NS and games on laptops

KmartKmart Honourary Euro Join Date: 2005-01-06 Member: 32966Members, NS1 Playtester
in Off-Topic
Hey guys, I've been thinking about getting a laptop sometime soon and I'm interested to hear from people who have tried gaming on laptops. Specifically I'm interested to hear about how well the Radeon Mobility x1400 (or 1300, or any similar nvidia cousin) performs with the games you've played. What (highest constant) fps do you get, what's your CPU speed, do you get tearing, etc. Also, does a 5400rpm hd tolerable or does it drive you insane?

I definitely want a laptop with a separate video card- no intel integrated whatever with shared video memory and I already know that notebooks with these intel integrated things will suck.

Thanks in advance mates <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tsa.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::tsa::" border="0" alt="tsa.gif" />
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  • DrSuredeathDrSuredeath Join Date: 2002-11-11 Member: 8217Members
    edited April 2007
    Do not buy a laptop for gaming...
    I did... 4 years ago, then 2 years ago. One of the worst mistake in my life.
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  • puzlpuzl The Old Firm Join Date: 2003-02-26 Member: 14029Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation
    the x1300 and x1400 give reasonable performance, but laptop models usually have 256MB of vram. The major dissadvantage of laptop gaming is you can't upgrade your gfx card when you need to. If you are going to buy, wait for reasonably priced laptops with 512MB dx10 gfx cards.
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  • Dethwish_JDethwish_J Join Date: 2007-04-01 Member: 60546Members
    The 5400rpm HD would drive me insane.

    Also do you want to be able to play newer games such as those with U3 engine with uber graphics? Or minimal? Or are you looking at mainly only gaming on back catalogs of current and older games such as HL?
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  • MaxMax Technical Director, Unknown Worlds Entertainment Join Date: 2002-03-15 Member: 318Super Administrators, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, NS2 Developer, Constellation, Subnautica Developer, Pistachionauts, Future Perfect Developer
    I have a laptop with a 5400 RPM drive, Radeon X1600 Mobility card and a 1.83 Ghz Core 2 Duo processor, which I use as a primary development machine for NS2. It runs the game and compiles (a HD and CPU intensive operation) great.

    Max
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  • TheSaviorTheSavior Join Date: 2003-10-14 Member: 21688Members
    edited April 2007
    You slash Myth of Laptops ain't got game for <a href="http://www.falcon-nw.com/" target="_blank">http://www.falcon-nw.com/</a> points of damage.

    Myth of Laptops ain't got game has been slain! You gain experience!

    Also, Alienware models have "Dual 512MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 7900 GTX SLI Enabled" available along with two 120GB Seagate 3.0 SATA drives in a RAID 0 at 7,200 RPM.
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  • DrSuredeathDrSuredeath Join Date: 2002-11-11 Member: 8217Members
    edited April 2007
    <!--quoteo(post=1620844:date=Apr 13 2007, 09:39 PM:name=TheSavior)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TheSavior @ Apr 13 2007, 09:39 PM) [snapback]1620844[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    You slash Myth of Laptops ain't got game for <a href="http://www.falcon-nw.com/" target="_blank">http://www.falcon-nw.com/</a> points of damage.

    Myth of Laptops ain't got game has been slain! You gain experience!

    Also, Alienware models have "Dual 512MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 7900 GTX SLI Enabled" available along with two 120GB Seagate 3.0 SATA drives in a RAID 0 at 7,200 RPM.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    For the same money, you could get a much better Desktop for gaming. Just saying.
    Higher price, upgrade issue. If you gonna get a laptop, get one for working. I'm stuck with a heavy outdated junk that hurts my back when I brings them to campus. Use the money to upgrade the pc instead.
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  • TheSaviorTheSavior Join Date: 2003-10-14 Member: 21688Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1620956:date=Apr 14 2007, 12:53 PM:name=DrSuredeath)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DrSuredeath @ Apr 14 2007, 12:53 PM) [snapback]1620956[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    For the same money, you could get a much better Desktop for gaming. Just saying.
    Higher price, upgrade issue. If you gonna get a laptop, get one for working. I'm stuck with a heavy outdated junk that hurts my back when I brings them to campus. Use the money to upgrade the pc instead.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Can't play Oblivion at 30,000 feet in a Boeing on a desktop. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />

    Some people want that option, so some people pay the premium for that option. Saying that "You can get a much better desktop for the same price" is like saying "You could get 40 Buick's for the price of an Enzo."
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  • DrSuredeathDrSuredeath Join Date: 2002-11-11 Member: 8217Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1621005:date=Apr 14 2007, 04:24 PM:name=TheSavior)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TheSavior @ Apr 14 2007, 04:24 PM) [snapback]1621005[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Can't play Oblivion at 30,000 feet in a Boeing on a desktop. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />

    Some people want that option, so some people pay the premium for that option. Saying that "You can get a much better desktop for the same price" is like saying "You could get 40 Buick's for the price of an Enzo."
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Get a DS?
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  • TheSaviorTheSavior Join Date: 2003-10-14 Member: 21688Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1621031:date=Apr 14 2007, 08:19 PM:name=DrSuredeath)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DrSuredeath @ Apr 14 2007, 08:19 PM) [snapback]1621031[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Get a DS?
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    What's a DS? And if you are referring to a Nintendo DS, why would I want one?
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  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1621034:date=Apr 14 2007, 05:36 PM:name=TheSavior)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TheSavior @ Apr 14 2007, 05:36 PM) [snapback]1621034[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    What's a DS? And if you are referring to a Nintendo DS, why would I want one?
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    To play games on an airplane.
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  • TheSaviorTheSavior Join Date: 2003-10-14 Member: 21688Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1621036:date=Apr 14 2007, 08:39 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Apr 14 2007, 08:39 PM) [snapback]1621036[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    To play games on an airplane.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I wasn't aware my entire collection of Compact discs and DVD's were compatible with a handheld console, nor was I aware of the fact that said handheld console was also capable of making use of a 15.4" widescreen LCD, nor doing more than games such as typing essays and making spreadsheets.

