Need advice :)

These are my laptop stats. I dont think i can play the 3d engine with this. But i was wondering how easy it is to get a graphics card fitted, and stuff, and how much a decent card is these days.

Thanks for you help

Time of this report: 11/2/2008, 18:45:21

Machine name: JASON

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.080814-1236)

Language: English (Regional Setting: English)

System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard

System Model: Presario V4000 (EK946EA#ABU)

BIOS: Ver 1.00PARTTBLX

Processor: Intel® Pentium® M processor 1.73GHz

Memory: 502MB RAM

Page File: 418MB used, 808MB available

Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS

DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

DX Setup Parameters: Not found

DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

Display Devices

---------------

Card name: Mobile Intel® 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family

Manufacturer: Intel Corporation

Chip type: Intel® 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset

DAC type: Internal

Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2592&SUBSYS_3081103C&REV_04

Display Memory: 64.0 MB

Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)

Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor

Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200

Driver Name: igxprd32.dll

Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4764 (English)

DDI Version: 9 (or higher)

Driver Attributes: Final Retail

Driver Date/Size: 1/13/2007 10:33:00, 57344 bytes

WHQL Logo'd: Yes

WHQL Date Stamp: n/a

VDD: n/a

Mini VDD: igxpmp32.sys

Mini VDD Date: 1/13/2007 10:33:18, 5672032 bytes

Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-66D2-11CF-1061-8B10A5C2CB35}

Vendor ID: 0x8086

Device ID: 0x2592

SubSys ID: 0x3081103C

Revision ID: 0x0004

Revision ID: 0x0004

Video Accel:

Deinterlace Caps: n/a

Registry: OK

DDraw Status: Enabled

D3D Status: Enabled

AGP Status: Not Available

DDraw Test Result: Not run

D3D7 Test Result: Not run

D3D8 Test Result: Not run

D3D9 Test Result: Not run

You can get a GFX card for under 50 pounds. You probably also need some extra RAM memory.

how much is ram these days. Also, how do you fit a graphics card into a laptop?

I'm not an expert on laptops, but I think getting graphics cards upgraded for them can be difficult. I'd ring a specialist shop in your area for advice/confirmation.

Indeed, upgrading graphics cards on a laptop is quite difficult, not to mention the card you have is in-built so you couldn't even just replace the one you have. I think it matches the minimum though, so you might be alright once they fix the issue with detecting Intel cards.

RAM is pretty cheap, if you've got two slots you can probably get 2 x 1Gb sticks for around £30 - £40 depending on the type you need, which would give you 2Gb.

how much is ram these days. Also, how do you fit a graphics card into a laptop?

Its very hard getting upgrades and installments on laptops and very expensive, what is usually the problem is finding space for the new upgrades. Also you often have incompatible parts etc from different brands, built in graphics means no upgrades unless u spend a ton. but take it to a specialist.

Indeed, upgrading graphics cards on a laptop is quite difficult, not to mention the card you have is in-built so you couldn't even just replace the one you have. I think it matches the minimum though, so you might be alright once they fix the issue with detecting Intel cards.

RAM is pretty cheap, if you've got two slots you can probably get 2 x 1Gb sticks for around £30 - £40 depending on the type you need, which would give you 2Gb.

Cheers for that. I dont play many games on my laptop, only football manager. But i have played age of empires and rise of nations, and they seems to run pretty well. Maybe i should download a demo of a pc game, just to see how it performs. Any idea what game i can download to test?

Try here:

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/srtest

and just pick a similar game (Spore seems to be the example I've seen banded around). I believe FM09 needs vertex shader 2.0 and pixel shader 2.0 to run the 3D, so see what it says for those results.

CPU

Minimum: 2.0 GHz P4 processor or equivalent [if built-in graphics chipsets then 2.6 GHz Pentium D CPU, or 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo, or equivalent.]

You Have: Intel® Pentium® M processor 1.73GHz

FAIL: Sorry, your CPU does not meet this minimum requirement. It may be time to purchase a more powerful computer to make your life easier. Click the 'We Recommend' button to discover how you can.

CPU Speed

Minimum: 2 GHz

You Have: 1.30 GHz

FAIL: Sorry, your CPU Speed does not meet this minimum requirement. It may be time to purchase a more powerful computer to make your life easier. Click the 'We Recommend' button to discover how you can.

System RAM

Minimum: 512 MB RAM (768 MB for Vista or built-in graphics)

You Have: 502 MB

PASS

Operating System

Minimum: Windows XP/Vista

You Have: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (Build Service Pack 32600)

PASS

Video Card

Minimum: 128 MB Video Card, with support for Pixel Shader 2.0 (NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 [GeForce 6200 for Vista]+ / ATI Radeon 9500+ / Intel 950+)

You Have: Mobile Intel® 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family (Intel® 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset)

FAIL: Sorry, your video card does not meet this minimum requirement.

Video Card Features - Minimum attributes of your Video Card

Video RAM: Required - 128 MB , You have - 64 MB

Video Card 3D Acceleration: Required - Yes , You have - Yes

Pixel Shader Ver.: Required - 2.0 , You have - 2.0

I think thats a no lol