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    Msi Ex 400. Right Choice?

    Discussion in 'MSI' started by GameBook, Oct 23, 2008.

  1. GameBook

    GameBook Newbie

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    Hi, I'm relatively new on buying a notebook.

    I plan to buy the "MSI EX 400".

    asia.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=prodtmpspec&maincat_no=135&cat2_no=&cat3_no=&prod_no=1522#menu

    My very sole purpose is to play the classic Counter Strike 1.6 online, and common everyday computing like browsing. I would like to know if this can be nearly perfect notebook for my purpose? I would also want to know if there may be any complications in its specifications with CS 1.6? Because I own a PC that has 8800GT & Athlon X2 and I'm having a lot of problems, I guess the 8800GT was not compatible with CS 1.6.

    I've searched almost all laptops that's available only in my county and the first one I look for is the VGA because experts say that integrated VGA is not for 3D gaming. So I picked the MSI EX 400 for its dedicated VGA - ATI HD3450.

    Specs:

    CPU: 2GHZ Core 2 Duo
    RAM: 2GB DDR2
    VGA: 256MB ATI HD3450
    HDD: 160GB SATA
    SCREEN: 14.1 WXGA TFT LCD

    The other specs can be found on the link above.

    I wish someone could tell me if this is the right choice for me. And any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you.
     
    GameBook, Oct 23, 2008
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  2. Micaiah

    Micaiah Notebook Deity

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    For what you're doing, that machine should be plenty sufficient. CS 1.6 can even be played on Intel integrated graphics and get good framerates, since it's based on an old graphics engine. You can most likely play CS Source and still get good framerates and not have to sacrifice image quality too much with a HD3450.
     
    Micaiah, Oct 23, 2008
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  3. GameBook

    GameBook Newbie

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    Thank you for the reply.

    So can I adjust CS 1.6 and ATI control panel to the maximum settings with the highest resolution available and can still be played with atleast 60 FPS?
     
    GameBook, Oct 23, 2008
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  4. snek44

    snek44 Newbie

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    I'm pretty sure this laptop will do 100FPS in CS 1.6.. as posted before, CS 1.6 is an old one... I used to get 100FPS in that game with my Radeon 8500 (a looong time ago), which is 3 times slower than the 3450 in the MSI laptop
     
    snek44, Oct 23, 2008
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  5. GameBook

    GameBook Newbie

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    You mean you have to turn off the v-sync to get 100 FPS right? What if I leave the v-sync on, will the FPS still be 60 at all times? Cuz, I'm not so comfortable to see the slices on the screen when you turn off the v-sync. So I wonder if the v-sync turned on will be fine?

    EDIT: I've noticed that there are two kinds of HD 3450, how can I know which one will I get if I make up my mind?

    Radeon HD 3450 or Mobility Radeon HD 3450?

    From what the link (please see above) towards the main specs says it is ATI Radeon HD3450. Is it supposed to be Mobility since it's laptop? I'm guessing that Radeon HD 3450 is only for desktop and Mobility Radeon HD 3450 is for laptop. Am I wrong?
     
    GameBook, Oct 23, 2008
    #5