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Upgrades for Gaming

Post Date: 2014-11-21
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Zandarith View Drop Down
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Email address used to purchase matched with forums account email.

Joined: 21 Nov 2014
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Posts: 2 		  Quote Zandarith Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Upgrades for Gaming
    Posted: 21 Nov 2014 at 9:25am
Hi all, first post. I've had a Digital Storm gaming laptop (I travel a lot for work) for a couple years now and it's been great. Never a single issue which is probably why this is the first time I've visited the forums.

I'm not computer illiterate, but when it comes to laptops I really don't have much experience. Lately, I've noticed that I can no longer play newer games at full or close to full settings without lag (most recent example- Elder Scrolls Online). What I'm hoping is that someone might be able to suggest am upgrade(s) to my existing rig that would improve gaming performance. I'd have a really hard time convincing the wife that I need a new $2500-$3000 laptop right now!

Here's my System Info from DXDIAG, thanks in advance for any input:

*(it wouldn't let me post the full DXDIAG results because  the forum thinks there's a web link in there >:( I'll try to find what I think are the more pertinent details of my rig)
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/21/2014, 11:58:30
       Machine name: OU812
   Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: CLEVO                           
       System Model: P170EM
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 11/12/12 17:11:05 Ver: 04.06.05
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3840QM CPU at 2.80GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
             Memory: 16384MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 16274MB RAM
          Page File: 4794MB used, 27751MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
   User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
 System DPI Setting: 120 DPI (125 percent)
    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
     DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 64bit Unicode
---------------
          Card name: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000
       Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
          Chip type: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
           DAC type: Internal
         Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0166&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_09
     Display Memory: 1696 MB
   Dedicated Memory: 64 MB
      Shared Memory: 1632 MB
       Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
       Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
      Monitor Model: unknown
         Monitor Id: CMO1726
        Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.020Hz)
        Output Type: Internal
        Driver Name: igdumdim64.dll,igd10iumd64.dll,igd10iumd64.dll,igdumdim32,igd10iumd32,igd10iumd32
Driver File Version: 10.18.0010.3308 (English)
     Driver Version: 10.18.10.3308
        DDI Version: 11
       Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
  Driver Attributes: Final Retail
   Driver Date/Size: 9/17/2013 09:17:38, 12100096 bytes
        WHQL Logo'd: Yes
    WHQL Date Stamp:
  Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-4226-11CF-4B7C-0F51B4C2C435}
          Vendor ID: 0x8086
          Device ID: 0x0166
          SubSys ID: 0x71021558
        Revision ID: 0x0009
 Driver Strong Name: oem9.inf:IntelGfx.NTamd64.6.1:iIVBM_w7:10.18.10.3308:pci\ven_8086&dev_0166
     Rank Of Driver: 00E62001
       

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0892&SUBSYS_15587102&REV_1003
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6581 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 2/29/2012 02:02:52, 4757608 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0xF1F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

            Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
 Default Sound Playback: No
 Default Voice Playback: No
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0892&SUBSYS_15587102&REV_1003
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6581 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 2/29/2012 02:02:52, 4757608 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0xF1F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

--------------
System Devices
--------------
     Name: Intel(R) HM77 Express Chipset LPC Controller - 1E57
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E57&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_04\3&11583659&1&F8
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\msisadrv.sys, 6.01.7600.16385 (English), 7/13/2009 20:48:27, 15424 bytes

     Name: Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 3 - 1E14
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E14&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_C4\3&11583659&1&E2
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (English), 11/20/2010 08:33:50, 184704 bytes

     Name: 1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_197B&DEV_2380&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_30\4&3B88C681&0&00E3
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\1394ohci.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (English), 11/20/2010 05:44:58, 229888 bytes

     Name: Intel(R) Management Engine Interface
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E3A&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_04\3&11583659&1&B0
   Driver: n/a

     Name: Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 2 - 1E12
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E12&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_C4\3&11583659&1&E1
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (English), 11/20/2010 08:33:50, 184704 bytes

     Name: Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8168&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_0A\4&2E12E4B1&0&02E1
   Driver: n/a

