Gaming rig?

[GakunGak]

I need advice on this laptop, can it handle all major games today on the market?
I plan adding 1 more GB on him....

F3JR, Intel Merom Core2Duo T5600 1,83GHz, 667MHz, 64bit, 2MB L2 cache, 15.4" WXGA(1440x900) Color shine, ATI MR X2300 384MB Hyper Memory(128MB VRAM), 1024MB DDRII, 160GB SATA hard disk, Super Multi DL 8x DVD/RW writer, WLAN 802.11a/b/g, Firewire, Bluetooth, 4 x USB2.0, 5-u-1 card reader, integrated video camera 1.3M, Li-ion battery with 9 cells, TPM, New PC Card, ASUS Power4Gear, 2.95 kg, warranty 24 months, ASUS bag and mouse

1.415,70 euro

datalink.cg.yu

This should be more than enough for my faculty, but one cannot keep styding all the time....:know: I will take the bank credit for this, but I need confirmation is this capable of, say with 1GB more ram, handling SH4 to the max?
I recon it has ati 2300 and I have x1600, so I take it greater the number, the better...:88)

[Chock]

SH4 has limited support for laptops, but this is largely due to the fact that it requires Pixel Shader 2.0 capability from the graphics card.

If it can do that, I guess you are good to go. But be aware that laptops used for a lot of gaming can be a bit tough on the graphics card, since it will be getting hot a lot of the time in a case that is not exactly the best for ventilation. As an example, a friend of mine's Alienware gaming laptop is now on its fourth replacement graphics card in the space of three years.

:D Chock

[GakunGak]

So, can this handle SH4?
http://ati.amd.com/products/mobilityradeonx2300/specs.html

ATI Mobility Radeon™ X2300 - Specifications
ATI Mobility Radeon™ X2300 Product Features
105 million transistors using 90nm fabrication process
4 pixel shader processors
2 vertex shader processors
128-bit 4-channel DDR1/DDR2/GDDR3 memory interface
Native PCI Express® x16 bus interface
ATI PowerPlay™ 6.0 power management technology
Avivo™ Video and Display architecture

High Performance Memory Controller
Fully associative texture, color, and Z/stencil cache designs
Hierarchical Z-buffer with Early Z test
Lossless Z Compression (up to 48:1)
Fast Z-Buffer Clear
Z/stencil xache optimized for real-time shadow rendering
Ultra-Threaded Shader Engine
Support for Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 programmable vertex and pixel shaders in hardware
Full speed 128-bit floating point processing for all shader operations
Up to 128 simultaneous pixel threads
Dedicated branch execution units for high performance dynamic branching and flow control
Dedicated texture address units for improved efficiency
3Dc+ texture compression
High quality 4:1 compression for normal maps and two-channel data formats
High quality 2:1 compression for luminance maps and single-channel data formats
Multiple Render Target (MRT) support
Render to vertex buffer support
Complete feature set also supported in OpenGL ® 2.0
Advanced Image Quality Features
64-bit floating point HDR supported throughout the pipeline
Includes support for blending and multi-sample anti-aliasing
32-bit integer HDR (10:10:10:2) format supported throughout the pipeline
Includes support for blending and multi-sample anti-aliasing
2x/4x/6x Anti-Aliasing modes
Multi-sample algorithm with gamma correction, programmable sparse sample patterns, and centroid sampling
New Adaptive Anti-Aliasing feature with Performance and Quality modes
Temporal Anti-Aliasing mode
Lossless Color Compression (up to 6:1) at all resolutions, including widescreen HDTV resolutions
2x/4x/8x/16x Anisotropic Filtering modes
Up to 128-tap texture filtering
Adaptive algorithm with Performance and Quality options
High resolution texture support (up to 4k x 4k)
Avivo™ Video and Display Engine
High performance programmable video processor
Accelerated MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, WMV9, VC-1
DXVA support
De-blocking and noise reduction filtering
Motion compensation, IDCT, DCT and color space conversion
Vector adaptive per-pixel de-interlacing
3:2 pulldown (frame rate conversion)
Seamless integration of pixel shaders with video in real time
HDR tone mapping acceleration
Maps any input format to 10 bit per channel output
Flexible display support
Dual integrated 10 bit per channel 400 MHz DACs
16 bit per channel floating point HDR and 10 bit per channel DVI output
Programmable piecewise linear gamma correction, color correction, and color space conversion (10 bits per color)
Complete, independent color controls and video overlays for each display
High quality pre- and post-scaling engines, with underscan support for all outputs
Content-adaptive de-flicker filtering for interlaced displays
Xilleon™ TV encoder for high quality analog output
YPrPb component output for direct drive of HDTV displays
Spatial/temporal dithering enables 10-bit color quality on 8-bit and 6-bit displays
Fast, glitch-free mode switching
VGA mode support on all outputs

[JSLTIGER]

If I may make a suggestion, I got something like this one for my brother and its a bit more powerful. You should be able to find something similar without too many problems.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220162

[GakunGak]

If I may make a suggestion, I got something like this one for my brother and its a bit more powerful. You should be able to find something similar without too many problems.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220162
For about 1000 euro, that is fantastic man, great find!!!!!!
Now, a n00b q, how do I buy at newegg.com from Montenegro?:oops:

[JSLTIGER]

Thanks...my brother has it...it's pretty slick. There's another model with a slightly better graphics card, but it's $300 more which seems kind of high to me for a simple (and rather insignificant) graphics upgrade.

