Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator X4500...put to the test

I finally got a laptop with an Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator X4500 (dv4t 1000 CTO) (FOR SCHOOL). I have to say that the reviews for it are a bit exaggerated negatively (or probably my standards are low ) People have said that it’s a horrible card and can’t play anything.

Here are some games I tried...even if I know that there is a low chance of them working, I still try it .

Before I bought the dv4t with the X4500, I wanted to know what the card was capable of and I’m sure there are people out there, who were like me.... so I hope this helpful to someone out there.

X4500 Driver version: 7.15.10.1502

Tried the following games:

All games are run at 800 x 600 resolution, except (Counter Strike Source) (It doesn’t look that bad on a 14" laptop)

GRID (demo) WORKS!
Works fine except for a few artifacts on car. Customized low to medium settings.
MIN 9
MAX 20
AVG 12


GRID (full game) FAIL!
Does not run properly. When I start it, I see the intro videos, then a black screen that does not go away but I can hear the menu in the background. Don’t know why, because the demo runs perfectly. Can someone help me out? I really want to play it especially after the demo worked so well...surprisingly.


Call of Duty 4
With medium settings it runs ok with a lot of craziness (we know how COD 4 can get crazy) the FPS drops to low single digits. Customized low to medium settings. Overall it’s partially playable especially if I lower the settings.

MIN 4
MAX 60
AVG 14


Combat Arms
Very Playable (cool game give it a try.
(will get FPS later) It’s a free multiplayer FPS.


Tomb Raider Underworld
Not really playable runs at medium settings. Settings can be modified to achieve higher frame rates.

MIN 5
MAX 10
AVG 6


Portal
Very playable. FPS very dynamic. Customized medium to high settings.

MIN 22
MAX 50
AVG 31


Counter Strike Source
Runs perfectly on high settings (1024x768) with 16 players on local server.

MIN 12
MAX 60
AVG 32


James Bond Quantum of Solace
Not playable in open areas in rooms frame rate skyrockets to 35 FPS outdoors sinks down to single digit. Customized low to very low settings.

MIN 2
MAX 35
AVG 6


Fifa 09
Very playable, especially on low. But doesn’t look too good. Customized low to low-medium settings.

MIN 25
MAX 32
AVG 30


Command and Conquer Red Alert 3
Playable. Low medium settings the more decals on screen the lower the FPS.

MIN 16
MAX 30
AVG 22


Need For Speed Undercover
Very playable on low settings. FPS can fluctuate heavily especially in areas with many buildings.

MIN 5
MAX 30
AVG 20

NOTE: FPS for some of the games could be higher by decreasing the graphics quality.

I’ll be adding more as I play them (and feel like), also feel free to add some more.

 

I'm sorry, but you seem to be the one who is confused. I wish I could say your the one who is over exaggerating, but you already provide the proof that the games aren't playable.30 fps is playable 20 and below is not.

 

I agree with you....but I also judge playability by how much fun I have playing the game at the specific FPS. For example when playing GRID on ma desktop that plays it at 60 FPS, fun factor is 100% due to the high frame rate and smooth game play, of course playing (the demo) on the X4500, the FPS decreases drastically and so does the fun factor, but, it does not decrease to a level of dislike, only probably to like 75%.

You can enjoy the game at a frame rate lower than 30 FPS but not as much as you would at a FPS, at say 60.

I actually enjoyed playing GRID at 15 FPS at most and placed 1st in some races. But I guess, at the end of the day, playability is up to the gamer.

On the other hand playing Quantum of Solace was utterly annoying (at 3FPS) Because of the jerky gameplay and fluctuating FPS (moving from 1 FPS to 20 FPS). These things decreased the fun factor of the game.

Note I do factor in graphics also, but just not as much,as I have a desktop I can admire the graphics on .

Note My list was more a compatibility list, to show people what the X4500 is capable of.

 

thanks for results.

If you have could you test WarCraft 3?

 

Would anyone happen to know how the 4500 matches up against the Nvidia Go 7150? I know that the 7150 was better than the Intel X3100, so how about the 4500?

 

warcraft 3 ran perfectly on the GMA950...

 

Well according to http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Graphics-Media-Accelerator-4500MHD-GMA-X4500MHD.9883.0.html
the X4500 is a whole class higher than the 7150.
It also says the X3100 out performs it marginally.

X4500 is ranked 102
7150 is ranked 136
X3100 is ranked 132

Source

 

Interesting, I thought it would beat the X4500.

Thanks!

 

WArcraft 3 isn't that heavy....

 

I'm confused. For Counter-Strike Source and Portal, your average fps is lower than your minimum fps.

 

red alert 3 sucks with graphics on low. really you can play it but you cannot enjoy it. its really meant to be played on max and full settings.

alright numbers for a low graphics card. source engine is highly flexible as well as CoD4.

NFS undercover is a really bad game, lol.

about GRID problems do try installing the latest drivers for your card if not then its just incompatible, or unsupported.

 

Oh... it was a typo.
Thanks for pointing it out.
Corrected it.

 

Well I'm sure we all agree that the HD4500 isn't meant for gaming. The OP is merely pointing out that it is possible. And it should be for older games(2-3+ years old games should run ok).

I remember I once had a GMA945 and someone told me no game would run except minesweeper, yet I was able to run and play Warcraft 3, The Sims 2, Guild Wars(all expansions) and a few other older games on it without trouble.

 

Yeah forget gaming on integrated cards. I'm just happy with the extra battery life I get over dedicated cards with my X4500. Other than that, it will run games which are 2-3 years and before fine.

 

Try these drivers:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Det...OSs=164&OSFullName=Windows Vista* 32&lang=eng

The one you have is pretty old.