64-bit memory bus -vs- 128-bit...

[dpointbront]

i am looking at getting one of the new IBM Thinkpad T41 laptops. The specs are: Centrino with 1.6GHz, 768MB, 5200RPM 40GB, and a 32MB Radeon Mobility 9000.

The only problem, if it is even a problem, is the fact that the Mobility 9000 w/32MB has a 64-bit memory bus, as opposed to the 128-bit memory bus of the 64MB version (which is not yet available on the Thinkpads).

My question is: what is the disadvantage to the 64-bit bus, and where would I see it? I assume that the latest and greatest games need serious horsepower, and that's why i have a pimped desktop.

I would be using the laptop for development, ect, and the occasional (ok, maybe more than occasional) game. I don't expect (nor want) to play DOOM 3, Half-Life 2, Painkiller, etc on the laptop. I woule, however, like to play Warcraft 3, Age of Mythology, Starcraft, SimCity4, Freedom Force...that sort of thing.

right now i have a 32MB Radeon Mobility 7500 in a laptop (with 1.2Gz P4, 768MB). some games that i would like to play at 30fps, like Rise of Nations, run slow (around 8-10fps). i am wondering if the increase in CPU in the new laptop, and going from a 7500 to a 9000 series card, will make it so i can play games like Rise of Nations and Age of Mythology closer to 30fps.

And just what are the benefits to the higher memory bus in my situation?

thanks for any replies.

 

[0ldman]

I can't say for the other two, but Warcraft III won't run very well with that card.

64bit is exactly half the bandwidth of a 128bit memory interface.
just like dropping from 500MHz to 250MHz.
Adequate for a video card is all, not good enough for most games. WarIII will probably run, but not well.

 

[Iconz]

First, to answer your question, the 64-bit memory bus means that your GPU will be lacking memory bandwidth, suffocating, and therefore will run slow.

Second, get one of THESE, with a 9600 in it, and be happy

Or even the m6807 for that kind of money.

 

[dpointbront]

Thanks for the responses.

I have played Warcraft 3 on my current laptop, with the Mobility 7500 /32MB. I think that is a 64-bit memory bus as well. The CPU is a 1.2 GHz Pentium 3 Mobile (my first post was incorrect on this).

Warcraft 3 runs fine in 1024x768 with all of the eyecandy on. I have not hit any huge battles (whatever that means in WC3), but I have setup aquick game with 7 CPU opponents all set to "insane" difficulty.

I assume that really playing the game, in heated battles, the framerate would drop. But I wonder if the increase in CPU horsepower, along with the faster Mobility 9000, will smooth things out.

Rise of Nations and Age of Empires definately do chug on this machine (the Mobility 7500).

Also, I really have my heart set on an IBM. I think IM makes the best laptops, and I am in the position to get a really good deal. And like I said, the majority of my usage will be for web development and such. Gaming is a lesser priority, and even then I am talking about games like Baldur's Gate 2 and Freedom Force.

Again, thanks for the replies.

 

[Iconz]

Originally posted by dpointbront
Also, I really have my heart set on an IBM. I think IM makes the best laptops, and I am in the position to get a really good deal.

Well, to each his own. Enjoy.

 

[MemoryInAGarden]

If you want to game with that laptop, you'll be sorely disappointed. I've never personally owned an IBM laptop but I've heard nothing but great things about them for general usage.

 

[dpointbront]

I just did a test with the laptop that has the 1.2GHz P3-M, and the Mobility 7500 w/32MB ram.

I started custom game of Age of Empires on a large map with 11 other CPU controlled players all at the highest difficulty. The resolution was 1024x768 with details on High. I had the map on "reveal" so i could see the entire thing (although not my opponent's units). then I used some cheat codes to start natural disasters. Then I used another cheat code to create an army of about 30 units, and marched them around.

It was choppy, probably about 10 fps or so. But that is with birds flying, rain falling, near the water so the tide was going in and out, animals running around, and the computer keeping track of all of that, plus 11 other "players".

I assume that a "normal" game of AoM would be less taxing than my experiment. And that, plus the fact a new laptop would be faster (and also a P4 rather than a P3), and have a (technically) faster GPU...I don't know.

Any thoughts? Am I really going to be "sorely dissapointed" with gaming on the T41?

 

[Iconz]

Let's say the T41 is a HUGE improvement over what you have now, and gets 30fps with everything going. That's still barely adequate. So, what happens when the next game comes out that is more demanding? Back to 10fps Just a thought.

 

[dpointbront]

Well I have enough games for now to dedicate to my laptop. Most I think will work just fine (Warcraft 2, Starcraft, Baldur's Gate 2, Heroes of Might and Magic 3/4...etc, C&C: Red Alert 2). But there are a few games that I'd love to play on a laptop (Rise of Nations, Age of Mythology, Warcraft 3, Freedom Force). If I could play all of those, I would be happy.

There are a lot of games I own right now that I know won't play well on a laptop (at least this particular one) like C&C: Generals, Morrowind, KotOR...and that's fine. I have a desktop for those.

If I could get half of my games to run on my laptop, I'd be happy. I am mainly concerned for those last few (RoN, AoM, etc).

I figure this is my first laptop. If I really like using a laptop, then in a few years I will get a mobile gaming machine and give up on desktops.

So to answer your question, I am not concerned with new games. I'm not even concerned with most of the games I own. Just some of the RTSs.

Thanks.