Question before purchase

Hp Dv5z

Operating system Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (32-bit)
Processor AMD Turion(TM) X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile Processor ZM-80 (2.1 GHz)
Display 15.4" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Infinity Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
Memory FREE Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
Graphics card 256MB ATI Radeon(TM) HD 3450 Graphics
Personalization HP Imprint Finish (Mesh) + Microphone + Webcam for HP BrightView Infinity
Networking 802.11b/g WLAN
Modem Port No High speed 56K modem port
Hard drive FREE Upgrade to 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive from 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Primary CD/DVD drive SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
TV & entertainment experience No TV Tuner w/remote control
Primary battery 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Productivity software Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
Keyboard HP Color Matching Keyboard


What are the gaming capabilites of this, nothing really hardcore. BF2 possibly?

 

Here are a few things from notebook check, which might be helpful. It’s a 64bit card, but that might not say it can’t play what you want it to play well. Let’s hope someone with that card can give you more clues on what to expect from it.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-3450.9593.0.html

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html

 

So should i get 64 bit vista?

 

Hehe! 64bit memory, just means the card is weak. Looking at the thread, you might just be in luck.

Post here.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=265773&page=405

 

alright thank you

 

Here is another link you might want to read up on, that card is getting better by the minute.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=258569

That's actually the 3650, sorry.

 

BF2 should be no problem with this card. This is actually a fairly decent card. I haven't seen any benchmarks for it yet but the HD 3200 gets about 1600 in 3dmark06 so I would imagine the 3450 will get at least 2000 or so which is plenty for BF2.

 

64bit is beneficial if you have 4gb RAM installed.

BF2 will be able to play on ultra high settings

 

Z?

What other laptops are you looking at? I would agree that the 3450 is decent for what it’s meant for, which is HDMI/HTPC output. But for gaming, the jury is still out on it. You say now you’re just interested in BF2, but what if you want more? At the $700 mark….At least look to see if you can get an 8600GT, HD3650 or even a 9500GS at that price mark. That will be your best bet in terms of mobility, gaming and overall performance.


I was referring to the 64bit memory interface of the graphics card.