Ati Radeon M 5470 1GB not worth it?

Hello,

I recently purchased an HP laptop with the following specs:

Intel Core i3 380m 2.53 ghz
6gb ddr3 ram
ATI radeon 5470 1gb
320 gb Hitachi HDD (7,200 rpm)


Main uses of the computer: playing SC2, general web surfing and ripping and encoding a lot of movies. So far so good, I was surpised that the comp could handle SC2 on high settings fairly smoothly(only hiccups during 4v4).

I got the computer for a good deal(i believe) around $610 usd+tax so I jumped on it right away without doing much research. Now I have been reading that the Ati 5470 is a low end budget card that won't be able to utilize 1GB of dedicated memory. Is this true? Since I am still within the return period for the laptop should I return it and get the 512mb Ati 5470 instead? Would I experience any degradation in game play? If I did return it, I would save about $30(which could go to other upgrades).

Thanks in advance.

 

A lot of the HP laptops offer a 5650 video card. You should aim for these imo... should be less than $800.

(you can get the dv6t right now for $750 - i5-460M 6GB DDR3 RAM, 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650, 750GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive)

Edit: If starcraft 2 is your only concern and money is a big issue, and your current system with the 5470 can handle SC2 to your liking, then just stick with it

 

I just checked the HP site, and the DV6t optioned the way you listed is $899 which is more than I want to spend. Could you post a link if possible?

 

HP has coupons every week. Just google "HP coupon" or something.

This week is $200 off any laptop over $1050. (combined with the instant 150$ off you get, it's $750)

 

You missed a hell of a deal on Black Friday... i7 quad and a 5730 for $699.

Sadly, I missed it too

 

I believe the current offer on HPs is $50 off of >$1000. No 200 coupon to be found.

 

You can always try other brands, HP line has nice looking design but it tends to heat up easier (especially more expensive ones with all-metal chassis - the heat just conducts right through and burns palms). Brands like Acer have laptops with ATI HD5650 at similar prices (maybe even lower).

 

This deals site is usually prompt about posting coupons:
http://www.techbargains.com/

Also check out our deals page:
http://www.notebookreview.com/

As it stands, you paid a decent price for your notebook. If the 5470 works fine for you . . . eh, it's kind of hard to tell you that you're better off with a different notebook. The 5470 is a low/low-mid card but half decent in its own right. As you noted, it plays SC2 fine.

 

@OP,

Here's the trade-off, laptops wielding 5650 GPU will probably be ~100 to 200$ pricier (unless you get a deal).

The boost in framerate specifically in Starcraft II (according to notebookcheck), is the following:


HD 5470

low - 102 fps
med - 20 fps
high - 12 fps
ultra - slideshow


HD 5650

low - 144 fps
med - 39 fps
high - 27 fps
ultra - 16 fps



Basically 5650 really shines vs 5470 on medium and over settings, doubling for medium framerate, and more than double for high. Keep in mind that the above are stress benchmarks in SC2 (maybe with a lot of units etc), from what I've read, with an overclocked 5650 in SC2 on high, lots of people can get ~30-40 fps consistently (except huge battles which are bottlenecked somewhat by CPU too).


So make your choice wisely.

 

5650 is way ahead of 5470. So if you need it try to return what you bought. To get the 512mb i don't think so, just the time you'll spent in it is more than $30.

 

Keep in mind all of notebookcheck's scores are based off the resolution of 1024x768.

 

Use coupon code: NBF884527 for the $100 off $999+ STACKABLE coupon. Expires after 1150 uses. (so it's $250 off after the $150 instant savings)

Keep in mind there's a new coupon code every few days... Yesterday was $200 off $1050+ which was a better deal