How to optimize i3-2310m and Intel HD 3000?

[Yn Crashout]

Just wondering about tips and games that will play smoothly (60fps+). Left 4 Dead 2 is one of them.

How can I optimize my video card so I have it running as best as it can, crappy as it is for gaming? I want to join the PC community and I'd like to do it proper, but I'll have to wait until several more important priorities are taken care of.

Is $5-600 a good place to start? It'd be cool to have a super beast rig but let's keep it realistic. It's a good entry point, is it not?

[Marble]

$500-600 will get you something significantly better than what you have. As for optimising the HD 3000, there's not a lot you can do except turn the visual settings down to their lowest. Intel's control panel also allows you to move a slider bar between "quality" and "performance" but I never noticed any difference with this on my HD 4000 laptop.