new job, new computer

[CSX2057]

I always back up my rwp on my ex hd. Never know what will happen next. I like small sd cards better than large ones, large ones do tend to burn out on you. I have a 32 GB sd and all my rwp are in there.

[donjgatlin]

Disk space...thats funny...I have a 300gb HD with only 100mb (YES MB NOT GB!!) free and only a few gigs on sd cards

Mike... how in the world do you even get that thing to boot?!? Sure, maybe on an SSD, but on an HDD?

[PapaXpress]

You seriously need to free up some space. Windows need at least a third of the disk (or where the swap file is located) free so it can breath.

[Chacal]

Holy cow. 100 MB.
I get nervous when I have less than 80GB free on my C: drive, which has only Windows and apps.

[arizonachris]

Mike, grab a USB external from New Egg. You can get a 500Gb Toshiba for $50. Then build your new PC. Put a terabyte in it. Drives are cheap! As is memory! Just copy your Steamapps folder, and your Documents folder. Has all your games and save games.

[fraserm]

Hi Mike. Looks like you've made great strides on improving your laptop's status. Unfortunately, laptop mobos usually cannot be swapped out for a different one as they are custom-made for the machine they're installed into. I have a Dell XPS15 laptop that I've seen the mobo for, having had it replaced twice already, and it's not a rectangular assembly. It's actually in a "+" shape that fits closely to available space in the case. In my case, the processor module is upgradable, but not the entire mobo. I suspect yours has a similar constraint. If you can find a service manual for yours online you will want to investigate this further before you go about dismantling your laptop only to find that it can't be upgraded. And reassembly can be very tricky; I often end up with one "extra" screw that should have gone someplace and got forgotten in the reassembly.
As you configure your upcoming desktop you'll find a dizzying array of possible hardware configurations - mobo, CPU, GPU, RAM, power supply, case, storage, optical drives. All of it adding up to a really capable machine.
Bottom line is you may have maxed out your laptop at this point. You should still be able to run TS on it but you'll have to make compromises with the game settings. Not everything will run at "Highest" settings, and TSX probably won't be useful (although you need to try it out for yourself and see if it will run).
I've had some success running the free "Game Booster" http://www.iobit.com/gamebooster.php; it shuts off some unnecessary Windows services, like printing, and it can increase performance by a few FPS. I use it on both my laptop and gaming desktop and I'm pleased with the results I get.
Good luck with all of this, and please let us know of your successes (and failures...).
Just my
Best,
Marc

[fraserm]

If the chip can be upgraded that would be a good next step. I've never heard of an external GPU, I'll have to look into that. My XPS15 has an on-board nVidia GT 540M, not a bad GPU, although I need to make some compromises to keep the heat down. If I run full-screen 1080p the CPU core temps go above 80°C and that's getting into dangerous territory. I can run windowed at 1600x900 with most things at highest, and TSX on and the temps are between 65° and 75°C. Much more betterer! Typical frame rates are 14-19 FPS. If I run the same scenario without TSX I can get 35-40 FPS. I like seeing headlights and rain tho...

Good luck with your experiments!

Cheers,
M.

EDIT: After looking at Newegg for external video the only things I see are adapters that allow you to add monitors and increase the resolution. These make no reference to any real GPU technology like nVidia. That's only my quick look-see, but be careful about what you get.

M.

[fraserm]

I'll take a look. I found the manual online. Maybe that'll help. I'll PM you with further suggestions.

[GSkid]

I wish laptops were easier when it comes to upgrading GPUs. Most simply don't allow it.