Maximising Graphics Performance

Popster · 06-03-2008, 01:08 AM

Over the weekend I decided that I may just about be able to find the time to play a new game on my laptop, and opted for the recently released Age of Conan. While the game has been enjoyable so far and runs on my laptop, I am concerned that the machine is struggling to keep up at times, and dissapointed that in an online game I must use some of the lowest graphical settings. I don't pretend to have a particularly powerful machine, but would hope that a few tweaks here and there may help with performance.

The laptop specs are:

Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
RAM 2048 MB (2x1024 MB)
Cache Memory 512 KB + 512 KB
Processor AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-58 @ 1.9 GHz
Hard drive 160 Go SATA
Video Card NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS 128 MB dedicated, up to 895 MB total graphics memory
Monitor 17" WXGA+ BrightView 1440x900
WLAN 802.11 pre-n
PCMCIA One ExpressCard/54 slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)

Can anyone give me advice as to how I might improve my machine's performance, and also, can laptops be overclocked?

**vladimirb** · 06-03-2008, 01:16 AM

I can only advice you to remove those 2x1GB RAM and put in 2x2GB RAM memory...
with this you can improve performance... That Vista is 32-bit or 64-bit version???

Rebellion88 · 06-03-2008, 02:14 AM

As expressed before Ram is really your only upgrade option, at a longer shot it is possible to upgrade your processor, but be warned a more powerful processor will increase the heat your notebook produces and will void any warranty it has.

Popster · 06-03-2008, 03:11 AM

Thankyou both for your advice. I have done a little more digging and discovered (contrary to my earlier belief) that I can install 3rd part video card drivers for my graphics card. This should help somewhat and hopefully in conjunction with tweaking some of Nvidia's settings I should see some performance improvement.

If anyone has further software-related suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated.

Rebellion88 · 06-03-2008, 03:44 AM

Yes Nvidia N-tune can also optimize your card, just be wary of the extra heat.

Popster · 06-03-2008, 06:11 AM

I'll take a look at n-tune later, thanks. Funny you mention it, just an hour ago I ordered a twin-fan cooling platform for the laptop

**vladimirb** · 06-03-2008, 06:29 AM

Nice mate, I have one too. I can tell you that pretty much doing its job...

06-03-2008, 01:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
Popster Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Vista SP1	Maximising Graphics Performance Over the weekend I decided that I may just about be able to find the time to play a new game on my laptop, and opted for the recently released Age of Conan. While the game has been enjoyable so far and runs on my laptop, I am concerned that the machine is struggling to keep up at times, and dissapointed that in an online game I must use some of the lowest graphical settings. I don't pretend to have a particularly powerful machine, but would hope that a few tweaks here and there may help with performance. The laptop specs are: Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium RAM 2048 MB (2x1024 MB) Cache Memory 512 KB + 512 KB Processor AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-58 @ 1.9 GHz Hard drive 160 Go SATA Video Card NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS 128 MB dedicated, up to 895 MB total graphics memory Monitor 17" WXGA+ BrightView 1440x900 WLAN 802.11 pre-n PCMCIA One ExpressCard/54 slot (also supports ExpressCard/34) Can anyone give me advice as to how I might improve my machine's performance, and also, can laptops be overclocked?

06-03-2008, 01:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
vladimirb Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina Posts: 3,096 OS: xp pro sp3, Server 2003, Windows 7 My System	Re: Maximising Graphics Performance I can only advice you to remove those 2x1GB RAM and put in 2x2GB RAM memory... with this you can improve performance... That Vista is 32-bit or 64-bit version??? __________________ MCP - MCSA

06-03-2008, 02:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rebellion88 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 441 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit My System	Re: Maximising Graphics Performance As expressed before Ram is really your only upgrade option, at a longer shot it is possible to upgrade your processor, but be warned a more powerful processor will increase the heat your notebook produces and will void any warranty it has. __________________ - Dean National Diploma Software Development National Diploma Hardware Route

06-03-2008, 03:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
Popster Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Vista SP1	Re: Maximising Graphics Performance Thankyou both for your advice. I have done a little more digging and discovered (contrary to my earlier belief) that I can install 3rd part video card drivers for my graphics card. This should help somewhat and hopefully in conjunction with tweaking some of Nvidia's settings I should see some performance improvement. If anyone has further software-related suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated.

06-03-2008, 03:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
Rebellion88 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 441 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit My System	Re: Maximising Graphics Performance Yes Nvidia N-tune can also optimize your card, just be wary of the extra heat. __________________ - Dean National Diploma Software Development National Diploma Hardware Route

06-03-2008, 06:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
Popster Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Vista SP1	Re: Maximising Graphics Performance I'll take a look at n-tune later, thanks. Funny you mention it, just an hour ago I ordered a twin-fan cooling platform for the laptop

06-03-2008, 06:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
vladimirb Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina Posts: 3,096 OS: xp pro sp3, Server 2003, Windows 7 My System	Re: Maximising Graphics Performance Nice mate, I have one too. I can tell you that pretty much doing its job... __________________ MCP - MCSA