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    Do i need dedicated gfx?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by chunkie, Jun 8, 2008.

  1. chunkie

    chunkie Notebook Guru

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    Will performing any of the following tasks require a dedicated gfx? which means intel gma x3100 is insufficient.

    1. playing SIMS 2
    2. Adobe photoshop
    3. dreamweaver
    4. illustrator
    5. fireworks
    6. watching dvds
    7. playback on an external monitor via HDMI or VGA
    8. playing NFS - i know this require a dedicated gfx. but if only an integrated gfx is present, can the game still load/run?

    thanks!
     
    chunkie, Jun 8, 2008
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  2. ATG

    ATG 2x4 Super Moderator

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    I'd say with x3100 you're good to go.

    I think NFS is playable, never tried it myself though.

    P.S. If you have the money, please buy a laptop with GPU :)
     
    ATG, Jun 8, 2008
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  3. moon angel

    moon angel Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Which NFS?

    Any current integrated graphics will struggle with the sims 2. Really you should be looking at at least a HD2400 or 8400M GS for that, as well as NFS. They will both still run on integrated but not very well. NFS carbon onwards will run very badly on integrated.

    The ATi HD3200 integrated is coming up which will be on a par with the two cards I mentioned above, that'll be reasonable for gaming.
     
    moon angel, Jun 8, 2008
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  4. moon angel

    moon angel Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    The X3100 is not good to go at all, it's puny even compared to an X1250.
     
    moon angel, Jun 8, 2008
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  5. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

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    need for speed might still run. the intel x3100 tends to either run a game on low settings at 10-30 fps, or just not run at all.
     
    masterchef341, Jun 8, 2008
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  6. moon angel

    moon angel Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    I never said it wouldn't run but anything from NFSU2 onwards will not be a nice gaming experience.

    With Dell offering laptops with 8400M GS from around £400 there's not much excuse not to buy one for gaming.
     
    moon angel, Jun 8, 2008
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  7. chunkie

    chunkie Notebook Guru

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    ok. if i don't play NFS, and only play SIMS 2.

    will i be able to play SIMS 2 without the game lagging?
     
    chunkie, Jun 8, 2008
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  8. lastrebelstanding

    lastrebelstanding Notebook Evangelist

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    These are some videos on YouTube which show off the graphics performance of the X3100 for the games you were asking about

    NFS Most Wanted http://youtube.com/watch?v=2z3EfbvGUVg
    NFS Underground 2 http://youtube.com/watch?v=LkZFhs_Vvk0
    NFS Pro Street http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ph_X6ZsYqlI
    This is Call of Duty 4 on X3100 http://youtube.com/watch?v=qqDqf9RIA94

    So yeah, Sims 2 will run on the X3100 just don't expect any high settings or resolutions!

    There are a lot more videos on YouTube just search for X3100
     
    lastrebelstanding, Jun 8, 2008
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