Game Playability on Intel HD Graphics

[Scouser]

Hey guys, I just bought an HP dv6-3236nr with Intel HD Graphics. I was wondering whether someone could tell me what version of the integrated card it is? Moreover, will it be able to play some games like World of Warcraft (especially the new expansion Cataclysm). I don't game much on the laptop, but I'd like to at least play that, Football Manager, Europe Universalis III and Rome and Medieval II Total War. I'm slightly scared that my laptop won't be able to handle it, as my older one could (it had an nVidia 8400M GS). If my current laptop does not play the games, what alternatives could I have? Would it be possible for me to purchase a discrete graphics card? Or should I return the machine and perhaps get one with a discrete graphics card? I appreciate any help.

 

[biggles1000]

Do you have the laptop physically with you? If so, could you please find out how much video ram it has. It's not your fault that you only said Intel HD, as everywhere online also just says that

 

[Scouser]

Do you have the laptop physically with you? If so, could you please find out how much video ram it has. It's not your fault that you only said Intel HD, as everywhere online also just says that

I have the laptop physically with me, but on the HP site it states that it has "Up to 1696MB" of memory. It says the same under the information tab on the driver GUI. Thanks for the help btw, bro.

 

[DeaconFrost]

What Intel chipset is the laptop using?

 

[Scouser]

What Intel chipset is the laptop using?

Core i3-370m,
I believe that's the chipset? I personally thought this laptop would be able to handle it, because it seemed like an upgrade because it had more memory, even if it was shared. But I'm slightly worried after looking Intel HD Graphics up on Google.

 

[DeaconFrost]

That's the processor. The chipset is what's on the motherboard that controls all the other hardware. If you don't know it off the top of your head, check in Device Manager. Look under System Devices for listings that contain Intel and chipset.

 

[Scouser]

That's the processor. The chipset is what's on the motherboard that controls all the other hardware. If you don't know it off the top of your head, check in Device Manager. Look under System Devices for listings that contain Intel and chipset.

5 series/3400 series

is that it?

 

[biggles1000]

Do you have the laptop physically with you? If so, could you please find out how much video ram it has. It's not your fault that you only said Intel HD, as everywhere online also just says that

I have the laptop physically with me, but on the HP site it states that it has "Up to 1696MB" of memory. It says the same under the information tab on the driver GUI. Thanks for the help btw, bro.

1696MB for a laptop graphics chip is pretty impressive. Just to double check, if you got to start then the accessories, system info (I think it's in one of the subfolders) then on one of the sysinfo tabs, I think it's something like 'hardware environment' there's a display sub-section. One of the bits of info in that should tell you how much video ram you have.

 

[DeaconFrost]

5 series/3400 series
is that it?

Possibly. There are links to Intel 3400 chipset on Intel's website, but they probably won't contain performance info. More than likely, the gaming performance is going to be paltry at best. It sounds like you didn't buy the right laptop, if you intended to be gaming with it. You'll probably want to return it and look into something with a better graphics option.

1696MB for a laptop graphics chip is pretty impressive.

That's a standard amount. It just means that's the amount of system memory you can steal for use with the graphics card.

 

[Scouser]

Do you have the laptop physically with you? If so, could you please find out how much video ram it has. It's not your fault that you only said Intel HD, as everywhere online also just says that

I have the laptop physically with me, but on the HP site it states that it has "Up to 1696MB" of memory. It says the same under the information tab on the driver GUI. Thanks for the help btw, bro.

1696MB for a laptop graphics chip is pretty impressive. Just to double check, if you got to start then the accessories, system info (I think it's in one of the subfolders) then on one of the sysinfo tabs, I think it's something like 'hardware environment' there's a display sub-section. One of the bits of info in that should tell you how much video ram you have.

Name Intel(R) HD Graphics
PNP Device ID PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0046&SUBSYS_144C103C&REV_02\3&11583659&0&10
Adapter Type Intel(R) HD Graphics (Core i3), Intel Corporation compatible
Adapter Description Intel(R) HD Graphics
Adapter RAM 1.68 GB (1,806,622,720 bytes)
Installed Drivers igdumd64.dll,igd10umd64.dll,igdumdx32,igd10umd32
Driver Version 8.15.10.2189
INF File oem1.inf (iILKM0 section)
Color Planes Not Available
Color Table Entries 4294967296
Resolution 1366 x 768 x 59 hertz
Bits/Pixel 32
Memory Address 0xB0000000-0xB03FFFFF
Memory Address 0xA0000000-0xFEAFFFFF
I/O Port 0x00004050-0x00004057
IRQ Channel IRQ 4294967294
I/O Port 0x000003B0-0x000003BB
I/O Port 0x000003C0-0x000003DF
Memory Address 0xA0000-0xBFFFF
Driver c:\windows\system32\drivers\igdkmd64.sys (8.15.10.2189, 10.12 MB (10,610,400 bytes), 7/28/2010 6:10 PM)

I think the bold part is it. It's shared memory, however. I know that makes a difference, but I didn't think it would if it can go up to 1.6GB of RAM and the computer has the remainder from the 4GB for processing.

