1.
Advantage: Cheap.
Disadvantage: Onboard graphics, does not have its' own dedicated graphics memory. Benchmarks were pretty poor.
This card is okay for Fiesta. You'll probably lag in towns and occasionally with skills. Since you're getting a new laptop, I suggest against it. May as well get the best you can to make use of the 10 years you'll use this laptop for.
Advantages: Will run your games decently, cheap.
Disadvantages: Has standard graphics memory (128MB). Only did average for benchmarks. Won't do you much good over the long term.
This is alright. A laptop with this graphics card will run most of your games decently, but won't give you much standing for future gaming (good graphic games demand 256 MB graphics memory minimum).
Take it if you're confident in playing games you know now for a long time. I've stuck with my onboard graphics as I only play Warcraft and Fiesta.
Advantages: Has good graphics memory (256MB - will tap in RAM for more, not a concern with 3 or 4 GB of RAM). Supports DirectX10. Does alright on benchmarks. Will do you okay for the long term.
Disadvantages: Probably part of the more expensive line of laptops you're looking at.
I'm guessing this came with a Toshiba Satellite. Not many other vendors use this card. This will serve you alright. Better than the previous two. I like it.
Advantages: Will run your games decently.
Disadvantages: Has standard graphics memory (128MB). Won't do you much good over the long term.
This was probably part of the Dell series. It's good for Fiesta. 128MB of memory won't serve you so well for the long term. Couldn't find a benchmark link. It'd probably do as well as the other GeForce.
Advantages: Will run your games decently.
Disadvantages: Has standard graphics memory (128MB). Won't do you much good over the long term. GeForce is better.
Pretty similar to the previous graphics card. Reported as slightly worse.
These numbers and names are meaningless jargon. What you need to do is look up the graphics card's actual memory and some bench mark tests. I've listed a relevant review for each card and personally summed up their advantages/disadvantages.
I'd probably pick the ATI Radeon 3100 because it has higher dedicated memory. I think that's the key thing to look for with graphics card. 256MB is good for gaming. Like with most things, higher is better.
2. There is no significant difference between 4GB RAM and 3GB RAM for your purposes. Your computer needs would really only need 2GB of RAM. Not many programs put that much weight on your RAM and processor, unless you plan to play three games simultaneously or do some other heavy duty things with your computer.
If you plan to play all your games in their highest graphics settings, more RAM may assist in this. Some dedicated graphics cards have the ability to draw memory from RAM. This kind of thing demands high RAM. If you're worried about your graphics looking the shiznit, get 4GB of RAM.
4GB of RAM will serve you good in the long term, but note that notebook memory is easy to upgrade, so getting 2GB now won't hinder you much. I'd go for the 4GB RAM for convenience's sake. You won't regret it 5 years down the track.
Asides from price, DDR2 and DDR3 RAM sticks operate on different efficiencies. Several years ago DDR1 used to be shizz whizz, than DDR2, and now DDR3 is "top of the line." DDR3 uses less power, deletes and writes quicker and costs a little more. More info here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/24...ence-ddr2-ddr3
3.
- A good processor. I like Intel's because they're less susceptible to overheating. AMD's are great processors but I hate fan noise lol.
- A good HDD (120 GB or more depending on your own needs)
- At least 4 USB ports (I've seen a few new laptops with 3 =/),
- At least 2GB of RAM (more memory, less lag in Fiesta towns)
- and at least 256MB of graphics memory (more memory, less lag in Fiesta towns)
There are other things, but these are what may affect your gaming or school work needs.
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