Graphics Card for NWN2

Hi All:

I'm currrently using a modified SRX99 and I need a new notebook to play NWN2. As of late, I've been looking at the M1210 and the W7J, both of which have the Nvidia 7400 card. Also, the multiple pipelines and higher clock speed of the X3000 intel chipset look appealing.

I'm searching for any general advice, but, specifically:

(1) what performance could I expect from the 7400 with NWN2?

(2) would it be better to wait for the X3000 chipset?

 

This is a quote direct from one of the developers, Shane.

http://nwn2forums.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=481529&forum=95

The requirements are indeed quite frightening. It's probably going to be just playable at the lowest settings on my PC (P4 2.6C, 1Gb Ram, FX5700U) and hopefully at the very least medium settings on my T60 (2Ghz CoreDuo, 2Gb Ram, x1400). I was hoping on not repeating what I did 3 years ago... I assembled my PC just to be able to play KOTOR. Now, I may have to assemble a new one to be able to really enjoy NWN2. And after spending a nice tidy sum on my new T60, I'm gonna have to start saving up. Brilliant!

@AChufong,
You can probably play NWN2 on a 7400, but not at the maximum settings. Seriously doubt that even the new x3000 chipset would be able to support it. Even if it does, it'd be almost painful to play.

Good luck!

 

The 7400 is a capable card, about on par with a 6600, so you should get low-medium settings at WXGA without much problem, or high settings at 800x600.

And if you are seriously asking if the GMA X3000 will be more powerful than the Go7400 - no. Just no. I seriously doubt it will outperform a Go6150 or an x200M, given Intel's history of just plain bad integrated graphics.

 

the go 7400 is about 33% less powerful than the go6600.....(the go7400 gets around 16~1700 in 3dmark05...while the go6600 gets aroung 25~2700)

so yes you will be able to play it....but you'll have to adjust the settings a bit

 

Its graphics requirements seem identical to oblivion. So I'd guess the 7400 could run it at lowish medium settings. Maybe a flat medium since it'll no doubt be better programed than Oblivion.

Does anyone else remember Intel announcing it was out of the intigrated graphics buisness, lol!

 

I think that you can manage it with the 7400 but don't expect to play on high res etc. If gaming is a concern, it may be better to consider getting a notebook which a better gaming card so that you can enjoy both NWN2 and the newer games in the future.

 

Thanks for all your replies - they've been helpful. I'm also considering the p-version of the T series, which has the ATI Fire GL. Would this be a better and more future proof choice?

 

I wonder if a desktop 7600GT would be sufficient to play NWN2 at max settings... If the reqs for NWN2 are comparable to Oblivion, how does it fare on a desktop with a 7600GT?
That is about the most powerful graphics card which is within my budget if I were to assemble a new PC.

 

Look, the way games are going its going to be imposible for midrange and performance chips to deliver max settings on new games now. Almost all new games are being tailored for the highest of high end cards or SLI/Crossfire (or both... ). I dont see this trend changing for any of the more well known companies in the near future. Its sad really.

NWN2 and Oblivion will both play on highish settings but no where near maxed out.

A fireGL is ATI's professional level card for CAD, 3D Rendering, and other high end professional apps. While it can game its not meant for it and wont perform quite as well as its gaming optomised cousins, the Radeon series.

 

That is a very good point - all the new games have trouble running on anything but the five hundred dollar top-end video cards at high settings. In my opinion, they should all be designed to run the best on the mid/high-mid range cards, since that is what most people have.

 

I've played NWN2 for a few minutes...one of my friends is involved in development.

I have to say...this game is going to rock. The graphics are fantastic.