Notebook ?s: 4gb RAM worth it? CAS? X1270?

I just purchased a new laptop to take with me to Iraq. It will be used mostly for multimedia, photo editing, internet browsing, MS Office, and light gaming. I hope to be able to play games like Oblivion, WOW, maybe F.E.A.R., with no need for great graphics and only a decent FPS (~25 or so). I have included the specs below and have four questions that I hope someone can shed some light on. Thanks for any and all information. Oh, and I will NOT be trading it back in for a different laptop.

1) Will increasing from 2gb to 4gb of RAM make any difference in
game play or overall performance?
2) If so, there are two options: 4gb DDR2 800 with CAS-5 or 4gb
DDR2 667 with CAS-4. According to the specs, the motherboard will
accept up to DDR2 800. Which one will be the better choice?
3) Can anyone give good specs for the AMD 690T chipset with ATI
X1270 IGP setup? I have had a hard time finding any useful review or
info pages. Specifically, does it support the T&L Hardware requirement
for Oblivion?
4) What games can I actually expect to play with the ATI x1270 on a
medium-low setting with an acceptable (not annoying) FPS?

Laptop Specs
Dell Inspiron 1526
2GHz Turion 64 X2 TL-60 Processor
AMD 690T chipset with ATI Radeon Express X1270 IGP
2gb DDD2 667 RAM (possible upgrade to 4gb if it will help)
15.4 Hi-Def Glossy Widescreen (1280 x 800)
250gb SATA HD

 

The x1270 (or any IGP) is a very poor choice if you're planning on playing games on your laptop. You will be forced to run most games at bare minimum, if they will run at all.

RAM will not help this situation.

 

You can probably only play WoW, and even then on some somewhat low settings.

I would return it to dell, and look into a refurb. Some great deals going on right now!

 

yeah that video card will struggle with what you are throwing at it. I recommend a laptop with a better video card. Check out the Dell Coupons and $ Laptop Deals pages for coupons that could knock off a lot of the price, maybe even make a better laptop just as cheap as the one you have. But make sure you are able to return that one first.

 

XPS M1530, kicks much FSP butt!

 

The X1270...I have trouble running Counter Strike Source and Warcraft III with a consistent frame rate, so good luck with Oblivion.

You're better off with something else - something with an 8400 or 8600 preferably.

 

Ok, thanks everyone for the inputs. I am NOT going to return the laptop since my primary use if for college and multimedia while in Iraq. I have a great SLI setup at home and only wish to occasionally play games. I also do not care about great graphics setting; I am completely fine with low graphics. I care more about a playable FPS, somewhere around 25 or so. My current laptop only has a GMA950, so the X1270 must be better than what I have now.

So, is it not worth it to get 4gb?

Do you know if the x1270 has T&L Hardware that Oblivion requires to even start?