What would be considered a descent graphics card?

I dont know much about graphics cards, but whats like an average-good graphics card that can handle some higher end games? Thinking about helping my dad buy a laptop, but I wanted to get educated more about graphics cards first. Preferably a graphics card that can take games such as call of duty 4, or crysis. thanks.

What would be considered a descent graphics card?
Well your going to spend a good hunk of change for a laptop gaming rig.


Alienware have some good ones but they are pricey.





ABS has one for gaming with an X800 card (DX9) in it but I think Dell may have a laptop with an 8500gt video card and it's DX10. Call of duty 4, and Crysis use DX10 architecture for the real eye candy. DX9 will run the games but at low/medum settings.
Reply:If you want to game I'd avoid a laptop. Most of them won't stand much of chance running CoD let alone Crysis.





Top of the tree in graphics is the GTX8800 series but that won't work in a laptop.





If you must buy a laptop then look at a dedicated gaming machine such as the Alienware or Dell XPS series or any machines marketed as desktop/replacements rather than portable laptops.





Laptops do not have upgradable graphics chips so you can't buy them seperately you have to buy a dedicated machine.