Guild Wars 2

Hello, I have a few tips concerning laptop use for Guild Wars 2. Some of us travel a lot, and buying a real PC is not an option. Even if we have one, making sure our laptop works properly is a concern. Furthermore, having a laptop comes with a few random perks which I will cover too.

This guide is about forcing a square into a circle. I have played many videogames on several laptops. I’ve learned that laptops are not meant for playing games. Not even expensive alienware laptops. These promises are completely vain. All will break due to overheating sooner rather than later. A laptop used for office work will easily last 4+ years. A laptop used for gaming will be broken beyond repair in less than 2 years. You have been warned. As such, this guide is meant to prolong the inevitable rather than to avoid it. If you’re not a traveler, you should avoid laptops for gaming at all costs.

1: Hardware requirements
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I’ve seen several laptops being used for Guild Wars 2. The two most important things are RAM and GPU. Also concerning many laptops are low-specced company laptops, I have found following to be a very solid baseline:
- Most laptops still have a 32 bit operating system. Because of that, 4 GB ram is enough. I have found that 4 GB is enough for most areas of the game.
- GPU: most modern laptops come with an i5 CPU which is more than strong enough for the game. This CPU comes with an integrated Intel HD family videocard. While this won’t run on anything but lowest, it is does it’s job, even in LA.
- If you’re a consumer, buy yourself a business model. Consumer models are intended to be stationary and made from cheap plastic. Travelling with them is not healthy for the machines. The business models tend to have more durable hardware and sturdy plastic. If you can’t buy it directly on the website, calling hotline usually helps.

2: Configuration tips
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- Get the newest drivers for your intel HD family videocard. This will be the difference between 10fps with artefacts and 20fps solid in Lion’s Arch.
- Configure your game on lowest possible settings and cap framerate at 30fps. Laptops are not meant for playing videogames, don’t stretch your luck. Capping will prevent overheating issues on moments when the game will make useless frames.

3: User tips
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- Buy yourself a vegetable cutting plank the size of your laptop. These cost 2 to 5 euros in any regular supermarket.
- When in bed, use the cutting plank to give your laptop a hard surface instead of putting it on a pillow or blanket. Pillow suffocates your laptop and it will overheat.
- When sitting in a couch, also use the cutting plank. You will thank me if you wish to have kids some time in the future.

Both of these scenarios happen all the time. Using laptops in bed or in a couch are extremely common for travelers. A cutting plank will insure proper cooling of your laptop, and prevents your lap from overheating. This will lead to sterilization if you’re not cautious.
=> Trolling concerning these topics will be reported.

4: Experiences
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Works means: at least 20fps solid on lowest settings. 20 fps should be enough. If not …. get yourself a real PC.
- Works: Dungeons, sPVP, open world, Orr, small scale WvW ….
- Does not work: Large scale WvW

marnick.4305:

I’ve seen several laptops being used for Guild Wars 2. The two most important things are RAM and GPU.

I would say CPU > GPU > RAM for GW2 in order of most importance.