As for getting it in Montenegro, I don't really have an answer to that one, unfortunately. Maybe you could try giving them a call and seeing if they'll ship to you.

[GakunGak]

For real, as I/we dont use credit card in Montenegro, I mean, it's not that widespread use... Maybe I could try over Western Union...
I sent them an e-mail regarding this shipment issue and will post here any reply...

[SUBMAN1]

Well, take a look at the x2300 - I don't believe it to be a decent performer, but it probably is decent if you only compare to laptops. Let me find a write up on it so you can compare.

bb

-S

[SUBMAN1]

Things are not good with that GPU:

At the moment when we published information about ASUS a8Jr - first notebook with GPU ATI mobility radeon x2300 we had no information about the power this new mobile GPU . Today we got new information about ATI x2300 mobility GPU and data about its performance , using the same notebook : a8Jr.

The mobile version of graphic chip is completed by four memory chips with a total volume of 128 mb., which has 64- bit system bus.

Thus, test platform (A8Jr) was : Intel core2 duo t5200, 2 Gb memory, chipsets 945PM. The next result are made with resolution 1024x768 :

3Dmark05: 1494
3Dmark06: 822
HL2: 14 FPS
Doom3: 7,8 FPS Well as u can clearly see this X2300 Gpu is nothing more than x1300 ( again another renamed card from AMD ???) . in any case the performance are about the same .we hope that this was just driver issue and x2300 will show
The x700 mobility was faster. See if you can find a rig with that instead.

If you want to compare performace, that 3DMark2006 score is pathetic. My machine here will hit about 6000 with an outdated x1900 XTX. 822 for the x2300 is not going to run many games decently.

14 FPS in HL2 is going to look awful. 7 to 8 FPS in Doom 3 is unplayable. You make the call.

-S

[SUBMAN1]

I forgot to mention something - having this ATI x2300 in your rig is a good thing. Most laptops have absolutely no 3D capability as compared to this thing, so playing games like Dangerous Waters should be possible.

I tried playing with the most numerous laptop GPu out there - that Intel (915?) that shares RAM with the system and it is really pathetic - and this is 90% of every laptops graphics capabilties too - this is all they have.

So all is not bad, but just don't expect very fast FPS in anything, but you should at least be able to play many things that most laptops can't.

-S

[Stealth Hunter]

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition
Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 8600 GTS (good card for $150 bucks!)
Megabytes: 2048 HD DDR2 RAM
Gigabytes: 500 HD
Processor: Dual Core AMD 64's 4200+ GHz
Computer Monitor: FPD1760TFT LCD Monitor, 17"(I don't want a big one), .20mm dot pitch, Energy Star, 1280x1024 max res, DVI Imputs, and VESA mount compatible (YAY!!)
Mouse: Standard Gateway mouse WITH laser sensor and ball control
Joystick: ATTACK 3 Precision controller
Internet connection: T3 as provided by People PC (fastest-connection-ever... and the most expensive...:nope: )
Sound Card: Not sure, but it IS EAX3 compatible!!

Casual man's gaming machine. I could have more if I wanted more, but I don't want more. I just want the average style gaming computer.:|\\

[SUBMAN1]

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition
Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 8600 GTS (good card for $150 bucks!)
Megabytes: 2048 HD DDR2 RAM
Gigabytes: 500 HD
Processor: Dual Core AMD 64's 4200+ GHz
Computer Monitor: FPD1760TFT LCD Monitor, 17"(I don't want a big one), .20mm dot pitch, Energy Star, 1280x1024 max res, DVI Imputs, and VESA mount compatible (YAY!!)
Mouse: Standard Gateway mouse WITH laser sensor and ball control
Joystick: ATTACK 3 Precision controller
Internet connection: T3 as provided by People PC (fastest-connection-ever... and the most expensive...:nope: )
Sound Card: Not sure, but it IS EAX3 compatible!!

Casual man's gaming machine. I could have more if I wanted more, but I don't want more. I just want the average style gaming computer.:|\\

That's not a laptop!

[GakunGak]

How about a laptop with x1900?
http://www.itsvet.com/proizvod/fujitsu-siemens-amilo-xi1554-intel-core2-duo-1.83ghz-1024mb-120gb-dvdrw-17''-wuxga+-winvhp/comp_comp_laptop/6/731

FUJITSU-SIEMENS Amilo Xi1554

[kiwi_2005]

If i was ever going to go Laptops it would be Alienware.

