubts even higher to being able to play those games.
     
  3. windowlicker.

    windowlicker. Member

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    yeah i just found out that it couldnt run the games..
    time to find a new one
     
  4. xlink

    xlink GR's Tech Enthusiast

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    when it says that

    it means the integrated GFX has 0mb vRAM and basically shares with the system

    a 64mb card for example has 64mb vram and then leaches off the system


    technically my card can access up to 4096mb system RAM.

    so basically


    DO NOT THINK OF CARDS IN TERMS OF VRAM.
    IF YOU TOSSED 100GIGS OF RAM INTO A PENTIUM 1 SSYTEM, THE SYSTEM STILL WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO RUN TOO MUCH

    likewise if the GPU sucks, then the card basically sucks.
    in short intel media excellerator sucks.
    gaming on laptops sucks as well(you have to use relatively lowend parts due to heat and battery constraints). Usually it's better to get a cheap work horse laptop and to get a relatively power desktop PC.
     
  5. windowlicker.

    windowlicker. Member

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    ill be using this for school to. so it wont be a pure gaming machine.
    but like a weekend warrior
     
  6. xlink

    xlink GR's Tech Enthusiast

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    I fully realized that.

    I was just noting that you're facing an uphill battle since the laws of physics basically don't like cramming energy sucking, heat producing parts intoa small package and running it off a battery.

    basically what happens is slightly modified desktop parts are used, clocked lower and undervolted. As such, you're always about a year behind in terms of performance, you're paying a premium for that, and battery life takes a hit. Also you get a system which is only pseudo portable.

    for just running games, on low settings, something to the effect of a radeon x1400(or higher) radeon HD 2400(or higher), GeForce 7300(or higher) or geForce 8400(or higher) would likely suffice.
     
  7. Blooper008

    Blooper008 Well-Known Member

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  8. xlink

    xlink GR's Tech Enthusiast

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    HARDWARE T&L

    wow that's a major inovation.
    I remember reading about it in a 2001 issue fo maximum PC and how the GeForce 2 was revlutionizing the gaming scene with it.
     
  9. windowlicker.

    windowlicker. Member

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    so ive been looking around stores in my area and most laptops had graphics cards with VRAM...
    so those wouldnt be capable to run my games?
     
  10. xlink

    xlink GR's Tech Enthusiast

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    uhh vRAM refers to video RAM

    all solutions have some sort of vRAM.

    int GFX by definition onyl has virtual vRAM though, basically borrowed system RAM and no true vRAM.


    tell us your budget and we'll help you pick something out.
    but here's a forewarning, below 1k you wont' be getting all too smooth of an experience.
     
  11. windowlicker.

    windowlicker. Member

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    ok
    im looking for one for 1.2 to 1.6 k
     
  12. REDCELL1

    REDCELL1 Well-Known Member

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    did you have a specific brand ?
    could it be custom built ?
    and what kinda specs did you have in mind ?
    I just want to know so I can help you with your search
     
  13. windowlicker.

    windowlicker. Member

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    any brand is fine with me.
    id rather not have it be a custom build since i want to pay in cash and in person.
    i want 160-200+ gb harddrive, 2 gbs of ram, intergrated webcam, 15.4 + inch screen, and a graphics card that can run the games stated above.
     

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