Running GTA:SA In Intel X3100?

[gagahput3ra]

Hey all...this is my first post as i've been around this forum for about 1 years without ever playing GTA:SA in my pc as my old PC sucks hard , and last week i finally decide to get new laptop Dell Inspiron 1525, with spec as follows :

• Intel Core 2 Duo T5550 @1.83 GHZ
• 3GB of RAM
• Onboard VGA Intel GMA X3100

Now the problem is, i can't really find what's my allocated onboard VGA Memory, as in System Information it shows Dell originally allocated 448MB, while from the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator Driver Software i get these information :

 

Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Mobile Report

 

 

 

Report Date:              04/28/2008

Report Time[hr:mm:ss]:     21:03:32

Driver Version:              7.14.10.1437

Operating System:      Windows Vista Home Basic* , Service Pack 1 (6.0.6001)

Default Language:      Indonesian

DirectX* Version:      10.0

Physical Memory:      3061 MB

Minimum Graphics Memory:    8 MB

Maximum Graphics Memory:   358 MB

Graphics Memory in Use:     168 MB

Processor:                      x86 family 6 Model 15 Stepping 13

Processor Speed:      1828 MHZ

Vendor ID:              8086

Device ID:                      2A02

Device Revision:      0C

 

So...this information kinda create some headache in my gaming mind

 

I already installed GTA:SA, and from the Intel X3100 Supported Game Page, i find that i can play GTA in max resolution of 1600x1200x32.....so i set the resolution at maximum resolution my laptop can displayed, which is 1280x800 and all other settings like the page said.....resulting in super lag and super lack of Anti-Alias in my system.

 

Now my question is, is it possible to play GTA:SA in my laptop, and what''s the optimized setting. And also, can i force Anti-Alias using some software or so? It's really bugging me to play GTA comfortably in 800x600px without Anti Alias

 

Thanks before for your help

[Girish]

From the reviews that I have read of the GMA X3100, it's performance is very inconsistent and random. And it supposedly, performs worse with Vista.

There's no way I see that you can run SA at the highest settings with that graphic card. You'll have to turn off AA and even drop down the draw distance a few notches to reduce the lag. If it still lags, then you'll have to run it at the lowest possible settings.

 

If possible, try changing the video memory from the BIOS. I see that the maximum allowed is 358 MB and you're using only 168 MB.

[gagahput3ra]

 

From the reviews that I have read of the GMA X3100, it's performance is very inconsistent and random. And it supposedly, performs worse with Vista.

There's no way I see that you can run SA at the highest settings with that graphic card. You'll have to turn off AA and even drop down the draw distance a few notches to reduce the lag. If it still lags, then you'll have to run it at the lowest possible settings.

 

If possible, try changing the video memory from the BIOS. I see that the maximum allowed is 358 MB and you're using only 168 MB.

That's the problem ...this number seem to be flexible because i can't find any word in BIOS relating to change the VGA memory allocated, after that i tried to open the windows performance index, i get 3.4 score btw , and the graphics information there showed me these information :

 

 

Graphics 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

  Display adapter type Mobile Intel® 965 Express Chipset Family

  Total available graphics memory 358 MB

        Dedicated graphics memory 0 MB

        Dedicated system memory 128 MB

        Shared system memory 230 MB

  Display adapter driver version 7.14.10.1437

  Primary monitor resolution 1280x800

  DirectX version DirectX 9.0 or better

 

 

So....can anyone tell me what's the perfect way to figure how much memory already allocated in my VGA memory>

[Girish]

 

So....can anyone tell me what's the perfect way to figure how much memory already allocated in my VGA memory> 

I googled your query and found that the video memory of your graphic card is variable. The card decides how much memory it needs at any given point of time. This means that you cannot change the allocated memory.

[gagahput3ra]

So....can anyone tell me what's the perfect way to figure how much memory already allocated in my VGA memory> 

I googled your query and found that the video memory of your graphic card is variable. The card decides how much memory it needs at any given point of time. This means that you cannot change the allocated memory.

Oh thanks a lot

 

So.....the final conclusion is i can't really play GTA:SA in my laptop with comfort right?

 

 

Aaah.....life sucks

[gtamodder]

resulting in super lag and super lack of Anti-Alias in my system.

 

 

That card won't be able to run it that high, or it will lag too much. The highest I think you could go 800 x 600 x 32, with Low/Medium FX Quality, and it should work fine. The reason why is because the card is intergrated into the motherboard, and is much weaker then a dedicated graphics card. You would need a dedicated graphics to run on the settings you mentioned (a Nvidia 7600 GT, Is fine) and most of the nvidia cards can run that high.

[gagahput3ra]

Ok all, thanks for all help i really appreciate it

 

Now i kinda regret buying this laptop

[Girish]

Now i kinda regret buying this laptop

Well, atleast now you'll think twice before buying a PC/laptop with Intel GMA graphic cards.

 

Intel just makes graphic cards and 'hopes' that they'll work. But they can never match the performance of an ATi or a Nvidia card. Your card is suitable for a few games like F.E.A.R, Half-Life, etc., but most of the other later games are bound to give you lag and SA is just one of them.