Graphic Cards and Real World Results

I want to ask for opinions/experiences on lower end graphic cards in laptops. I have been looking for a new laptop and have most of what I want picked out h/w wise. The remaining thing is the graphics/video card. I am not interested in a strict gaming machine but I want something that does not have problems playing DVD's or online video streams. Something good but is not a dog in doing generic video stuff. I have read the graphic card summary posted here but it really does not answer my question. There are several low end cards (GMA950, X3100) that are quite common in most systems. How well do these cards help with doing video watching? Would I be ok going with lower end cards just for general video viewing?

If I get a new machine with a low end card, I can save quite a bit of money. Whatever I get will have 2GB of ram and win xp. I did plan on putting some version of a linux distro on it, so I am trying to stay away from ATI based cards. ATI does not provide as much support for linux as does nVidia. About the most intensive thing I do on a computer is mp3 editing. I am staying away from gaming laptops because the expense is not worth it to me. Besides, every year, specs change and the cost never stops adding up.

thanks

dennis

 

the intel x3100 will fulfill your needs very well

 

Gaming GPUs don't add much, if anything, to video playback. Any GPU can play back video. The only problem you might have is with Divx/Xvid files, but only because they use the CPU and a really low-end CPU could cause hiccups.

Regards,

z.

 

agreed - any GPU out there is more than adequate for DVD playback and such. I'd look for Intel X3100, ATI X1250, X1270, or nVidia 7150. Those are all the current integrated GPU's. The older Integrated GPU's (IGP's), Intel GMA 950, ATI 200m, X1100, X1150 or nVidia 6150, will also work fine for basic video chores. But if you ever decide you want to try a somewhat recent game, the current IGP's will perform better. Getting a current IGP also means the rest of your system is fairly modern - any of the older IGPs likewise means your system is a bit older.

 

yeah anything will be fine

 

The HD2600 and 8600M GPUs have video acceleration that past GPU's did not. This will significantly lower your CPU usage by offloading video tasks to the graphics processor. I believe the 8400M should do this as well, I would look for that.

 

I appreciate the answers that all of you have provided. This makes my life easier in choosing a new system. I will probably go with the X3100 or better, provided costs aren't too bad. I have done a fairly comprehensive search and pricing, so I know what to expect.


dennis