1gb vs 512mb video card for multiple instances of game

Possibly a unique question here. I'm looking at a few different laptops for gaming when I'm away from home. Specifically, what I do is multibox Everquest, that is, I play several characters at the same time, requiring my computer to run the game 3-6 times simultaneously in different windows.

My desktops run it fine at home (Core2Quad/8GB RAM/Radeon 4850 cards/24" 1080p monitors), but I know a lot of laptops are something of a compromise, downgraded somewhat from their desktop counterparts.

From what I've read, the newer 1gb video cards have really no advantage in the real world over 512mb cards. Running graphics intensive games like Crysis and such, you'll see no improvement with a 1gb video card.

HOWEVER, when running multiple instances of the same game (even an older, less graphics intensive game like Everquest) would I see any benefit to a 1gb card?

Basically, I'm trying to decide if I should try to pick up a Gateway 7811 used or refurbed or get the 7801/7805 model for quite a bit more money...even considering picking up that Quad Core 7812 when it becomes available...not sure what would work best for me.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

 

I would definitely go quad if i planned on doing what you say. the extra vram, i don't know if anyone has ever benchmarked that...

 

What video card are you looking at? For desktops, hardOCP tested the 4870 and I believe that even though it was 256-bit, 1GB performed better than 512MB. But on lower end cards such as the 9600 GT, 1GB had no advantage over the 512MB version. If you are considering a high end video card for your laptop, such as the new HD Mobility 4870, then I surmise that 1GB would have some advantage.

 

I dont know about everquest, but already everquest 2 is extremely cpu intensive, as in a lot of the FPS come from the cpu instead of the GPU. Since everquest is older then everquest 2, I would assume it also be much more set up to utilize the CPU more then the GPU. So a quad core would def. be a good idea.

 

What seems to be the best bang for the buck in gaming laptops is the Gateway FX series, which use either a Nvidia 8800 512mb, or a 9800 in 512mb or 1gb. I've pretty much used ATI cards in my desktops for years (2600XT and 4850 most recently), so I'm not familiar with the current Nvidia firsthand, although I've heard nothing but good about the 8800/9800 series.

 

You might want to consider this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220483

It's only got 512mb of VRAM but it has a fast CPU and is quite affordable. I'm really not sure about 1gb being much better 512mb, especially since Everquest 1 isn't exactly that demanding. You would definitely need a lot of main RAM though.