Docking stations

**BerenTebogo** · 2010-07-16 20:56

So, basically, what are they good for?

As you probably have figured, I'm a tech tard, and as near as I can figure they are great for running split screen for laptop and giving you a good amount of ports to run headphones, keyboard, mouse, etc.

But do they offer any real substantial benefit? I.E. if I run a laptop with a good video card out through a good docking station, will it improve the video? I do realize that may be an entirely silly question, sorry.

Also, recommendations for cooling pads? I'm looking at this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834998686 but I really don't know good from bad.

**Akucaen** · 2010-07-16 21:29

No you can't use them for GPUs. Although you can use the expresscard slot for a GPU with the right attachment/daughterboard (and a spare PSU to power it.)

If you're interested I can try to look that up for you. I have the link saved somewhere.

**BerenTebogo** · 2010-07-16 22:03

To be honest, that's a bit greek to me.

Basically it won't work without going above and beyond to add capabilities to it to make it work for that? Are there any other benefits of a docking station?

**xopher** · 2010-07-16 22:21

Docking stations are mainly meant for business type environments. They just add a place for a user to dock their laptop and attach it to peripherals quickly without having to reconnect them individually one by one.

**BerenTebogo** · 2010-07-16 22:23

Okay, so for gaming and media, just save myself the money? First laptop that isn't a dell mini so yeah, clueless.

**xopher** · 2010-07-16 22:33

Originally Posted by SathFenrir

Okay, so for gaming and media, just save myself the money? First laptop that isn't a dell mini so yeah, clueless.

For gaming you really shouldn't even be using a laptop. They overheat too easily. Only the ones that are developed with desktop CPUs and desktop series graphics cards are any good for that. Mobile CPUs and GPUs are way too prone to overheating.

Media is okay though.

**BerenTebogo** · 2010-07-16 22:34

It's for school / media first and gaming second. I just wanted one that could run FFXIV since my desktop is fail compared to the laptop I'm getting.

**xopher** · 2010-07-16 22:37

You must be paying through the nose if you're getting a laptop that can play FFXIV decently. What are the specs on it?

**BerenTebogo** · 2010-07-16 22:39

idk how decently is decently but

Spoiler: show

**xopher** · 2010-07-16 22:44

I am not trying to condescend when I say this, just being brutally honest, but that laptop will probably not break out of low settings on FFXIV, at least in FFXIVs current state.

I'm running an i7 920 @4ghz with a gtx 285 and it can handle FFXIV at about middle quality in beta.

In this article they mention that graphics card can only run Crysis on medium settings.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-...M.22437.0.html

My PC can run Crysis on full settings and it still stutters on FFXIV on medium settings.

**BerenTebogo** · 2010-07-16 22:47

My desktop can't even run FFXIV beta and has 2gb ram and a shitfuck video card. I'm not playing FFXIV at a serious level at all, ultra casual, I just want to be able to actually log into the game, lol.

**xopher** · 2010-07-16 22:48

Well, bottom line, no, docking stations will not improve your performance.

And you want to get a super cooling pad if you're going to place an unoptimized computer raping game like FFXIV. I recommend getting something rated 5 stars on newegg. I'll research and find one for you, brb.

**BerenTebogo** · 2010-07-16 22:50

Thanks a bunch <3

Friend was saying something about overclocking yesterday, but I'm fairly retarded with that stuff. I assume that is the optimization?

**xopher** · 2010-07-16 22:52

You don't overclock laptops. That is a deathwish.

You only overclock desktops that have extreme cooling hardware.

**BerenTebogo** · 2010-07-16 22:54

Gotcha, thanks lol. Would it be better to play FFXIV on PS3 over this laptop on a regular basis in your opinion? I don't know how they compare.

**xopher** · 2010-07-16 22:57

http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Unbeatab...338997&sr=1-22

Get this badass right here.

**xopher** · 2010-07-16 22:59

I probably would. They say FFXIV is going to look a lot worse on PS3 than PC, but at this point I don't think it would really matter to you. It'll probably be smoother on PS3. I really have nothing to base that on at the moment though, other than the fact that they're making entirely different texture sets and everything to try to optimize it.

**BerenTebogo** · 2010-07-16 23:04

Okay, I'll probably end up playing on whichever is less laggy. I'm not anal about graphics I just want the game to run smoothly.

Thanks for the find on the cooling pad for sure.

**BerenTebogo** · 2010-07-16 23:05

How does this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834998686 stack up against the other one? Just curious since it's the one I had lined up.

**xopher** · 2010-07-16 23:09

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antec

vs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zalman

Essentially comes down to do you want an American made product with good support or a Korean made one with questionable support.

They are both going to perform about equally but I would consider the Antec over the Zalman because of their history.

Antec makes extremely durable, well made, well working products.

In my personal opinion, being a PC enthusiast for about 10 years, I pick EVGA motherboards and graphics cards, Corsair memory and power supplies, and Antec cases and cooling(aside from my corsair H50 water block CPU cooler). So I guess you could say I'm biased toward Antec when it comes to this laptop cooler.

Thread: Docking stations

Thread Tools

Docking stations

Similar Threads

A Good Wii Docking Station?

Dock recommendation?

Latest Threads

Up & Coming Threads

Hottest Threads