Rickair7777 on 13/12/2008 at 19:41
Hey people,
Time for a new laptop. I'm looking for something somewhat light -weight with XP (hopefully I didn't miss the XP boat).
It's mainly for general use, but I want to be able to play T-I and II, including high-poly FM's. I'm a little out of touch on technology, my current unit is an Inspiron 5160 2.8G / 2G / XP-SP3 / NVIDIA GeForce FX go5200.
The dell is marginal for many FM's, and I had the usual configuration pains to get the card to work with a legacy game, so I need to do better this time...
Any recomendations on current gear? Video Cards, etc that I should be looking for (or looking to avoid)?
How about screen size? Any issues with a wider screen?
If I can't get XP, will Vista (barf) work with legacy thief?
Thanks!
Rickair7777 on 13/12/2008 at 20:59
OK, I found a custom builder who can do XP Pro. How's this look for Thief I/II FM machine...
Core2Duo 2.8 / 6M cache / 1066
3 G RAM
15.4" WSXGA+ 1680x1050
geforce 9600M GT 512M
EvaUnit02 on 15/12/2008 at 09:29
Quote Posted by Rickair7777
OK, I found a custom builder who can do XP Pro. How's this look for Thief I/II FM machine...
Core2Duo 2.8 / 6M cache / 1066
3 G RAM
15.4" WSXGA+ 1680x1050
geforce 9600M GT 512M
I have a similar desktop rig, (
http://ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123963) everything works fine.
My specs C2D E8500 (3.17GHz, 6MB L2 cache), 4GB DDR2-667, 9800GT 512MB, XP x64 SP2.
sNeaksieGarrett on 17/12/2008 at 20:27
:eww:
If you want to play thief now, you're better off with that older system than the custom one you posted. Especially if it is mainly for "general use." You don't need all those fancy graphics and whatnot, unless you are planning on playing the latest in gaming. Though I see EvaUnit had some luck with ddfix on a 9 series card. If you are going to get a new laptop, I'd try to find one online that has a bit older specs but is better than what you have now. I've got a Inspiron 1520 that has a geforce 8600 GT, and it will play thief 2 very well with ddfix enabled. Thief Gold works well on it too. Main thing is, if you are going for new tech, expect more compatibility issues and having to do things like use (
http://timeslip.chorrol.com/ddfix.html) ddfix and the (
http://ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121449) widescreen patch, if you buy a laptop with widescreen.
Brian The Dog on 18/12/2008 at 12:42
In general, since you just want it to play Thief I & II, you would be better with integrated graphics. My laptop is a very basic one by HP, it was chosen since it has Intel integrated graphics, which are ideal for Thief I & II.
That's not to say that you can't get Thief running with fancier graphics chips, just that things are a lot easier if you pick a basic laptop with a single-core processor (e.g. Celeron or Sempron) and Intel / S3 integrated graphics. Plus you'd be paying more for stuff you wouldn't use.
Wille on 18/12/2008 at 23:17
Not all Intel GMAs can render fog in Thief 2. At least the GMA 950 in my Acer Aspire One can't render fog with or without ddfix. Unless there's a fix for that of course :).
gunsmoke on 19/12/2008 at 15:55
Quote Posted by Wille
Not all Intel GMAs can render fog in Thief 2. At least the GMA 950 in my Acer Aspire One can't render fog with or without ddfix. Unless there's a fix for that of course :).
Mine can. With AND Without ddfix. We have the same notebook.
Wille on 19/12/2008 at 20:10
Hmm odd. I just tried Life of the Party with my Aspire One and couldn't see any fog at the beginning of the mission. This was with vanilla T2 and the fog setting was obviously on.
I have the same problem with my parents computer that has Intel GMA 900. Is there perhaps a setting that enables T2 style fog?
bikerdude on 22/12/2008 at 16:07
Quote Posted by Wille
I have the same problem with my parents computer that has Intel GMA 900. Is there perhaps a setting that enables T2 style fog?
you need the latest gfx driver, I can play LOP on my Dell D420 and I see fog - if you like drop me an email and Ill send you a copy of the driver I have.
Wille on 24/12/2008 at 20:42
I tried those drivers you showed me Bikerdude (they were dated 15th February 2008) but I still can't see any fog on my Aspire One. It has Intel GMA 950 just like in your Dell D420. Any ideas what I'm doing wrong :p?
