11 replies to this topic

[CanonFanatic]

I intend to get a new desktop capable of playing MechWarrior Online at fairly high settings and resolution. However, for various reasons, I will not be able to do that for another 3-6 months.

But I still would like to start playing as quickly as possible, and my current machine simply cannot cope!

So I am thinking of getting a low spec notebook just to tie me over, until I can get that new desktop up and running.

I don't want to spend too much on the notebook, as I'd like to keep as much budget as possible for the desktop. I'm fine with low settings and resolution, as long as the frame rate is sufficient for me to play the game.

A post by Russ Bullock, president of the developer Piranha Games, indicated the minimum and recommended specs as follows:

http://mwomercs.com/...veloper-update/

MechWarrior Online Minimum System Spec:

CPU: Core 2 Duo E6750 2.66GHz / Athlon II X2 245e
GPU: GeForce 8800GT / Radeon HD 5600/5700
RAM: 4 GB
OS: Windows XP 32-bit SP3
DirectX: DX9
HDD Space: 4 GB

MechWarrior Online Recommended System Spec:

CPU: Core i3-2500 / AMD Athlon II X4 650
GPU: GeForce GTX 285 / Radeon HD 5830
RAM: 8 GB
OS: Windows 7 SP-1 64-Bit
DirectX: DX9
HDD Space: 4 GB


Could I get away with the following notebook specs:

AMD Phenom II quad-core P920
Mobility Radeon HD 5650 (1 GB DDR3 VRAM)
4GB system RAM
Windows 7 64 bit

If not, what would be the bare minimum, based on anyone's actual playing experience so far?

Thoughts, comments?

Thanks!

[Redshift2k5]

The mobility radeon could be a problem, it's a few steps below the minimum graphic card, not to mention the cutbacks in performance to let it fit in a low profile laptop, and you don't have huge RAM or processor to make up for that shortcoming.

i'm not sure how ati radeon mobility cards stack up against their desktop counterparts, but I do not think the card will be sufficient.

[StarfyrGuns]

OP, I`m not having problems on my 5 yr old desktop. However, your more prone to heat then I am which can be an issue.

My system..
Phenom 9850 Qcore@2.71Ghz
4 gig ram
Nvidia 9800GT /w 1 gig vram
Win7 64-bit
1980x1080 rez.

Running med-med/high settings geting 40-60 fps.(settings are default on startup)

[WardenWolf]

That CPU is only clocked at something like 1.6GHz, I think... and the video card is a mobile version, which means it is a lot slower than the desktop GPU with the same name. I'm sorry, but I would not recommend it

Honestly, laptops just don't have the same muscle as desktops at the same price point - or even when you look at parts with similar-sounding names. I would just save your money and see if you can get the desktop a little sooner... or maybe see if a friend has a system you could borrow or buy and upgrade a little instead.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

[Sandpit]

I run a lower end laptop and I found that overclocking my GPU just a little helped out immensely. I get an additional 10+ FPS on average now which usually sits me at about 30-35 and all settings on low. It's not ideal but it makes the game playable and enjoyable.

EDIT:

i5-450M CPU
ATI Radeon HD 5650HD 1GB
4GB Ram

If you need a site or tool to help with the overclocking PM me and I'll happily get you some links if I can help

Edited by Sandpit, 18 October 2012 - 04:07 PM.

[Frenchtoastman]

Do you really want a notebook as well? That $299+ notebook is 3/4 the price of a computer that can play this game on high settings at 900X1440 resolution..at a steady 30FPS.

[Daekar]

Yeah, just skip the laptop altogether... and spend the money on a gigher quality motherboard and graphics card(s) Just, for the love of God, buy a quad-core processor...

[CanonFanatic]

Redshift2k5, on 18 October 2012 - 11:34 AM, said:

..... I do not think the card will be sufficient.

noted with thanks.

