Curse

voldermord · Mar 08, 2008, 05:17 AM // 05:17

Hi, recently just ordered a 13.3" widescreen laptop from toshiba. I can still change my order in 2days.. I need to know if the specs can run GW at a reasonable FPS during battles etc in medium settings. I'm very good at computers,...just no experience with laptops(first one)..so any technical mumbo jumbo can be included to

If any of you out there are using similar video cards pls post ur comments thks!

Intel C2D 2.4Ghz
2gb ddr667 of ram
Intel X3100 integrated graphics @ 384mb of shared memory
Intel 965GM express chipset
Os, Vista Home premium..

Also, those with XP on similar specs, please post.. im thinking of dual boot for performance wif gaming and looks in college xD

thanks!

Edit,
Ps.. Please post ur FPS, would help greatly! The reason i like this lappy so much is its light..others wif ded gfc are 1kg+ more..-.-

LockerLoad · Mar 08, 2008, 06:52 AM // 06:52

Although the rest of the system specs are all fine, I don't think you'll be happy with the quality of intel x3100 integrated graphics.

If you can't afford a laptop with a decent discrete video card then try to locate one based on the AMD 780G mainboard with 4850e processor. The 780G has an integrated video thats about 5 times as fast as the Intel x3100

Just google "amd 780G" and review, you'll find comparisons to help you make your decision.

voldermord · Mar 08, 2008, 07:51 AM // 07:51

no amd based laptops in my country..sad huh..only intels..

tijo · Mar 08, 2008, 08:39 AM // 08:39

Unfortunately it always comes down to this: size and weight vs performance. With an intel chipset you should expect around 15-20fps tops. If you want more fps than that, then i suggest getting a laptop with a dedicated video card. Toshiba should have a few decent models with dedicated cards but they will probably be bigger, heavier and definitely more expensive.

I can tell you from personal experience that carrying a 15.4" laptop (mine is somewhere in between 5-6lb) every day isn't too bad as long as you have a good backpack for it.

Gorebrex · Mar 08, 2008, 12:49 PM // 12:49

The major problem with integrated graphics for gaming is that it uses your ram, instead of having it's own, as a actual video card does. You have 2GB of ram in your laptop, but you have to subtract the 384(I'd round it to 400, to cover fluctuations in usage), and also subtract whatever amount is used by Windows, as well as background programs. Usually the Startup list will show them, but I don't know anything about Vista really. If you're using Vista, I found this on Microsoft's site

"For example, if you have a video card that has 256 MB of onboard memory, that memory must be mapped within the first 4 GB of address space. If 4 GB of system memory is already installed, part of that address space must be reserved by the graphics memory mapping. Graphics memory mapping overwrites a part of the system memory. These conditions reduce the total amount of system memory that is available to the operating system."
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605
That may be part of it.

voldermord · Mar 09, 2008, 03:59 AM // 03:59

er thks for the info, but wif 2gb ram, shdnt be a ram problem right? Juz need to know for GW playable at mid settings wif decent fps..
actually need confirmation..
i saw alot websites and forums, some say can play damm well, better than gfx5200 7200 etc, some say shitty..but i understand its cuz of the old drivers last time when x3100 juz came out, but i cannot find any benchmark, comments based on now..the latest drivers...Even now, i get speculations, not FPS rates or playability from people who do use the x3100 or similar..

Malice Black · Mar 09, 2008, 05:12 PM // 17:12

Get something with a 8400. The 8400 is pretty low-end, but it'll run GW fine. Shouldn't add much to the overall cost either.

voldermord · Mar 10, 2008, 11:30 AM // 11:30

thks for the suggestion and comments guys, i went ahead and bought the laptop.

Ran GW on it @ max settings, got 15FPS in kamadan America 1. A bit jerky at afterload, common, happens on my desktop too.

Outside with a 8man party i get around 25-32 FPS. Min FPS was 16. Max was 35 on 1280x800(highest on my 13.3" wide) On low settings with everything off or lowest, 1024x768 i got 52-65fps. Running on DX10. I had to DL the latest drivers for x3100 b4 i got the max results. Default drivers were good but not as goood, well 10-15fps diff. Took me 1 hour to update though, the manufacturer locked updating to only their own approved drivers, had to find a roundabout. Overall, worth it! Had 1.7gb ram left after alloting to GPU. No lags at all with alt tabbing etc with vista aero all on. Id say on Par wif 7300 GS as i get similar results on 1 of my desktops running amd 2.4ghz x2 and MSI 7300GS TDE256mb with HM 512MB. Will run crysis on lowest to confirm and compare wif 7300 xD

Only trouble was heat which im sure a laptop cooler pad can fix

Malice Black · Mar 10, 2008, 07:28 PM // 19:28

Cooling pads are pretty useless. The drop in temperature is minimal. When gaming, make sure your fans are running at 100%.