14 réponses à ce sujet

[Madlarkin2210]

I once use to be an avid gamer, and tried to change my ways when I decided to give college a second go; however, things drastically changed when I discovered the upcoming game Dragon Age: Origins. Once I had discovered such an inspiring piece of playable folk lore, I knew I had made a horrible mistake (along the lines of eating pop rocks and drinking soda at the same time) and had to set things right (especially considering I have a low end lap top and have a pre-order of the game).
 
My lap top is an ASUS U80A, and you maybe asking yourself “What the heck is a U80A?” First, let me tell you what an ASUS U80A is not suppose to be, the ASUS U80A is not suppose to be a notebook model sold in the U.S., so if you wanted to upgrade this lap top consider it extremely frustrating.
 
At first glance the U80A looks like an impressive machine; however, these are false truths hidden by its sleek black exterior (reminds me of a roommate I have … **tch seemed nice but owes me $150). The specs are as follows:
 
Operating System: Windows VISTA
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo CPU
Memory: 4096MB RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 9
Chip Type: Mobil Intel® 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Space: 145 GB
 
Now let me tell you, after I bought Dragon Age: Origin I was like, “Damn, I feel like a cross-eyed wheel chair bound hobbit who was trying to ask out Pamela Anderson (back when she was hot) out for a date.” (AKA I knew my lap top was way out of its league with this game). However, I didn’t give up on my lap top (much like I haven’t given up dating Pamela … might take the Borat approach to date her one day) and began my epic journey to upgrade this crapware I possess.
 
I first decided I need to upgrade my lap top, and spend as little money as possible … which I failed immediately to do when I bought 4 GBS of ram that I apparently don’t need (can you say no refunds) . However, I struck gold when my dad visited me at my dorm, when he brought my old computers hard drive, and now really good memory for this game. Things where looking good, until I looked into the specs on the Mobil Intel® 4 Series Express Chipset Family, and learned that Intel makes sh**y graphics chips. I began to despair, until I discovered something called an external video card (praise be to Chris Pirillo). Now I have something called a ViDock 2, and the thing is a buet!! The ViDock 2 (optionally) comes with an ATI Radeon 4670, 512 MB DDR 3 graphics card pre-installed (but you could just get the box and put in your own graphics card). Also, in order to run the ViDock 2, I was strongly recommended to get window 7 and told about a freakin awesome student discount that brought down the price tag from $179 to $30! BAM! I WIN!! HHAHAHAHAHHA!!!
 
Life now seems pretty good, cause my specs are as follows:
 
Operating System: Windows 7 (hahahhaha DIE VISTA DIE!!!)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo CPU
Memory: 4096MB RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
Chip Type: ATI Radeon 4670, 512 MB DDR 3 graphics card pre-installed
Space: 145 GB + 200 GB
 
Muwhahhaha! I wish there was an achievement to doing what I did in Dragon Age: Origins, but I can settle for being able to play the game on medium quality now.

[saphera55]

Jealous.

[S0ndor]

I have a high end PC myself, but after reading through some of those threads, I'd say some people would most likely kill for your old lap top xD

[Kilsot]

Nice Save.

[Sabriana]

Madlarkin2210 wrote...

<snip>

I began to despair, until I discovered something called an external video card (praise be to Chris Pirillo). Now I have something called a ViDock 2, and the thing is a buet!! The ViDock 2 (optionally) comes with an ATI Radeon 4670, 512 MB DDR 3 graphics card pre-installed (but you could just get the box and put in your own graphics card). Also, in order to run the ViDock 2, I was strongly recommended to get window 7 and told about a freakin awesome student discount

<snip>

That's so great, congrats. I have a laptop, and it'll be the only computer I will have in the foreseeable future. I wish I could do that too, luckily my Nvidia 8600 GT is good enough for now (and for DA:O). Also, I have XP...

[kalyn33]

Nice catch! I've a laptop, myself...hopefully it'll handle the game OK.

[Philgo68]

And where did you find it for $179 even?

[Reaper85]

I have a middle range gaming pc....Dell XPS  witch will run this just fine. my video card is a Geforce 8400-GS next year I am upgradeing to a newer GeForce Card but for now my old video card will work. Over all nice save on your part Madlarkin2210 .

Modifié par Reaper85, 30 octobre 2009 - 12:38 .

[Madlarkin2210]

Philgo68 wrote...

And where did you find it for $179 even?

sorry i didn't have my sources in front of my when typing my epic, so it really wasn't $179 deal but rather a $119 deal.

http://www.microsoft...uy/default.aspx

i was buying just a simple upgrade pack from Vista to windows 7, so it was cheaper.

also i forgot to post that i did have to spend 'bout $300 on the Vidock 2. so in total i spent some $330 (appropriately). but since i accidently bought some ram i didn't need i really spend about $430 to upgrade. So i didn't get away scot free.

Modifié par Madlarkin2210, 30 octobre 2009 - 02:06 .

[Naelven]

My computer could beat up your computer.

[PhogoX]

English or Drama major?

[Madlarkin2210]

negative, i am an early childhood education major. this game will teach me the necessaries to rain down fire and pour fear into the hearts of childern everywhere!!!

[Silver Sparkle]

Nice job. good u posted this here.

Hope you can explain that ViDock2 part a lil more. How many shaders and what slot do you need on the laptop etc. thanks.

[Madlarkin2210]

okay so i had a reply for you but i accidently clicked on something and lost it all ... so i am just going to post a link to the forum i got my info from ... it answer your shader question. (just read the top 2 post ... that should answer your question)

http://forum.noteboo...=397296&page=10



to answer you slot quesiton. you need an express card slot on your lap top to hook up the ViDock 2 (also need windows 7)

[d friendly]

I was looking at the ViDock 2 myself and it seemed to say that hooked to external monitors. So what I want to know is does it also improve what gets displayed on your laptop's monitor, or am I just being silly?