How slow is the Intel GMA 950?

Hello,

I'm planning to get a new notebook; as it should be small and lightweight, the list of possible models is not that big, and, unfortuneatly nearly completly consisting of notebooks with Intel GMA 950 graphics.

First of all, no need to tell me that the Intel GMA 950 is SLOW.

I've read hundreds of websites stating that it's absolutely useless for today's 3d graphics.
But, on the other hand, I've also read of some people who had their fun with an occasional game, and, even some people reporting that SL would run fine (or at least, usable).
Unfortuneatly, usable, playable etc. are very subjective terms, and I could hardly find any numbers showing just how fast or slow the GMA 950 is.

Thus, I'd like to ask those Intel GMA 950 users who hopefully read this, how fast does SL run?
How many fps do you have on empty / full / overcrowded places, on 800x600, 1024x768 ... what effects turned on/off, what works, what doesn't?
Does it work with the current SL version (I read that some versions had probs, as it isn't officially supported by LL)?

The other specs of the notebook won't be the problem (Core 2 Duo, 2GHz, 2 GB RAM).
I think every single fps would be a great enhancement,
I'm currently using a GeForce 2 MX, where I get like ~1-15 fps with everything on low. (And a crash on an crowded area )
Can I be sure that it runs faster than that? I think I'd go mad if I'd buy a new notebook and it's as creepy as my aged PC

And, last but not least, if anybody knows a nice 12"-13" < 2 kg notebook with dedicated graphics and DVI out, I'd love to hear about it. (I were currently thinking about the Fujitsu Siemens Amilo Si 1520, which is, in my eyes, superbly equipped with everything state of the art, well, except for the Intel GMA 950 graphics (((( )

thanks, greets,

Ookami Hudson

Anyone who uses a intel vid card in SL can count themself lucky if they manage to get in at all its not about speed, its just not buildt for it , its a 2d laptop vid card so its completly useless for 3d.

You might get in, but you will get issues, and will get shut out someday as this technolgy is not something you would invest in for SL at all.

Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 specs

I have a Gateway Tablet with that graphics solution and I can say it works for me and not terribly, I get about 15fps or so, far less in a crowd. Unfortunately everything Thili said is true, at any update, the ability to run may vanish completely. I bought my tablet not even expecting SL to work at all, the fact it does is a bonus.

If you want a SL computer, a laptop is a poor choice unless you basically get a desktop replacement type which are huge, heavy and not that great on battery life. Consider whatever it takes to run Doom3 or Oblivion a rough estimate on what it takes to run SL well. Everything else is a laggy compromise.

From my Toshiba U200 ultraportable, with GMA 950:

Flying around an empty sim, with default graphics settings (64m, Sun & Moon lighting, Terrain Detail Low) I get around 27 fps.

Adding "Nearby local lights" turned on, drops to 23 fps.

Further adding "Terrain Detail High", drops to 14 fps.

I'm getting 5-7 fps in most non-empty, fairly loaded sims.

-peekay

I have a great little 13" Sony lappy, works great and has a real video chip in it. Don't settle, keep looking. IF you can get the 950 graphics to wrk you are lucky, and come any given update, you could be SOL.

Allright, thank you all for your responses
As the fps are comparable to my GF 2 MX (which somehow drives me crazy ), I think I'd really better look for another notebook.


Is it one with the GeForce Go 7400 in it?, I read about those. Does it perform well with SL?

thank you, greets

Ookami Hudson

Yup thats what it has, the Vaio SZ series. Works 'good' in SL, compared to my desktop. I can at least get away with building and running PS at the same time on it. Before I bought it I actually loaded up SL on it in the store to check it out. The sales guy was hesitant, but I asked him if he wanted to make his comission on a $2,000 laptop...he have in.