Playing SHIV on a Laptop PC

[Rusty_S85]

I made this post over on the SHIV forums on UBI`s site and was directed to make a post here.

I am looking at getting a laptop pc after the holidays and I am unsure of the two or three different pc specs I was looking at within my price range if they would be able to play SHIV and SHIII both on either medium or high graphics settings.

The computers are Dell (figured I would give them a try since I am not too fond of the Compaq I have now).

I orignally thought about getting the follow since it was $600, but I am not sure if it would play these games.

Studio 15
Intel Pentium Dual Core T2390 1.86GHz
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1
3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2
160GB SATA Hard Drive 5400rpm
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
High Definition Audio 2.0

$649

I looked on the forums here in a search and saw one post stating "Nvidia card supporting DX9 / OpenGL 2.0 is needed to play SHIV" I am not sure about the OpenGL on the X3100 graphics card but I know its DX10 Shader 3.0.

If the above specs wouldnt play the game on atleast Medium settings I thought about these upgrades to that pc.

Studio 15
Intel Core 2 Duo T5850 2.16GHz
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1
3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2
160GB SATA Hard Drive 5400rpm
256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy Advance HD Software Edition.

$849

I know someone here was playng SHIV in one post I came across that had a T5800 processor but didnt state what graphics card (the graphics card is where I am concerned at).

The last laptop I was looking at that is literally at the max I would be ok with spending is as follows

Studio 17
Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 2.00GHz
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1
3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz
160GB SATA Hard Drive 5400rpm
256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
High Definition Audio 2.0

$949



I am trying to spend as little as possible since this pc is being used for more than just games. It is mostly going to be used for internet surfing, watching dvd`s, listening to music, and viewing work related pdf files. I just would like it to play SHIV and SHIII on atleast Medium graphics settings.

If anyone has any recomendations on which one would be the best for playing the game for the lowest expense I would greatly appreciate it.

[FIREWALL]

Welcome Aboard Rusty

Take alook at this and more

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...118&CatId=3998

[Rusty_S85]

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

Welcome Aboard Rusty

Thanks

[FIREWALL]

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

Welcome Aboard Rusty

Take alook at this and more

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...118&CatId=3998

[Rusty_S85]

The laptop pc in the link looks good, only downside is I wouldnt buy a refurbished pc. Rather buy new to be honest, just know some people that got refurbished units from fry`s and they only worked for a few days before they wouldnt even power up anymore.

[Soundman]

You may want to check into the Dell XPS laptops. I've got a sweet deal on the M1530 and it runs the game beautifully. It has an Nvdia GE Force 8600 card (256 meg) and my FPS are as good as my tower at home.

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by Soundman

You may want to check into the Dell XPS laptops. I've got a sweet deal on the M1530 and it runs the game beautifully. It has an Nvdia GE Force 8600 card (256 meg) and my FPS are as good as my tower at home.

Why do they gimp these laptop video devices with skimpy ram? Its not like theres not enough room to fit another 256 megs worth.

Power consumption an issue?

[Rusty_S85]

Originally Posted by Soundman

You may want to check into the Dell XPS laptops. I've got a sweet deal on the M1530 and it runs the game beautifully. It has an Nvdia GE Force 8600 card (256 meg) and my FPS are as good as my tower at home.

I just checked out the XPS M1530. It looks good, the base line one for $950 isnt too expensive

For $950 I get a T5800 2.0GHz processor, 3GB ram, 320GB harddrive, and a 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS.

I guess what I have to do is deside because honestly I am not sure how these graphic cards will play. I had someone tell me one game would play at medium graphics settings on the integrated graphics card on the Studio15 but yet I am playing at medium graphics settings on the same game on a GeForce4.

But I did add the XPS M1530 to my list though of possible laptops.

[FIREWALL]

Try this one http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...876&CatId=3998

or http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...086&CatId=3998

or this http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...085&CatId=3998

[Soundman]

Originally Posted by Rusty_S85

I just checked out the XPS M1530. It looks good, the base line one for $950 isnt too expensive

For $950 I get a T5800 2.0GHz processor, 3GB ram, 320GB harddrive, and a 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS.

I guess what I have to do is deside because honestly I am not sure how these graphic cards will play. I had someone tell me one game would play at medium graphics settings on the integrated graphics card on the Studio15 but yet I am playing at medium graphics settings on the same game on a GeForce4.


I would step it up to a 8600, I think your gonna want a 256 meg card. Go to the dell website and configure a setup and see what kind of price you can get. Also, I've dealt with Dell a few times and I've learned something. If you call them, and ask some questions, they will usually offer you a rebate or a freebee kind of upgrade. You just might get them to upgrade to the 8600 for no or little extra cost.

But I did add the XPS M1530 to my list though of possible laptops.

I would get the 8600. I think you will want the 256 meg card. I've dealt with Dell a few times and have learned something. Go to the website and configure a laptop and put it in your wishlist (save it) If you call them and ask them some questions, they will usually offer you an upgrade or a rebate. You just might get them to throw in that 8600 card for little or no extra cost to you.

[Soundman]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

Why do they gimp these laptop video devices with skimpy ram? Its not like theres not enough room to fit another 256 megs worth.

Power consumption an issue?

The 256 meg I'm speaking of is the video card memory. It [the laptop] has 3 gig of ram. Like I said, the game runs great on it ! I would tend to think a 528 video card may well cause a power supply issue and probably a heat issue as well.

[Nisgeis]

Welcome aboard Rusty!

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by Soundman

The 256 meg I'm speaking of is the video card memory. It [the laptop] has 3 gig of ram. Like I said, the game runs great on it ! I would tend to think a 528 video card may well cause a power supply issue and probably a heat issue as well.

Yea I was talkin about the video memory. But I guess they feel the trade off of power consumption vs performance is the best way. Personally I would not consider any high end video card with less than 512 on it. But with laptops your kind of saddled with what is offered.

[Rusty_S85]

Originally Posted by Soundman

I would get the 8600. I think you will want the 256 meg card. I've dealt with Dell a few times and have learned something. Go to the website and configure a laptop and put it in your wishlist (save it) If you call them and ask them some questions, they will usually offer you an upgrade or a rebate. You just might get them to throw in that 8600 card for little or no extra cost to you.

Not sure what is wrong I was able to customize the studio 15 few weeks back but now I click on the processor and it just sits there with the cursor and hourglass icon and does nothing.

I will probably have to do all this customize stuff over the phone.

But if cost became an issue what about the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100, the 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450, and the 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650. Would any of these three cards play SHIV even if the graphics were set low? Just want to cover all bases before I give dell a call incase I have to cheap out in some areas.

Another thing is the three cards I just listed if they wouldnt play SHIV would they atleast play SHIII? There are a few games I am trying to configure the laptop to play all of them but not spend as much a large sum of money. $1000 is a possibility but the $500 - $850 is more or less the range I am looking at. I can always upgrade my desktop to be able to play SHIV if need be.

[Soundman]

I would tend to believe any 256 meg card will do you good. 128 meg may be a little laggy, maybe someone else can chime in here. BTW, On my laptop, all graghics are set full with the possible exception of "Volumetric Fog" and I get a good steady 30 FPS while using the scopes or external views, sometimes more. It may slow slightly while viewing a massive explosion using the external camera, otherwise, rock solid.