Just purchased a new laptop.

I'm a little stunned at my graphics card.
I bought this laptop because it was supposedly a "gaming laptop".
It only shows the ram and processor.
So I saw "4 gigs of ram" "2.1GHz duo core processor"
And it was at a good price.
I figured it'd come with a good graphics card.
I get home and realize it comes with a 64MB graphics card!
So I go into my bios and it has the option of 32, 64, and 128MB of ram for the card.
So I choose 128MB and that's what I'm currently running on.

Here's my system details:
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 4/16/2008, 21:30:52
Machine name: ALAN-PC
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.longhorn_rtm.080118-1840)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: HP Pavilion dv2700 Notebook PC
BIOS: PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.1
Processor: AMD Turion(tm) 64 X2 TL-62 (2 CPUs), ~2.1GHz
Memory: 3966MB RAM


---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA MCP67M
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 7150M / nForce 630M
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0531&SUBSYS_30D6103C&REV_A2
Display Memory: 1851 MB
Dedicated Memory: 124 MB
Shared Memory: 1727 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: nvd3dum,nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2um, nvwgf2umx
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.5671 (English)
DDI Version: 10



So now, my question is if there is anyway for me to get to 256MB dedicated ram out of this card instead of 128MB ram. Also, why is there 1727 shared memory in this card? Anyway I could throw some of that into my dedicated?
I'm a gamer! Help!

 

uhm... you have an igp... aka integrated graphics processor... aka as your gpu borrows from your system's ram. you got duped. hope you can return it.

 

If my graphics card runs off my systems ram, then how come I can't play any game that requires 256MB ram?
I mean I have 4 gigs of system ram, shouldn't that help it out?

 

Those Requirements are 256mb of Discrete Video memory. Shared system memory does not apply, unless somehow your laptop can trick the game in thinking you have 256mb dedicated, like my 8600M GT which displays as 512mb when there is actually only 256mb dedicated.

However I don't think this applies to the 7150m GeForce.

 

So there's no forceware or any other types of things that could help me get more dedicated memory out of my card?
I guess I'm SOL.
I also read upgrading video cards are practically impossible.
That my best bet would be to send in my laptop and get the MOBO of my choice for the video card I want.

 

Ya if you need to game return the laptop asap integrated graphics are only good for movies at best.

 

What happened in the first place? Did you know what type of laptop you were buying?

Not sure how you would buy a gaming laptop and miss out on the part of getting a dedicated graphics chip.

 

Is there any good, decent, gamin laptops out for around $1000?
If not, I'll just keep this since it's a decently fast laptop for everything other than gaming.
And I'll do a $1000 desktop build and have a top of the line desktop.

 

I doubt that you would even be able to play a game well or at all that required 256MB of graphics memory. HP is retarded and seems to like to advertise laptops with IGPs as being able to game. And if you get a laptop from them with a dedicated card, it is going to suck anyway because it is either an 8400M GS or an 8600M GS (except for the wallet-destroying Pavilion HDX with its 8800M GTS) I could barely play Portal or even Far Cry on lower setting on my old HP with the GF6150 (the predecessor to your IGP). Thats why I sold it and now have my beast of a Toshiba.

-J.B.

 

just build a decent desktop build since gaming laptops cost a lot.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220303

Take a look at this one. It has a 2Ghz Core 2 Duo, 3GB ram and an ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 with 1024MB of ram for only $999. It should game decently.

-J.B.

 

That 1024 video memory is dedicated?
Not shared or whatever.

 

It either has 256 or 512MB dedicated ram. As long as it has that much it will be fine. Believe it or not the notebook in my signature has 2 8600M GTs in SLI, and each card has 256MB of dedicated RAM and shares 128MB of RAM. And it gets 7800 points in 3DMark 06. The laptop you have now scores ~400 points in this benchmark. Don't worry about the shared memory usage on your dedicated card if it has a reasonable amount of ram e.g. 256 or 512MB dedicated. The shared memory on these will have little or no impact on the peformance of your system. IGPs share all their ram because their cores don't even have enough rendering power to take advantage of dedicated ram (except AMD 780G, not in laptops yet). However, a discrete card has a fast core and will stick to it's dedicated ram, and only share (in this case) if it absolutely needs it.

-J.B.

 

Next time, do more research (seriously).

And check out Dell Outlet ( www.delloutlet.com). Look into the XPS M1530 and get one with the 256mb 8600GT. They will all have Core2Duo's, and you can get agood one no problem for less with a grand.

Oh btw, Dell Outlet are refurbs (nothing wrong with them at all usally). And they restock thier stock every 20 minutes to the hour.

 

Never, EVER buy computers based on impulse. Do your research before getting one. That's my 2 pennies anyway.

[edit] Tusin beat me to it. Doh!

 

Yeah, I made that mistake with my DV6233SE that I used to own. Not a good choice (GeForce 6150).

-J.B.

 

Go fill out the FAQ over at ''What notebook should I buy?''

 

I am surprised that no ones suggests gateway p-6860FX? a little over your budget $1249-$1349. but it's one of the top gaming machines out there.

 

Really? A Gateway???


>ducks<

 

Wow lol, how did they manage to convince you that was a gaming laptop :O

 

you don't think so?

 

Yes it's 1GB of dedicated VRAM, but it's a little slower than the one that is 256MB, GDDR2 vs GDDR3.

Ram size is not the only thing.

That ASUS is a pretty solid choice, but there are others out there, just be sure to look around, but compared to your current laptop it's night and day.

 

He sounds like a victim of craigslist

Sorry had to say it.

 

my 8800m with 512MB can score 3 times as much 3650 did in 3dmark06

 

Yes, if you want a pure gaming notebook there is nothing better than that Gateway FX 17"er. But you have to be willing to sacrifice weight, build quality, battery life, heat/noise, etc. A lot of people are happy with a mid-range card because it is acceptable for most gaming uses. These mid-range cards will also be able to run most games at higher settings since most new PC games are also developed for the console, so graphically your fine until the next next-gen console arrives.

 

No. Once I looked up the specs on the Gateway I can see that it appears to be a fairly solid machine. I've just never regarded Gateway as a contender in the gaming sector.

But like the Dell XPS M1730, these 17" gaming laptops still pull double duty as a boat anchor. Too big and heavy for my liking.