Please calarify this for me (Notebook specs)

G

generalprime

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Hi all

I am contemplating buying a notebook with the following specs:

Intel dual core 1.6ghz
160gb HD
X3100 256mb shared
1gb RAM
DVD writer
802.11

What I would like to know -

When I look at a game or applications' requirements and it says 2ghz single processor will I be able to run it on this notebook or not since it has a dual core? There is too much debates about how powerful a dual core is...so I cant really figure it out

Also will I be ablt ot run a game such as Age of Empires 3 fluently on thi notebook? I am asking this because I am a casual PC gamer and just need an idea of its strength... I will ,mainly use it for Photoshop and Illustrator...

Thanks in advance
GP
 
The graphics card will be the major drawback in that laptop. You should be able to run some games that don't rely too heavily on 3D rendering.
 
I'm no expert but from experience the processor you mention is not going to be the issue with gaming... however the Intel X3100 graphics card could be. AOE will probably run ok (at a reduced resolution), but you'll have hassles with most other games.

If you're going to use illustrator & photoshop I'd recommend getting a notebook with a better graphics card. The intel graphics solutions always struggle with multiple monitor support in my experience.
 
Benchmarks for the X3100:
3DMark 01 - 5121
3DMark 03 - 1720
3DMark 05 - 835
3DMark 06 - 502

FPS:
Fear Min quality - 52 fps
Fear Max quality - 3 fps
Doom 3 Low quality - 10 fps
Doom 3 ultra qualiyt - 8 fps
 
Crusader said:
Benchmarks for the X3100:
3DMark 01 - 5121
3DMark 03 - 1720
3DMark 05 - 835
3DMark 06 - 502

FPS:
Fear Min quality - 52 fps
Fear Max quality - 3 fps
Doom 3 Low quality - 10 fps
Doom 3 ultra qualiyt - 8 fps
Click to expand...

Can you explain to us laymen what that means, please? What readings are "normal"?
 
fps: Frams Per a secoond (rendered)
Average Acceptable Gaming Resolution is 30.
 
Well with 3D mark you should be able to compare it to other graphics cards. There's no 'normal' range when it comes to laptops.

As a general rule of thumb a score of between 1000 - 2000+ would allow you to play games of that era at default settings. The higher the score the better it would perform.

As a comparison take the Nvidia 8600 GT which is a entry level budget card (R1200) for the PC:
3D Mark 01 - 60242
3D Mark 06 - 2433

For the FPS you should look at around 30 fps as playable.
 
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