Dell Inspiron 6000 Gaming

[niggles]

I bought a Dell Inspiron 6000 with a 900 GMA. I've been suprisingly impressed by the graphics output this thing can do. BF42 looks great and runs fairly smooth. My problem is that some games simply crash the PC to desktop such as the Desert Combat Mod for BF42. It's a pretty mainstream game so I was pretty surprised. I can play BF42, but when I try and run the DC Mod I crash to desktop. Further more simply trhying to install Deus Ex 2:Invisible War caused the PC to crash to desktop. Lots of other games such as C&C Generals, Quake 3 and Jedi Knight 2 Outast ran fine. Return to Wolfenstein would also not install, strange considering that it's built on the Quake 3 engine. Does anyone else own an Inspiron 6000 that could tell me whether they are having these issues as well?

 

[bacillus]

a 6000 with integrated graphics or the 6000D are not a gaming machines!

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: niggles
I bought a Dell Inspiron 6000 with a 900 GMA. I've been suprisingly impressed by the graphics output this thing can do. BF42 looks great and runs fairly smooth. My problem is that some games simply crash the PC to desktop such as the Desert Combat Mod for BF42. It's a pretty mainstream game so I was pretty surprised. I can play BF42, but when I try and run the DC Mod I crash to desktop. Further more simply trhying to install Deus Ex 2:Invisible War caused the PC to crash to desktop. Lots of other games such as C&C Generals, Quake 3 and Jedi Knight 2 Outast ran fine. Return to Wolfenstein would also not install, strange considering that it's built on the Quake 3 engine. Does anyone else own an Inspiron 6000 that could tell me whether they are having these issues as well?

I've found the Intel integrated drivers to be buggy with certain games. I remember when trying to bench the Intel Extreme 2 on HL2, it would crash switching certain resolutions or graphics options. Same with GMA900. You can make sure you have the latest updated drivers, but the fact that some of your games run is a blessing in it of itself. The drivers are optimized for 2D stability and battery life, NOT for 3D performance.

 

[niggles]

yes, I realise it's not a gaming machine, I didn't expect it to be expecially with the great price tag. As I mentioned I think it's still a great card, I'm just trying to understand what the issues are. The GMA 900 is 1.5 to two times better than the Extreme2 according to the benchmarks I've been checking. Something that I've noticed is that I've found that the driver does work with pixel shader 1.1
Actually I'm not sure if it's the driver or the hardware... still, I'm interested in anyone elses comments that have an Inspiron 6000, or an Intel GMA 900