How much improvement will I get

Hi guys glad to join this forum.
I'm about to update my old dell desktop for a new E1505 notebook.

I'm wondering how much my gaming possibilities will be increased with this upgrade.

Old>>New
1.7 Ghz>>2.0 dual core
512 Ram>>2gb Ram
Radeon 9200>>Mobility x1400


I have another question as well.

The second option for screens is included in price.
This is the "15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™"
I'm wondering if its worth it to spend the extra 93 bucks for the
15.4 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen SXGA+ Display with TrueLife™

I don't plan on using super great resolutions, how can they charge 93 dollars!!

please explain.

 

I have the 1505 with the SXGA+ screen. You can go to the Dell forums and read posts where people didn't get the 1680 x 1050 screen and regretted it later. The screen is beautiful...sharp...colorful and beats anything in it's class. I also have the x1400...and can play Far Cry and Half Life 2 at full resolution with the settings tweaked on high. The newer games may have to be played on a lesser setting...or lower resolution...for the x1400 is considered a mid level card. Not big for gaming...but it will hold it's own. If I play games, I normally play the heavier ones on my desktop...but I have NO issues with my 1505.

Good Luck

Bob

 

hmmm thanks
I dunno man I can't see spending an extra 100 bucks on a screen thats not even bigger.

 

The screen may not be bigger, however you can fit much more on the screen. This is optimal for running multiple things on your screen at once eg: spreadsheets, browser windows etc. I have 1680x1050 and can't believe I almost ordered the lower res. However, the GPU will struggle more at higher resolutions, so it depends on what is worth more to you.

 

ahhh someone make this decision for me
my res on my old computer is set at 10xx by 7xx
cant remember the numbers
so youre saying i can play games at higher settings with the cheaper monitor

arg

 

If you plan on playing graphics intensive games, especially at native resolution (at the optimal resolution of your monitor), then go for the XGA. It will look very nice regardless of your choice, and choosing the XGA means 1) you spend $100 less (incl. tax), and 2) your X1400 will have less pixels to drive meaning you will get an increase in frame rates. On another note, the X1400 is a mid-lower end GPU in the laptop market, so you will have to tone down some details in games regardless of your choice of screens.

 

why is it such a ... card
why cant it utilize its 256 mb
whats the point of it having 256.

i sorta feel like i should wait till they offer the x1600 on the inspiron

 

WOah woah woah woah woah....woah. Take a deep breath. Think happy thoughts.

I hope my post didn't give you the impression it is a crappy card. It isn't. Also, even higher end video cards come with more memory than they can use effectively---it's just a marketing thing in the GPU industry. You would be better served to list a few example games you want to play. The X1400 works just fine for many many games, just not the latest ones on high details. But I think you know this is true for just about everything in technology: you pay for what you get, and time makes frisbees out of every GPU eventually.

 

yea i guess
thanks for the great advice
i really dont play too many graphically intensive games.
i played hl2 on my old terrible system
so id expect to be able to play at least bf2 online with some great speeds
pretty please laptop gods

 

Don't worry, you can Play BF2 no problem, I could at Medium settings, and my card is worse than yours.

 

great great
thanks a lot
now im overly excited

 

But, you should also thinking about the future. How long do you think this new notebook will last? Sorry, just trying to help, buying notebook is a huge investment, where most people just consider the past and the present...ignoring the future, bad!

And also, remember, the GPU is the bottleneck of all games. Sorry, just trying to help.

 

If you are still debating over which resolution to get...I recommend you go down to your local PC shop. You will definitely be able to see a 15.4" WXGA screen. Play around with it and see if it's suitable for your needs. Considering the resolution your old system runs at, I think WXGA will be fine for you.

Good luck and enjoy your new laptop!

 

haha thanks for the help duck
but youre really making me pull my hair out here.
yea i think ill stick with the cheaper screen
it still has true life, whatever the hell that may be

 

Well I did it
I bought 2ghz duo
2gb ram
x1400 mobility
160 gb hd
nice ass monitor

tax+data transfer cord

final total
1519.00

i love being an affiliate.