Laptop for WoW

[SeductivePig]

Ok so basically I'm selling off my desktop but keeping my 22'' monitor, and buying a cheap laptop. So far I'm undecided between..

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...oduct&id=1218012522418

and

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...oduct&id=1218010174398


Pretty much the only game I plan on playing with this laptop is world of warcraft, including both expansions.

Do you guys know if the 4500mhd can handle it? What about the 9300m gs?

I have searched everywhere for this answer but couldn't find it.. thanks!

 

[Wreckage]

The one with the 9300m would be better since it has dedicated video memory instead of shared.

 

[Bateluer]

I'll give props to the Asus for its slightly better video, but honestly, they both are pretty crappy.

 

[SeductivePig]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I'll give props to the Asus for its slightly better video, but honestly, they both are pretty crappy.

...

Core 2 duo t5800 + 4gb ram, 250gb harddrive, what more do you expect from a laptop?

I'm not using this for gaming.. how are they both crappy?


edit: i see you were possibly talking about the video cards.. i agree lol. i thought you said both laptops were crappy.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I'll give props to the Asus for its slightly better video, but honestly, they both are pretty crappy.

Its not like WoW needs allot of power.

 

[lupi]

Originally posted by: CrazyDesi


Core 2 duo t5800 + 4gb ram, 250gb harddrive, what more do you expect from a laptop?

I'm not using this for gaming.. how are they both crappy?

I plan on playing with this laptop is world of warcraft

 

[Leyawiin]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I'll give props to the Asus for its slightly better video, but honestly, they both are pretty crappy.

Its not like WoW needs allot of power.

The days of WoW running on some old Dell Dimension with integrated graphics died with the release of the Burning Crusade. It was thoroughly buried with the release of Wrath of the Lich King.

O.P., neither of those notebooks will run WoW. The graphics are far too weak. You need to get one with at least a 9600m GS or 9600m GT graphics card if you want anything that approaches a good gaming experience with WoW.

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: Leyawiin

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I'll give props to the Asus for its slightly better video, but honestly, they both are pretty crappy.

Its not like WoW needs allot of power.

The days of WoW running on some old Dell Dimension with integrated graphics died with the release of the Burning Crusade. It was thoroughly buried with the release of Wrath of the Lich King.

O.P., neither of those notebooks will run WoW. The graphics are far too weak. You need to get one with at least a 9600m GS or 9600m GT graphics card if you want anything that approaches a good gaming experience with WoW.

8600m GT will handle WoW just fine,especially at 1280 x 800 res,I'm always amazed at how so many people feel WoW is that demanding sorry its not from my playing experience.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

Good FPS in WOW depends a lot on the video settings (like most games do). You can run WOW on most anything but it may look and run pretty crappy. If you're going to play any games, get something with a decent card. In this case the 9300 is a better choice than the Intel video.

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: Leyawiin
O.P., neither of those notebooks will run WoW. The graphics are far too weak. You need to get one with at least a 9600m GS or 9600m GT graphics card if you want anything that approaches a good gaming experience with WoW.

That 9300m should handle WoW just fine.

 

[Leyawiin]

Originally posted by: hans030390

Originally posted by: Leyawiin
O.P., neither of those notebooks will run WoW. The graphics are far too weak. You need to get one with at least a 9600m GS or 9600m GT graphics card if you want anything that approaches a good gaming experience with WoW.

That 9300m should handle WoW just fine.

If you don't mind playing at low settings and don't RAID or hang out in Shatt or Dalaran much. I stands by what I said.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16834220340

 

[SeductivePig]

Ok well I found a Dell studio laptop for the same price with same specs, except it has an ati 3450 card. how's that compared to the 9300m gs?

I did some research as well.. if you look at the reviews for the ASUS, someone claimed they are playing WoW just fine.

but anyways, 3450 or 9300m gs?

 

[phexac]

Here's the best gaming laptop out there in terms of good performance for good price. It is more expensive than either of what you were looking at, but your playing experience will also be proportionately better:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...&cp=1&id=1211587727985

 

[SeductivePig]

Originally posted by: phexac
Here's the best gaming laptop out there in terms of good performance for good price. It is more expensive than either of what you were looking at, but your playing experience will also be proportionately better:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...&cp=1&id=1211587727985

that's nearly twice my budget

I only want to play WoW on low settings really.

I have an xbox 360 and a nice tv for all other gaming needs.

Anyways, I only play WoW during the summer if anything, so I probably won't be gaming too much.

How is the dell laptop I mentioned above?

 

[AVP]

Depending on how the laptop parts differ, it looks like the 9300 might be better

 

[phexac]

At low setting you will likely be fine.

 

[Zap]

They will both be able to run WoW, but probably at fairly low settings (especially the Intel graphics). To run at full resolution with most things turned up and not have choppiness, you need to hit the midrange level with video cards. This means GeForce 7600/8600/9500 levels, or Radeon 2600/3600 levels.

If you're okay with WoW playing only on low settings, then the GeForce 9300 or the Radeon 3450 may suffice for now.

My older notebook had a Radeon Mobility x300 and it was fine playing with EVERYTHING turned down in WoW. However, it got a bit choppy after Burning Crusade, and I'm afraid to run Lich King on it. Basically every couple years when there's a major update, you'll need to upgrade or turn down settings a notch. If you are already at lowest settings, you will have to upgrade.

