Laptop gaming?

[Prexaspes]

I've been checking out laptops at Newegg and can't help but notice the very affordable Acer laptops with the Mobility Radeon 9700 video. I'm looking into buying a new laptop to take with me on deployment that will be capable of running some decent games (HL2 possibly?). Is there better laptop graphics than the 9700?

I'm also wondering how much of a performance difference there will be between 64 and 128 mb video ram and how much difference there will be between a Pentium 4 2.8 or 3.0 and a Pentium M 1.5. This laptop will be more of a substitute desktop, so I'm thinking the Pentium 4 would be a better choice.

I don't really want to spend more than $1400 on a laptop and the ones I was checking out at Newegg looked really nice.

Please, let me in on any experiences or input you have!

Thanks.

[VHockey86]

ATI mobility cards arent very accurately named...
the 9700 mobility is actually like a 9600 desktop card. By todays standards its mediocre, but dont expect to be playing doom3 or half-life2 all that well on it.

ATI has released a newer MUCH better card, the mobility 9800. Actualy in this case, its bad naming favors the user somewhat, as it is based on the x800 core rather than the 9800 series (making it somewhat better). Granted as a mobile card its clocked down substancially compared to its desktop counterpart (x800), but its stilll quite a leap forward compared to the 9700.
Heres a benchmark:
http://www4.tomshardware.com/mobile/...directx_9_halo

The bad news is, the card is dell exclusive until at least the end of august, and you probably wont be able to buy a computer with one for your budget. (its only available in the huge DTR models.. which generally push 1800-2000 easily).
I havent exactly heard the greatest things about acer notebooks either as a side note.

To answer your processor question... the 1.5 pentium-m isnt even a Dothan core p-m I dont think... so the performance different between a 2.8p4 and that would be quite significant. IF you got a 1.7-1.8 pentium-m dothan with 2mb onboard cache, it would tighten the gap substancially. Whether or not the penitums you are talking about are "B" cores or "c/e" cores makes a huge difference as well.
A 2.8p4c or e would blow away the 1.5p-m, whereas a 2.8p4b wouldnt so much.

[rpertusio]

Here's a list of mobile graphics chips provided by ATI. Above the 9700, there is the 9800 and the X600, however, it is unlikely you'll find a notebook for less than $1400 with either of those chips. (In fact, I don't know of a laptop currently using the X600, but you can look on google.)

The 128mb will help, if you can afford it. You'll be able to run the game at higher detail level with the 128mb (compared to the 64mb), if that is a concern for you. It all depends on the games you will be playing.

I am not very fluent on Pentium processors, but I would guess the P4 would run a bit hotter and waste a bit more battery power. Nevertheless, if you'll be plugging your laptop into an AC outlet, then it may not be an issue at all. Someone else will have to speak for performance, as I am not an expert.

NewEgg does have some of the lowest prices for laptops I've seen around.

- rp

[RobRich]

128MB of dedicated video memory is strongly recommended, especially if you want any chance of playing HL2 or D3 at a decent mid-range quality level. 64MB will not suffice for the latest generation of games with highly detailed textures.

As to the Mobility 9700, check this out....

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/mobility_9700/

The Mobility 9700 is actually the M11 graphics chipset, not a mobile variant of the powerful Radeon 9700 architecture. The M11 is essentially a mobile version of the Radeon 9600 Pro/XT operating in the 390-450MHz core frequency range.

The M11 may suffice for 800x600 with minimal filtering and compressed textures in D3 and HL2. 640x480 should be no problem, assuming you can actually stand to play games at such a resolution.

IMHO, the Mobility 9800 is a better bet for HL2 and other near future games....

http://www.driverheaven.net/reviews/...9800/index.htm

....but you are going to spend an extra $400-500 above your initial target estimate.

The Pentium 4 is your best bet for gaming when paired with a recent DX9-grade graphics accelerator. I usually recommend the Pentium M for its superb application performance and high power efficiency, but it certainly will not compete with a high frequency P4 processor in regards to serious gaming.

One note, the Pentium 4 generates massive thermal loads. I recommend purchasing a notebook cooling pad if you intend on going this route, otherwise you can expect lockups, crashes, and other annoyances during long sessions of gaming.

Robert Richmond

[VHockey86]

Nice summary Rob.

I suppose to be frank... if you want a decent gaming laptop you're going to have to cough up the cash. You mide as well save up some money and buy a higher quality notebook than to get something mediocre from the start and save a few bucks (you'll only be needing to upload a heck of alot sooner). Not to mention, the 9800 isn't available outside of dells yet, thus it will give you some time to earn a little more money.

[Prexaspes]

So, you're telling me a system like that would leave me wanting... At least for Doom 3 or HL2. What about less recent games? I've been out of the gaming arena for a while and would admittedly play a lot of C&C and my modded out UT and UT 2K4. Think it would do well by them?

As far as the processor cores go, the real choice at this point is between a 3.0 mobile P4 and a 1.5 Pentium M which does have 2mb L2 cache. I'm still pretty confident that the 3.0 would be the way to go, as appreciative of the Pentium M's technology as I am.

As far as the ratings for the notebooks, one of the longer offered laptops of that class has fairly good ratings on Newegg. I don't think I'll have time to save a whole bundle for a $2000+ model laptop, since I'll be getting to my ship in a short while and have other expenses to worry about in the meantime. Besides, I don't want to spend that much anyway.

So, anyway...

Are they really terrible? Not worth it?

[HeadBand]

Quote:

As far as the processor cores go, the real choice at this point is between a 3.0 mobile P4 and a 1.5 Pentium M which does have 2mb L2 cache. I'm still pretty confident that the 3.0 would be the way to go, as appreciative of the Pentium M's technology as I am.

There is a big difference between a P4 3.0 and a p4m 3.0 they make laptops with the desktop processor and that is definatley the way to go

also have you conciderd a small form factor PC it might be they way to go if you want to get a nice gaming machine at that price

[Prexaspes]

That's a no go for the sff PC. I'm going to a frigate.

There just doesn't seem to be as much available information about laptops easily available on the internet... Or maybe it's just my inability to relate to the language used about them.

A friend of mine has a P4 2.8M with a mobility Radeon 9200 that he runs Doom 3 on. It's almost playable. At 800 x 600 with a lot of action, it gets pretty choppy. I imagine the mobility 9700 is considerably faster than the mobility 9200? Yes?