Will I be able to run the game?

Hellacious

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Apr 2005

Ontario, Canada.

Hey guys!

I've been interested in Guild Wars for a long time now, though I have one major worry: while my desktop at home will run the game no problem, I'm not sure if my laptop will.

You may think I'm crazy for asking said question, as my laptop is a 2.8 GHZ P4 based model, with a gig of ram. However, it has an integrated graphics card, albeit a 64 MB one. The card is from Intel's line of integrated chipsets, and I'm just curious as to whether or not I'll be able to run the game with it. I'm hoping my other specs make up for it -- if not, I'll have to get both a new motherboard and video card, which is something that I would like to avoid if at all possible for obvious reasons.

Anyways, if anyone knows the answer to my question, I would greatly appreciate them sharing! Thanks,

- Mark.

Nascent

Nascent

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2005

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The Shi Mai

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hellacious
Hey guys!

I've been interested in Guild Wars for a long time now, though I have one major worry: while my desktop at home will run the game no problem, I'm not sure if my laptop will.

You may think I'm crazy for asking said question, as my laptop is a 2.8 GHZ P4 based model, with a gig of ram. However, it has an integrated graphics card, albeit a 64 MB one. The card is from Intel's line of integrated chipsets, and I'm just curious as to whether or not I'll be able to run the game with it. I'm hoping my other specs make up for it -- if not, I'll have to get both a new motherboard and video card, which is something that I would like to avoid if at all possible for obvious reasons.

Anyways, if anyone knows the answer to my question, I would greatly appreciate them sharing! Thanks,

- Mark.
I'd say its iffy at best. my friend just bought a brand new pc, 3.4 gigs, 512 DDR ram and an integrated intel card, though im not sure if its 32 or 64 megs. regadless she got poor performance ingame, and it tended to crash alot when she tired to do certain things, like opening her inventory (which you can imagine got in the way of playing). I'd say your best bet would be to go and get a cheaper GFX card for like 100 bucks just to be safe.

Bgnome

Bgnome

Elite Guru

Join Date: Feb 2005

i would download the latest drivers from intel and give it your best shot. i have heard of a lot of people running on an integrated intel vid chip without problems, as long as you arent cranking up the graphics.
and it seems that many folks tend to forget that the vast majority of laptop video chipsets are not upgradable..

Crazy thing of Doom

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2005

1 gig of Ram is perfect for the game. 512 isnt recommended but will work...if your looking for a new graphics card i got a great price for one at www.newegg.com <--best comp place!

Cronic

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2005

Florida, St. Pete

Haha.....Nice laptop. But that video card is an i dont know i guess like mabey it is "iffi as Nascent(hope I spelt your name right) But i have a laptop with mobility 320 m which has 512 ram and is P4 based and WOW runs fine actully looks have good.

egads

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Apr 2005

I think you'll be all right. The minimum specs entry in the Guild Wars FAQ says one with 32MB will run, so yours ought to be ok, even if it's an integrated one.

Usually I'd recommend getting a better graphics card, but it wouldn't be worth it if you had to get a new motherboard as well and you weren't planning on buying any more graphics-intensive games.

Manderlock

Manderlock

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2005

TX

Crimson ScS

W/N

He wont be alright, thos damn intergrated GC are the Bane of all internet gaming.

Hellacious

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Apr 2005

Ontario, Canada.

Yeah, I'm not planning on playing too many video games in general in the near future; busy as hell with my life as is, heh.

This laptop is geared for mobile performance -- all wireless based, and very compact which comes at a price. The literal price was covered by my dad, so I could care less -- the price in this context is the integrated piece of sh-t that I now have to deal with. There's another laptop that shares a similar chassis with this one -- after some slight tweaks, I'll be able to cram the mobo in and get a sweet nVidia GO .. for the paltry sum of $700. My parents are paying for my University and all the supplies I need, such as said laptop, but I doubt they'd be willing to pay for me to play video games, haha.

ScottishLegend

ScottishLegend

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Apr 2005

ArchAngels Of Death

W/Mo

i have the Intel 82915g pci-e integrated family chipset. I downloaded the latest drivers, ran gw at lowest quality (still amazing graphics) and could play. I did have the problem of crashing every once in a while (was really bad at first but then go t better) wen doin inventory stuff. Eventually after like 10 crashes i could play for a couple hours with no crashes. When the GvG battles got too intense my comp would crash. im gonna go buy a new video card soon though. a geforce 6200 for 70 bucks .

ZennZero

ZennZero

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2005

R/

I have seen a lot of threads like this here.

HEY GAILE AND/OR A.Net:

I think it wouldn't be a bad idea (time permitting) to include a software rendering mode into a post-release update. I know that sounds very 1998, but to my suprise Epic did it relatively recently with Unreal Tournement 2004 with substantial success.

It allowed systems with otherwise crappy integrated video (laptops and "value" desktops) to churn out relatively high graphics performance at lower resolutions/detail settings. Despite the craptacular video, these systems are often paired with fairly fast processors which can often handle the additional load. Since most game mechanics and physics are handled server side, this game seems like it might be even better suited to such an option.....

Just a thought.

Hellacious

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Apr 2005

Ontario, Canada.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZennZero
I have seen a lot of threads like this here.

HEY GAILE AND/OR A.Net:

I think it wouldn't be a bad idea (time permitting) to include a software rendering mode into a post-release update. I know that sounds very 1998, but to my suprise Epic did it relatively recently with Unreal Tournement 2004 with substantial success.

It allowed systems with otherwise crappy integrated video (laptops and "value" desktops) to churn out relatively high graphics performance at lower resolutions/detail settings. Despite the craptacular video, these systems are often paired with fairly fast processors which can often handle the additional load. Since most game mechanics and physics are handled server side, this game seems like it might be even better suited to such an option.....

Just a thought.
Great suggestion! I concur.