Why does GTA IV shutter on a decent laptop?

[Uranus]

Hi, I am running GTA IV on maximum details / highest settings but it shutters!
My specs are:
Intel i7-4702MQ
8 GB RAM (1600 MHz)
Radeon HD 8750M (Bus Width 128 bit)

[Kampret]

That laptop won't run IV at highest, especially with all sliders on max.

 

1. IV is unoptimized. Don't ever attempt to max-out the sliders on the graphics settings.

2. 8750M is a low-end card under desktop standards. So, yeah, you're looking at a Medium gameplay.

Edited March 19, 2015 by Kampret

[GrindoLindo]

yup that gpu is well under spec.

[Uranus]

That laptop won't run IV at highest, especially with all sliders on max.

 

1. IV is unoptimized. Don't ever attempt to max-out the sliders on the graphics settings.

2. 8750M is a low-end card under desktop standards. So, yeah, you're looking at a Medium gameplay.

 

 

yup that gpu is well under spec.

Thanks for the quick replies, so could you please help me out picking a good gpu

Now I understand that the gpu memory is not important neither is the bus width.

So what are the most effective factors that make a gpu good enough for this game?

[GrindoLindo]

 

That laptop won't run IV at highest, especially with all sliders on max.

 

1. IV is unoptimized. Don't ever attempt to max-out the sliders on the graphics settings.

2. 8750M is a low-end card under desktop standards. So, yeah, you're looking at a Medium gameplay.

 

 

yup that gpu is well under spec.

Thanks for the quick replies, so could you please help me out picking a good gpu

Now I understand that the gpu memory is not important neither is the bus width.

So what are the most effective factors that make a gpu good enough for this game?

 

actually bus width is the most important, low bandwidth = lower performance. cards that have 128bit bus are cheap, also don't be fooled by 128bit 4gb cards, that's just marketing, as higher amounts of vram are just wasted.

 

now, 128bit card are by no means a load of crap, but you won't get the best gaming experience out of them, nor will they be future proof as most gaming cards are 256bit with 100+ gb/s of memory bandwidth, 128bit bus usually hover around 80-96 gb/s which these days it's much. you won't be able to overclock them by much either (memory always offers the worst overclock due to the heat from the vram chips)

 

a radeon 7750 has 80 gb/s of bandwidth and that's an old card now.

 

if on a budget get a 128bit 2gb gddr5 card, don't buy a gddr3 card by mistake, if it doesn't say gddr5 in the listing it's crap.

 

if you can spend a bit more get the cheapest 256bit card you can find, amazon if good for deals.

 

 

but since you are on a laptop, you will need to either build a desktop pc or buy a new laptop.

 

 

 

only laptops 15"-17" are full upgradable with MXM slots that hold the video cards. most laptops have soldered chips and aren't designed for anything but light use. don't be fooled by false "gaming laptop" listings. there's still idiots on ebay selling old laptops as "gaming" machines. (slideshow performance, very old and completely useless for gaming)

Edited March 20, 2015 by GrindoLindo

[Uranus]

 

now, 128bit card are by no means a load of crap, but you won't get the best gaming experience out of them, nor will they be future proof as most gaming cards are 256bit with 100+ gb/s of memory bandwidth, 128bit bus usually hover around 80-96 gb/s which these days it's much. you won't be able to overclock them by much either (memory always offers the worst overclock due to the heat from the vram chips)

 

a radeon 7750 has 80 gb/s of bandwidth and that's an old card now.

 

if on a budget get a 128bit 2gb gddr5 card, don't buy a gddr3 card by mistake, if it doesn't say gddr5 in the listing it's crap.

 

if you can spend a bit more get the cheapest 256bit card you can find, amazon if good for deals.

 

 

but since you are on a laptop, you will need to either build a desktop pc or buy a new laptop.

 

 

 

only laptops 15"-17" are full upgradable with MXM slots that hold the video cards. most laptops have soldered chips and aren't designed for anything but light use. don't be fooled by false "gaming laptop" listings. there's still idiots on ebay selling old laptops as "gaming" machines. (slideshow performance, very old and completely useless for gaming)

 

actually bus width is the most important, low bandwidth = lower performance. cards that have 128bit bus are cheap, also don't be fooled by 128bit 4gb cards, that's just marketing, as higher amounts of vram are just wasted.

