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General discussion

Need help in improving gaming performance

Jan 10, 2005 6:15AM PST

Hi there. I have a IBM Thinkpad T42 which I am currently using to play World of Warcraft. However, I find it very laggy (at times I would just freeze for minutes on end esp. during raids and will not be able to do anything). Here are the specs for my laptop :

Intel Pentium-M 725 1.6GHz (2MB Level 2 Cache)
Intel 855 Chipset
256MB DDR PC2700 SDRAM
40GB (5400rpm) Hard disk
Combo (DVD/CD-RW) Drive
(IBM Original) 64MB USB Memory Drive
14.1" TFT Active Display Matrix (1024 by 76Cool
32MB ATI Mobility RADEON 7500
Built-in V.90 modem; Built-in 10/100/1000Mbps LAN
Intel 802.11b/g wireless
Secure Chip
6-cell battery
Windows XP Professional

Here are the min specs for the game :
800 MHz or higher CPU
256 MB or more of RAM
32 MB 3D graphics card with hardware transform and lighting, such as GeForce 2 or better
4 GB or more of available hard drive space
DirectX

Discussion is locked

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Reduce settings, 64mb dedicated effective minimum for gaming
Jan 10, 2005 7:35AM PST

Yes, you would be much better off with 64mb dedicated video then 32mb dedicated video and note that 32mb dedicated video is stated as the MINIMUM requirements.

Many newer games like Doom 3 have 64mb dedicated video as a MINIMUM requirement so for full game performance without reducing the settings the ATI 9600/9700 with 128mb dedicated on the Dell 8600 or others is the ideal.

Basically, from what I have read at X1000forums.com in the games section (which also has 32mb dedicated or 64mb dedicated video cards based on the ATI 9200) you can reduce the shadows and textures, etc in the games to get better performance.

Keep in mind that your ATI 7500 is below an ATI 9000/9200 in performance and those in turn are below the current ATI 9700 standard as well. Keep in mind in the specs you state that the GEforce 2 is the minimum. The ATI 7500 may be below that standard ---the ATI 9600/9700 is definitely above that standard and the ATI 9000/9200 is likely a rough equivalent.

If you had shared/integrated video you might not be able to play the game at all so at least you have dedicated video but again 64mb dedicated is the current mainsteam level right now on notebooks) with 128mb dedicated the ideal and 256mb dedicated the rare and the pricey ........

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Changing my video card
Jan 10, 2005 7:59AM PST

Is it possible for me to change my video card? I've been told that generally for notebooks, I can't do that.

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Video card 'effectively' not upgradeable
Jan 10, 2005 9:12AM PST

You can only change within the specifications of what the manufacturer put into your model.

In a desktop you only have to worry about compatibility with the motherboard and the expansion slot type.

With a notebook, it has to fit the exact space, not overwhelm the heat requirements inside, be compatible with the notebook bios, etc.

The main problem also is that buying another notebook video card can be very expensive unless you get a bargain on E-bay. And, many video cards are soldered to the motherboard so unless you are very handy you likely would want to pay someone to do the installation.

So, in most cases the answer is effectively no you cannot update your notebook video card.

The new PCI-e notebook video card busses supposedly coming out will allow you to upgrade the video card a bit more easily but you still have the proprietary space and heat requirements of specific notebook designs.

Furthermore, you can buy a brand new state of the art notebook with 64mb dedicated video RAM for under $1500 right now so how much are you willing to spend to upgrade yours ????

The cost difference between the ATI 9200 32mb and ATI 9200 64mb dedicated video is only $25 but if you buy the 32mb and want to add the 64mb later guess what? You are lucky to get one and install it for under $200 or more ........(again, unless you can find an affordable source at E-bay).

If you search at my site X1000forums.com (Compaq X1000/HPZT3000) there is a thread there that shows how to replace the video card but it is not a simple process like adding RAM or swapping out the hard drive.

It can be done, however, the key is to find out what IBM offered in your notebook model specifically

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IBM T42 is quite new so IBM upgrade perhaps ?
Jan 10, 2005 9:15AM PST

Your IBM notebook is quite new as you have the Dothan 1.6 725 with the 2mb L2 system cache so I'm sure IBM offered a video card with the 64mb dedicated video in the ATI 9200 or above range ..

perhaps you can get them to do a swap for you ??? IBM service is supposed to be #2 only to Apple so if you are still in warranty try it.

You do have a decent chance at finding a video card that will upgrade this but again unless it is off Ebay you may not like the cost .........

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thanks so much for the replies
Jan 10, 2005 11:06AM PST

hey there KenSanramon, thanks very much for the help.

I've got another question. How much is the minimum amount I should be prepared to spend to buy a desktop made for good gaming experience? Are self-assembled ones better?

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Desktops allow you to upgrade at will with adequate slots.
Jan 10, 2005 11:27AM PST

You can buy even a E-machines with integrated video/shared video and upgrade it yourself to the best video card you can muster (assuming you have an open expansion slot and/or the right type of connector on your motherboard).

So, unlike notebooks where you have to get what you want upfront or you are sealed for the duration, a notebook with adequate expansion slots will give allow you to upgrade the video card even multiple times.

You are actually better off buying an HP/Compaq,Dell, E-machines with integrated video as you are not wasting money on a video card that does not have the newest specs.

For instance I got a built in video card on my HP350N which is a 64mb dedicated but that is clearly not enough for hard core gamers (you want 256mb dedicated ideally on a desktop).

So, unless you can find a good deal on the video card you want built in price the video cards separately and get the best processor, a fast hard drive (7200rpm) and enough RAM (can add RAM for less later yourself -- desktops with 4 RAM slots are better than 2 slots !), etc.

The new PCI-e standard is coming out on notebooks so you may want to investigate carefully what the best desktop motherboard is to allow for the best gaming experience going forward........

Look at the Dell XPS specifications at Dell.com to see what the very expensive rigs have to give you an idea ....

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Sometimes
Jan 10, 2005 11:34AM PST

Self-assembled computers can be cheaper in terms of cost, but the task can be frustrating if you aren't too familiar with what you're doing. You also won't have the benefit of immediate technical support, all-inclusive warranty and other niceties that purchasing a computer will entitle you to. If anything goes wrong and you aren't totally sure what you're doing, the hassle of dealing with the situation can ultimately cost you a lot more than simply purchasing a computer.