Good laptop for gaming? (Inspiron 9400/1705)

Hey,

I've been browsing for laptops to purchase from Dell, and I've started to like this laptop a lot.

I am interested primarily in playing Medieval 2 TW at the most, while playing other games like Age of Empires III or Civilization 4.

My question is, what should I be looking out for when it comes to graphics cards and the processor?

The graphic card options on this laptop is 256MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GS and 256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1400 HyperMemory. I am aware that the 7900 is way better, but if I chose this card, what should I look for in the processor?

Will this base be ok for this graphics card on this computer:

Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7200 (4MB Cache/2.00GHz/667MHz FSB)

OR this one

Intel Core Duo Processor T2250 (1.73GHz/533MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache)

(I am assuming the first is better, but will the second be good too?)

What is the lowest chipset you think I should settle for when considering this graphic card? I dont want the graphic card to go to waste because I chose a bad processor.

And finally, on another note, how do you think M2TW would perform on the ATI X1400 card?

Thanks!

 

1.) The 7900 is much stronger than the x1400 as you know. Look to the GPU guide for more information. I would recommend the 7900 if you are buying a 17" notebook. If the x1400 will cut it for you, look into a smaller notebook (perhaps the dell e1505)
2.) Either processor will be fine for gaming, but I'd highly recommend the T7200 as it's 64 bit capable (future proof), has a slightly faster FSB, and more cache. Perhaps a t5500 or similar processor would be an acceptable compromise.
3.) As long as you get a dedicated graphics option you will get the 945PM chipset.
4.) I dunno how well it would perform, ask around and check out the requirements on the manufacturer's website.

 

Thanks for the speedy response vespoli! Some small questions..

How do I know if I am getting a dedicated graphics option? Why is 945PM chipset important?

So you think the second processor will still do the video card fine? (The first is ideal but much more expensive).

 

sorry to go off topic here but could some one please explain what this means ??

(4MB Cache/2.00GHz/667MHz FSB)

 

1.) Both the x1400 and 7900GS are dedicated graphics cards. The Intel GMA950 is not (it's integrated into the motherboard)
2.) That processor will run games fine, but I still stand by my original point of getting a Core 2 Duo processor, there is no reason not to have one. If you are not able to afford the t7x00 series, look into the t5x00 series, they are similar to the CD but offer a slight increase in efficiency (~10% as well as 64 bit computing ability.

 

Very roughly:

4MB Cache-this is how much fast memory is on the CPU. Cache functions to store the most recently/frequently used instructions to save time during processing. More is better.

2.00GHz-this is the full clockspeed of the processor at maximum output. The faster the processor the better. Generally the faster a processor is working, the more power it consumes and the more heat it generates. This means that mobile chips usually do not run at their maximum speed. For example, the Core and Core 2 chips run at 1.0 Ghz @ .95volts when idling or on battery. This saves power and heat when running on battery/full power is not needed. When number crunching the processor will ramp up to full speed. (unless you have it set to maximum battery)

667FSB-The Front side bus works to move data from the CPU to all other devices in the system. Faster is better.

FSB

Clock speed

Cache

 

Thank you for the great advice, vespoli!

Now I'm off to find out if X1400 would be good for M2TW. If anyone knows, or has experience, please tell me.

 

thanx a lot dude....

 

What is your budget?

I would go for a Core 2 Duo processor if possible, they are faster than the Core Duos and are also more efficient.

If you have an interest in playing newer 3D games or think you will at some point in the future, get the Nvidia Go7900GS. It is several times more powerful than the Radeon X1400. For older games though, the X1400 will have no problems.

 

Thanks for replying Chaz .

My budget is under $1500 definitely, and I have to stick with Dell.

I don't plan on playing anything else except Medieval 2 TW, Age of EMpires III and Civilization 4. Those three are really all I can handle. Medieval 2 is definitely the most graphic intensive of the three.

Do you think X1400 will play Medieval 2 well?