 

[stormy13]

This should help give an idea as to what it is like in games (different make laptop with the same CPU/GPU combo),

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD - Notebookcheck.net Tech

As for the memory Intel uses what they call "Dynamic Video Memory Technology",

Dynamic video memory technology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

which will use system memory starting at a base amount and up to a set amount based on total system memory. Be nice if they updated it to include the new i3/i5/i7 CPU's with the integrated graphics, but you can get a better idea if interested from some of the whitepapers here,

Graphics — Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) - How much video memory do I have?

 

[biggles1000]

Yeah, they aren't bad specs. You should be able to play games from around 2008 seamlessly, probably the sims 3 so some 2009 ones. For example, saints row 2 will probably run (dependent on shaders, you may want to find out what pixel shader support it has as that would be crucial for most modern games) but Mafia 2 may be a bit slow/need lower settings.

 

[Scouser]

Yeah, they aren't bad specs. You should be able to play games from around 2008 seamlessly, probably the sims 3 so some 2009 ones. For example, saints row 2 will probably run (dependent on shaders, you may want to find out what pixel shader support it has as that would be crucial for most modern games) but Mafia 2 may be a bit slow/need lower settings.

Yeah, however, I'm slightly worried about running the World of Warcraft expansions as I dunno if they are too detailed for the GPU.

 

[biggles1000]

ah. According to this: Tom's Hardware US (which I think is a similar-ish one) you will need to run it on very low settings with a low resolution, so much so that 'the experience would not be enjoyable'. Some answers sites say that it should run, but the graphics won't be great. If you intend to mainly game on this laptop, I would recommend you consider replacing it (which would be a pity).

 

[Scouser]

ah. According to this: Tom's Hardware US (which I think is a similar-ish one) you will need to run it on very low settings with a low resolution, so much so that 'the experience would not be enjoyable'. Some answers sites say that it should run, but the graphics won't be great. If you intend to mainly game on this laptop, I would recommend you consider replacing it (which would be a pity).

Yeah, I actually just ran the game, and I can deal with it being on low. However, there are times when the pointer becomes unresponsive. I wonder whether it's because of just how the game is designed or because my GPU can't handle the cursor moving while the character is turning.

Anyways, one question. I have been looking at a replacement, would you guys say it is prudent for me to get Newegg.com - ASUS K52 Series K52JE-XN1 NoteBook Intel Pentium dual-core P6100(2.00GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 and return this one? I dunno if losing CPU power for more GPU power is worth it. Moreover, the screen doesn't seem to be HD.

 

[biggles1000]

yeah, thats a tough one. stepping down from an i5 to a pentium would be a major loss, but an ATI crad would be perfect for your needs. also (in my opinion) Asus are better quality than HP. Which do you think is the 'better of two evils', would you rather possibly better graphics, or better, say, multi tasking. i guess a pentium wouldn't be too bad, as it is dual core.

 

[Scouser]

yeah, thats a tough one. stepping down from an i5 to a pentium would be a major loss, but an ATI crad would be perfect for your needs. also (in my opinion) Asus are better quality than HP. Which do you think is the 'better of two evils', would you rather possibly better graphics, or better, say, multi tasking. i guess a pentium wouldn't be too bad, as it is dual core.

well, im not running an i5, im running an i3. Just as a point of reference, would say the pentium be comparable to HP Pavilion dv6871us Entertainment Specs (Core 2 Duo T5550 1.83 GHz, 15.4" TFT) - Laptops - CNET Reviews ?

Sorry for being annoying

 

[biggles1000]

A pentium dual core would be the worse of the two as pentiums weren't originally designed to ever be dual core. however, the core 2 duo is slightly slower.
it's an HP, which isn't too good
no, you're not being annoying. i find it dull when there are no subscribed threads to answer to, and I enjoy trying to help people

 

[Scouser]

A pentium dual core would be the worse of the two as pentiums weren't originally designed to ever be dual core. however, the core 2 duo is slightly slower.
it's an HP, which isn't too good
no, you're not being annoying. i find it dull when there are no subscribed threads to answer to, and I enjoy trying to help people

Do you think 512 MB of vRAM is a good enough benefit for giving away computing power? I've looked at the tests for specific games, like it doesn't blow the intel hd graphics out of the water?

 

[biggles1000]

Since it has dedicated video RAM and blizzard say the recommended is 256MB, it should play it better than your current laptop.