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    Vaio Z Graphics Drivers and Starcraft II

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by CitizenPanda, Jul 29, 2010.

  1. CitizenPanda

    CitizenPanda Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    I'm considering a Vaio Z and have a few quick questions:

    1) What's the skinny on GPU drivers? Do you have to use Sony drivers or can you get the latest Nvidia ones from Nvidia?

    2) Has anyone tried Starcraft 2 on this system? How is the performance on max settings?

    In case anyone was interested, the Z is on sale at Microcenter for $1699
     
    CitizenPanda, Jul 29, 2010
    #1
  2. Qwaarjet

    Qwaarjet Notebook Deity

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    Have to use Sony's or Lenovo's slightly updated drivers.

    I've tried SC2 at my native 1600x900 at what i would describe as medium-high settings and the game has run very smooth, no complaints. I haven't tried high settings bc i'm lazy i don't imagine the diff from my m/h setting to be much different
     
    Qwaarjet, Jul 29, 2010
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  3. roncruiser

    roncruiser Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm going to buy SC2 this weekend. I plan to max out the settings for driving my external 23" monitor. I'll post the results soon after I play.
     
    roncruiser, Jul 30, 2010
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  4. wtaniguchi

    wtaniguchi Notebook Enthusiast

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    Are you guys trying with the VPC or the VGN Z?

    I'm running it on my VGN-Z and am pretty worried about the temperatures my GPU is reaching, even using low settings.
    When I run it on my 24' FHD screen, it gets over 95C with easy.

    I think newer VPC-Zs will handle it well on medium/high, but I don't know if it is a healthy thing in the long term.
     
    wtaniguchi, Jul 30, 2010
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  5. solvalou7

    solvalou7 Notebook Enthusiast

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    what program you use to check CPU temperatures ?
     
    solvalou7, Jul 30, 2010
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  6. TofuTurkey

    TofuTurkey Married a Champagne Mango

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    I was looking at the SC2 threads on the Gaming Software subforum, people were talking about capping the max frame rates to reduce the load. I think I saw a maximum of 600+ frames per second uncapped :eek: There's some command to cap that rate...

    (Later) I stole from this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...-ii-set-release-july-27th-46.html#post6536419

    this link: http://gameinformer.com/b/news/arch...rd-confirms-starcraft-ii-overheating-bug.aspx
     
    TofuTurkey, Jul 30, 2010
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  7. scroogee

    scroogee Newbie

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    sorry if this is the wrong thread to ask, but has anyone here tried to connect the Z to a receiver via HDMI to get surround sound? or is it limited to connecting directly to the TV via HDMI for just stereo? does one need to run an audio cable from the Z headphone out to the TV? appreciate any pointers. thanks.
     
    scroogee, Aug 1, 2010
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  8. solvalou7

    solvalou7 Notebook Enthusiast

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    there is a known issue with starcraft 2 where the menu screens overheat CPUs. They will fix it in next patch.
     
    solvalou7, Aug 1, 2010
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