HELP! Differences in Gaming Resolution and buying a laptop

[Bink]

Hi,

One thing that is not clear to me is the difference between running a game at say 800x600 and 1600x1200. I currently use a laptop which cannot run any decent games and has limited resolution in the first place. When I reset screen resolution on previous desktops, the difference was clear - I would get more effective desktop real estate (albeit at a smaller size) - i.e. bigger windows, bigger spreadsheets, etc.

With games, especially FPS such as Medal Of Honor (which I already bought...now I need a machine to run it) I thought the effect was similar - a larger view or perspective. Now I saw some comments which lead me to believe it is simply more detail that gets rendered for the same perspective.

Which is it? I would appreciate a detailed response, since it will affect how much video memory I buy.

The machine I am contemplating is the Compaq Presario 2800T with 15inch SXGA+ screen, 1.6GHz processor and 32MB Radeon 7500 graphics. I also got a 21" monitor, so can run the programs externally.

However, at high resolutions would I need 64MB of video memory? Should I upgrade the processor to 1.7 or 1.8GHz?

Thanks

Bink

 

[BDawg]

In an FPS, you just get better details, less jaggies, etc. You don't get any bigger real estate.

BTW, I have a 2700T (1GHz PIII, 32MB Radeon Mobility) and I love it! I don't get the best resolution in gaming (Quake III 1024x768 @ 75 FPS, GTA3 800x600).

Make sure you buy one of the better screens, they're worth every cent!

 

[dougp]

What BDawg said about the higher resolutions in game is right, everything looks a LOT clearer. Sorta like running FSAA at lower resolutions.

I have the 8mb version of the radeon mobility in my laptop (you can see the specs in the link in my sig) and it performs well in all games that I've tried. Q3 800x600 as long as I keep my settings at around medium I pull off 75+ fps. That laptop you have sure packs a big whallop in it.

 

[Bink]

OK, Thanks - now I want to play Medal of Honor etc, and IL 2 Sturmovik, etcn probably at 1024x768. For Internet browsing & MS Office, I will run the external monitor at 1600x1200.

Q1. Do I need 64MB of Video Memory, or will 32MB be enough? (plus $149 for 32MB extra)
Q2. Will 1.6GHz P4 suffice, or should I step up to a 1.7GHz (+$100) or a 1.8GHz (+$125 over the 1.7)?
Q3. How much RAM do I need?

Thanks all

 

[Soulkeeper]

adding more vid mem will help at higher resolutions in games and also will help in newer games that can use and benefit from more vid mem


i just ordered a laptop with 1.8ghz P4-m the reason i did this was because it would cost too much to upgrade later and in some laptops is not even possible. although noticing the difference from 1.6 to 1.8 in a laptop takes effort

get atleast 256mb of ram 512 if you have the cash to throw down
usually when customizing a laptop they charge an arm and a leg for extra mem. So if the price seems worth it to you then go for it, but if not then you can consider upgrading and adding your own mem later. If your comfortable doing that it would be cheeper.

i just ordered a laptop from this place powernotebooks.com can't wait till i get it in two weeks

hope this helps
--Soul_keeper

 

[BD2003]

Depends on the game. For an FPS, you have a fixed viewpoint, so more detail.

Take a 3D RTS, and with double the resolution, you can theoretically zoom out twice as far and get the same detail.