Direct X 9.0C with D520

the video card(s) in that laptop is the Mobile Intel 945GM Express, and well, it blows big time. I payed $1000 for this laptop only to find out that the graphics card doesnt support anything, an its super glitchy (causes strange graphical errors, followed by intense panning of the screen, all display related). Not to mention, I'm a software developer, and I was diving into some 3d development, only to find out that the machine will crash if you run DX9c. Its pretty bad when a machine can run intense graphical games and engines such as Doom III, but it wont run things as simple as Bloodrayne for PC. Its pretty bad, if you ask me. And if im not mistaken, you cannot upgrade either, because its all integrated into the mainboard.

Depending on what exactly it is you wish to do with your laptop, I'd either try to return it to dell or at least see if its possible to upgrade the graphics cards (or get them to release a reliable driver), or sell it on ebay and get one that could potentially cost you $100 less with more potential. And thats assuming you can actually get a hold of someone. I have yet to find a dell rep that will actually talk to me about my problems with this laptop. I bought it for work, through the company, and got the purchase transferred to my account, but they dont aknowledge it as my purchase so they wont give me the time of day.

But to get back to the point; the graphics card can run some of what DX9 offers, but when it hits something it doesnt like, without warning it will crash. And if you wish to check your card, right click "My Computer", and go into properties until you see hardware. Click on device manager, and then go over to display adapters. That shows you all of the graphics display hardware currently installed on your machine.