Intel?

I am looking into new computers lately because my current laptop is starting to die off. I was wondering how great is the new intel integrated systems for graphics on smaller sized notebooks ( 14inch and under ) compared to the entry level offerings from ati and nvidia?

Will it be able to play modern day games at ok settings?

 

Well, you can probably play at 720p with low detail, and not all games. Still good idea to get a laptop with a dedicated GPU. There's lots of options and at relatively inexpensive pricing these days.

 

very true, but the only laptops that I have really seen in a small package are the sonys and acers. Neither one is really all that great.

 

Well the intel 3000M is better than the entry 310m from nvidia.

 

Which isn't saying much. That can barely manage anything at low. The Intel 540m and 6550m can be found in laptops running < $800 and are reasonable performers. Even the 555m can be found in laptops around $800 and is pretty good. All of them best to play at 720p resolution however, at least newer games.

 

The HD 3000 can actually be faster than the 320m from what I have read.

 

In any case you're talking 20fps at 720p with low detail. I wouldn't expect much more. The IGP is also tied to your slower system RAM too instead of dedicated RAM which can also have an impact.

 

Well, saying that having to use system RAM can have an impact is an understatement. There are noticeable improvements with faster RAM like the kingston HyperX. It's still an intel IGP none the less.

If you don't need a lot of CPU performance (read you don't encode videos etc.), Llano will also be a good option. At 720p, what i would go for is an i5+540m or the equivalent AMD GPU.Just si you know, there are some vaios that are 14" and lower with decent GPUs, the Asus n43s would also be a reasonable contender.

 

Well only i7-2720QM, 2820QM, and 2920XM support 1600MHz RAM which are mainly in higher end more expensive systems anyhow with dedicated GPU's. And I doubt it would make a huge difference anyhow.

 

Getting faster RAM to improve intel video is like getting a better wheelchair when you can actually walk. Sure, it'll work, but there are better and more obvious ways to do it.