Help me with a Graphics Card question here...

[evil1rox]

...I posted this at the V and not 1 of the usual know it alls even chimed in.. ;D :D :D

I'm just trying to see if the build below is good for gaming...


____copied from my post at vdrums________

Hey Techno-junkies...

I need help...or a recommendation rather. I am looking at an HP dv9700z with AMD Dual Core TL68...

-here's the important parts of the build I have put together:

-Vista, 64 bit
-AMD Turion(TM) 64 X2 Dual-Core, Gold Edition TL-68 (2.4 GHz, 512KB+512KB L2 Cache )
-17.0" WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
-Memory 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
-Graphics Card 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
-Networking Wireless LAN 802.11a/b/g/n
-Hard Drive 240GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2)
-Primary CD/DVD Drive FREE Upgrade to LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support edit
-Primary Battery High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
-Security Software Norton Internet Security(TM) 2008
-OS and Recovery Media System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)

Now the question: will that graphics card be enough for gaming? I'm told it's actaully a 512, but only half is dedicated and half shared... (sound right?)

In order to get the 512 card I'd have to change to an Intel chipset which I am resistant to.... Every benchmark, review etc shows that AMD whoops the Intel...
__________________________________________________ _________

So...is a 256 ok for gaming? they told me it's actually 512, but only half is dedicated, the other half shared.

Somebody shed some light on me here huh?

Thanks all,

E1R

[TAKnipe]

If I were you I would just upgrade the card. I like AMD (its all I use)

The pc with the upgraded card will be fine for what you want. When I did my DAW all I worry about is Ram Ram and more Ram and a delta 1010. ;D

So spend the money on the video card, the 4g of Ram you have will be fine. T

[CaTaPulT]

It depends on what games you want to run.
Any of the newer games will probably be sluggish due to the fact that the built in video card shares the video memory with much slower system memory.
When it comes to gaming, a desktop computer is the way to go, you get to choose the components to install, laptops are handy but not for serious gaming.
I wouldn't touch a laptop with a 10 foot pole for gaming, too expensive for the performance you get and unexpandable in most cases.
I run a GeForce 8800 GTX 768 megs in my desktop, it runs all the latest games flawlessly, but then again, this video card ain't cheap! :)
Take care

Regards: >>>> Jack <<<<

[evil1rox]

...well I'll also be using it for internet porn of course. ;)

That you know of is it possible to upgrade laptop graphics cards...?

I'm asking becuase I'm custom building an HP through my companies purchase plan, but if it's possible to get a better card...I'll just get the cheapo one and install the better one myself.

E1R

[CaTaPulT]

That's a good question.
You would have to ask the place you are buying the laptop from if the graphic card is upgradable, most of the time on laptops they aren't.
Heck, my graphic card in my desktop is about 1/4 the size of a large laptop! LOL :)
Also, I would ask if there is a option in the system bios to disable the sharing of system memory with the video card, that alone would help the system from bogging down, even at 256 megs of video ram, you'd be able to play games in 1024x 768 considering it is a 17 inch monitor, go too high in res on a 17 inch monitor and the detail in the game ( like crosshairs in a shooter) will be so small it'll be almost impossible to spot them quickly when looking away for a sec.
Take care

Regards: >>>> Jack <<<<

[OverLord]

I just went from a 8400 to an 8800 and there is a world of difference. It was the difference between playing Crysis at a low resolution with all setting at low, to playing Crysis at full resolution with all settings at max. The graphics card is that important.

And like Jack said, most Laptops use chips built into the motherboard. They may be nVidia chips, but they are not upgradeable.

[evil1rox]

Thanks fellas...

Heres another thing... every benchmark etc I've read says hands down AMD is the faster chipset... taht's true still right?

If not I'll go Intel in a heartbeat, I'm just trying to stay as fast as I can with everything. (Plus it will make that whole graphics card question a moot point)

E1R

[TAKnipe]

AMD is like Yamaha and Intel is like Roland.

AMD kicks its ass and yet the Intel still outsells the competition lol

[CaTaPulT]

The AMD Vs Intel debate has been going on for a few decades now.
Gaming wise, the Amd is strong, but Intel just released quadcore processors in the last few months so they are probably king right now.
In the content creation dept, Intel normally wins. seems most of the software to converting video and audio from one format to another or for encoding video or re-encoding video, they use a lot of the features the Intel chips have, AMD has it's own features to do the same thing but if the software isn't written to use those features to speed things up, that one processor will fall behind.
Personally, I've been a big AMD fan for the last 20 years or so, but if I had to upgrade my machine tomorrow, I would do my homework, check out review sites and look up benchmark scores and then decide which way to go, I like everyone else would want the most bang for the buck. :)
Take care

Regards: >>>> Jack <<<<

[BobbyMck2]

If it's also for porn.... get something with hardware video capture for better quality :)

[CaTaPulT]

Video capture? Pron?
I can picture it now.... Championship pud pulling, film at 11:00 :P
Take care

Regards: >>>> Jack <<<<

[evil1rox]

Maybe I should set my sights a bit lower (and no I'm not referenceing the Champ. Pud Pulling...)

I like games like: Metal Gear Solid, Diablo 2, Age of Empires, Balack and White, etc.

