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    Most basic graphics for Windows 7

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Noswal, Nov 9, 2009.

  1. Noswal

    Noswal Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi everyone,
    I'm shopping for a new laptop. What's the weakest integrated chip that can run the Aero interface?
    -Nos
     
  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    You should not have a problem with that at all. Anything released in the last three or four years from Intel, nVidia, or AMD will suffice.
     
  3. Noswal

    Noswal Notebook Enthusiast

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    Oh really? Cool. Thanks for the quick response.
    -Nos
     
  4. Peon

    Peon Notebook Virtuoso

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    Not quite. Until fairly recently (beginning of this year?) a lot of netbooks still shipped with the notorious GMA 900, and some older models might still have it.
     
  5. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    IIRC...

    Intel - Anything newer than the 915 series (exclusive)
    Nvidia - Anything newer than an FX5200 (inclusive)
    AMD - Anything newer than an X300 (inclusive)

    I think the general gist is that it just needs to support DX9? Something like that?
     
  6. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Oh, good catch. I thought the GMA 900 died already.

    It has to support DX9 yes, but it also has to have a WDDM driver. That's why the GMA 900 does not work with Aero - no WDDM driver.
     
  7. IntelUser

    IntelUser Notebook Deity

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    Technically you want at least the GMA X3100 for Aero support. GMA950 was included cause Intel asked MS for it, but its not any better than GMA900, driver support or not.

    But its Aero for ffs, how demanding could it be?