Video Card Advice.

Hi. I am buying a laptop within the next 2 weeks, and i was wondering a couple of things.

Whenever games like borderlands come out, i like to play them. I don't require the absolute highest stats on them, but i like being able to play them. Also, most of the time on my laptop i am going to be watching movies or surfing the internet.

What i am wondering is: What video card do i need to be able to game for the next 2 years happily? Do i need a 260m, or would i be fine with a 120m? What ATI cards could i use, etc? What do i REALLY need?!?!

Thanks in advance.

 

if u want to play everything on max without even worring about possible need to tune down settings, then yea 260m is your STARTING bet imo

 

what if i don't really care about the highest stats? I mean, i just want something thats playable. When diablo 3 comes out, i want to be able to play it, but the majority of my gaming will be on my PC at home.

Whats a good starting card that can handle games over the next 2 years?

Thanks for the quick response.

 

Well then as a starting card u can get 9600m GT and that still will do, its over a year old card already, but it will take a long time before that card wont be able to handle new games even on low

Ps. If u will hunt for 9600m card then make sure it's GDDR3 (not DD2 one )

 

A 120m may do the trick, I believe it's equivalent to a 9600m GT, but you can do better. Anything with a 9800m or a 260m should be fine.

 

Would you plan to use the videocard that comes in your notebook for its entire lifetime or would you want the option to upgrade it later down the road?

 

130M is equivalent to the 9600M GT, not 120M, but the difference shouldn't be quite small as 120M is just an underclocked 130M.

If you want to get a card that can serve for your gaming need for the next 2 years with decent settings, get a 9800M/260M/ATI HD4850 or something better.

 

Good advice about the DDR3 thing, ill watch out on that.

Also, to Rahul: I want to find a laptop for less than 1000$ that has a P8700 and a decent video card. I mean i only have 1000$ to spend, and i just want a laptop that can handle things. If the laptop is upgradable, thats phenomenal, and in a year or so i might upgrade. However, if i find one with a 9600m that will be with it for the lifetime, than ill just upgrade the entire machine in 3 years or so (at least thats my plan for now).

Also, how is the 9600 on energy consumption?

 

Also, what does a 230m do compared to a 9600?

 

nonono, get at least 160M, those cards are gonna suffer, they are horrible for gaming. or at least u would need to turn down the res., not play @ native etc. try get a GTS160m/GTS250m/GTS260m/GTX260m, you will be much more happier getting those cards.

btw the perfect laptop for you is either an asus G60vx, that thing will last u at least 2 yrs @ highest settings becuz of the GTX 260m paired with 1366x768 res. is a good combo.

or try the GTS 160m on the MSI GT628.

 

I was looking at this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115681

GTX 240M video card, good resolution, and 18.4 inches for all pleasure. But... One issue. It has a T6600 processor.

Will that end up screwing with my overall experience, or 'bottleneck' the system?

 

for 900usd, y not the MSI? that thing is much better gaming wise, it has good specs (+90USD for the T8100 which will be fine for ur needs) and it has a good res. matched for the card. for 1000usd, its kinda tight, if u can stretch it by 100usd, u can get urself a GR8 machine.

keep in mind, 18.4" is huge = not moving anywhere easily. the msi is small and powerful. my personal choice would be the 16:9 G60Vx w/ more powerful GTX 260m, 16" screen and a better CPU than either computers. altho it does run hot, but its fine, the computer was built that way. dont need to worry too much about it.

edit: actually disregard the MSI, it gets more expensive, the CPU, RAM and OS needs to be added, so it'll be around 1100USD after everything is complete. just stick with that acer if u want a big laptop or G60Vx (small, costs 1000USD + tax, my personal choice).