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funneh
Minmatar
Kinda'Shujaa
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Posted - 2006.10.22 16:07:00 -
[1]
Hi,
I'm buying a new laptop and am currently stuck between two offers:
Inspiron 640m Dual Core
- Intel« CoreÖ 2 Duo Processor T5600
- Original Windows« XP Professional SP2
- 14.1" W Screen WXGA+ UltraSharpÖ (1440 X 900) TFT Display with TrueLifeÖ
- 2048MB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024, free upgrade)
Inspiron 6400 (approx. +250$)
- Intel« CoreÖ 2 Duo Processor T5600
- Original Windows« XP Media Center Edition 2005
- 15.4" UltraSharpÖ W Screen SXGA+ TFT Display resolution: 1680x1050 with TrueLifeÖ
- 2048MB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024, free upgrade)
- 256MB ATI« MOBILITYÖ RADEON« X1400 PCI-Express x16
Now, here's the problem: EVE is DirectX7 as far as I know and mostly CPU intensive. The laptop is intended for work (developer), not gaming but I will have to play EVE on it over the weekends. I've only found this 1 quote sofar (page4):
 Originally by: Mongrove
Check the laptop's graphic card and then check EvE requirements. The intel GMA 950 works fine with the client, if you avoid sun effects & big battles ! Running currently a VAIO SZ2M (both 7400 & GMA950), just fine 
Can I please have some more feedback from people using the GMA950 chip, especially at the listed resolution of 1400x900?
Secondly, MCE? As far as I can tell, it's XP + bloatware - some_advanced_stuff (active directory,..). I don't like MCE and it sounds like lots of additional SW/services that need to be disabled or blocked. Are there compatability problems between XP and MCE?
Thx for the help
funneh
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Scetrov
Gallente
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Posted - 2006.10.22 17:45:00 -
[2]
From experience of intel graphics and 3D Games in general, it works just not going to be getting great performance out of it.
MCE is Media Center Edition unless I am mistaken, you can effectively disable MCE by disabling all the Media Center services, MCE is something in between XP Pro and XP Home with some stuff added. For example you can't add a MCE computer to a domain.
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Suiciety One
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Posted - 2006.10.23 06:39:00 -
[3]
MCE has a lot of cool features mainly to do with watching videos & TV. It transforms your clunky XP machince into something like a Tivo.
It has more of a place in the home connected to a 40"+ TV than on a laptop so you may want to consider that if you have a TV capable of accepting the output of the laptop (most will). Then you can do what I do an sit back on the couch and use the MCE remote when your lazy.
As for that laptptop I'm running Eve fine on an IBM T60 which has similar specs except for the screen which is only 1024x768 and am happy with the performance.
Running at those resolutions though I'd lean towards the ATI solution.
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Directive
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Posted - 2006.10.23 11:42:00 -
[4]
The Intel solution is ok for desktop use, but that's it. You'll be disappointed if you have anything decent to compare to.
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funneh
Minmatar
Kinda'Shujaa
Ushra'Khan
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Posted - 2006.10.23 12:33:00 -
[5]
Edited by: funneh on 23/10/2006 12:33:35
Thanks for the replies
@all re GMA950:
It's a work laptop so I'm not expecting great gaming performance. If EVE is playable, then I'm happy, even if I have to stay away from large fleet battles. It's only for the weekends after all.
AFAIK, the screen handles 1024x768 fine eventhough it isn't the native resolution. Will have to try it out, I guess, both resolution and performance wise.
@Scetrov and Suiciety One re MCE:
That's about the impression I have from MCE myself. I'm not sure if I (will) need one of the missing features with this laptop but at least there don't seem to be compatability problems between XP and MCE, as it has at the very least XP Home functionality.
Meh, if dell would just offer XP SP2 with the second laptop instead of MCE-only... 
funneh
edit: formating error
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Dark Shikari
Caldari
Imperium Technologies
Firmus Ixion
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Posted - 2006.10.23 21:02:00 -
[6]
Saying EVE is playable on Intel Graphics is a bit dishonest.
5-10 FPS in empty space isn't really playable.
-[23] Member-
Awesome new space games site, from the editor of E-ON! |
Gothikia
Reikoku
Band of Brothers
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Posted - 2006.10.24 05:25:00 -
[7]
I just bought the Inspiron 6400 3 weeks ago, absaloutly brilliant with EVE. You will NOT have any problems with this little bugger I assure you  Frame rates are awesome, (a good 20 fps higher than my desktop...  ) I highly recommend it! And since you said your a developer you'd be pleased to know that Visual Studio builds are also nice and quick
Oh and EVE is mostly d3d8 not d3d7 
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Preator Rushview
Caldari
State War Academy
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Posted - 2006.11.07 21:23:00 -
[8]
I run the Inspiron 6400
Intel T2300 Dual 1.66GHz (Pre-Core Duo 2)
Windows XP SP2
512MB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM (256 Allocated To Graphics, 256 Allocated To EVE in prefs.ini)
15.4" Screen
Intel GMA945 Graphics
I run eve in 1200x800 and I'm getting 40fps in stations, approx 30fps in space and 20+ in deadspace/battles. That's more than enough as long you do what these guys have said and avoid fleet battles.
I think I'm gonna get another gig of RAM and see how it goes though
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