Acer Aspire One light gaming?

[RobsTV]

First, I know this is not at all for gaming.
Uses Mobile Intel® 945GMS Express

I have seen a 3dmark 2001 score of the Acer Aspire One at just under 3000.
Not all tests were completed though.
Those numbers are close to what onboard NF2 scored.

It would be great if it could run NASCAR Racing 2003 season (2005 mod), which will run on older systems that scored at least 1500 in 3dm2k1se. NF2 had no problems with this SIM.

But, the specs I am seeing show the Acer Aspire One only has 8 meg used for video memory. Is that adjustable to at least 32meg?

So the real question is, with a 3dmark score higher than needed, will it run the SIM?
I guess only those that have the SIM and the Acer would know.

I already have several laptops and desktops that run this SIM fine, so not looking for other options except around 8" portable WinXP machine at under $350.

Any help or opinions would be appreciated.

 

[Away]

I believe the 945GMS chipset uses the GMA950 for graphics which can utilize up to 224MB of system memory. Unfortunately, some manufacturers don't allow you to adjust this setting manually in the BIOS. If you can adjust the setting, it will probably run that game pretty well. Hope that helps.

Specs on the GMA950

 

[RobsTV]

Update.
Just received Acer Aspire ONE, and yes, video auto adjusts as needed.
3dm2k1se sees 224meg video memory. Scores 2980 at default 1024x600x32.
Nascar racing 2003 season sim works fine at default 1024x600x32, with around 28fps, quality good..

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Strange you should mention gaming... here's my story:

I have the Aspire One with 8 GB SSD, and it had Linpus on it... I've immediately installed XP SP2, and added all the proper drivers... I absolutely love it. I don't mind the occasional lag.

However... I have this Quake 3 installation on a USB key, I can plug that key in any computer I come across, and I can play Q3 from it... but the Aspire One just crashes, telling me it couldn't load OpenGL... My Intel VGA drivers are definitely up-to-date, and I have no clue why the game won't work...

 

[ivan2]

it could be the resolution it uses. Like grid wars 2 will not run unless the resolution is specified as 1024x600 (the native resolution of the LCD screen). can you try to force Q3 to run in that resolution and see if it runs?

 

[MustangSVT]

interesting, I was just going to run emulators 😀 but Q3?

 

[pops17]

does anyone know if this laptop can play halo combat evolved??? or rome total war or rise of nation?? And how do you run a game with a cd disk in this laptop if theres no cd/dvd drive???

 

[Zap]

Welcome to the forums, pops17.

You can run off an external USB optical drive, or copy the contents of the disc to a USB flash drive. You can also make ISO images of game discs you own and load it using Daemon Tools, Alcohol 52% or any other image loader.

As for playing Halo, probably not. Not familiar with Rome, but Rise of Nations might be playable.

What I want to know is when the new Aspire One will be out... the one at $400 with a 160GB HDD and a 6 cell battery? If I get a netbook I want the higher capacity battery.

 

[ed21x]

Originally posted by: pops17
does anyone know if this laptop can play halo combat evolved??? or rome total war or rise of nation?? And how do you run a game with a cd disk in this laptop if theres no cd/dvd drive???

of those three, i've only tried Rise of Nations on the 1000h, which has the same specs as the Aspire One and Wind. The game runs perfectly. of course, rise of nations doesn't exactly require a high frame rate, but i have yet to really see a hiccup.

 

[pops17]

ah good to know, rise of nation is like one of my favorite game. I'm seriously interested in this laptop kinda. Rome total war i remember could run on my old pc with an intel 825 or 845G extreme graphic 2 or something. Does anyone know if the Mobile Intel® 945GMS Express is better?