Discrete Graphics Card Needed for Vista? (m1330)

I was pretty close to ordering an m1330 with the following configuration: T7250, 2GB Ram, x3100 (integrated) graphics card, and LED ultra-thin display.

I went to my local Dell Kiosk to check the machine out before ordering, and the guy there told me that it would be a huge mistake to order a system running Vista with an integrated graphics card. He told me that I really should upgrade to the NVIDIA 8400M (discrete) or else I would suffer from choppy window transitions, etc. even with ordinary, day-to-day Vista use.

I do not play any games at all, and this computer will be used primarily for work purposes. Occasionally, I will need to use Photoshop. However, I would definitely like to avoid my daily Vista experience being "choppy." Do I really need the discrete graphics card? Cost is an issue for me, so if I do need to upgrade the graphics card, I will probably have to drop down to a normal screen instead of the LED-backlit one. Given the trade-off between graphics card and screen, which would you choose?

I appreciate the advice!

 

A X3100 is enough for Vista. It won't be choppy, but I would still consider a discrete card if its not too much. If you later on would like to use some real graphics intensive stuff, you will need it.

 

Erm, that guy was an idiot, make sure you go there and inform him about that...

Anyway, the X3100 or any other modern card is more than capable for running Vista.

 

Thanks -- Just wondering, what would you classify as "graphics intensive stuff" (besides games, which I won't be playing)?

Yeah, things I found online also seem to suggest that the integrated would be sufficient, but this guy was really, really adamant about saying a discrete was required. He also seemed to suggest the backlit LED was a bit of an advertising gimmick. I have to admit, though, that even the standard screen was itself pretty thin...

 

The dedicated GPUs are required for 3D intensive apllications -- games and professional stuff like Maya, 3dsmax, Autocad 3D... etc.

 

Just as an example... for your needs today, the x3100 will be more than enough.

Let's say one day you want to create dvd video with some footage from a vacation, or you want to watch a dvd on one side of the screen, while chatting, and using some intense flash websites or other program on the other side of the screen. You'll be able to get by today - but as applications become more demanding the x3100 will begin to struggle.

I would only worry about that if you were considering keeping your laptop for more than 2 years and you think you may start using applications in that manner.

If all you're doing is surfing and typing, the x3100 could probably last you your whole life.

 

That's not the best example... The X3100 won't begin to struggle since those are all 2D tasks (CPU/RAM) today, and they will be 2D tasks tomorrow as well.

 

Aside from the games aspect video playback will be better with a dedicated GPU card. The x3100 integrated graphics card is a class 5 graphics card and the 8400GS is a mid entry class 3 graphis card. Battery life wise the 8400GS does not consume that much more power than the x3100. You are looking at about gaining 20 minutes in battery life with the integrated card. This is not the be all and end all but the x3100 has a Vista Aero experience of 3.5 and the 128MB 8400GS has an Vista Aero experience rating of 4.1.

The LED backlight screen may well be a gimmick i have not seen conclusive tests either way but the LED screen is meant have better battery life than the CCFL screen and the LED is also brighter.

I won't go for an integrated card my sister had one in her computer and although she is not a real gamer after about two and a half years she was even struggling to play games like Bejeweled or Luxor on her computer because of the integrated card. To me integrated card does not have as long of a lifespan as the dedicated cards do.

Also if you want to order you would be better of calling in to do so. You can get a better deal that way.
There may well be some coupons going around as well. If you have not tried this before you could well end maybe getting everything you want in your price range if you order on the phone.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2297993#post2297993

This is what forum member Chaz has to say on this who is a lead moderator here on this board.

Low end range cards

Mid range cards

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=39568

 

If you don't play games or use any other GPU intensive applications, I don't see how those "classes" matter for you...

Those numbers mean nothing... and the Vista index is essentially useless or you want me to tell you that old integrated cards can score better than some powerful dedicated cards. (GMA 950 > X1600 according to Microsoft)

You sister should not have bought a notebook with an integrated card, if she planned to play games on it to begin with... When you don't use a product for what it's designed for and expect miracles, then don't blame the product but yourself.

It's good that you make that statement bold but the new IGPs have technologies for smooth video playback as well.

 

Like i said the Vista desktop Aero experience is not the be all and end all.
The dedicated video capabilities will still be better.

 

If it can't even run Bejeweled properly, it's pretty lame.
That game doesn't even need a 3D card, just 16-bit with no Video RAM requirement.

In fact, I'd look for the problem somewhere other than the integrated graphics.

 

It was the integrated card she bought her computer in about 2004 possibly so it is not a recent generation integrated card. She had a Packard Bell iMedia 5004 and the graphics that desktop used i believe was a Sis graphics card.
http://support.packardbell.com/uk/item/index.php?pn=P842004501&g=1400
Her Toshiba Satellite 3000-x4 laptop was also exactly the same.
The desktop could load Bejeweled but it was not smooth. It was not load Luxor at all and neither would her laptop. I think that this maybe have been a problem with the DirectX.

 

As others have said, you don’t need an 8400MGS for day-to-day work (to run Vista). Just because X3100 is integrated, doesn’t mean it is terrible. If you compare some benchmark scores you’ll see that X3100 is not far behind the previous generation’s discrete gfx solution for ultra portables (nVidia Go 7400/ATi x1300).

 

also the 8400gs will allow you to use the blu-ray drive if you decide to get one in the future.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I called Dell and the customer service rep just ended up giving me the discrete card for the same price... so problem solved!

 

nice to hear that.

I also ordered a M1330 few hrs ago, same processor RAM and discrete card, but LED monitor is out of my budget .