Minimum GPU for CS:S, CS:GO, TF2 and D3?

-Mike- · 2 Jan 2016 at 11:31

Hey all,

Am sort of transitioning houses slowly so my desktop has been removed to storage at a relatives! I am however missing the odd gaming session so looking for something that can handle the above games?

I currently have an E6520 which has the following spec

i7 -2670qm
8gb ram
NVS 4200m (this is the issue)
Sammy 250gb ssd.

Now the laptop is fine for general usage, but TF2 is sort of 40-20fps with the 1920x1080 native panel resolution and it makes for a largely unplayable game! Can anyone tell me something I can look at second hand that will cope with the above games? Have seen a few laptops about with a gtx 960m but from what I've read this card isn't particularly amazing either and I'd be wanting to upgrade it to a 7970m or similar to get some ok performance from it?

I haven't braved installing diablo 3, as I think the 14gb download would probably net me 20 or so fps!

TL;DR - Spec me something old but capable for CS:S, TF2, D3 and CS:GO please?

-Mike- · 2 Jan 2016 at 20:14

Anyone play these titles on a half aged laptop?

Smudge · 2 Jan 2016 at 20:46

My 960m in this laptop (new dell inspiron 15 7559 i7) gets 100fps+ in town on D3 maxed out settings on 1080p.

My crappy work laptop with a bog standard i3 and integrated graphics gets 27fps on low settings, 720p (unplayable in groups but OK for 30 mins lunchtime play solo).

There are a fair few tweaks you can do to get some more FPS, like turning off aero, changing the power mode to performance etc.

I cant help on the second hand laptop front but dont discount a 960m if you can find a cheep one. It will play GTA5 on high settings at 50+fps. The jump from a 960m to a 970m will net you a decent upgrade in GPU power but if you dont mind tweaking a few settings you can play all the latest games on one (fallout 4, JC3 etc).

Matt

-Mike- · 3 Jan 2016 at 10:37

Thanks Matt! Are these 960's typically soldered onto the board or on replaceable cards? I just fancy some light evening gaming time, have made do with a 680 on the desktop but would like a reasonable experience on a laptop too!