Crysis on my 1420

I know there have probably been numerous threads about Crysis, but I can't find them.
Anyways, I've been surfing the internet for PC requirements for Crysis, and I have found mixed results.
So, I was wondering whether or not my Inspiron 1420 will be able to play and support Crysis, and if so, at what setting level (high, medium, low)?

Thanks.

Here's my specs:

Intel Centrino Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz)
2GB Shared Dual Channel
250GB SATA Hard Drive
128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
High Resolution Screen (1440x900)
Windows Vista Home Premium

 

8x6 or 10x7 low

 

its gonna be hard for 8400 gs to play it, but u can probably manage on low settings and low resolutions

 

Not sure, isn't the minimum vram 256mb? Anyways you could test it out on the demo

 

well we can see the specs in the sig... but regardless. I heard that crysis is a huge resource hog and really takes its toll on the video card. Even on the 8600 m gt people cant always run it on max specs. Im fairly sure you can pull off low settings and possibly 1280x800, if not try lower RES. IT will be playable but dont expect too much eye candy. Should have picked the 8600m gt if you wanted gaming my friend, which also translates into the larger 1520. =/

 

So, the graphics won't exactly be "great", but "okay"...do you think playing it will still be...enjoyable?

 

Ya well...the 1520 is too big for me...although I must admit, I wish I had a better video card. (Why is it you can't choose a higher video card for the 1420? Can it not support higher video cards?)

 

Thermal design limitations.

 

Really? Lenovo managed to squash a Quadro 570m into the 14.1" T61p that is only 1.06" thick.

 

to be honest with you, if they offered the better card in the 1420 i would be typing on it right now. However the best option if you want a desktop replacement notebook that is still a notebook is to get a 15 inch. why?
well here are some reasons.

-14 inch notebooks are lighter and smaller which is excellent for some people. But they usually lack good graphic cards which immediately limits the games your laptop can play. in my opinion thats a major drag, i want a computer that can do everything.

-15 inch laptops offer stronger video cards and great performance options. They are the middle of the road laptop and therefore most popular. The screen is not too big or too small. Rarely can you go wrong with a 15 inch laptop (assuming your needs require the computer to perform any task given. If you only do emails and web surfing a 13 inch notebook might be good for you). I like these because they offer best of both worlds. (i have owned an asus Z71V 15 inch laptop, dell 1505e 15 inch laptop, macbook 13 inch laptop, and now finally the vostro 1500). From personal experience i must say the 15's are the best for all around use if you are on a budget, and stil lwant a portable computer.

-17 inch laptops... can you still call that a laptop? i dont know my vostro 15 seems already a bit too big but a 17? that sounds more like a monster than a laptop. Granted they are bound to usually have the BEST vid cards on the market + best hardware (not the inspirons tho need xps if u talk about dell).. but for me.. if i had to buy a laptop thats 17 inches.. i would just build the most powerful desktop i can by myself and buy the cheapest laptop from a company such as dell. The price would be a bit more, but i would get 2 computers. ( about 1500$).

Now your case... I see Your laptop still hasnt shipped.. Consider canceling it and ordering the 1 inch larger. Think about it, its only 1 inch, and it will be a bit bulkier but wouldnt it be a better bang for the buck? Im sure you would get used to it. i mean really if you pay ~1000$ or more for the computer, it might as well do everything you throw at it right ?

 

I guess you're right. I'll look into it (afterall, Crysis looks like a really cool game).

 

What level would the 256mb graphics card on the 1520 be able to play Crysis at?

 

the 8600m gt from what i have heard on forums and people who have actually tried it can run the crysis game on medium settings with no aa at 1280x800 resolution. They get around 30 FPS on that, sometimes lower or higher depending on where they are in the game. dont forget there are plenty of ways to tweak the card to push the performance (overclock the card, get the newest crysis optimized drivers, run the game in DX9).

with the oc and newest drivers i was able to get my card to get 4300 on 3dmark06. not bad for a notebook! dont forget though that these games are the tip of the iceberg and there are more bound to come out later, meaning you REALLY dont want to be stuck with the 8600GS.

The 8700m gt would of course be the best option, but who is willing to pay thousands more for the laptops that actually offer them? most are 17 inch anyway so its not for me.

make a decision that suits you but like i said if i was you i would cancel your order and wait a couple of weeks. dell is bound to offer some deals xmas time etc...

 

I greatly appreciate your input. I'll take that to mind.

(I just have a quick question about the 1520; is the layout of the keyboard and the size from the bottom of the palmrest to the base of the screen the same as the 1420? It seems bigger and more bulky. That's one of the reasons why I opted for the 1420; it looks more "stylish" and less bulky, and I do a lot of writing [fictional stories]. I don't want the typing to seem awkward or anything...)

 

it would be difficult for me to comment on that maybe someone else will step up? i only own the 1500 vostro and never saw the other ones. I can say this though; before having the vostro i had the 13 inch macbook... very thin and good keyboard. the vostro seemed a bit big once i opened the box, but a couple of days later it seemed normal. the point is that you will get used to any piece of equipment. im sure not all people who use 17 inch laptops think they are too large.

in any case i know that its nice to have a laptop that stylish but its going to stay with you most of the time. Its not a car and not a suit, most people will never see your laptop anyway.

try to compare the vostro 1500 and the 1520 to see where you can get the better deal. also decide if you like black/silver better.

 

I have owned both the Vostro 1500 and currently own the Vostro 1400
The v1500 was definitely bulkier, I like the small form factor of the 1400 because I have to carry it around daily with my. I did not care about graphics because I have a desktop system to game on.

As far as crysis goes, You won't enjoy it. It's a game that's meant to be played with higher graphics...and that's how you will enjoy the game. It's full interaction with environment is reduced once you reduce the physics and graphics.

