do I need it

okay the only games i will want to put on my lappy (whenever i decide on one..lol) are Halo 1 and Counterstrike. considering that should i save money by going with the ATI RADEON® Xpress1270 HyperMemory or do i need to get the Nvidia Geforce 8400M?

 

ATI's integrated parts are actually quite capable. Certainly not as powerful as a discrete solution, but if there's significant savings between the two and you don't plan on playing more demanding games, go with the Express 1270.

 

and will it be good for dvd viewing?

 

What he said.

Yes, any modern graphics card, integrated or dedicated will be fine for DVD viewing. HD or 1080p content might be a different matter, however.

 

I would personally go with the 8400M GS. You don't know if in a years time there will be a game you suddenly want to play -- but are unable to. I'd future proof yourself while your at it.

 

plus, even for halo 1 / cs, the dedicated card will give you better performance / image quality.

 

masterchef--you are talking about the 8400 right? and no..I will be upgrading the desktop with a real good graphics card..just b/c of better performance and for that reason ps2cho..the one about if there will be a game later that i may want to play. so considering this ..all i want to put on the lappy is halo 1 and counterstrike..

 

Get the ATI then.

 

as a warning, you are limited in upgrade options on the Dimension desktop. 8600GT, 8600GTS, 7900GS or perhaps x1950gt are the best graphics card you can get for E520( limited by power supply)

 

yes..but i'm not planning on playing the most high tech games. I will also be upgrading the hard drive (it can hold up to 640GB and the RAM. its not like i'll be playin Crysis..not interested. maybe a couple war games, my hubby likes playing Civ IV and neverwinter nights..which doesn't need high end grahpics anyways. thats about it..other than that we are trying to stay away from getting addicted to games again.

 

element- how is your hp workin for ya?

 

Then the ATI card will suffice.

 

Thank you all. I mean i don't need a 1300 + lappy right now. Also which video card is newer? the nvidia model or the ati model i was talking about? like which one is going to be well "less obselete" i guess in a couple of years or something. or how about the Intel c2d T5450, the T7100 or the AMD TL-60...same question for that..or is it about a horse a piece? i know every computer company is always coming out with new stuff but just thought i'd ask, or which one will do me better in 2-4 maybe 5 years? which one won't be as obselete is what i'm trying to ask i guess. anyways thanks for ya'lls help

 

Guessing you mean counterstrike 1.6? The ATi should be fine for those two.

CPU wise the T7100 and T5450 are pretty much on the same level in terms of 5 years down the line performance. I'm guessing you're thinking about the Dell 1520 or 1521?

 

yup. yea and just the regular Counterstrike