test content
What is the Arc Client?
Install Arc

Game looking so cruddy?

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
I am currently using my laptop to place the game and well.. It honestly look horrible.. I've turned the game up to medium and it still looks like something that came out of 1995. My laptop uses a Radeon 4250 (which is low end) but it handles other games without a problem on low/med settings, and definitely look a lot better than what this. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm thinking about purchasing a new desktop to replace my old one. But that won't be for another month or two. Thanks.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2011
    Yep, that's how the game looks on a 4250. I don't think you appreciate just how low-end that GPU is. At least it runs smoothly with all of the details set to low, though.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2011
    Nalais wrote: »
    I am currently using my laptop to place the game and well.. It honestly look horrible.. I've turned the game up to medium and it still looks like something that came out of 1995. My laptop uses a Radeon 4250 (which is low end) but it handles other games without a problem on low/med settings, and definitely look a lot better than what this. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm thinking about purchasing a new desktop to replace my old one. But that won't be for another month or two. Thanks.

    Sorry...you are lucky it is smooth and stable. Its going to look bad on a 4250.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2011
    Thats where I'm confused.. My old desktop has a Intel GMA G31/G33, which is horrible. And it makes STO look 10x better than what my laptops does. And I know my current GPU is better because I play WoW as well, and my desktop crashes whenever I load that game.. Guess I just need to get a new desktop for gaming and leave my laptop to do other things.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2011
    Nalais wrote: »
    Thats where I'm confused.. My old desktop has a Intel GMA G31/G33, which is horrible. And it makes STO look 10x better than what my laptops does. And I know my current GPU is better because I play WoW as well, and my desktop crashes whenever I load that game.. Guess I just need to get a new desktop for gaming and leave my laptop to do other things.

    Lots of factors go into how a game will look/play. If your GPU is subpar, the CPU has to work harder. Is your laptop CPU not as powerful as your desktop CPU? Also, the amount of RAM available is a factor, as is hard disk access speed and a ton of other things. Generally, I have found laptops to be kind of weak in the games area unless it is specifically built to be a gaming laptop.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2011
    boglejam wrote: »
    Lots of factors go into how a game will look/play. If your GPU is subpar, the CPU has to work harder. Is your laptop CPU not as powerful as your desktop CPU? Also, the amount of RAM available is a factor, as is hard disk access speed and a ton of other things. Generally, I have found laptops to be kind of weak in the games area unless it is specifically built to be a gaming laptop.

    My laptop is better than my desktop, the laptop is 2.4 dual core, with 4 gigs of ram, whereas my desktop is 2.2 dual core with 3 gigs of ram. The only difference is the speed in my Hard Drive, the laptops being 5600 and the Desktops being 7200 (I think. ) Other than that, my laptop is better. I'll just have to purchase a desktop when I get a the chance.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2011
    By any chane, do you have 'Half Resolution' enabled? If so, disable that setting and see what type of gameplay you get.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2011
    Armsman wrote: »
    By any chane, do you have 'Half Resolution' enabled? If so, disable that setting and see what type of gameplay you get.

    I agree with this. I would say you either have "half resolution" enabled, or you have a resolution lower than your laptop's screen. But I tend to go towards the first idea.

    Another important thing, games have become very "non-scalable" in the recent years. While back in 2000, for example, you could take a new game and run it on a low-spec PC sacrificing some details, some trees displayed in the distance and some fancy reflections, today it seems that developers (in all games, not just STO) went for a curious solution - lower the detail, and you lose important visual elements of the game (shadows, lights and entire 3D models) :(
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited May 2011
    Turned off the half resolution option and my game looks 200% better than before. thanks for the help!
Sign In or Register to comment.