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Computers Able to run STO

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
HI, I am buying a new laptop for my hubby. I am trying to make sure it runs STO. The one I am looking at (well the specs) are below. I would like to know whether it will run the game or if not any you may reccomend.

2.2GHz Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4400 Processor
3072MB DDR2 667MHz Dual Channel Memory
250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive, 8X DVD-Super Multi Double-Layer Drive
15.6" HD Acer CineCrystal LCD-backlit Display; Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500M
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit


I am thinking it will run it but not sure. I am new to laptops Thanks in advance.
Post edited by Unknown User on

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  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    Technical Details
    1.6GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 TK-42 Dual-Core Processor
    3GB DDR2 667MHz Memory
    250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive, 8X DVD-Super Multi Double-Layer Drive
    15.6" HD Widescreen Acer CineCrystal LED-backlit Display; ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics
    Windows 7 Home Premium; Up to 2.5 Hours of Battery Life
    › See more technical details
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    Technical Details
    AMD Athlon II Dual-Core Processor for Notebook PCs M320 (2.1 GHz, 1 MB L2 Cache)
    3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 DIMM) (expandable to 4 GB)
    250GB (7200RPM) Hard Drive (SATA), LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support
    Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, * Up to 4.25 Hours of Battery Life
    15.6" Diagonal High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1366x768)
    ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4200 Graphics with 128MB Display Cache Memory with up to 1534MB total graphics memory


    (we are pretty sure this one WILL run it) it is a Compaq Presario CQ61-420US 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    Im playing on my ASUS G51VX-A1

    Runs smooth as silk....
    Simple advice. If the laptop is not built for gaming, dont expect results like a gaming machine should.

    Even specifications permitting, you will almost always run into overheating/auto-shutdown problems everytime if the laptop isnt built for reasonably high end gaming.

    Good luck
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    I would say none of those 3 laptops the OP linked are really suitable to play STO on with any certainty or good performance. The main weakness is the graphic cards. The first laptop has an integrated card and the other 2 have dedicated cards that are almost as rubbish because they're low-spec cards not meant for gaming.

    The minimum requirements state you need an ATI Radeon 1800 at the very least - while that may be an older series card, the 800 denotes that it's on the high end of the series, which means it will outperform weaker cards of later series.

    The HD 3200 and 4200 may be newer cards, but the fact that they're both a 200 card means they're the bottom of the barrel for gaming (they're literally as low as you can go).

    You don't need a top-of-the-line gaming laptop to run STO, but you do need one with a graphics card at least semi-capable of handling intensive games. It will also reduce the likelihood of your machine overheating if the card is built for gaming.

    I suggest getting a machine with at least the following specs:
    - minimum 2.0ghz dual core, no lower
    - with an ATI card it should be minimum 3000+ series and 650+, so either a 3650, 4650. 3800, 3850, 4800, etc etc.
    - with an Nvidia card it should be minimum 8000+ series and 600+, so either 8600, 9600, 8800, 9800, etc
    - with an Nvidia card of the newest 200 series, it should be 200+ and 50+, so GTS250, GTX260, etc.

    All the cards described above are either semi-capable or very capable of handling graphically intensive games - most of the cards below this line aren't really gaming cards and I wouldn't recommend them for STO, especially not in a laptop.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited March 2010
    Hi guys just thought I'd share my specs and conclusions.

    My PC
    Intel Celeron Dual Core 2.4Ghz
    3Gb DDR3
    Intel HD graphics.

    My PC runs the game on its lowest settings but with character texture on highest consistently higher than 30fps, (40 if I drop character textures but this can make the game very ugly) even in larger battles and away missions. Its a joy to play. Just thought I'd make sure people know a graphics card is not at all necessary to enjoy this title, they've made it run exceptionally well on low spec pc's with the latest intel HD graphics.

    Hope this helps people, I know the graphics mentalists wouldn't like it but its perfectly playable and enjoyable to those who aren't graphics obsessed. Kudos to Cryptic for managing this.
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