How well will SHIV run on this laptop?

gamingdave · 03-03-09, 10:56 AM

I know its not an easy question, but I am in need of a new laptop. I know getting a desktop is the most economical way forward, but I really need a laptop.

Having had a look arround, these new dells seems like very good value ... http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/pr...hs1&l=en&s=dhs ... if the link doesnt work its the new Studio 16 machines.

They have Core 2 Duos, 4G of DDR3 ram, 7,200rpm harddrives, but, only a 512MB ATI® Radeon™ HD 3670 graphics card

My current, dying, laptop has a lower spec Duo (not Core 2), only 1G (of slower ram), and a Geforce Go 7600. It used to run SH3 fine (at least well), but really struggled on SH4.

SH is the only PC game I really play, and so im not interested in how it will run other PC games, just the SH series. Also, when playing I will probably be using my projector which is 1280*720, so I wont need to be running on high res, but would like to turn most of the effects and filters all the way up.

I found a site which compares mobile gfx cards http://www.notebookcheck.net/Compari...rds.130.0.html, but as I am not really a PC gamer it doesnt actually help me much.

I could look into more gaming focussed laptops, like the XPS, or something from Rock, but would still (if possible) like something semi portable, which can be used on the lap whilst sitting on the sofa. I could get a XPS M1730, with SLI™ Dual GeForce™ 9800GTX from Dell Outlet within budget, but they are a bit to large for my liking (not to mention, IMO, a little ugly)

So, any of you knowledgable people out there got any advice? How would that Dell cope, or is anyone running on a similar machine and how well does it run for you? I know different configs make massive differences. But I am assuming (maybe totaly incorrectly) that the Core 2 Duo and DDR3 Ram will help a lot.

Many Thanks

Rockin Robbins · 03-03-09, 01:10 PM

Wow! Everything looked good until I read the word "Radeon." That takes it out of my area of knowledge. Good luck. Some are running SH4 without problems on laptops, so if you're careful you'll be fine.

abclkhan · 03-03-09, 03:11 PM

Mine is HP pavilion dv 2570br,320mb ati card 3gb ram and 2,0 ghz
runs pretty fine.

GREY WOLF 3 · 03-03-09, 03:15 PM

Well i run sh4 and sh3 gwx3 no problems at all make sure you have 2 gig ram

at least
using compaq laptop

SteamWake · 03-03-09, 03:32 PM

I was going to point you to "Can I run it" http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/srtest

But then I realized you dont have the laptop yet

I can imagine walking into a dealer and asking to perform this test as a basis for a buying decision... :rotfl:

irish1958 · 03-04-09, 09:28 AM

The "disktop" replacement computers are as good as any laptop, esp with DDR3 RAM and a decent Video card.

GREY WOLF 3 · 03-04-09, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteamWake

I was going to point you to "Can I run it" http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/srtest

But then I realized you dont have the laptop yet

I can imagine walking into a dealer and asking to perform this test as a basis for a buying decision... :rotfl:

What a load of rubbish can i run it
running sh3 with gwx3 and sh4 with no problems at all
go to that site and check

it tells me my pc cannot run either game
what a load of crap:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

CaptianT · 03-04-09, 10:54 PM

I was looking for a laptop recently and pretty much also only play SH3 and SH4. I settled on getting a 1440 x 900 screen resolution as the best compromise between browsing the web and playing the SH3/4 at the screen's native resolution with a medium stength notebook gpu.

Here is what I tried...

I initially purchased a 15" Dell XPS 1530 that had an 8600gt (ddr3) gpu. I was able to run SH4 with all of the sliders at about half setting and with none of the other options "ticked" off. Anything higher than this produced a slightly choppy visual performance. I was unhappy with running the game at these settings, so ended up returning the laptop.

I then purchased a refurbished 15" Dell m4400 Precision from the Dell Outlet which came with a quadro m770 (9600gt) gpu. This notebook is able to run SH4 with all sliders maxed out, and with roughly half of the options "ticked" off on the right side of the sliders. The visual performance is excellent and I am very happy with running this game with this gpu.

If my memory serves me correctly, the ATI card that you are considering is rated similar to the 8600gt (ddr3) gpu that I tried. If that is the case, you should be able to run SH4 with it (especially at the lower resolution that you desire). I guess you need to determine how much visual image/detail performance you are willing to settle with. If it were me, I would definately go with at least a 9600gt or equivalent gpu.

One other tip. In most cases, you will need to keep your notebook plugged into the electrical outlet in order to be able to play SH3/4. Otherwise, I think most notebook gpu's downclock with only the battery power. At least that is my experience with the notebooks that I own.

I hope this helps. Good luck on your notebook purchase.

