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Laptop buying advice forum: Graphics card vs. CPU

by: TariElanesse September 28, 2009 11:26 AM PDT

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Graphics card vs. CPU

by TariElanesse - 9/28/09 11:26 AM

Ok, been researching until my eyes are about to bug out. Can someone help me? I want a laptop that will play World of Warcraft over a wireless connection. WOW's recommended requirements are:
Dual-core processor, such as the Intel Pentium D or AMD Athlon 64 X2
1 GB RAM (2 GB for Vista users)
3D graphics processor with Vertex and Pixel Shader capability with 128 MB VRAM Such as an ATI Radeon X1600 or NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT class card or better
DirectX-compatible sound card or motherboard sound capability

I'm most worried about getting a capable graphics card in laptop. Been looking at Dell's Inspiron 15, but it has an integrated graphics card. A Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 4500MHD, which notebookcheck.com claims will barely run WOW.

Can a good CPU compensate for an integrated graphics card? I can't afford a gamer laptop, which seems to be about the only ones with decent graphics cards in them. The Dell I'm looking at has an Intel Pentium mobile processor T4200 in it.

Would appreciate any advice! Thanks!


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Can a good CPU compensate for an integrated graphics card?

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 9/28/09 11:43 AM

In Reply to: Graphics card vs. CPU by TariElanesse

I'm going with no. While I think highly of the 4500 Intel graphics solution, "gamers" should budget in the 1 to 2K buck range.
Bob


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That's the problem....

by TariElanesse - 9/28/09 11:51 AM

In Reply to: Can a good CPU compensate for an integrated graphics card? by R. Proffitt Moderator

My budget is much lower. Max $700 + tax. I was hoping, since WOW is an older game, I could get away with a basic laptop. *sigh*

Thanks for helping!


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Seems a shame.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 9/28/09 12:31 PM

In Reply to: That's the problem.... by TariElanesse

Looking at the http://laptops.toshiba.com/laptops/satellite/A500/A505-S6969 you are only one hundred away from a gamer's laptop.
Bob


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Wow!

by TariElanesse - 9/28/09 1:24 PM

In Reply to: Seems a shame. by R. Proffitt Moderator

That does have all the specs I was wanting! I don't really know anything about Toshiba laptops. Never known anyone who had one. Now I'll have to research them! Thanks a lot!


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Even better!

by TariElanesse - 9/28/09 1:26 PM

In Reply to: Seems a shame. by R. Proffitt Moderator

newegg.com has it listed at $699.99! Might actually be able to afford it! Thanks again!


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Rats

by TariElanesse - 9/29/09 11:07 AM

In Reply to: Seems a shame. by R. Proffitt Moderator

Apparently, this laptop is not available anymore. No one has it. Been checking out Toshiba's website though and you can configure one like you can on Dell's website. Probably what I'll end up doing. Thanks for your help.


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besides one main part...

by pepsidrinker67 - 9/29/09 2:42 PM

In Reply to: Rats by TariElanesse

you know besides the CPU (the toshiba has an intel and the hp has a amd which is slightly slower, but shouldnt really notice a difference unless you time things when you use them to see how long it takes to react)...there is an HP model on newegg for 749.99 no sales tax and no shipping cost.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834157020


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Thanks!

by TariElanesse - 9/29/09 3:24 PM

In Reply to: besides one main part... by pepsidrinker67

I appreciate the link! Newegg's site is little confusing to a non-computer expert isn't it? I finally figured it out and there are THREE similar computers at about the same price! Wow! No sales tax means I can spend more on the computer! Hmmm. Now I just have to wait patiently (ok, impatiently) for my school refund check. The biggest problem will be deciding between them! Thanks to everyone who helped me!


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