Laptop GFX/Cpu, SoD, with new GFX card bugs

terr281

Dalayan Beginner
Due to the current problems I have with home internet access (recent move, new high speed connections not available for a few months), I am having to "bum" internet from friend.

At present, this is being done with an old desktop that works beautifully for the task, but takes up quite a bit of space in my friend's living room. (And, even though the friend states that it is ok, I don't agree.)

I have been needing a laptop for "light computer gaming" (SoD, Stronghold, Civilization 4, Spore, etc.) and electronic books (P&P roleplaying book pdfs) anyway.

With Windows 7 being released in ~6-9 months, and Microsoft's planned "free upgrade" system starting on July 1, 2009, the laptop will be purchased around that time.

My question is in regard to Intel GMA vs. ATI vs. Nvidia graphics on laptops. (I deal with desktops, not laptops. And, the website I frequently visit doesn't have a comparison list that includes Intel GMA levels.) And, information on the web is usually "upgrade to Nvidia or ATI."

This is problem due to the new ATI video cards having the targeting ring bug, and Nvidia 8xxx series and higher having the melee clipping problem. (I play in first person and cannot play this game in 3rd person. I was an old school Live player from the Classic era, before the 3rd expansion's UI upgrade. It took me awhile to upgrade to the "new" UI.)

Comparison chart I use:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-radeon,2218-6.html

(Note: I know that SoD 2 boxes well on my ATI Radeon x600 in the old desktop, so the requirements aren't high. But, Intel's graphics are generally not good at all.)

Questions:

1. Would a laptop running Intel GMA 4500xxx run SoD effectively? What about the x3100? (Any first hand accounts on this?) What about 2 boxing? (I play with NO spell graphics turned on and all "Moon" models turned on.)

2. Minimum amount of graphics shared ram required for SoD? (Civ 4 can run on a GMA 900 at minimum. Spore (albeit slowly) runs on the same GFX platform)

3. Would any laptop players of SoD....
a. Without the two aforementioned bugs in SoD.
b. With an ATI or Nvidia based graphics laptop solution.
...Please state their laptop GFX card where I will know that that one works.

Thank you.
 
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Fwiw, I think there is a fix for the ATI target ring problem. I don't have an ATI card so I didn't pay much attention but I remember seeing someone posting info on how to fix it.
 
Addendum:

I can confirm that another friend's laptop, with GMA 965 (the 900 series), can run SoD, but it isn't a pleasant experience. (The same as Civ 4 and Spore on my work laptop, which also has a 965 graphics system.)

So, the bare minimum has now been found. However, what about an actual "playable" minimum...
 
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