    I might actually have to go get a DS if it can do all that.
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  • UltimaGeckoUltimaGecko hates endnotes Join Date: 2003-05-14 Member: 16320Members
    I can play NS (...as well as HL2/CS:S/DoD:S and a variety of other games) on my laptop, which consists of a $800 piece of hardware - two years ago. Sure, it only runs the unheard-of Radeon Xpress 200M (...which is apparently an integrated PCIe card, which makes no sense to me, because if it's integrated how can it be a card or PCI express). Anyway, even basic integrated graphics will surpass the POS Radeon 9200 that can run HL2. Now, if you want to go all bells and whistles, well, then why are you even bothering to go anywhere that needs a laptop, you're just going to be playing games all the time anyway...


    Howeer: DS =/= movies on a plane ...or programming...or writing...
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  • TheSaviorTheSavior Join Date: 2003-10-14 Member: 21688Members
    Some people just tout that Laptops aren't meant for gaming, and I have to laugh. Mobile technology has made leaps and bounds in the last couple of years, and with the same development into batteries that is helping to fuel the same cars that Grey Falcon goes on about, they're only going to get better.

    There are laptops with such massive processing and graphical power that they'd probably crush a lot of the Desktops I've seen at LAN parties, but a fraction of the size.

    When people ask about laptops, they're asking about laptops. Not asking what is better - laptops or desktops. It's comparing an apple to an orange.

    "Hey bob, I'm going to go buy a new car tomorrow, what do you recommend? I need a car with plenty of cargo space."

    "Buy a trailer, they hold way more than any car for alot cheaper."

    "WTH?"

    Seriously now.
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  • DrSuredeathDrSuredeath Join Date: 2002-11-11 Member: 8217Members
    edited April 2007
    <!--quoteo(post=1621041:date=Apr 14 2007, 08:01 PM:name=UltimaGecko)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(UltimaGecko @ Apr 14 2007, 08:01 PM) [snapback]1621041[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Howeer: DS =/= movies on a plane ...or programming...or writing...
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Ahh, but a DS and a lightweight $500 laptop = movies, games, programming, writing.
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  • Dethwish_JDethwish_J Join Date: 2007-04-01 Member: 60546Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1621043:date=Apr 15 2007, 02:07 AM:name=TheSavior)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TheSavior @ Apr 15 2007, 02:07 AM) [snapback]1621043[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Some people just tout that Laptops aren't meant for gaming, and I have to laugh. Mobile technology has made leaps and bounds in the last couple of years, and with the same development into batteries that is helping to fuel the same cars that Grey Falcon goes on about, they're only going to get better.

    There are laptops with such massive processing and graphical power that they'd probably crush a lot of the Desktops I've seen at LAN parties, but a fraction of the size.

    When people ask about laptops, they're asking about laptops. Not asking what is better - laptops or desktops. It's comparing an apple to an orange.

    "Hey bob, I'm going to go buy a new car tomorrow, what do you recommend? I need a car with plenty of cargo space."

    "Buy a trailer, they hold way more than any car for alot cheaper."

    "WTH?"

    Seriously now.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Like comparing Windows to Linux, PC to Mac. Only we know which are better for different purposes, except Mac, the only use that has is in the trash can <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
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  • SmoodCrooznSmoodCroozn Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22310Members
    I thought it would be better to socialize if you're off somewhere, than bring your gamecrack with you. Or something like MTG, no wires, cheap, replayable...
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  • SillyGooseSillyGoose Join Date: 2003-03-16 Member: 14572Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1621153:date=Apr 15 2007, 05:28 PM:name=Dethwish_J)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dethwish_J @ Apr 15 2007, 05:28 PM) [snapback]1621153[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Like comparing Windows to Linux, PC to Mac. Only we know which are better for different purposes, except Mac, the only use that has is in the trash can <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Hey, Mac's can dual boot into windows. The only complaint I have about my MacBook Pro is that when I try to run stalker it runs at about 8fps...so yea I bought a $40 paperweight. The reason it runs so slow is that the x1600 that came with gen1 MBP's are underclocked a ish ton, I don't think that's a problem anymore.
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  • DrfuzzyDrfuzzy FEW... MORE.... INCHES... Join Date: 2003-09-21 Member: 21094Members
    edited April 2007
    I own a HP Pavilion DV8000, its rather nice. As long as you dont run shaders it runs everything up to stalker at atleast 15fps (at lowest, but its playable lol). I can play source to say the least.

    If you get a laptop from hp, get the dv6000 w/ nvidia chip, it runs faster than my dv8000. Dont know too many other laptops than the hp and Compaq's since thats all i work on at work lol
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  • KungFuDiscoMonkeyKungFuDiscoMonkey Creator of ns_altair 日本福岡県 Join Date: 2003-03-15 Member: 14555Members, NS1 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos
    I've been able to run Source and Doom 3 engine games on my Inspiron 9100. There's nothing wrong with using a notebook for gaming you just have to realize it'll be more expensive and you're less likely to be able to upgrade. My next upgrade will be building a desktop though I've been very happy with my notebook since I wanted something that I could take to class with me.
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