Posted on 01/10/2010 5:11:39 PM PST by GeronL
Hey, I am trying to play MS Flight Simulator X (Gold edition) and it automatically gave me low graphics settings. I have the 2Ghz processor and 2GB of RAM but I probably need a graphics/video card.
I have a Toshiba Satellite notebook, what would be a good low-price graphics/video card or whatever you think I could do to improve performance.
You can’t upgrade the graphics card in a notebook. Time for a new computer.
Its 3 months old. I guess adding another GB of RAM would help?
I’m not up on games.
Is your player character name Capt. Sully or Abdullah Muthafukr?
flight sim X is a HIGH CPU intesive program. I run it. You’ll need more than that laptop, without even talking about the graphics processor. although if you’re serious about flight simming on THAT laptop you can run FS2002 quite well.
Feel free to freepmail me with questions, I can help.
Toshiba laptops are generally for business applications, not for gaming. May I suggest a PS3..they are awesome.
Ya need a gaming laptop. Technically some laptop video cards can be upgraded, but in reality, forget it.
You’re looking at over $1000 for a decent gaming laptop. Something like this ASUS would be a good bang for the buck - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220639
Generally speaking, you can’t upgrade the graphics card in a laptop. I mean, it is possible, but I imagine that it involves some serious soldering/desoldering and electrical skills.
“Who doesn’t want better graphics quality from their notebook PC? You can get there by doing it yourself. But be warned: If the upgrade is possible at all for your laptop, it can be a time-consuming operation that involves disassembling virtually your entire notebook, so don’t enter into this process unless you are willing to accept the risk of doing serious harm to your machine. That said, if done properly, this project can give you noticeably higher frame rates in the end. (Read about other laptop upgrades.) Click on to see how we replaced a notebook’s graphics card.”
http://www.pcworld.com/article/148909/upgrading_your_laptops_graphics_card.html
There’s a slideshow at that link, but it’s specific to a Dell, not a Toshiba.
Might be ahead from a “save yourself a headache” standpoint to buy a new laptop.
Give me the exact Model name, number, and Part Number off of the sticker on the bottom, and I’ll check it out for you.
Example:
Toshiba
Satellite R15-S829
PM735 51280 DMD g 1Y
(Not the serial number)
You cannot put a new Video Card in your Laptop.
Just upgrade the Memory to 4GB and turn off all other programs.
I bought a refurb HP quad-core 2.5 64 bit Athlon with 6 gigs of ram and a 9800gt video card with 512 ram... All for $600. It can be done for less. This machine runs it pretty darn well.
Dang, I slapped “post” too soon, though I was gaming. LOL
The Sager NP 9850...
45nm Intel® Core 2 Quad / Extreme processor
Dual nVIDIA GeForce GTX 280M Graphics with 1GB GDDR3 in SLI Mode
One Optical Drive & Three Hard Drives coexisting capable
Integrated 8 Programmable Gaming Buttons
Starts at $2450.00
If you’ve got the money to burn, I agree. But for the money, ASUS gaming laptops can’t be beat. My current machine, a G50V-A1, is my third ASUS and I won’t buy any other brand.
That ain’t a laptop, though.
You can certainly build a gaming desktop for well under a grand.
You can do it on a MacBook Pro in Bootcamp for $1200 and also have a Mac if an nVidia 9400M graphics card will do it. I run a graphics-intensive PC flight sim on one.
Not a laptop, but laptops that will run FSX are WAY lots of money. Better to run FS 2004 or FS2002 on a laptop. The lappy he has will run FS2002 well. 2004 needs a proper video card.
Yes, it is a Laptop. LOL
BTW, I jusr went back and “configured” it my way...came out like this...
Display: 18.4” Full HD (1920 x 1080) Display
- Processor: 45nm Intel® Core 2 Extreme Processor QX9300 / 12MB L2 Cache, 2.53GHz, 1066MHz FSB[+$910.00]
- Video & Graphics Card: Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 280M Graphics with 1GB DDR3 Video Memory in SLI Mode
- Operating System: Genuine MS Windows® 7 Ultimate 32/64-Bit Edition[+$95.00]
- Memory: 8GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 2 X 4GB[+$485.00]
- RAID Storage Options: RAID-1 Storage ( Data Mirror - Requires 2nd Hard Disk Drive )
- Primary Hard Disk Drive: 500GB 7200rpm SATA 300 Hard Drive[+$60.00]
- 2nd Hard Disk Drive: 500GB 7200rpm SATA 300 Secondary Hard Drive in RAID configuration[+$120.00]
- 3rd Hard Disk Drive: 500GB 7200rpm SATA 300 3rd Hard Disk Drive[+$120.00]
- Optical Drive: 2X BD-R Blu-ray Burner/8X DVD±R/2.4X +DL Super-Multi Drive & Software[+$325.00]
- Wireless Network Card: Intel Wi-Fi Link 5300AGN - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module
- Bluetooth: Internal Bluetooth V2.1 Module
- Primary Battery: Smart Li-Polymer Battery Pack
- TV-Tuner: TVT-6010, USB ATSC HDTV / ANALOG TV TUNER[+$85.00]
- Integrated Security Device: Fingerprint Reader
- Microsoft Office: Microsoft Office Ready with Free 60-Day Trial
- Warranty: Sager 1 Year Limited Parts and Labor Warranty
- Carrying Bag: Standard Carrying Bag
$4,649.00
I bought their highest rated model in 2003 (NP8790), it was $3300.00-delivered back then, with my discount! haha
Still have it, it still runs strong.
I was replying to Big Giant Head’s comment about his $600 computer. It appears to be this, or similar - http://www.ecost.com/detail.aspx?EDP=42148071
Can I ask where you got it? Normally I am not big on HP except for laser printers but I wouldn’t mind looking into it on case by case basis.
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