Really, how bad are onboard graphics cards?

Hi all, first post! I've been meandering through this site over the course of the past couple weeks while trying to buy a laptop.

A few years ago i really knew my desktop computing stuff. But after building my almost top of the line computer in 2005, I haven't paid much attention to the newest geek stuff....and I have never even thought baout owning a laptop.

But, with a change of job, it seems as if I will be travelling quite a bit. And with that, I will need a laptop for my everyday needs (word processing, a little bit of LotRO, internet, etc.)

My old computer was an AMD 3500+ with a 256MB something or other card and 2GB RAM.

All my games run fine. Yes, I know the graphics could probably be a lot better, but I don't really care if I can differentiate the difference between 1 and 10 strands of hair. So I ask, browsing through these laptops, really HOW bad are the integrated graphics cards? I know yall are geeks and tweaking systems to have the BEST graphics is what its all about, but for just general old gaming...not as a desktop replacement but more as a "when I can't get to my desktop"...are these integrated cards really as bad as everybody makes them out to be?

Back when I played WoW I know of quite a few players that had relatively cheap laptops and were playing fine, which leads me to believe that unless you want cutting edge graphics, it really doesn't matter all that much.

Thoughts?

 

they arent god aweful. you can play most games on low. They do WORK. however, most people like to play on higher resolutions than 800x600 and all low settings. if you are one of those people that want to play on medium or high and higher resolutions then you will need a dedicated card. Also, remember a graphics card takes all the visual processes off the processor and ram and handles them itself (in vista), so you computer will run day to day a little faster with one (and free up system ram because it doesnt have to be shared with the graphics.) But integrated graphics are fine for basic gaming.

 

For most games, onboard graphics is problematic. (While they might run, you'd have to use *very* low detail levels and resolutions)
Yes, it works in WoW, but WoW has lower requirements than most games.

I'm not sure how LotRO compares, but I'd assume it has higher requirements than that.

If I were you, I'd go with a laptop with some cheap dedicated graphics card, because there is a noticeable performance leap between integrated graphics, and even the cheapest dedicated cards.

 

Thanks for the response jalf and nizzy! So, look for a cheap dedicated card laptop. Any quick suggestions on those?

 

For everyday computing + WoW an IGP will do absolutely fine. Something like an Intel X3100 or ATi X1250 will run WoW on close to maz with good fps, it was designed to run on pretty much anything. This is not conjecture, it will run well on a good IGP.

Other more complex games will require a dedicated card. If you intend to run more demanding games than WoW on this laptop then a dedicated card would be better. The Asus F5VL is cheap and has an ATi X2300 GPU which isn't hugely powerful but should beat an IGP. Other than that there aren't many hugely cheap notebooks around with dedicted cards. A Dell Vostro with an 8400M GS shouldn't be too expensive though.

 

Once again, thanks for the quick reply!

 

nVidia 8400m (???)

 

Yeah for older games, like hl2 or wow, or doom 3, you can get away with a recent IGP and a decent processor and play those games at medium settings smoothly.

But for anything beyond those games, you will be limited to the lowest settings, and even those might not be playable.

So figure out what games you play, if they fall in the category of those that I mentioned before then an IGP paired with a good processor will handle them just fine.

 

Sorry, one more question and I'll sink back into oblivion...

I just saw a thread of X1400 graphics card Screenshots. Can I assume that the X3100 Found on this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...=product&tab=2&id=1188561005895#productdetail

is better?

 

thats still integrated graphics.

you can get the laptop in my sig for under 700. its a great deal imo.

 

Don't let the names fool you. the ATI x1400 is a low end dedicated gpu.

The Intel x3100 is a lowly integrated card.

The two have nothing in common, even tho the names look pretty similar.