     Name: Intel(R) USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E31&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_04\3&11583659&1&A0
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\iusb3xhc.sys, 1.00.0005.0235 (English), 5/20/2012 11:25:32, 789824 bytes

     Name: Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 1 - 1E10
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E10&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_C4\3&11583659&1&E0
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (English), 11/20/2010 08:33:50, 184704 bytes

     Name: Realtek PCIE CardReader
Device ID: PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_5289&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_01\4&2E12E4B1&0&00E1
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\RtsBaStor.sys, 6.02.8400.27024 (English), 7/3/2012 01:09:08, 295056 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\RtsBaStorIcon.dll, 1.00.0008.0000 (English), 7/3/2012 01:09:08, 9888912 bytes

     Name: Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 1E2D
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E2D&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_04\3&11583659&1&D0
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbehci.sys, 6.01.7601.18328 (English), 11/26/2013 20:41:11, 53248 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 6.01.7601.18328 (English), 11/26/2013 20:41:11, 325120 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 6.01.7601.18328 (English), 11/26/2013 20:41:37, 343040 bytes

     Name: Intel(R) 7 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E03&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_04\3&11583659&1&FA
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\iaStorA.sys, 11.05.0000.1207 (English), 7/9/2012 16:43:12, 645952 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\iaStorF.sys, 11.05.0000.1207 (English), 7/9/2012 16:43:08, 27456 bytes

     Name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M    
Device ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_11A0&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_A1\4&3A75479&0&0008
   Driver: C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\Drs\dbInstaller.exe, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 250144 bytes
   Driver: C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\Drs\nvdrsdb.bin, 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 1142484 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nvcvn.inf_amd64_neutral_7c0926b8fc4cc88b\NvCplSetupInt.exe, 1.00.0001.0000 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 74265160 bytes
   Driver: C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\coprocmanager\Nvd3d9wrap.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 322592 bytes
   Driver: C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\coprocmanager\detoured.dll, 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 13088 bytes
   Driver: C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\coprocmanager\nvdxgiwrap.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 226296 bytes
   Driver: C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\coprocmanager\Nvd3d9wrapx.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 365376 bytes
   Driver: C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\coprocmanager\detoured.dll, 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 13088 bytes
   Driver: C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\coprocmanager\nvdxgiwrapx.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 265960 bytes
   Driver: C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\license.txt, 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 21898 bytes
   Driver: C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NVSMI\MCU.exe, 1.00.4647.21994 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 1562400 bytes
   Driver: C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NVSMI\nvdebugdump.exe, 6.14.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 217376 bytes
   Driver: C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NVSMI\nvidia-smi.1.pdf, 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 48843 bytes
   Driver: C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NVSMI\nvidia-smi.exe, 8.17.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 315680 bytes
   Driver: C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NVSMI\nvml.dll, 8.17.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 543008 bytes
   Driver: C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\OpenCL\OpenCL.dll, 1.00.0000.0000 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 53024 bytes
   Driver: C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\OpenCL\OpenCL64.dll, 1.00.0000.0000 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 61216 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\nvlddmkm.sys, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 11274528 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\nvpciflt.sys, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 32032 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\NvFBC64.dll, 6.14.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 681760 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\NvIFR64.dll, 6.14.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 603424 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\nvEncodeAPI64.dll, 6.14.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 458528 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\nvapi64.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 2986672 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\nvcompiler.dll, 8.17.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 25256224 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\nvcuda.dll, 8.17.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 9281032 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\nvcuvenc.dll, 8.17.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 2367264 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\nvcuvid.dll, 8.17.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 2970400 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\nvd3dumx.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 15703688 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\nvinfo.pb, 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 22814 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\nvinitx.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 168616 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\nvoglshim64.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 317472 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\nvoglv64.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 29337376 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\nvopencl.dll, 8.17.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 7648000 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\nvumdshimx.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 1412832 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\nvwgf2umx.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 15901448 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\SysWow64\NvFBC.dll, 6.14.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 586016 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\SysWow64\NvIFR.dll, 6.14.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 515360 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\SysWow64\nvEncodeAPI.dll, 6.14.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 388384 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\SysWow64\nvapi.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 2630304 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\SysWow64\nvcompiler.dll, 8.17.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 17560352 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\SysWow64\nvcuda.dll, 8.17.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 7720576 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\SysWow64\nvcuvenc.dll, 8.17.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 2007328 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\SysWow64\nvcuvid.dll, 8.17.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 2789152 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\SysWow64\nvd3dum.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 12947360 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\SysWow64\nvinit.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 141336 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\SysWow64\nvoglshim32.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 266984 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\SysWow64\nvoglv32.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 22102304 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\SysWow64\nvopencl.dll, 8.17.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 6329552 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\SysWow64\nvumdshim.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 1222824 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\SysWow64\nvwgf2um.dll, 9.18.0013.2723 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 13628208 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\nvdispco6432723.dll, 2.00.0036.0004 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 1884448 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\nvdispgenco6432723.dll, 2.00.0017.0002 (English), 9/12/2013 03:58:10, 1511712 bytes

