Graphics Good enough

Seems like I only come around here when I looking for another computer, anyway...

Looking at the Studio 17 going through the options and got stuck at graphics.

How does the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD do with gaming? Does anyone have any real life experience with some newer games.. Pics would be great.

Secondly are there any moded drivers or programs for the graphics to get better performance and control.

 

It does horribly with any real gaming. If you want to play any modern games you will want to make sure you get a midrange or highend Nvidia or ATI graphics chip in your laptop. I would not recommend the Studio 17 for gaming at all even with the highest end graphics card available in the Studio 17 (HD4670 or whatever). Look for something with a Nvidia 9800M series, 260M series, or an equivalent ATI chip. Asus has some solid gaming laptops at great prices.

 

The ATI 4670 is not bad for gaming. You can play most if not all games in medium settings with it.

 

Agreed with Nightwing. If you really want to do serious gaming you get a desktop, no notebook will be able to compete with a good desktop, period. However, a 4670 is not a bad card; in fact it is good deal better than your 8600m GT in the XPS 1530 DFI

 

Being faster then an 8600M GT isn't saying much (it is slower then a desktop 8600GT). I don't game on my XPS M1530, it is simply too slow for most games unless you play at resolutions much below that of the screen.

It all depends on the type of games you play and what settings and resolution you want to play them on. If you just play WoW the HD4670 will be great, if you play games like Crysis you'll be disappointed.

 

The 4670 will quite happily play Crysis at medium settings at native resolution with a playable FPS. High settings will reduce that down to maybe in the region of 15 FPS, maybe a touch lower, maybe a touch higher, but either way it wont be much different I'd guess and which I certainly don't consider playable personally. This is assuming you'd be going with the 1440x900 display rather than the 1920x1200).

I didn't say it was faster than a desktop 8600 GT, did I?, Oh I see I left out the m in the comment above, now edited to make sure it doesn't confuse anyone. Clearly though I was talking about the XPS notebook in your signature.

 

Well Gaming will be secondary so it is not a huge concern. But I would have liked to have it if it was possible.

 

In that case, the Studio 17 with a HD4670 should serve you just fine.

 

The problem is that Studio17 doesn't come with a hd4670,it has ddr2 hd3650.

 

LOL, you are absolutely correct, why did DFI suggest that it did? I'm sure that when it is refreshed, it probably will come with a 46xx GPU, seeing that the existing Studio 17 has the 3650; but I just checked a few different countries Dell sites and it has not been refreshed yet.

 

I don't think it will be refreshed soon.

 

I said this originally, and then everyone seemed to go along with it and think that the HD4670 was in the Studio 17 as an option.

But yeah in that case, I think my original statement above stands, look elsewhere for a 17" laptop with a better graphics chip. You don't need the fastest mobile graphics chip around, but at least a decent midrange chip.

 

So what are some options? What make would offer the strongest setup at a decent price ~$800?

 

the laptop in my sig does a decent job, and i only play a few games to like WoW or oblivion

 

For $800, and I am assuming you are still talking about a 17" laptop, I would probably still consider the Studio 17 with the HD3650 if Dell has a good deal going on. $800 doesn't give you much room, but spend a few dollars more and you can get something pretty solid. You can probally find something with a 9600M or 220M chip or HD4650 series chip for around this price.

I looked at the HP DV7T for you, but looks like it is a minimum of $949 with the HD4650, which is a solid price but not quite near $800. Then i hoped over to Dell.com and checked out the Studio 17, which also came to about $949 with the HD3650, and more RAM then the HP.

Then I decided to look on Newegg, and I found this Asus for $799 with a Nvidia 220M GT chip:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220559

Sony has a very good looking laptop for $900 with a HD3650:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834117887

If you want something with a awesome graphics card for the price, the Gateway FX 17" models really pack a punch with a 9800M GTS, but this will run you a bit over $1000:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9172511&type=product&id=1218043606827

Just a few models I found, I'm sure there are other good options too.

 

A 15" machine under $800 that can play games, I'd say maybe go with a Force 3310 or Sager NP2098. For a 17" gaming machine you will struggle to find something with a decent GPU in for that price.

However, you mention briefly that gaming is not a major concern, but we don't know what your concerns are. Please fill out a FAQ so we don't give you suggestions that are completely ridiculous

 

haha like alienware or voodoo lol

 

Thanks for all the suggestions....

 

Hp has deals on the HDX 16t which has a base config with a 9600gt. Just check dealnews.com everyday. I've seen it go to 700 with base fig with a coupon. Or wait until christmas time, I'm sure there will be tons of deals.