That is a very useful information, thanks!

I am wondering why a gpu like GeForce GTX 965M is a high-end one when it only has 128bit bus

Edited March 20, 2015 by Uranus

[GrindoLindo]

usually get the 128bit bus in smaller laptops & ones that are thin, memory gets the hottest on the gpu, since there's less powerful memory you get less heat.

 

gtx 8xxm to 9xxm series also use the new maxwell architecture and run cooler, so i suppose using 128bit + maxwell = cool laptop.

 

they will still be good gaming on, just stay away from geforce's without the X on the end, i.e. GT, those are the low end ones and usually come in 64bit/128bit, ddr3/gddr3/gddr5 depending on laptop models, lots of people buy the wrong ones and get a laptop with a rubbish gpu.

 

if you want light gaming GT 745-755 is alright but borderline pants.

[Uranus]

usually get the 128bit bus in smaller laptops & ones that are thin, memory gets the hottest on the gpu, since there's less powerful memory you get less heat.

 

gtx 8xxm to 9xxm series also use the new maxwell architecture and run cooler, so i suppose using 128bit + maxwell = cool laptop.

 

they will still be good gaming on, just stay away from geforce's without the X on the end, i.e. GT, those are the low end ones and usually come in 64bit/128bit, ddr3/gddr3/gddr5 depending on laptop models, lots of people buy the wrong ones and get a laptop with a rubbish gpu.

 

if you want light gaming GT 745-755 is alright but borderline pants.

lol i think my gpu is rubbish.

 

one last question if you don't mine, what do you think of this notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html i mean is it accurate, is this a good way to compare gpus, is there a better benchmarking?

[GrindoLindo]

i always check that site when choosing a new laptop gpu, the info is solid, they also put desktop gpu's in the lists so you can see what desktop gpu is closet to your chosen laptop gpu, giving you a good idea of what performance to expect.

 

so, yes, the site is good

 

gpureview is another good site but is out of date now, only useful for checking desktop gpus.

Edited March 20, 2015 by GrindoLindo

[Uranus]

i always check that site when choosing a new laptop gpu, the info is solid, they also put desktop gpu's in the lists so you can see what desktop gpu is closet to your chosen laptop gpu, giving you a good idea of what performance to expect.

 

so, yes, the site is good

 

gpureview is another good site but is out of date now, only useful for checking desktop gpus.

this is great i think i am ready to search for a new laptop

 

thank you so much for your time and the info, get ready for GTA V

[GrindoLindo]

oh i'm ready

 

been a laptop gamer for some months now, since ridding myself of my bulky heavy desktop tower.

 

was using a 13.3" gaming laptop with a gtx 860m for a little over a year but that wouldn't of lasted due to the limited upgrading, plus the small screen got annoying, so I decided to get a barebones, transfer components, sell the small laptop.

 

now using a p170sm.

 

i7 4810mq 2.8ghz

gtx 675mx 4gb gddr5 256bit

16gb ddr3

512gb msata ssd for games

120gb msata for os

wd dual drive for apps / music 1tb/120gb

 

transferred everything over except the gtx 675mx which i picked up via best offer on fleabay. should be good for several years, can always upgrade the gpu to gtx 7xxm, 8xxm & 9xxm series. (but i wouldn't pay what people sell them for...crazy prices, some want as much as new laptop for just a gpu) i'll keep an eye out for a deal.

[Uranus]

oh i'm ready

 

been a laptop gamer for some months now, since ridding myself of my bulky heavy desktop tower.

 

was using a 13.3" gaming laptop with a gtx 860m for a little over a year but that wouldn't of lasted due to the limited upgrading, plus the small screen got annoying, so I decided to get a barebones, transfer components, sell the small laptop.

 

now using a p170sm.

 

i7 4810mq 2.8ghz

gtx 675mx 4gb gddr5 256bit

16gb ddr3

512gb msata ssd for games

120gb msata for os

wd dual drive for apps / music 1tb/120gb

 

transferred everything over except the gtx 675mx which i picked up via best offer on fleabay. should be good for several years, can always upgrade the gpu to gtx 7xxm, 8xxm & 9xxm series. (but i wouldn't pay what people sell them for...crazy prices, some want as much as new laptop for just a gpu) i'll keep an eye out for a deal.

wow! that's a monster laptop