Why does Mass Effect run slow on my laptop?

Dell Studio 1558

Intel Core i5 M 520 @ 2.40 GHZ but turbo boosts to 2.93 GHZ

6 GB RAM

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Intel HD Graphics Core i5 card



I have to run Mass Effect on the absolute lowest video settings and resolution and there is still some hiccupping and massive video lagging, and it looks plain awful playing it this way. My laptop should be able to handle it on the highest settings with no problem. What's wrong?



I have the game from Steam with the latest patch and the Bring Down the Sky DLC. Help?Why does Mass Effect run slow on my laptop?
You have an Intel HD video card. They aren't too good with 3D games.Why does Mass Effect run slow on my laptop?
That'd be like me running out and buying a car at random, and then b*tching when I can't go 4-wheeling in it.

So you like learning things the hard way, and not reading up on what you're about to buy?Why does Mass Effect run slow on my laptop?
Probably need a better graphics card computer games rely on that heavily today.
CPU and RAM are both excellent. Unfortunately, your laptop is only using the integrated video card.



IGPs aren't any good for anything above flash games. To play most modern games, you need a dedicated video card.



For example, my laptop has an i5-460M CPU (turbo @ 2.66 ghz), 4 GB RAM... and most importantly, an ATI 5650 Video Card. Dedicated cards (like my setup) cost more, use more battery, and run hotter - but they're essential for gaming.



Now, if you were on a desktop, it would be as easy as buying some new hardware and plugging it in. But in your case, that's not an option.



You have two options. First, accept that you can't game on that laptop and either suck it up or get a new one. Neither one is a great option.



Or secondly, there's something called Vidock. It allows you plug in an external GFX card and output the image to an external monitor. Unfortunately, the performance is a fraction a laptop with similar hardware built it. Secondly, you have an external box to plug in - to both your computer and a monitor.



Sorry to hear that. Otherwise, that's a great computer - but not for gaming.

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