Anything under Medium settings and looks like crap.

If you really must know, get the demo and try it before you buy the game. I would do it but dont feel like sitting through the whole install when I'm not even gonna play it on my laptop.

 

Typing on the Vostro 1500 is... let's just say, "not optimal". The Inspiron 1520 has the same Chasis model, btw.

My hands would sometimes touch the touchpad and the mouse would randomly click somewhere on the screen and my text would lose focus. I hate it and it gets really really annoying.

You need to "lift up" your hands to type well, but that'll get tiring really fast... Another way is to create a "backword V" shape, and rest your hands on the two sides of the touchpad, but depending on the length of your fingers, it may not be ideal (my fingers are relatively short, so I have trouble doing this).

Vostro's generally give you a far better bang for the buck, though.

Pretty much. On low, it looks even worse than the original Far Cry.

If you really want to "Enjoy" this game, you're going to need, at the least, a 8600M GT on a 15 incher. Obviously the 8700M GT on the 17 incher would run it better, but that's far too bulky of a machine even for my tastes (and I'm a pretty tolerant guy...).

Of course, you might not be a stickler for graphics, and simply want to play a game for the story/gameplay, in which case running Crysis on Low with your 8400M GS would be fine (you'll probably have to play it at 800 x 500 or 1024 x 640 resolution, though--there's no way you'll hit 1280 x 800 or 1440 x 900 with a playable FPS on a 8400M GS ).

As for it being bulkier, I don't know, it's just an extra inch; if you can't live with it, hey, it's your money. But, I have to ask, what do you want do do with this new laptop? School work? Writing? For work? If that's the case, then I think you're much better off getting the 14 incher with a 8400M GS and enjoy some occasional gaming on lower settings. However, if you're actually on gaming quite a bit, then I highly suggest you go for a 15 incher.

 

Before you buy any computer, consider what you'll be doing on it, present and future.

And before picking a machine and configuring it, remember to leave a good margin of extra power you may not need because software and games grow more and more demanding over time. Trust me, you'll be kicking yourself down the road for skimping-out on extra power to save a few bucks.

14" or 15"
It's only 1.5 inches difference, it's not a huge difference in size. But if you plan to game on it with games like Crysis, obviously go with a 15", because it'll play better, look better and be easier on the machine. I find 14" notebooks aren't to good with getting rid of heat when on full load with those kind of specs. 15" also have a more likely 'upgrade path' over the smaller form factors, and this is even more true with Dell systems. Typing on a 15"/14" is the same damn thing, I don't care what anyone says, touch pad placement is the exact same on the 1420/1520, if anything your hands will be bumping into the touchpad more often on a 14".. Just learn to lift up your damn fingers when you type if that's a problem.

Vostro vs Inspiron?
As far as picking between a Vostro or Inpsiron, their exactly the same machine inside and out. Just different configuration options, chassis color and possibly support. Overall, same damn computer.

8700 vs 8600
The 8700 isn't even that much better of a video card from the 8600. Pretty much to put it bluntly, the 8700 is just a overclocked to hell 8600 GPU. And frankly isn't worth hundreds of dollars more just to get. Plus having to lug around a 17" machine to get that kind of option..

My Conclution
I'd say just get the 1520, simple, theres plenty of coupons and sales going on right now and you can pick up a machine dirt cheap. Plus if Dell stick to they're usual routine with hardware, you'll likely be able to buy a 8800 GPU from Dell (when and IF they put 8800's in this new 15" xps I'm hearing about), get a more powerful brick and slam it all into that 1520.

No promises on that, but I know many people that have done similar things. Took a Quadro out and put in a 7950 in they're Dell laptop.

 

Well i guess its a matter of personal preference when it comes to the keyboard. I actually love my vostro 1500; i typed a report yesterday and my hands never get tired or discomfortable in any way.

I agree with triple dude though; if you only need it for work then stick with the 1420. But if you are going to be doing gaming (which is what it sounds like) you should def switch to the 15 inch. The guy who said he prefers 1420 over the 15 incher said he has a desktop for gaming so its natural it wouldnt make sense for him but it might make sense for You.( you dont have a gaming system do you?). Well whatever you decide to go with tell us how it goes .

 

I do have an Xbox...

Well, it turns out my 1420 had shipped this morning at 12 AM. I was considering switching to the 1520, but hadn't made my mind up. So here's the deal: if I recieve my 1420 and there are obvious defects, such as scratches, grainy screen, etc., then I'll most likely return it for a full refund, and instead buy a 1520, if I decide that I want one instead.

You guys are probably curious as to the reason why I want a computer (1420 or 1520). So, I made a list:

- Mainly for writing: My passion is writing fictional stories
- Some gaming here and there, with games such as Oblivion and Halo 2 PC
- School work will also be done on this laptop
- Web browsing
- Semi-portability: for the most part, it'll stay on my desk, but when I do move it around, I want it to be light and nice to carry
- Good looks: The 1520 looks nice, but it appears to big for my tasting. In comparison, the 1420 looks like a nice car while the 1520 looks kind of like...well, a boat. But hey, maybe I'll change my perspective as I look into the 1520 more...

Anyways, the estimated arrival date for my 1420 is November 20th, 3 days ahead of schedule. The sooner the better!
(Once I get my 1420, I'l download the Crysis trial and see how that fairs. I greatly appreciate all the help you guys have been.)

 

tell us how you like yout 1400 once you recieve it . the games you listed will run with ease, you can game css on it as well if thats what you are into.

ive been playing bioshock recently and i cant get enough. xbox is good that at least you get good games on it unlike the PS3.

i think bioshock is the best game since deus ex