NationStates Jolt Archive

Since I don't know shit about integrated graphics, I want to know if this laptop with an integrated graphics card (but it's from NVIDIA) will be able to run loads of old games from my computer that I still play online: Doom 3? GTA San Andreas (yes you can play it online, it's called SAMP bitches)? Counter Strike? etc....

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1652573249.1205351594@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdkadedifmdldgcflgceggdhhmdgmh.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=439579&category_oid=-27749#productInformationSection

In short yes, thought the quality at which they will run does depend on the amount of RAM the card is allocated.

Since I don't know shit about integrated graphics, I want to know if this laptop with an integrated graphics card (but it's from NVIDIA) will be able to run loads of old games from my computer that I still play online: Doom 3? GTA San Andreas (yes you can play it online, it's called SAMP bitches)? Counter Strike? etc....

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1652573249.1205351594@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdkadedifmdldgcflgceggdhhmdgmh.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=439579&category_oid=-27749#productInformationSection

Should be able to...

In short yes, thought the quality at which they will run does depend on the amount of RAM the card is allocated.

So if I just decide to give the card a gig of memory from the ram, it should be fine? I've always been under the impression that integrated graphics is a big no no for any game, even with lots of ram. Is this just a myth?

So if I just decide to give the card a gig of memory from the ram, it should be fine? I've always been under the impression that integrated graphics is a big no no for any game, even with lots of ram. Is this just a myth?

Yes and no, integrated graphics card use system memory, which in most off the shelf systems is rather low.

After playing various games with integrated Intel graphics I have a feeling it goes something like this... If the game is 2-3 years older than the motherboard then you'll be able to set the graphics detail pretty high. If it's 1 year older then you'll have to turn down the detail. If the game is about as old as the motherboard or newer then you can't be sure if you can play it at all.

Yes and no, integrated graphics card use system memory, which in most off the shelf systems is rather low.

But surely 2 gigabytes of memory is enough?

You cannot run high end games on an integrated graphics card. Beside the fact they use system memory, most don't have the technical capabilities needed to do it.

You cannot run high end games on an integrated graphics card. Beside the fact they use system memory, most don't have the technical capabilities needed to do it.

What do you define as high end? Also, is this true for even allegedly high quality graphics chips like the NVIDIA one on this laptop?

Remember I only want to run some of the old games on this comp, I'm not going to attempt to run crysis or anything.

Anything can run Crap Strike, but Doom 3 and GTA:SA may cause problems. And it doesn't matter who makes it. Graphics card makers make low end cards for the integrated graphics and cost-competitive markets.

Anything can run Crap Strike, but Doom 3 and GTA:SA may cause problems. And it doesn't matter who makes it. Graphics card makers make low end cards for the integrated graphics and cost-competitive markets.

But those games are like 4 years old! Here are the requirements for GTA: (recommended not minimum)

Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon XP processor (or better)
384(+) MB of RAM
16x DVD-ROM drive
4.7 GB of free Hard Disk space for a full install
128(+) MB Video Card with DirectX 9 compatible drivers ("GeForce4" or better)
DirectX 9 compatible Surround Sound Card
Game pad with twin axis analog controls (USB or Joystick Port)
Keyboard & Mouse

Not exactly high spec, is dedicated graphics still really necessary?