Should I try to upgrade my laptop or buy a better laptop/desktop?

Question

I have a Toshiba satellite pro L20 with a 1.73GHz pentium M processor, 512Mb RAM (can be upgraded to 2Gb).

It doesn't do very well when I try to play games on it, I'm not sure if this is due to lack of RAM or the graphics card or whatever.

Do you think that adding more RAM would solve my problems or should I get a better computer with a better graphics card and more RAM?

(I have Direct X 9.0 with Intel 915GM/GMS, 910GML Express chipset: I have no idea what this means however, hope you do)

Answer 1

You're graphics chip is crap and can't be upgraded.

Get a new one with nVidia or ATi graphics (even the crappiest of theirs is better than Inter graphics).

Trying to get Windows XP instead of Vista would also help with gaming performance (pretty much nothing uses DirectX 10 now and there won't be anything that requires it for a couple of years anyway) although that might be hard to do on laptops aimed at consumers (easy if you buy a business laptop though).

Answer 2

You will not be able to upgrade the laptop in anyway that will make games more playable on the laptop.

The intel chipset that you listed contains integrated graphics and intel is not known for their video cards (oh thats right they don't make video cards)

I would get a better computer and if you are going to go with a laptop make sure that it says wither ATI or nVidia graphics both of those companies have been on the top of the videocard markets for years, they also both make great chipsets for computers.

The ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600XT and the nVidia GeForce 8700M are the current top of the line laptop graphics chips, if you buy a laptop with either of these you will not be disappointed...

Avoid integrated graphics with shared ram if at all possible because they will not do games that well.

Answer 3

The biggest problem on your laptop is the Intel video chip. It's definitely not a high-performance chip and will have problems without lowering the resolution and turning off graphics options in the games of today and (some of them) earlier. You're better off getting a gamer's laptop/desktop that contains a video chip/card from ATI (now AMD) or nVidia.

The first two links below are reviews for video card and gaming laptops, respectively. The next two links are the ones who are competing neck-n-neck in video card performance/pricing, though word has it they're currently being investigated for price-fixing (last link).

Answer 4

I would look at the game's you wish to play: Minimum Systems Requirements. That will tell you how much RAM and what other hardware you need to play your favorite games. The laptop might not be upgradeable as CPU can't be easily upgraded nor can a graphics chip be added.

Answer 5

This is all about money. The bottom lines is which is cheaper? I would do some checking around. Sometimes you can find a better deal on a new laptop with the upgrades you want than buying the new parts and having them installed. If you know someone that does that kind of work and can get some trade-in value for your old parts, you might make out better that way.

Answer 6

Hey, I had this EXACT problem a couple months ago. My brother gave me his old laptop. DON'T DO WHAT I DID. I spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars...More memory here, some ram here, and a new graphics card there. And After I installed all of this new technology, you could BARLEY notice a difference. So, I ended up just going to Best buy and Buying a new one. I noticed you processing speed (1.7GHz) is a little low, and you can only upgrade it a few ways. I would suggest you buy a new one. My new one came with Vista, which is really neat to use. Best of £uck.

Answer 7

no its not ram its te inadequate video capeabilites get a new one and get the highest performing graphix chipset you can afford ve got a lapi with same specs and its crap for gameing but there are some awesome alternatives, on the other hand the best gaming is on a purpose built console i have 3 pcs but only use the xbox for games its heaps better and comfier and always works get a PS3 or somthin, iwas checkin out an awesome asus for bout$3000that had gamers and media producers in mind, i say see whats new, beware of vista its a pain in the *** for old softwares n stuff

Answer 8

Laptops are designed for business and productivity software, they can run games too but only games that does not demand an exceptional high end graphics card like what you see on desktops.

I suggest you get a PSP for gaming.

Answer 9

Buy a better desktop. Get it custom built. Dont buy it fully built. Get different parts and put it together. This will work out cheaper. And it will also give you better gaming expirence.

Answer 10

upgrade it. I just upgraded my gateway which was new 2 years ago this month. I am sick of spending all this money every year on the "newest" stuff, which is, as we all know, obsolete before it even hits the shelves.