Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: fudgums on August 19, 2009, 08:53:48 AM

Title: Gaming Laptop
Post by: fudgums on August 19, 2009, 08:53:48 AM
Found this on Dell.com. Made a few changes and just wondering how it will do on AH.

SYSTEM COLOR   Obsidian Black   
PROCESSOR   Intel Pentium Dual Core T4200 (2.0GHz/800MHz FSB/1MB)   
OPERATING SYSTEM   Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Service Pack 1 64 Bit   
OFFICE SOFTWARE   Microsoft® Works 9   
WARRANTY AND SERVICE   1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service   
HD DISPLAY   17.3" HD+ WLED   
MEMORY   4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz   
HARD DRIVE   250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
VIDEO CARD   Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD   
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE   8X CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)   
BATTERY OPTIONS   Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)   
WIRELESS CARDS   Intel WiFi Link 5100 802.11 Wireless-N Mini Card   edit
INTEGRATED WEBCAM   No Camera   
SOUND OPTIONS   Soundblaster X-Fi Hi Def Audio - Software Enabled   
Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: eagl on August 19, 2009, 09:03:16 AM
The video card will severely hamper how well AH plays.

For gaming of any type on a laptop you need to get pretty much anything other than the intel graphics.  Either AMD/ATI, or Nvidia graphics will work just fine.
Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: fudgums on August 19, 2009, 09:05:11 AM
thanks, looks like I wont be getting that laptop. Won't be able to switch the video card.  :(
Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: gyrene81 on August 19, 2009, 09:14:23 AM
How about something like this?

http://www.factorgaming.com/sager_np9850.php#3 (http://www.factorgaming.com/sager_np9850.php#3)

Or maybe:?

http://computershopper.com/laptops/gaming-laptops/top-5-gaming-laptops (http://computershopper.com/laptops/gaming-laptops/top-5-gaming-laptops)

http://laptoplogic.com/best-gaming-laptops/ (http://laptoplogic.com/best-gaming-laptops/)
Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: fudgums on August 19, 2009, 09:19:17 AM
How about something like this?

http://www.factorgaming.com/sager_np9850.php#3 (http://www.factorgaming.com/sager_np9850.php#3)

:lol Cant afford that one at all but it looks verrrrrry nice. Looking at newegg.com to see what I can afford. I'll post the specs to see what yall think because I am very computer retarded and don't want to buy something that won't run well.


Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: fudgums on August 19, 2009, 09:27:23 AM
Found this on Newegg, should it run well and will the wireless card do well? Again sorry for so many questions just making sure I'm getting something good.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834117938
Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: Kazaa on August 19, 2009, 09:42:20 AM
There is no such thing as a gaming laptop.
Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: fudgums on August 19, 2009, 09:44:45 AM
There is no such thing as a gaming laptop.


best compatilbility  :)
Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: gyrene81 on August 19, 2009, 09:57:27 AM
Found this on Newegg, should it run well and will the wireless card do well? Again sorry for so many questions just making sure I'm getting something good.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834117938
This is just my opinion but in most cases regarding heavy graphics gaming on laptops...run well and laptop doesn't usually mix. As you have probably seen through the past weeks onboard video chips do not perform at the same level as dedicated video cards in desktops and you cannot get an actual dedicated video card in a laptop. You can probably expect acceptable performance after making some adjustments.

That being said...that Sony looks like it has the capability to run AH decently assuming you don't go any higher than 512 textures and don't try to max out the video resolution.

You will have some "extra" software on there that you will want to get rid of...and absolutely get rid of whatever anti-virus program is preloaded and get something else.

The wireless card has the capability to use the "N" wifi standard and if you have an "N" class wireless access point or router...should be very fast...you should at least have "G" capabilities...and make sure you turn off all power management for that wireless card if that is going to be your connection for gaming.

1  point of concern on that video chip:

# DisplayPort™ output support
   * Integrated HD audio controller with up to 2 channel 48 kHz stereo or multi-channel (7.1) AC3 enabling a plug-and-play cable-less audio solution4 <---I've seen a couple of posts regarding possible issues with this thing enabled...but I defer to Skuzzy who has more info.


Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: fudgums on August 19, 2009, 11:07:45 AM
Alienware?

http://www.alienware.com/products/area-51-m15x-notebook.aspx?SysCode=PC-LT-AREA51M15X-AI1&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT
Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: 1701E on August 19, 2009, 11:14:22 AM
The Alienware Area-51m15x with:
 -Core 2 Duo
 -2 or 4GB of RAM
 -GeForce 512MB 9800M GT
 -500 or 320GB HDD

Would run the game at max (or close enough) settings with acceptable Framerates.  Lower end PCs have been seen to run it decently.

Really it depends on how much you're willing to spend, money and time.
Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: gyrene81 on August 19, 2009, 11:22:10 AM
Alienware?

http://www.alienware.com/products/area-51-m15x-notebook.aspx?SysCode=PC-LT-AREA51M15X-AI1&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT
If you're gonna jump...might as well jump hard...the M17 or M17x would do it...and since Dell owns them...you should be able to get "decent" service.
Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: fudgums on August 19, 2009, 11:24:06 AM
geeze just realized the price didn't come with the Gforce 9800GT or 4GB Ram.  :lol

Sigh...
Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: wrongwayric on August 19, 2009, 07:11:08 PM
Look at my post on "new laptop ordered". I'll be getting that this weekend, should be at the house when i get home, so i'll let you know how it works for me. I almost went with the next model up but i chose this one for the large 18 plus inch screen. I'm not blind but i do like to see what i'm watching or playing without straining my eyes anymore than i have to.
Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: Reschke on August 20, 2009, 02:35:51 PM
Here is what I posted in the thread where wrongwayric was looking for information on laptops to handle everything. My wife uses it every day and my oldest son has installed a few games on it including the Call of Duty 4 and it plays that just fine. It is an ASUS X83V.

"Well I can't say that about Intel and AH...AMD on the other hand was a pita with everything else when I had it...BUT to each his own. My wifes ASUS laptop will run EVERYTHING and I just bought it a little over 2 months ago for $701 @ Best Buy (out the door) and it wasn't pre-loaded with a bunch of crap other than Vista Home Premium 64 bit. She has 3GB of RAM with a Dual Core Intel with a 340GB HDD and a lightscribe DVD."
Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: MrRiplEy[H] on August 21, 2009, 12:25:32 AM
There is no such thing as a gaming laptop.

Actually there is but you need to pay over 3000 bucks for one to get a 1500 bucks desktop performance.
Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: Ack-Ack on August 21, 2009, 12:47:44 AM
If you're gonna jump...might as well jump hard...the M17 or M17x would do it...and since Dell owns them...you should be able to get "decent" service.

Dell and 'decent' service do not go hand in hand.  As some one that had to recently deal with Dell customer support, do not buy from them.  The headache isn't worth it.


ack-ack
Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: gyrene81 on August 21, 2009, 08:28:24 AM
Dell and 'decent' service do not go hand in hand.  As some one that had to recently deal with Dell customer support, do not buy from them.  The headache isn't worth it.


ack-ack
Hehehe...you just have to know how to talk to them...generally like you're trying to get a 5 yr old to pick up toys...

When I have to call Dell or HP support I start out describing the issue...tell them what I have done to diagnose the problem, and as soon as the person starts with the "ok sir, what I would like for you to do..." I cut them off and say, "hold it, stop right there. I already told you what I've done and if you're going to put me through an hour long session of running through that script you have on your screen, forget it...put me through to someone who knows what I'm talking about"...I always get a speedy resolution and the parts are on their way with less than an hour on the phone...   :devil

You have to be firm and direct...just like dealing with a child.
Title: Re: Gaming Laptop
Post by: Hoarach on August 21, 2009, 05:03:50 PM
Cyberpowerpc.com

Almost all their laptops are gaming with an actual video card.  Their prices imo are decent.  Many of theirs run under 1k.