Help me understand if my graphics card is compatiable with X

I have a very basic understanding but would like a little help. What I have right now is this model from BB:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pa...ssor/9556312.p?id=1218123847836&skuId=9556312

This model is equipped with an Nvidia GT230M (DDR3) and states:

"Features 1GB dedicated video memory and up to 2815MB total available video memory for rich detail."

If you look at the Nvidia page: http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_gt_230m_us.html it states a 128bit memory interface width.

So my understanding right now is basically the 128bit is the real number to worry about and that this is a mid range card (which I knew anyway), and all the 1gb and 2815mb is marketing fluff?

More importantly I want to be able to analyze game requirements and see if I can play them. For example; MW2 states:

"Graphics: 256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 6600GT or better or ATI Radeon 1600XT or better"

After looking at the 6600GT, I notice it has a 128bit interface.

I'm just confused when they preface with 256mb - what is that in reference too? I can play COD WaW and COD 4, so I can assume MW2 would be playable as well?

 

The memory interface (bus width) and amount of memory are two different things. The bus width is basically how much memory can be accessed at a time, versus the memory amount, which is how much memory there is on the card. Then you have to factor in the clock speeds of the GPU, the number of shaders, and its generation to get how well it performs.

Basically, it's very complicated for someone who's just getting into things. Take a look at the big sticky where Chaz has all the GPUs ordered based on performance. That's the easy way to compare.

 

bus width AND memory clock speed determines how much memory the card can access at a time.

 

How about just the second half of my post? I'm having a hard time making heads or tails of requirements:

More importantly I want to be able to analyze game requirements and see if I can play them. For example; MW2 states:

"Graphics: 256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 6600GT or better or ATI Radeon 1600XT or better"

After looking at the 6600GT, I notice it has a 128bit interface.

I'm just confused when they preface with 256mb - what is that in reference too? I can play COD WaW and COD 4, so I can assume MW2 would be playable as well?

 

Think of it this way. Your VRAM is basically like a bench. The more bench space you have, the more area you have to work with, eg: 1920 x 1200 requires more space. However, if you have a bad cutting blade on your saw, then it's going to take a long time to cut something isn't it?

So, really, COD MW2 only needs the 256MB to use for storing textures and various other objects, however, 256MB won't store much, huh? 1GB would only be needed anyway if you were playing at extreme resolutions like 1920 x 1200 or 2560 x 1600. The GT230M probably can't make use of it's 1GB anyway, since it only has a 128 bit bus. Don't worry, you'll run it fine, probably max, COD really doesn't need a gaming machine.

 

Yup, take a look at the GPU Guide. There is some good info there.

 

A little chaser: basically the listed Minimum card requirements tell the lowest-performing card that could play the game. Consult Chaz's guide, or notebookcheck.com. Any lower to the list than the 6600GT and it wouldn't play it. Everything above it would. Albeit those farther up on the list would play it fluently and so forth.