need clarifications regarding laptop video cards

[jackieskwong]

hi, i've been looking around for laptops lately and i'm confused.

some laptops come with ATI or Nvidea graphic cards that shows the memory.(such as 64 mb, 128, 256).

i know a 128 has no problem playing World of warcraft or counter strike.

but some laptops i see includes 'intel accelerators' or something

such as this 'Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950'

can i play video games with this?

it comes with the 'Toshiba Satellite Intel Centrino Core 2 Duo T5300 Laptop (A100-WA7).'

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10087406&catid=

which is on sale from future shop. everything looks good to me but i don't know if i'm able to play games on it.

just wondering if anyone would be able to help me out.

thanks

~jackie

[ProfessorChaos]

intel graphics is merely chipset integrated graphics....meaning there is no videocard that is external

The GMA 950 is Intel's second-generation GMA graphics core. It is used on the Intel 940GML, 945G series, 945GT chipsets. Most of the changes relate to video decoding, adding support for VLC, iDCT, hardware motion-compensation, and dual video overlay windows (1 HD + 1 SD). The core clock was bumped slightly to 400 MHz, which increased peak pixel fill rates to 1600 MPixel/s. The 950 can access more video memory than the 900. The 900 only supports up to 128MB (shared), whereas the 950 has up to 224MB (shared). The 950 was created with Microsoft Windows Vista kept in mind and will run the Aero interface[1]. Like the GMA 900, the GMA 950 also lacks Hardware Transform and Lighting technology, which reduces performance and in many instances, compatibility for many 3D graphics applications and games. The 950 will run most older games that do not require a Hardware T&L. The 950 outperforms the GMA 900, but falls behind the ATI Radeon Xpress 200[citation needed]. It is adequate for 2D applications (such as watching movies) and basic 3D applications, but much less suited for high-end gaming.

[board123]

DO NOT decide on video cards based on memory size. That's noob behavior.

The GMA950 sucks for any sort of gaming. It will not run any modern 3D game. By that I mean it will load them up and you can "play" them, but they will run at around 3 fps.

I tried CS:S on my laptop. It was literally a really fast slideshow.

[Smoked]

DO NOT decide on video cards based on memory size. That's noob behavior.


LOL

[krazy]

I tried CS:S on my laptop. It was literally a really fast slideshow.

:cheesygri :cheesygri :cheesygri :cheesygri :cheesygri

[jackieskwong]

so should i get a laptop with a ATI or Nveida video card if i want to play warcraft 3 and world of warcraft?

[toalan]

Based on my experience the 950 is much better than the 900. I am sure the 950 will be able to handle CS and WOW, but you will have to turn the eye candy down.

Gaming on a laptop is about comprimise, you can not expect a desktop experience unless you are willing to pay lots of money.

[jvangilst]

Either ATI or Nvidia are good for games, but it depends on the model of video card. If you know the model #s, post them here.

[bionicbadger]

The GMA950 sucks for any sort of gaming. It will not run any modern 3D game. By that I mean it will load them up and you can "play" them, but they will run at around 3 fps.

I tried CS:S on my laptop. It was literally a really fast slideshow.

Its integrated graphics, what do you expect? If you want to run the game, turn your res down from native, to 800x600 or something and it should run ok.

[sergiepopov]

950 is no good, I was able to play Rome on 1150 xpress on Acer and it burned
got nVidia Go 6300 256 dedicated coupled with t2400 intel - doing good so far.
I think because of size format laptops are vulnerable to overheating leading to failure. My Toshiba has both the cpu and video card fans and it's still overheating. So, if you plan to play graphically intense games and for extended periods of time - buy a desktop.

[lazybum131]

My Toshiba has both the cpu and video card fans and it's still overheating.
All that means is that either

the design of cooling system of your laptop sucks,
the heatsink(s) aren't installed properly, or
the laptop is clogged with dust.

[sergiepopov]

All that means is that either

the design of cooling system of your laptop sucks,
the heatsink(s) aren't installed properly, or
the laptop is clogged with dust.


it has to be design or installation, because it's 5 days old

[1madman1]

it has to be design or installation, because it's 5 days old
If it's a A70 or A75, then "design" is the answer. (http://www.toshibaa70classaction.com/)

[board123]

Its integrated graphics, what do you expect? If you want to run the game, turn your res down from native, to 800x600 or something and it should run ok.
I knew what to expect. I just wanted to test it and see for myself. Look at my sig. That's where I actually play the game.

[The_Madz]

also dont forget that just because ATI and Nvidia makes good cards it dosnt' mean that ALL their cards are good..

The Nvidia 6150 is a prime example of a card that's integrated where there are a lot of retail sales personal who thinks it's not or that it's good for gaming.

in a nutshell. All integrated graphics suck royally for gaming no matter who makes it. but be aware that discrete graphics in laptops push the price considerably higher

[board123]

X1400 is fine for light gaming. It doesn't "suck royally".