Any gaming capabilities?

[quote name='wiki']The GMA 950 shares the same architectural weakness as the GMA 900: no hardware geometry processing. Neither basic (DX7) hardware transform and lighting,[2] nor more advanced vertex shaders (DX8 and later) are handled in the GMA hardware.[/quote]
A sub 400$ PC sounds like a challenge. Could be fun.
 
It's a huge step up from what I have. 6GB Total Memory. 1GB Free after compressing files, defragging, cleaning, canceling indexing on all files, and about 20 other tricks. 128MB RAM. I'm not sure about the video card, but I have about 5FPS on Youtube.
 
It can:
Play 4:3 360p Hulu (flash) video, stuttering occasionally (CPU intensive)
Play 720p 16:9 local files (avi etc)
Output basic tasks to a 1920x1200 monitor without slowdown (I was impressed)
Run Warcraft 3 at lowest settings 800x600 (framerate occasionally drops)
Run Puzzle Quest, emulators, etc
Run MATLAB / Mathematica smoothly

It cannot:
Run Diablo 2 (framerate sucks at all times)
Run widescreen or higher res Hulu (flash) vids


I'd say with ~98% certainty that it would not run Left 4 Dead without a minor miracle


Expect YouTube performance similar to Hulu performance (which is to say nigh unusable)
 
It only has an integrated video card... there's no way this thing can run any games made after 2000. Netbooks weren't really meant to game.
 
Unless you're in a hurry to get a netbook, there will be far more capable models with comparable pricing later this year. Especially combining the Intel CPUs with thrid party chipsets:
http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3499

As noted in the article, this isn't going to be a hot little game system, just a good deal better than the straight Intel offerings.

It only takes a little more money to get into hugely more capable desktop systems with the capacity to add serious video cards later.
 
Well then I guess I'm looking for something that might not be great, but can be improved after the fact. Someone told me that you can't change the parts in a laptop, is that true? If not, would a better Graphics Card be all I needed, or would it better to go with an entirely different machine?

Epobirs: I would not mind a desktop. I didn't plan on moving it that much anyway. Could you give me some examples as to how much more?
 
Are you going to need everything? ie, monitor, keyboard, OS, etc.?

If not, do you have an old PC you can reuse stuff from, maybe the case or PSU?
 
[quote name='OldGreggi']It's a huge step up from what I have. 6GB Total Memory. 1GB Free after compressing files, defragging, cleaning, canceling indexing on all files, and about 20 other tricks. 128MB RAM. I'm not sure about the video card, but I have about 5FPS on Youtube.[/QUOTE]

I literally lol'd. Sorry.
 
All I have is this keyboard I'm using instead of the built in one. I could use this old laptop's parts, if any of them are worth anything.
 
[quote name='godhatesjustyou']I literally lol'd. Sorry.[/quote]

So have most of my friends, so no big deal. That's why they're gonna get about 20 people to chip in $20 to get me a better setup.
 
There have been some few laptops with upgradeable innards and Nvidia was pushing to make such common a while back. But in general, no, there are very limited internal updates to laptops and the externals busses are not fast enough for gaming upgrades.

If your primary performance interest is gaming, all but the most expensive laptops are going to be a disappointment. With a desktop you can start with a solid but sparsely populated foundation and install upgrades as you can afford them. For example, if you have an adequate monitor right now, you can buy a desktop without a monitor and get a better one when the right deal comes around.

So long as you get a good CPU and an empty (or one that can be emptied) PCI Express x16 slot, you have the basis for a decent machine you can grow over time. Fry's has recently offered quad-core systems with 6 GB RAM and at least 500 GB drives for around $600. So long as there is a slot to be used for a better video card, it should make a fine affordable game system.
 
Yeah, a gaming laptop for ~$400 is gonna be really hard to find. If you want to play games for that price, your best (and maybe only) option is to build a desktop or find one for cheap and stick in a decent graphic card.
 
I'll just copy paste it here:

Dell Studio Hybrid Desktop PC w/ Intel Pentium Dual-Core T2390 Processor w/ a $30.00 Gift Card Bonus Bundle

Features & Specifications

Choose Studio Hybrid desktop, and get a BONUS $30.00 gift card.This stylish model is Dell's most power-efficient consumer desktop PC. It fits your environment and helps protect our environment. Highlights include DVI and HDMI ports, gigabit Ethernet, a DVD burner, multimedia keyboard, optical mouse, Vista Home Basic, and Microsoft Works.