[GakunGak]

Here is the response from newegg.com:

Dear Customer,

Thank you for contacting us.
Please kindly note that you need to register with the credit card information on our website.
For your reference, presently Newegg only ships orders within the United States and Puerto Rico; Newegg does not ship internationally, APO/FPO military orders are the only exceptions. Unfortunately we cannot make any exceptions under any circumstances because our internal system is not set-up to accommodate international orders at this time. In addition, our system will also not accept an international IP address. Currently you must have a verifiable billing and shipping address within the U.S. in order for us to serve you. We also only accept orders paid by a credit or debit card issued and drawn from an American bank.

However, our Marketing department is developing international business now, once it is available, we will post on our website. We hope for the opportunity to do business with you again in the near future.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to let us know.
Sincerely,
Grace Lu

I wonder if she's a hot milf with at least 2 kids....:hmm:

[SUBMAN1]

How about a laptop with x1900?
http://www.itsvet.com/proizvod/fujitsu-siemens-amilo-xi1554-intel-core2-duo-1.83ghz-1024mb-120gb-dvdrw-17''-wuxga+-winvhp/comp_comp_laptop/6/731

FUJITSU-SIEMENS Amilo Xi1554

Well, that thing looks more like a portable desktop! And one disadvantage to having a high powered GPU in there is low battery life too. I can't find on the page where they reference the GPU type whoever.

If that is a 'full blown' x1900 XTX in that thing, that GPU easily sucks down 120 Watts + of power, so not only is your laptop going to get extremely hot to where you need to put it on a desk I'd think, but forget about playing any games excpet for a very short time on battery.

-S

[SUBMAN1]

If i was ever going to go Laptops it would be Alienware.

One thing I notice about Alienware lately is that they are a bit over-priced. I think you pay a bit for the Alienware name these days because I can hand build similar systems for less $$$.

-S

[GakunGak]

For games, I plan to use it at home powered up, but outside, just a normal work....:yep:

[Stealth Hunter]

That's not a laptop!

That's true, but most laptops are crap as it is.:rotfl:

Stick with desktop computers... that is unless you are a businessman... or a computer addict...

[DAB]

I need advice on this laptop, can it handle all major games today on the market?
I plan adding 1 more GB on him....

F3JR, Intel Merom Core2Duo T5600 1,83GHz, 667MHz, 64bit, 2MB L2 cache, 15.4" WXGA(1440x900) Color shine, ATI MR X2300 384MB Hyper Memory(128MB VRAM), 1024MB DDRII, 160GB SATA hard disk, Super Multi DL 8x DVD/RW writer, WLAN 802.11a/b/g, Firewire, Bluetooth, 4 x USB2.0, 5-u-1 card reader, integrated video camera 1.3M, Li-ion battery with 9 cells, TPM, New PC Card, ASUS Power4Gear, 2.95 kg, warranty 24 months, ASUS bag and mouse

1.415,70 euro

datalink.cg.yu

This should be more than enough for my faculty, but one cannot keep styding all the time....:know: I will take the bank credit for this, but I need confirmation is this capable of, say with 1GB more ram, handling SH4 to the max?
I recon it has ati 2300 and I have x1600, so I take it greater the number, the better...:88)
I own an old gaming laptop (Sony A197VP) which I brought specifically to play Silent Hunter III at University. Problem I encountered was that a Gaming Laptop doesn't remain a gaming laptop for long... simply because you can't change the graphics card...

...and at that point they are bloody heavy for a portable computer.

May I suggest that you buy yourself something like the cheepest ultraportable laptop you can buy on Ebay and then put a computer with the specs you have just set out into one of these - http://www.thermaltake.com/product/Chassis/miniCase/lanbox/vf1000bws.asp

You can replace any component, overclock all the chips to your hearts content - choose the perfect panel monitor.

And best of all... if you still crave portability - you could stick this in your LanBox, http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Case+Modifications/Thermaltake+A2413-01+Retractable+7%22+LCD+Monitor?productId=26684 (http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Case+Modifications/Thermaltake+A2413-01+Retractable+7%22+LCD+Monitor?productId=26684buy ) , buy the ultraportable and all the other components you need - and still have change from your Euro1,400 :|\\

[SUBMAN1]

That's not a laptop!

That's true, but most laptops are crap as it is.:rotfl:

Stick with desktop computers... that is unless you are a businessman... or a computer addict...

I have 3 laptops and 5 desktops. I only really use one of the laptops however since it is the only one with an ATI x700 inside, which is about one of the best mobile GPU's stuffed into any laptop, outperforming the x1600 that was introduced later. My Sony laptop has a crappy Intel I beleive with shared memory (yuck!), but since it was given to me....I can't complain can I? There are currently no laptop GPU's other than the x700 don't generate massive heat and power drain with similar performance, so that is why I'm sticking with it.

-S

PS. In case you care, the laptop I run with an x700 inside in an Acer 4400. Even this gets warm with that vid card - so the trade off is the fan runs most of the time to keep this thing cool. I couldn't only imagine a higher powered card!