     Name: Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 1E26
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E26&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_04\3&11583659&1&E8
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbehci.sys, 6.01.7601.18328 (English), 11/26/2013 20:41:11, 53248 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 6.01.7601.18328 (English), 11/26/2013 20:41:11, 325120 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 6.01.7601.18328 (English), 11/26/2013 20:41:37, 343040 bytes

     Name: Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6235
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_088E&SUBSYS_40608086&REV_24\4&20F7B0A&0&00E2
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\NETwNs64.sys, 15.00.0001.0001 (English), 1/9/2012 04:44:44, 11416576 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\NETwNc64.dll, 15.00.0000.0009 (English), 11/16/2011 19:18:58, 879104 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\NETwNr64.dll, 15.00.0000.0009 (English), 11/16/2011 19:20:40, 3374592 bytes
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\vwifibus.sys, 6.01.7600.16385 (English), 7/13/2009 19:07:21, 24576 bytes

     Name: Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family SMBus Host Controller - 1E22
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E22&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_04\3&11583659&1&FB
   Driver: n/a

     Name: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0166&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_09\3&11583659&1&10
   Driver: n/a

     Name: High Definition Audio Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E20&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_04\3&11583659&1&D8
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\hdaudbus.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (English), 11/20/2010 05:43:44, 122368 bytes

     Name: 3rd Gen Core processor DRAM Controller - 0154
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0154&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_09\3&11583659&1&00
   Driver: n/a

     Name: Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 4 - 1E16
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E16&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_C4\3&11583659&1&E3
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (English), 11/20/2010 08:33:50, 184704 bytes

     Name: Xeon(R) processor E3-1200 v2/3rd Gen Core processor PCI Express Root Port - 0151
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0151&SUBSYS_71021558&REV_09\3&11583659&1&08
   Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (English), 11/20/2010 08:33:50, 184704 bytes
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Roykirk View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Email address used to purchase matched with forums account email.

Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 951 		  Quote Roykirk Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Nov 2014 at 9:37pm
Probably the card is your number one need to improve gaming at this time.  CPU looks good still and you've certainly got plenty of RAM.

I'd suggest asking the DS guys directly what your options are for a GPU upgrade, especially as they will have a record of exactly what your build was at the time they shipped it.  A 980 or 970M would be great if those are available for your laptop.

My understanding, though, is that laptop GPU upgrades, even when available, will not be cheap.

If you don't have an SSD on your laptop, I highly recommend that for everything, not just gaming.  If you play a lot of different games, you'll probably want one that's at least 512GB.  A Samsung 840 EVO would do you quite nicely, I suspect.  It's not going to increase your frame rates or ability to play on Ultra settings, but it will make load times a whole heck of a lot faster and also reduce stutter in certain games that load game data on the fly as you need it.
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Zandarith View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie

Email address used to purchase matched with forums account email.

Joined: 21 Nov 2014
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2 		  Quote Zandarith Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 23 Nov 2014 at 5:29am
Thanks for the response Roy! Very helpful :)
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