 

bump (if we can)

 

I stand by Vespoli's original statement. The 7900GS is much much more powerful than the x1400, but the x1400 is still a decent graphics solution. However, if you can't afford getting the 7900GS in the E1705, then you should look at a smaller laptop, such as the Dell E1505 with the x1400. You'll get the same performance but it will be cheaper and more portable, not to mention give a little better battery life.

 

i can run civilizations and age of empires easily on my aging radeon 9800 PRO on all max settings at 1024x768. not sure how the x1400 stacks up to it but the 7900 dfeinately blows my 9800 out of the water so you should be able to max everything out at the highest res with civilizations and age of empires.

 

thanks for the posts guys! I'm hoping I can find the 1705 with Geforce 7900 and Intel Duo 2 Core on refurbished under the budget. If not, then my best bet would be the 1505. I hope the x1400 plays Medieval 2 good.

 

The budget is not a problem! Just use the dell $400 off 1500 inspiron system coupon for the 1705. The coupon is in the coupons section on this website.

 

Interesting idea, bpreger. However.. I tried it and just adding the graphics card makes it to 1500, however, when you apply the coupon, the new price is just 1450, because there is already a discount applied to the 1500 (instead of 1500 its actually around 1800). So its 1800 - 400$.

Great idea though, I might consider this. However, it seems I might be able to get a bigger bang for my money if I find out that Medieval 2 will play on x1400..

 

I'm wondering what you're looking for exactly. I see a Inspiron 1705 with T7200 Processor and a 7900GS added on for around $1250 are you looking for more ram perhaps?

 

I am looking for 1 gig ram, is that what you are looking at? Are you looking at a new build or refurbished?

*checks again*

Ok, I just reconfigured a laptop this way (new, from the $999 deal):

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7200 (2.00GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB)
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS


Ok, well Dell originally had a -$200 deal. However, with the coupon, it undoes that deal, and applies its own $400 deal.

So the price is $1,708.00 and with the coupon it comes to $1,308.00.

Hmm, not bad, what do you guys think?

You know what. I don't need the GS 7900. I am sure medieval 2 will play atleast on medium settings on the x1400, if not, I don't have much time for games anyways, I'd be happy just playing Civ4 and Age of Empires III.

Atleast with the Inspiron 1505 I can use better upgrades for the processor and MS office student, right?


If I buy new, I can also use a coupon listed on this site. That is, if I don't find a better deal in the outlets.

What do you guys think?

 

I wouldn't go beyond the T7200 processor; the performance gains offered by the T7400 and T7600 are so minimal that they will not be noticed and the upgrade prices are astronomically high.

The E1705 with the Go7900GS is the best choice for gaming by far . . . if you won't be playing the latest and greatest games and are sure that you're not going to be interested in playing current or future 3D games, then the E1505 with the X1400 is a fine choice.

I recommend these upgrades if you have the cash to spare:
-2GB RAM
-T7200 CPU
-7200RPM hard drive

 

I have always been a believer in topping out what is the hardest to upgrade.

CPUs in laptops are not easy to upgrade; therefore, I would get as high as a processor in there that I could afford. I would recommend the T7200.

Again, video cards in laptops are not easy to upgrade. The same rule applies here.

Hard drives are not easy to upgrade. If you are a gamer, would might want to put more emphasis on speed versus size. Hard drives however are typically easier to upgrade versus CPUs and video cards. You could possibly go basic on the hard drive and then upgrade that later.

RAM is very easy to upgrade. This is something that you can just get the lowest configuration possible, and then upgrade later when you have more money.

Just a few ideas that may help out ...

 

Thanks for the replies everyone! I encourperated most of the great advice here. I settled for the 1505, I figure that by getting a lower end video card (the x1400) I can get nicer specs all around (like the better CPU), and get Microsoft Office Student without breaking the bank.

I used the coupon bpreger pointed out to me, thank you!

Here are the specs:

E1505 Dual Core
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7200 (2.00GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)
Inspiron E1505 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7200 (2.00GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)
LCD Panel 15.4 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen SXGA+ Display with TrueLife™
Memory 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHZ, 2 DIMM
Video Card 256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory™
Hard Drive 80GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive

Anyways, I'll let you guys know how it goes. Thanks for the help everyone!