Guild Wars 2

I was away for a week on an assignment and just wanted to get the daily done. So I loaded GW2 on my Surface Pro 3 i7 and hoped for the best.

I set the graphics on a low setting, but GW2’s graphics are so nice that it did not bother me on the twelve inch 2160 × 1440 screen. Both Dry top and Wayfarer Foothills ran about 28 fps. Though the Maw and Sandstorm ran between 4-9 fps over wifi. I never died and combat was still smooth. The experience was much better than expected.

I also used a wireless Logitech keyboard and mouse. And while the screen was a little small you can attach a full sized monitor. Though the twelve inch screen was great while playing in bed or while sitting at the airport. My one concern was the fan would kick in and run continuously on when using GW2. I was worried that It ran a little hot. I am not sure if that was bad, but I basically just did my daily and got off. I worry about everything..

Would I give up my desktop for the Surface Pro 3 for gaming? No way, but as a portable it definitely works. Also I am a graphics artist and the pen drawing on the screen is superior quality.

Or you could just use a laptop when traveling. Some very nice ultra books.

I’ve wondered if the Surface would run GW2… thanks for sharing.

Fernling.1729:

Or you could just use a laptop when traveling. Some very nice ultra books.

This was not about laptops. I though some people would like to know my experience with the Surface Pro 3 for gaming. Beside I can’t draw on a screen with an N-trig pen to do work quality art on a laptop

@Darkorical I have heard some people even running GW2 with the Surface pro 2. Also there is a DC artist that dropped his Wacom tablet to do work on a Surface Pro. Mine almost made flights fun. LOL

I’ve been playing GW2 on a Surface Pro 2 for about 5 months now. Haven’t ever had issues. The fan runs, sure. It gets a bit hot, yes. But sometimes I’ve played all day and it still is running fine. In fact, I just got off farming trees for the backpiece and I’ll probably be back on to farm again. I’ve done all of Season 2’s current content and for a time ran dungeons on a regular basis without issues. Definitely have never had issues with lag or anything otherwise. The only time I saw bad lag was when I was on crappy mobile tethering.

Thanks encepheron, that was good to know. My fan only stays full time like that when play GW2.
As for you lag it may not have been your Surface Pro, my desktop hits earth shattering lag on occasions, and when I get out it seems it was a group lag and not just me.

Thanks for the post! I was actually just asking about this. I’ll be in the market for a new tablet soon, but if I can get something that is portable and plays GW2 reasonably well, even better!

I tried installing the client on the demo models at Best Buy to check it out earlier, but they’re locked down with Administrator passwords. :-D

it also runs very well on a dell 6430u ultra book

the intel hd4000 gfx work fine for med/low settings in gw2

i’ve heard the intel hd5000 gfx work just as good as most modern mid-high end dedicated graphics cards

so it is possible to play on anything running those

Glad that worked for you!

I’d pondered doing the same for my tablet (approx. Surface Pro 2 era stats), but it can’t handle Flash games that well, much less GW2 :P

Rauderi.8706:

Glad that worked for you!

I’d pondered doing the same for my tablet (approx. Surface Pro 2 era stats), but it can’t handle Flash games that well, much less GW2 :P

I saw a YouTube where someone was running GW2 on a Surface Pro 2. i5? Not sure.

My i7 SP3 runs pretty well when I am away form my desk top. Thanks to encepheron, "I’ve been playing GW2 on a Surface Pro 2 for about 5 months now. Haven’t ever had issues. " So I am not as worried about the fan running all the time with GW2. Note encepheron is playing on a Surface Pro 2 also full time.

Gildhur.1548:

I tried installing the client on the demo models at Best Buy to check it out earlier, but they’re locked down with Administrator passwords. :-D

ROFL good one .
You got a +1 for making me laugh.

I play on a SP3 i5 model. Work’s fine on low settings, particularly if you bring down the resolution a notch. The fan gets a little noisy, sure, but thanks to the hinge setup, my lap never gets hot.