Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Jed on January 27, 2011, 09:41:21 AM

Title: Getting more out of laptop video graphics?
Post by: Jed on January 27, 2011, 09:41:21 AM
Wife's new laptop computer, has 1696 mb available for video, 64 dedicated to video graphics. It's an Intel (i3).   When I am playing AH My used is only 4mb and never goes any higher.  Which leads to me fighting against black squares with wings coming out of them. I haven't been able to find and adjusters to up this. From what I am told I have plenty available it's just not using it.?    Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :bhead
Title: Re: Getting more out of laptop video graphics?
Post by: The Fugitive on January 27, 2011, 03:18:17 PM
Not really, the extra memory that is shown is from your HD Seeing as the game is using the CPU hard, switching to grab info from the HD takes the CPU away from the game. On top of that the Intel i3 chip is a weak 3d video chip. So couple that with and over worked CPU and your not going to be able to run much. The number you see in-game of memory used is just what the video is reporting, it's not a true representation of what it really is using.

Using a laptop for gaming isn't then best idea, unless the laptop is built for gaming. Laptops use smaller and weaker, and cheaper componets and just don't run as strong as desktops. In the game your best bet is to turn everything to the lowest setting possible, as well as clearing out the laptop to run the least amount of processes possible. (hit cntrl, alt, delete and click on the processes tab. The number in the lower left corner is how many you are running. The lower the better, under 25)
Title: Re: Getting more out of laptop video graphics?
Post by: Skuzzy on January 27, 2011, 03:22:50 PM
First off, the Intel video chip is the cheapest video solution (read slowest) available.  The 64MB of dedicated video RAM is not enough for the game.  The other memory is being stolen from your computers system RAM, reducing the amount of system RAM available to run applications.

The amount of video RAM showing being used is irrelevant.


The best you can do is the following:

1)  Set the "Maximum Texture Size" in the "Video Settings" to 128.
2)  Do not attempt to run a resolution higher than 1024x768.  The video chip does not have the performance to do much more than that.

It is difficult to get the performance of a Ferrari when you only have a 5HP lawn mower engine in it.  The analogy may seem extreme, but it is very true.
Title: Re: Getting more out of laptop video graphics?
Post by: Jed on January 27, 2011, 08:15:27 PM
Thanks,,  It is a brand new laptop.  Figured it would do a better job...  Thanks for the replies.  I  bought the laptop for "my Wife" to get her master's degree.  She wanted to know why I was so concerned about the graphics.. hehe..
  Any other thoughts would be great!!
Title: Re: Getting more out of laptop video graphics?
Post by: MrRiplEy[H] on January 28, 2011, 12:18:01 AM
Thanks,,  It is a brand new laptop.  Figured it would do a better job...  Thanks for the replies.  I  bought the laptop for "my Wife" to get her master's degree.  She wanted to know why I was so concerned about the graphics.. hehe..
  Any other thoughts would be great!!

If you want thoughts, here are some:

1) Laptops suck for gaming. Even the 'gaming' laptops usually die fast because their cooling tends to be problematic.
2) If you must play on a laptop buy a model with a discreet mobile graphics (expect to pay 1500 bucks and upwards)
3) Whenever you play with a laptop, keep it as well ventilated as possible. Perhaps using a laptop cooler board. It _will_ overheat and die prematurely if you don't.
4) You can get a desktop gaming machine with equal performance for half the price.

Getting a laptop for gaming is equal to getting to a boxing match with your right arm tied behind your back.
Title: Re: Getting more out of laptop video graphics?
Post by: DREDIOCK on January 28, 2011, 11:37:01 AM
Thanks,,  It is a brand new laptop.  Figured it would do a better job...  Thanks for the replies.  I  bought the laptop for "my Wife" to get her master's degree.  She wanted to know why I was so concerned about the graphics.. hehe..
  Any other thoughts would be great!!

And for what she needws it and probobly uses it for. Its perfect.
What your trying to do with it...Not so much. LOL
Title: Re: Getting more out of laptop video graphics?
Post by: RTHolmes on January 29, 2011, 09:02:28 AM
I get 60fps @1440x900 on my laptop :bolt:




(2.66GHz i7 / GT 330M)