Why does GTA 4 look like this on my HP laptop? See my post. I have a 16GB HP laptop model 15 series with Intel Iris XE graphics card. Through my research, I assumed that any modern laptop can run GTA 4. It has 128mb, while GTA 4 needs 256mb.

Graphics Card Limitations

1. Integrated Graphics vs. Dedicated Graphics: The Intel Iris Xe is an integrated graphics solution, which means it shares system memory rather than having its own dedicated video memory (VRAM). While it can handle many casual and mid-level games, it may struggle with more demanding titles like GTA 4, especially if the game requires a minimum of 256 MB of dedicated VRAM Your laptop's integrated graphics may not meet this requirement effectively.
2. Driver Issues: There are reports that the performance of Intel Iris Xe graphics can be significantly affected by driver versions. Some users have experienced graphical glitches or performance drops due to driver incompatibilities or bugs Ensuring that you have the latest drivers installed from Intel or your laptop manufacturer can help mitigate these issues.

System Requirements

1. Minimum Requirements: GTA 4 has specific minimum requirements, including a graphics card equivalent to the NVIDIA GeForce 7900 or ATI X1900, which both have dedicated VRAM of at least 256 MB If your Iris Xe graphics are not being utilized properly or if they are underperforming, this could lead to graphical issues and poor performance.
2. Performance Tweaks: Even on capable systems, GTA 4 is known for having performance issues due to its optimization. Reducing settings such as 'View Distance' and 'Detail Distance' can improve frame rates You might also want to adjust settings in the game's configuration files to allow it to utilize more of your system's resources.

Recommendations

• Check Game Settings: Lower the graphical settings in GTA 4 to see if performance improves.
• Update Drivers: Ensure that your Intel Iris Xe drivers are up to date.
• Consider Compatibility Mode: Running the game in compatibility mode for older versions of Windows may help resolve some issues.
• Use External GPU (if possible): If you frequently play demanding games, consider using a laptop with a dedicated GPU or an external GPU solution.