Gaming Capabilites

I'm not what you would call a gamer but I do like to play the occasional game. I was wondering if the x1400 video card in the T60 would suit my needs. The T60 has got everything else I want and I want to make sure that I don't compromise on the graphics card if I don't have to.

Some games I play include Sims 2, Oblivion, and Civilization, and that is about it. If anyone has had any experience gaming on this machine please let me know what you think.

Now to decide Vista or XP.....

Thanks

 

You will be able to game, just not at high settings. I have the x300 card in my laptop (a generation and step behind the x1400). I can play games like Far Cry and Half Life 2 just fine. Newer games though, like FEAR and Company of Heroes really push it to the limit.

If you play occasional games, you should be fine. Just don't expect to play at high settings.

Try posting in the What notebook should I buy thread. We may be able to give you some other laptop recommendations with a slightly more powerful video card.

 

I have a 128MB x1400 and I'm able to play most games at medium settings. However, I highly recommend getting the <strike>246MB</strike> 256MB x1400, because it would be very beneficial. I regret not getting it myself, and I scarcely game. I think it'd improve your overall experience, not just gaming.

But yeah, you should be okay.

Matt

 

256MB he means. I am assuming that uses hyper memory. Make sure you have at least 1 GB of RAM for that if you are on XP. If you do decide to get Vista, make sure you get 2 GB of RAM. It will help a lot for gaming.

 

Yes, thanks for catching that typo, Mark, I'll fix it. Also, to comment on your memory recommendation, I agree completely, but to a further extent. I'd recommend 1.5GB on XP and 2GB on Vista.

Matt

 

I could play counter strike 1.6 with about 70 fps. And Command and Conquer 3 with low medium setting.
I'll recommend getting at least 2GB of RAM as some game such as Command and Conquer 3 swaps almost 1 GB of RAM.

 

How would the Nvidia GeForce Go 7700 Play Battlefield 2142? how would the 7300?

 

From what I have heard BF2 is a fairly demanding game and just about all of the threads in these forums always mention that 2GBs of ram is needed (and thats in XP) I am guessing that the Go 7700 (Asus A8Js right?) will play it fairly well but the Go7300 will probably struggle. The X1400 is some where in between the two.

 

You might want to look at something like the HP nc8430 if you need a business class notebook with better gaming ability or even the v5250 which is based on the x1700.

 

As I have before, I disagree. My 128MB x1400 is more than capable of playing BF2 at medium settings. I can play with high settings but the lag is certainly there. Considering that, I'd say the Go7300 is plenty capable of playing at medium settings.

I would, however, recommend 1.5GB of RAM, if not, more.

 

Obviously everyone has different standards of what is acceptable performance and what is not. But I am guessing that you will be playing the game at a fairly low res and most settings on low to manage 20-30 FPS (which is what I consider playable for a notebook GPU) with the Go7300. You may want to check into the notebooks that were suggested before though for a good compromise.

 

I played at 1280x1024. You're correct, though, I was not able to smoothly play at 1400x1050 (my notebook's native resolution).

 

Now this is just based on what I have read, but the FireGL 5250 isn't stable when running its native drivers, and you have to softmod it make games playable. Like I said, just rumors I have heard, no first hand experience (yet). But like he said, the dedicated 256 RAM in the fireGL coupled with an already nice card (x1700) could make for a very nice gaming system.

 

I am able to play World of Warcraft on pretty high settings, but with the AA settings on very low relatively well. I do not think that it would work well in raids though.

I do not think Lenovo has a 256MB X1400 option, though.

 

I'm looking at the Asus G1, Core 2 duo 2.0, 2gig, 160gig 5400 hard drive, Geforce 7700 512mb. How would this play BF 2142?

 

So, purchasing a T60p at lenovo with a ATi Radeon Firegl V5250 256 MB... is it capable of playing games after downloading drivers?

 

Definitely. If I can, you certainly can (128MB x1400 vs 256MB FireGL).