 

[ther00kie16]

9300 is better. just google notebook graphics and first link should have benchmarks on pretty much every mobile gpu.

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: CalvinHobbes
Good FPS in WOW depends a lot on the video settings (like most games do). You can run WOW on most anything but it may look and run pretty crappy. If you're going to play any games, get something with a decent card. In this case the 9300 is a better choice than the Intel video.

wow is soooo old. I used to run it max settings on a x800

 

[yh125d]

Personally I play WoW on my m1530

t8300
4gb ddr2 667
8600m GT

I get these FPS numbers in a mostly deserted Dalaran

1920 x 1200 (what I play at)
minimum settings - 30
my settings(mid to low) - 22
medium settings - 21
max settings - 6ish

1680 x 1050 (if you plan to export the video to your monitor)
minimum settings - 31
medium settings - 23
max settings - 7ish

1280 x 800 (played on either of those laptops)
minimum settings - 33
medium settings - 26
max settings - 8



Obviously underwhelming numbers. Factor in a slower processor, and how much better the 8600m GT is compared to the 9300M (http://www.gpureview.com/show_...p?card1=600&card2=534), and you'll realize it's just not gonna work on a laptop without a bigger budget.

 

[taltamir]

i don't get it... you are going to play WOW on a 22 inch non mobile monitor (1650x1050) tethered to a laptop? then what the hell is the point of selling your desktop and buying a more expensive but much weaker laptop to play wow with?
I mean, if you were selling the monitor as well and going to play wow while on the move, in the toilet, during breakfast, etc... I Would understand (pity you, but understand). But you are doing a downgrade switch costing you money and ending up still tethered to a desk.

Also, the thing about wow, the older zones are rather light (And they also got an overhaul), but if you move to newer zones the graphic requirements rise sharply... if you were to try and play a wrath of the lich king at its brand new zones you will see a huge difference compared to the same settings and hardware on a older zone.

 

[yh125d]

Also, a big fat no to those who still think WoW isn't graphics intensive at all. The game has changed drastically. My desktop (sig) can't run it at any higher than medium settings at 1280 x 1024 without the FPS dipping below 30 or so, with the shadows all the way down(the big FPS sinkhole)

 

[SeductivePig]

Originally posted by: taltamir
i don't get it... you are going to play WOW on a 22 inch non mobile monitor (1650x1050) tethered to a laptop? then what the hell is the point of selling your desktop and buying a more expensive but much weaker laptop to play wow with?
I mean, if you were selling the monitor as well and going to play wow while on the move, in the toilet, during breakfast, etc... I Would understand (pity you, but understand). But you are doing a downgrade switch costing you money and ending up still tethered to a desk.

Also, the thing about wow, the older zones are rather light (And they also got an overhaul), but if you move to newer zones the graphic requirements rise sharply... if you were to try and play a wrath of the lich king at its brand new zones you will see a huge difference compared to the same settings and hardware on a older zone.

Well I've had a desktop for around 6-8 years now, just thought it would be nice to move on to a laptop.

Considering I don't do PC gaming, and I tend to study in places other than my apartment (on campus), I just decided it would be nice to have a laptop for a change.


This is very interesting though.. didn't think wotlk would be that intensive I guess I will just try and play WoW on very low settings.. otherwise I won't play it at all.

I honestly can't afford more than $600-700 on a laptop.. I think I will be going with the Dell.

Originally posted by: yh125d
Personally I play WoW on my m1530

t8300
4gb ddr2 667
8600m GT

I get these FPS numbers in a mostly deserted Dalaran

1920 x 1200 (what I play at)
minimum settings - 30
my settings(mid to low) - 22
medium settings - 21
max settings - 6ish

1680 x 1050 (if you plan to export the video to your monitor)
minimum settings - 31
medium settings - 23
max settings - 7ish

1280 x 800 (played on either of those laptops)
minimum settings - 33
medium settings - 26
max settings - 8



Obviously underwhelming numbers. Factor in a slower processor, and how much better the 8600m GT is compared to the 9300M (http://www.gpureview.com/show_...p?card1=600&card2=534), and you'll realize it's just not gonna work on a laptop without a bigger budget.

That's extremely helpful, thanks a bunch. Do you manage to play WoW though? How does it affect your experience, always having 20ish fps?

 

[lupi]

Originally posted by: yh125d
Also, a big fat no to those who still think WoW isn't graphics intensive at all. The game has changed drastically. My desktop (sig) can't run it at any higher than medium settings at 1280 x 1024 without the FPS dipping below 30 or so, with the shadows all the way down(the big FPS sinkhole)

I'm guessing you're memory limited as that card should be able to push much hgher, particularly at that rez.

 

[yh125d]

That's extremely helpful, thanks a bunch. Do you manage to play WoW though? How does it affect your experience, always having 20ish fps?

Yes, I manage to play at 1920 x 1200 with settings a tad under medium. 22 fps in Dalaran means ~45 fps out on the continent, which is doable. It gets choppy from time to time though. I haven't yet raided in Wrath, so I have yet to see what the impact is on my laptop