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    Help with choosing graphics card.

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by rt_truong, Dec 1, 2008.

  1. rt_truong

    rt_truong Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello,
    Iam very new to the graphics cards and would like some help on picking one.
    I am purchasing a new laptop online and customizing it. I dont want to spend the extra 100 dollars if i dont need it but if its worth it then I will.
    Iam not a hardcore gamer and play maybe around 3 hours of play each day.
    Games like Warcraft, Counter strike, and civilization.

    Here are the options.

    ATI Radeon(TM) HD 3200 Graphics

    256MB NVIDIA GeForce 9200M GS

    Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD

    256MB ATI Radeon(TM) HD 3450 Graphics

    Mobile Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD with Intel® Clear Video Technology

    ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3650 with 512MB vRAM
     
    rt_truong, Dec 1, 2008
    #1
  2. rt_truong

    rt_truong Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is upgrading the Processor important? They are asking another $100 to upgrade.

    Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5800 (2.0GHz)
    Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26GHz) [add $100.00]

    Can I stay stock with t5800 for gaming
     
    rt_truong, Dec 1, 2008
    #2
  3. Krabby Krabs

    Krabby Krabs Notebook Enthusiast

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    Krabby Krabs, Dec 1, 2008
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  4. shoelace_510

    shoelace_510 8700M GT inside... ^-^;

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    I think the 3650 is the best GPU listed there, and as for the CPU that is a decent upgrade in performance, but the T5800 will be definitely enough oomph for pretty much anything.
    I run a T7200 (also a 2.0 Ghz Core2Duo but a slightly older model than the T5800) and I can easily run CS:S, Oblivion, Crysis (Medium settings), and Audiosurf...

    Hope this helps! :)
     
    shoelace_510, Dec 1, 2008
    #4
  5. Slaughterhouse

    Slaughterhouse Knock 'em out!

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    The 3650 is easily the best GPU listed there.
     
    Slaughterhouse, Dec 1, 2008
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  6. rt_truong

    rt_truong Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the help guys!
     
    rt_truong, Dec 1, 2008
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  7. rt_truong

    rt_truong Notebook Enthusiast

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    Are the Pentium(R) Dual-Core Mobile Processor T3200 (2.0 GHz) (HP DV5t) Good enough to play games?
     
    rt_truong, Dec 2, 2008
    #7
  8. Ghold

    Ghold Notebook Evangelist

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    not the t3200...the 5800 would be the minimum i would go, and the 8400 wouldn't be a bad investment
     
    Ghold, Dec 2, 2008
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  9. ronnieb

    ronnieb Representing the Canucks

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    Go for the P series processor; better battery and performance.
     
    ronnieb, Dec 2, 2008
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  10. shoelace_510

    shoelace_510 8700M GT inside... ^-^;

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    If I were you, I would stick with the C2D lineup. They have good performance, and decent battery consumption...
     
    shoelace_510, Dec 2, 2008
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  11. Melody

    Melody How's It Made Addict

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    The T3200 is based on the last generation of Core 2 Duo(it's the T5750 I believe) so its performance is quite good and isn't as bad as the previous Pentium Dual Cores(the ones based only on Core Duos). It should suffice for light to medium gaming, but if you want to be safe, yeah go for the Core 2 Duo lineup.

    As for the GPU, as others have said, the HD3650 is the most powerful one up there. Although mind you, considering the games you listed, maybe it'd be too much power, but if you want to be safe(and if it doesn't compltely ruin your budget) then pick that :D
     
    Melody, Dec 2, 2008
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  12. Deks

    Deks Notebook Prophet

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    I would pick the Radeon 3650 (gpu) ... and for the cpu, I'd personally go with P8400 (since it's newest/better for the battery and of course superior in performance).

    The P8400 comes with a Montevina chipset which will also allow for potential future upgrades.

    So if it's affordable for you, the 3650 and P8400 in combo would be the way to go.
    :)
     
    Deks, Dec 2, 2008
    #12
  13. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    They both use the same chipset and future upgrades are very limited in either case. P8400 isn't worth $100 more since you won't notice any difference in speed and <5 deg C difference...
     
    sgogeta4, Dec 2, 2008
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  14. rt_truong

    rt_truong Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks guys. Ill keep everyone updated!
     
    rt_truong, Dec 2, 2008
    #14