Gaming on FireGL V5250 256MB -- lost cause?

Just got my Dell Latitude D820 with the Quadro NVS 120M (GeForce Go 7400), 256MB dedicated. Gaming performance is acceptable, but certainly not where I'd like it. Oblivion hardly runs. Company of Heroes, Counter Strike Source, and other more modern games run, but not the best.

I'm thinking I'll return the D820 and go for a Thinkpad T60p, which has the ATI FireGL V5250 (Radeon X1700), 256MB. Based on benchmarks, it's nearly twice as powerful as my GF 7400.

Everyone talks about forcing it to use X1700 INF files, but is gaming going to be acceptable on this card? I don't need 1680x1050 with maximum details (my desktop is for that), but I still want most modern games to be playable at moderate detail levels. I certainly don't want to return the D820 only to find the T60P isn't any better.

Can any V5250 owners comment on real-world gaming performance?

The games I commonly play:

-Supreme Commander
-Company of Heroes
-Counter-Strike: Source
-Quake 4
-Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Thanks in advance!

 

You got to remember the v5250 isn't as good as the x1700 as gaming because thats not what it is designed for. Its probably about 10-15% worse in terms of gaming actually.

I'd suggest going for an a8jp instead of a T60p.

Then you'd be able to run all those games at medium-higher settings. Source and quake 4 at very high. Sup Com/Elder Scrolls at medium. (I'm assuming WXGA+ resolution.

 

Not interested in Asus laptops...I'd rather stick with one of the big names. IBM and Dell are both known for their good support. Too many horror stories about people struggling to get support for an Asus laptop.

 

The margin will not be that much but rather half this amount [5% - 7.5% ]

 

Have you considered an HP NC8430(Business class NB with Matte WSXGA and x1600)

 

Yes, though I'm not thrilled about their keyboards...very cheap-feeling. Just never been a big fan of HP computers.

Though HP has a rebate going right now of $100, making one of those only $1499 how I'd want it. Pretty tempting.

 

You've heard horror stories about asus and support problems so you get a dell? I would much rather have support problems than risking my life with a dell! Oh, and Dell doesnt even make thier own computers, tisk...

Btw, do you even do 3D work? if not then why would you buy a workstation notebook!?

 

Well ... customer service for the Latitude and XPS line for Dell is certainly much better than the Inspiron line. Latitude is meant for business users and XPS is meant for enthusiasts; just with that fact, Dell's service will be much better for those two types of users.

 

Have you tried their business line notebooks' keyboard? They are some of the best around. HPs business line is completely different than their consumer line. I'd strongly consider the HP nc8430, personally.

Asus is one of the biggest names actually. The only downsides I see about the suggested Asus A8JP is that it is not that durable and the battery life is not the best (~2.5 hrs).

If you're gaming, then skip all the Nvidia Quadro and ATI FireGL cards.

 

I do not do any 3D work. I've owned many Dells over the years and I'd prefer to stick with them. The small business support is definitely good based on my previous experiences (same goes for XPS, since I own one of those). The D820 I have gives 4-5 hours of battery life since it has a 9-cell.

I have used the HP business notebooks -- the keys are really flat and just feel weird. Maybe I'm too used to the Dell ones? Though the nc8430 has a bigger battery, like my D820.

I opted for a business notebook not only for the better customer service, but also because they tend to be built sturdier and are styled more conservatively. I despise the current Dell Inspiron white/silver combination, and HP's "imprint finish" is really gawdy.


The original question remains though -- is the X1700 really twice as fast as my GF 7400?

 

I guess that you should take a look at the notebook video card FAQ If you are not going to do any 3D work, then skip all the Quadro and FireGL cards. Go for the X1700's and 7700Go's.

Your best deal would be the Asus G1 I think. I see that you are a real gamer and that notebook is ment for only one thing: gaming

And yes, the X1700 is twice as fast as the 7400Go. X1700 = 2400 3dmark06 points, 7400Go = 1000 3dmark06 points.

Good luck.

 

There seems to be a lot of debate about FireGL vs Radeon...based on what I read, the FireGL uses a different BIOS. The Quadro/GeForce distinction is merely in the drivers, the cards are physically identical.

I may end up returning this D820. CoH at 25fps is good, but not when all the settings are near "minimum". It's too bad Dell couldn't offer something more substantial like a 7600 or 7700 in it.

 

Yes the x1700 is about twice as fast as the 7400. And you should stay away from the professional video cards if you want to game.

Asus is one of the greatest companies in computers and the worlds largest manufacturer of motherboards. Chances are you've had an asus motherboard in at least 1 computer you've had and didnt realize it. The horror stories you heard must have been flukes or maybe about Acer. (They have some horror stories, but are generaly Ok enough.). You might be confusing the two companies.

I would have to agree with the above posters and recomend an Asus. I can guarentee you wont regret having one.

 

On second thought, I may just go for the nc8430. I can get it for $1500 from NewEgg, and I'll get six months at 0% to pay it off.

Thanks for the tips, all!

 

imo anything below an x1600 or go 7600 isnt even worth looking at if u are trying to game at all. anything below that is pimarily made for dvd playback and picture viewing. maybe for the new stylish look of vista but thats about all it can handle. but again that is just imo