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Intel X3100 GMA chip

Discussion in 'Techno-Magic' started by Faraaz, Aug 17, 2007.

  1. Faraaz Gems: 26/31
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    Remove all ads!
    Hi,

    I'm considering buying a laptop for use at my university. Mostly going to be for productivity apps and multimedia (music and movies and stuff).

    I know that the performance on this thing is crap, but I just wanted to check whether its possible to play games like Baldur's Gate 2, IWD2 and Neverwinter Nights 1 on it.

    Also, is it possible to buy external videocard solutions?? Or am I dreaming?
     
    Faraaz, Aug 17, 2007
    #1

  2. Stu Gems: 20/31
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    IE games should run on just about anything new without a hitch.
    And external videocard options aren't available to consumers just yet, they may be an option in the future though (they've had operational ones at a few tech shows)
     
    Stu, Aug 18, 2007
    #2

  3. Munchkin Blender Gems: 22/31
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    I hear the new intel chip is good, but it uses shared memory. If you purchase a portable computer with this chip make sure it has 2GB of memory.
     
    Munchkin Blender, Aug 30, 2007
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  4. Stu Gems: 20/31
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    2gb of ram sounds a bit excessive for a laptop, even with shared graphics memory you'll struggle to find apps that use that much (before stessing other components such as the cpu or graphics processor). I'd do it only if you're a chronic multi-tasker, otherwise save the cash.
     
    Stu, Aug 31, 2007
    #4

  5. Meatdog Gems: 15/31
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    I don't agree. You're right if the laptop is running winxp. However, Vista really needs its 1gb of ram, meaning it's not a good idea to share some of it with your graph card. As such, I advice to indeed take 2gb of ram to compensate for the shared memory, especially if you are to run nwn on top of vista...

    BTW, I know expensiveness is relative, but on dell machines, an upgrade to 2gb of ram from 1gb only adds about 70 euro to the laptop. The problem is that if you buy a premade, uncustomisable laptop in a big shop, they only ship 2gb of ram on high end machines, hence the reason it might seem that it is expensive to get 2gb of ram.

    Personnally, I always found that prebuild machines come with too few ram. The ram they put in is only sufficient if you are going to use the machine as a work tool. Once you start using it for multimedia or gaming it is usually insufficient. Memory is a much bigger factor than processor speed in determining the power of a computer.
     
    Meatdog, Aug 31, 2007
    #5
  6. Disciple of The Watch

    Disciple of The Watch Preparing The Coming of The New Order Veteran

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    Vista is useless, heavy, bloated trash.

    Unfortunately, it's mission impossible to get a laptop without this piece of trash in it (unless you're looking into clones).

    Definitively go with mininum 2GB.
     
    Disciple of The Watch, Sep 1, 2007
    #6
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