Key Features & Benefits:
# 1.86 GHz Intel Pentium dual-core processor T2390
Delivers the processing power of two separate cores to handle multimedia and multitasking
# 2 GB of DDR2 system memory, 667 MHz
Offers very good performance for today's demanding applications
# 160 GB hard drive, 5400 rpm
Provides ample storage space for documents, games, music, photos and videos
# 8x DVD-R/RW drive with dual-layer capability
Lets you burn and play DVDs and CDs for entertainment and data backup
# 8-in-1 digital media card reader
Reads the most popular memory card formats so you can transfer photos, music and other files
# Windows Vista Home Basic edition
Makes computing more secure, more efficient and more fun
 
I dont think it will run left 4 dead.

Have you check out Tigerdirect? they have some refurb pcs around $500 that would do the job. They also have barebones kits, slap in a graphics card, maybe a fan and a HD and you are good to go!

If you wanna shell out a few bucks ibuypower.com and cyberpowerpc.com build decent machines, their laptops are not cheap though
 
It sounds like a closeout on some very dated hardware. I can't recall the last time I saw a desktop system shipping with an 8X DVD burner. know the last time I bought an 8X DVD burner to install was almost five years ago.

You can do a lot better if you just save up a while and keep an eye on the ads in your area for consumer electronic and office supply chains.
 
If your looking for a Dell try the outlet you would be suprised at some of the prices they put up, stay away from the wally specials at all costs.
 
[quote name='epobirs']It sounds like a closeout on some very dated hardware. I can't recall the last time I saw a desktop system shipping with an 8X DVD burner. know the last time I bought an 8X DVD burner to install was almost five years ago.

You can do a lot better if you just save up a while and keep an eye on the ads in your area for consumer electronic and office supply chains.[/QUOTE]

Thats a Dell Hybrid so it is giving up performance to save space, and it is a poor choice for gaming since I think upgrades are limited.
 
OP, I don't understand.. what are you looking for?

Why are you considering netbooks and tiny desktops?

Just get a regular desktop... it doesn't sound like there would be any problem with a normal desktop
 
[quote name='kube00']I dont think it will run left 4 dead.

Have you check out Tigerdirect? they have some refurb pcs around $500 that would do the job. They also have barebones kits, slap in a graphics card, maybe a fan and a HD and you are good to go!

If you wanna shell out a few bucks ibuypower.com and cyberpowerpc.com build decent machines, their laptops are not cheap though[/quote]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3118935&CatId=114
This one looks really good. What kind of monitor would I need with this setup?
 
I've never had a computer without an operating system, would it run at all without one? If it will let me I'll put Linux on it until I can get Windows. I believe I have a copy of Vista somewhere.
 
Never mind, I've found the answer on the Linux website. Thanks for the help guys. I look forward to getting my new computer sometime around February 6th(My birthday is the 1st).
 
[quote name='godhatesjustyou']Yeah, a gaming laptop for ~$400 is gonna be really hard to find. If you want to play games for that price, your best (and maybe only) option is to build a desktop or find one for cheap and stick in a decent graphic card.[/QUOTE]

I built my roommate a gaming computer for about $550, bought the parts on newegg,

core2duo wolf 8400
nvidia mobo (can't remember which one)
antec case + 650 watt ocz psu
1 gig 9800gt
4 gigs of gskill ddr2 pc6500 ram
dl dvd rw drive
1 tb harddrive
vista home premium (he bought 64-bit by accident, hasn't been a problem though)

don't think i'm forgetting anything, but it runs like a champ, he forked out another 200 for a 22" monitor. and the total (- the monitor) was about 700 but with 150 in rebates. i wanted to put a quad core in there, but he didn't care for it for an extra 100 $
 
[quote name='OldGreggi']http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3118935&CatId=114
This one looks really good. What kind of monitor would I need with this setup?[/QUOTE]

dual core 2.0 gig is slow but you might be able to get by in most new games, 1 gig of ram is very low but easily and cheaply upgraded. 250 gb hd is low but hardly a problem for gaming and its a sata II 7200 so it will be fast enough. onboard audio is always weak but easily upgraded at a later time. 8400 is a very weak card. I think it will be able to run l4d on all low, as you stated earlier you wanted, but video cards are so cheap these days thats another easy upgrade.

As a bundle I'd say its a weak computer, but it can be pretty cheaply and easily upgraded from there to a nice setup. and if $400 is all you have now, you may want to pick it up, put in another stick of ram, and upgrade the video and sound cards down the road when you have the cash for that.

good luck :)
 
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