Will I need the super dupre crazy graphics card or will a 8600 work. I'm shooting for the Intel dual core...probably one step from the top.. (don't remember exact number) or...AMD top of the line with top of the line or one step back graphics card.

Help...I'm dying to game!

E1R

[BobbyMck2]

I've just ordered a new PC with a 8600 GT 1 Gb graphics card, I'd say this is about mid range in the market. My question would be about Vista 64bit being compatible with games

[BobbyMck2]

OverLord you went from an 8400 to an 8800. Of course it's better, that's 400 graphics of a difference :D

[kevincool87]

Intel vs AMD war has pretty much ended since the introduction of Conroe(Core2Duo) from Intel. Only difference you'd see now is the major fall of AMD's cpus. Anyway if you're choosing between AMD's Athlon 64 X2 and Intel's Core2Duo, the latter is better without doubt.. Flawless in both gaming and multimedia worlds. Or for a few hundred more, get the Quad :)

8600 is good enough for moderate gaming... I have 7600gt and still use it for all the games I play, albeit overclocked to the max...\

ps. I still can't believe Diablo 2 is alive til now :) I use to love that game... Until Blizzard kept butting in with all these security protocols and raised difficulties until it became practically unplayable.. How's the world of the realm nowadays?

[evil1rox]

Diablo 2... grrrrrr... I can't play it... :o

I've got a MacMini... I can't install bootcamp on it...GRRrrrrrr (G4 PowerPc)

I'm aching to play something though...and I hate waiting for Mac versions of verything to come out six years after it's no longer a relevant game..

-Hardware I'll hold for a whole...but software I like to be in the first wave if possible!


Here's my last post from the V and what my minimums are...maybe you can guide me a bit:
__________________________________________________ ___________
copied post from Vdrums.com

It'll be a general purpose websurfing/bill paying/document writing etc. Plus lets say "B to B+ gaming" capabilities. Doesn't have to be the best, but pretty good...you know?

100 gb sata 7200 HD is more than enough for me. Definately want 4G of ram, posiblly a TV tuner (could live without it though..). Don't care about blueray, but want CD/DVD read write, watch reg movies on ocassion, wireless connectivity a/b/g/n...

-software...I get a sweetheart deal through my office so I don't need much included..i'll buy that after I nail down the LAptop...planning on 64 bit vista home or student version.

-that help..?

E

_I forgot...budget is hovering around 2000 (less would be MUCH better)

Also.. I looked at teh ASUS C90s... you can upgrade that unit with desktop components...that seems somewhat attractive except for the limit of 3GB of ram...

[CaTaPulT]

Hi ER1.
You better do some research on any version of a 64 bit version of Windows.
If the software you plan on using is 32 bit, you may be out of luck running it on a 64 bit Windows be it XP or Vista.
The 64 bit windows will see and use the full 4 gigs of ram though where as the 32 bit versions will only use roughly 3.0 to 3.5 gigs of the 4 gigs of ram, I can't remember where the limitation is.
So make sure the 64 bit OS will run your 32 bit stuff (most games are 32 bit), this is not like a 64 bit processor that can kick itself into 32 bit mode.
If I remember correctly, when I bought the parts to build my machine last summer, I had asked the guy if I should get Vista 64 or 32, and the above is what he had said. So I bought the 32 bit version, I run my machine as dual boot, when my machine fires up it asks me if I want to boot up in XP-pro or Vista, I barely ever even look at Vista, just when I'm curious, no real software setup on it yet even. XP does what I want with less system resource overhead. :)
Take care

Regards: >>>> Jack <<<<

[evil1rox]

The version I'm looking at say 32/64...does that mean a dual mode so to speak...?

E

[CaTaPulT]

Hi ER1.
As far as I know the processors are advertised as 32/64.
I haven't been into the computer thing since building my machine last summer, but at the time, it was either 32bit or 64bit windows XP or Vista, unless they came out with a new dual purpose version since then.
Take care

Regards: >>>> Jack <<<<

[CaTaPulT]

Hi ER1.
I just went to look at Microsoft's site, seems that you are correct, here's a section of the WIN XP 64 site.....

"Greater flexibility
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition gives you a robust platform for the integration of 64-bit and 32-bit applications using the Windows on Windows 64 (WOW64) x86 emulation layer. You can move to 64-bit computing while still maintaining your existing investment in 32-bit software and Windows expertise."

Check out..... http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/facts/top10.mspx
I guess the first release of Win XP64 didn't support 32 bit apps, I guess it does now.
Take care

Regards: >>>> Jack <<<<

[kevincool87]

Don't you guys have something like a price spying website that collects all the price data from all the IT competitors and frequently updates the list? In Aus we have www.pricespy.com.au and www.staticice.com.au/ that will help us find out what to buy.

edit: NVM looks like you guys do too, http://www.pricewatch.com/

[evil1rox]

I was mostly concerned with getting a decent graphics card... price was a deciding factor of course, but I don't need a Ferrari...when a V-8 Interceptor will do. (You have to knwo that reference being an Aussie and all ;) )

Seriously though...I'm trying to do a semi custom build through my employee purchase plan at work so I have some limitations...just wanted to make sure I'll be able to play some games if I don't get the super high end graphics card.

Or is the Asus C90s is all it's cracked up to be (ability to install desktop graphics cards and ram) I'll buy it barebones and install the stuff myself.

E1R