StarfyrGuns, on 18 October 2012 - 11:43 AM, said:

OP, I`m not having problems on my 5 yr old desktop. However, your more prone to heat then I am which can be an issue. .....

that's encouraging! will keep the issue of heat in mind. may have to get one of those third party notebook bases with fans to help with managing the heat.

WardenWolf, on 18 October 2012 - 11:50 AM, said:

..... I would just save your money and see if you can get the desktop a little sooner... or maybe see if a friend has a system you could borrow or buy and upgrade a little instead. .....

Frenchtoastman, on 18 October 2012 - 05:01 PM, said:

Do you really want a notebook as well? That $299+ notebook is 3/4 the price of a computer that can play this game on high settings at 900X1440 resolution..at a steady 30FPS.

Daekar, on 18 October 2012 - 05:09 PM, said:

Yeah, just skip the laptop altogether... and spend the money on a gigher quality motherboard and graphics card(s) Just, for the love of God, buy a quad-core processor...

it's not just a case of dollars and cents. i've got other constraints as well. i've got no desktop space for a desktop at the moment, so my current notebook gets moved around constantly from kitchen/dining/study/work table to bed and back! this will get resolved eventually, but it'll be some months before it does.

i'm not sure i want or can wait that long to get going! i'm quite happy to forgo all of the eye candy just to get going, as long as it is playable.

i'll also need something to travel with, so that is another consideration.

Sandpit, on 18 October 2012 - 04:06 PM, said:

I run a lower end laptop and I found that overclocking my GPU just a little helped out immensely. I get an additional 10+ FPS on average now which usually sits me at about 30-35 and all settings on low. It's not ideal but it makes the game playable and enjoyable. ..... If you need a site or tool to help with the overclocking PM me and I'll happily get you some links if I can help

that's very encouraging! once i get this sorted out, i may just ask you for some help! thanks!




assuming i don't wait and can't immediately get a desktop, what would all of your recommendations be for a minimum spec notebook?

maybe something like this:

a quad core running 2GHz?
a slightly overclocked Mobility Radeon HD 5650 or a slightly more powerful GPU?
8GB of system RAM?

[CanonFanatic]

anyone with any more thoughts, comments, personal experience? thanks!

[Sandpit]

I run the same GPU and a slower CPU and only 4GB ram so I would say you should be able to run the game with those specs. Get a cooling pad though as mine can get a little warm at times especially if i'm running the game for prolonged periods of time. If you're getting a little low on frames per second just overclock the GPU a little. You should be fine with those specs though. Keep in mind you'll be pushing it to run the game on medium settings with those specs though and more than likely want to turn the graphic settings to low.

[CanonFanatic]

Sandpit, on 21 October 2012 - 10:23 PM, said:

I run the same GPU and a slower CPU and only 4GB ram so I would say you should be able to run the game with those specs. Get a cooling pad though as mine can get a little warm at times especially if i'm running the game for prolonged periods of time. If you're getting a little low on frames per second just overclock the GPU a little. You should be fine with those specs though. Keep in mind you'll be pushing it to run the game on medium settings with those specs though and more than likely want to turn the graphic settings to low.

great thanks sandpit, am shopping around for something suitable now. hoping to jump on as soon as possible!

[siLve00]

CanonFanatic, on 26 October 2012 - 03:33 AM, said:

great thanks sandpit, am shopping around for something suitable now. hoping to jump on as soon as possible!

i7 920XM
2x ati 5870
8 gm ram ( dont ask me which one )

i did shut down 1 graphiccard and did slow down the cpu to 2 ghz

MW:O runs at full details w/o any fps lag.

But you should not go lower as 5800M graphiccard ( if you wana play max on a 17" screen )... they are realy a blast when it comes down to power/price.. the 650M is kinda the same.
(one more to add... since they are in a laptop... they are very loud.. you dont have dhs .. oh and dont plan with such a laptop to play longer as 60 minutes w/o powersupply )

Edited by siLve00, 26 October 2012 - 04:04 AM.