Best regards.

03-03-09, 10:56 AM	#1
gamingdave Swabbie Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 13 Downloads: 46 Uploads: 0	How well will SHIV run on this laptop? I know its not an easy question, but I am in need of a new laptop. I know getting a desktop is the most economical way forward, but I really need a laptop. Having had a look arround, these new dells seems like very good value ... http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/pr...hs1&l=en&s=dhs ... if the link doesnt work its the new Studio 16 machines. They have Core 2 Duos, 4G of DDR3 ram, 7,200rpm harddrives, but, only a 512MB ATI® Radeon™ HD 3670 graphics card My current, dying, laptop has a lower spec Duo (not Core 2), only 1G (of slower ram), and a Geforce Go 7600. It used to run SH3 fine (at least well), but really struggled on SH4. SH is the only PC game I really play, and so im not interested in how it will run other PC games, just the SH series. Also, when playing I will probably be using my projector which is 1280*720, so I wont need to be running on high res, but would like to turn most of the effects and filters all the way up. I found a site which compares mobile gfx cards http://www.notebookcheck.net/Compari...rds.130.0.html, but as I am not really a PC gamer it doesnt actually help me much. I could look into more gaming focussed laptops, like the XPS, or something from Rock, but would still (if possible) like something semi portable, which can be used on the lap whilst sitting on the sofa. I could get a XPS M1730, with SLI™ Dual GeForce™ 9800GTX from Dell Outlet within budget, but they are a bit to large for my liking (not to mention, IMO, a little ugly) So, any of you knowledgable people out there got any advice? How would that Dell cope, or is anyone running on a similar machine and how well does it run for you? I know different configs make massive differences. But I am assuming (maybe totaly incorrectly) that the Core 2 Duo and DDR3 Ram will help a lot. Many Thanks

03-03-09, 01:10 PM	#2
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,900 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	Wow! Everything looked good until I read the word "Radeon." That takes it out of my area of knowledge. Good luck. Some are running SH4 without problems on laptops, so if you're careful you'll be fine. __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS

03-03-09, 03:15 PM	#4
GREY WOLF 3 中国水兵 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Down deep avoiding drm attacks Posts: 284 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	Well i run sh4 and sh3 gwx3 no problems at all make sure you have 2 gig ramat least using compaq laptop

03-03-09, 03:32 PM	#5
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	I was going to point you to "Can I run it" http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/srtest But then I realized you dont have the laptop yet I can imagine walking into a dealer and asking to perform this test as a basis for a buying decision... :rotfl: __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

03-04-09, 09:28 AM	#6
irish1958 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 3,250 Downloads: 320 Uploads: 11	The "disktop" replacement computers are as good as any laptop, esp with DDR3 RAM and a decent Video card. __________________ Irish1958

03-03-09, 03:11 PM	#3
abclkhan Loader Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 87 Downloads: 169 Uploads: 0	Mine is HP pavilion dv 2570br,320mb ati card 3gb ram and 2,0 ghz runs pretty fine.

03-04-09, 10:54 PM	#8
CaptianT Mate Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 60 Downloads: 83 Uploads: 0	I was looking for a laptop recently and pretty much also only play SH3 and SH4. I settled on getting a 1440 x 900 screen resolution as the best compromise between browsing the web and playing the SH3/4 at the screen's native resolution with a medium stength notebook gpu. Here is what I tried... I initially purchased a 15" Dell XPS 1530 that had an 8600gt (ddr3) gpu. I was able to run SH4 with all of the sliders at about half setting and with none of the other options "ticked" off. Anything higher than this produced a slightly choppy visual performance. I was unhappy with running the game at these settings, so ended up returning the laptop. I then purchased a refurbished 15" Dell m4400 Precision from the Dell Outlet which came with a quadro m770 (9600gt) gpu. This notebook is able to run SH4 with all sliders maxed out, and with roughly half of the options "ticked" off on the right side of the sliders. The visual performance is excellent and I am very happy with running this game with this gpu. If my memory serves me correctly, the ATI card that you are considering is rated similar to the 8600gt (ddr3) gpu that I tried. If that is the case, you should be able to run SH4 with it (especially at the lower resolution that you desire). I guess you need to determine how much visual image/detail performance you are willing to settle with. If it were me, I would definately go with at least a 9600gt or equivalent gpu. One other tip. In most cases, you will need to keep your notebook plugged into the electrical outlet in order to be able to play SH3/4. Otherwise, I think most notebook gpu's downclock with only the battery power. At least that is my experience with the notebooks that I own. I hope this helps. Good luck on your notebook purchase. Best regards. Last edited by CaptianT; 03-05-09 at 10:46 AM.