A few Game Questions (Oblivion, C&C3)

I just got a new Laptop and I was looking for a new game to play. Laptop specs as follows:
Sony Vaio FZ190
T7500
2 gb 667 RAM
8400mGT
Vista Home Premium

So far the only game that I've installed is AoE III, which runs great with everything on high except AA.

Okay, so I have a few questions:
The native resolution of the screen is only WXGA. Does that mean I can't play a game in a higher resolution than that? I would think yes, but I installed an older game and it gave me the option for a higher resolution, which confused me.

I went out an bought Oblivion today, but I haven't opened it yet. In a month, the game of the year edition comes out and I can get Oblivion+the two expansions for the same price. Should I return it and wait a month?

I was trying to decide between Oblivion and Command and Conquer III. Has anyone who has played either of the games give an opinion on either? I've read really great things about Oblivion, which would be one of my first RPGs. C&C is newer, so there isn't as much information about it, but it seems pretty good from what I've seen+read. Will my lappy be able to handle these games?

Also, I'm taking a look at some of the next-gen games which look amazing: Crysis, Bioshock, and The Witcher. But I've read that even the 8800GTX can't handle Crysis on max settings. Does my 8400mGT have a chance at running any of these?

So kind of a 'let's see how many random questions I can throw in one thread' thread. Bah.

 

Ok.

1) There'd be no point to playing a game in a higher resolution than the native of your screen. You'd essentially be utilizing unavailable pixels. The option to do so is simply encoded into the game, but there's no reason for you to choose it.

2) Depends on how much you want to try it. I personally don't think I could stand waiting for an extra month to play the game for the first time. However, getting the game of the year addition AND the two expansions for the same price is a pretty smexy deal. I'd have a a tough time deciding there.

3) Haven't played Command and Conquer III. However, I can personally say that Oblivion is the best RPG game on the market.

4) The reason so many people have been moaning over graphics cards being unable to handle Crysis is because the Lost Planet Demo was poorly coded, and it absolutely murdered the machines it was played on. However, its still a stretch for the 8400mGT, and at this point, only the preliminary requirements for Crysis have been released. My two cents: you'll probably be able to get low to medium settings on it. Probably playable, but I can't say for sure.

 

1. All games that can be played at a resolution higher than WXGA can also be played at WXGA, it's just a tweak in the settings.

2. Oblivion is such a great game I would just play it.

3. Both Oblivion and C&C3 are great games, however, unfortunately, the 8400m GT won't be able to handle either at high settings.

4. Yes, but only at low, DX9 settings.

 

What would be the point of running a DX10 game on DX10 hardware in DX9 mode? Isn't DX10 supposed to make more efficient use of the hardware?

 

Supposed to are the key words. DX10 mode currently offers better visuals, but even the 8700m GT has problems running it.

 

ATP, I'm all about value so I'd wait for Oblivion GOTY edition, incredible value plus all patched up... that is if you can wait that long. How about getting C&C3 in the meantime!

 

I would say just open oblivion and play it, it's a great game. And like everyone else said, there is no use of picking a resolution higher than your native resolution when gaming.

 

Not to throw water on your fire but in Oblivion your going to have trouble playing it AT your native resolution with just a 8400M GT.

 

Here's a good explanation of the capabilities of the 8400mGT by comparison to other cards in the 8 series.

You are right Wu, he might have problems at native, but he can easily set it to 800x600, and the game should run relatively smoothly.