Is the 512M VRAM worth it?

Exactly how much better are the graphics going to be on the Asus considering the following stats ...


Asus A8Jm - $1883
1. Display: 14.1 inch WXGA (1280x800) Glare Type TFT LCD w/ Built-in Webcam
2. Processor: Intel Core Duo T2500: 2.00GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB (+$125.00)
3. Processor Thermal Paste: Standard Processor Thermal Compound Paste
4. Graphics & Video: nVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 w/512MB solid VRAM
5. Memory: 2048MB Dual Channel DDR2-667 SODIMM (2x1024MB) (+$150.00)
6. Hard Drive: 100GB 7,200RPM Ultra DMA HDD - 3 yrs warranty (+$49.00)
7. Wireless LAN: Built-in Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 Tri-Mode 802.11A/B/G LAN

VS

Compal HGL30 - $1600
1. Display: 14 inch WXGA (1280x800) Glossy LCD w/ Built-in 1.3MP Webcam
2. Processor: 2.00GHz Intel® Core™ Duo T2500 w/2MB L2 Cache - 667FSB
3. Thermal Paste: Standard CPU Thermal Compound Paste
4. Graphics & Video: nVIDIA GeForce Go7600 (G73M) 256MB Solid Video RAM
5. Memory: 2.0GB DDR2-667MHz Memory (2x1024MB-Dual Channel) (+$150.00)
6. Hard Drive: 100GB 7,200 rpm SATA/150 HDD (+$125.00)
8. Wireless LAN: Built-in Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11 (a+b+g) LAN

 

not by much

 

By quite a bit. Asus=256MB dedicated+256 integrated and the Compal= 128MB dedicated+128MB integrated. Take your pick

 

Umm.. isnt all 256mb on the hgl30 7600 is dedicated...? it doesnt say turbocache, which is usally 1/2 and 1/2..

 

The 7600 cannot use all of the 512mb of VRAM, but it can go a bit past 256mb especially at higher res with AA.

Also yeah, I think the hgl30 is also 256mb dedicated. Not just 128mb.

 

^I can't tell which system you think is more "worth it" ...

 

The HGL is a much better deal, not worth 280 bucks more for unneeded memory...

 

imo $280 is way too much just for that kind of video card upgrade.

 

I personally like the Asus AJ8m better but then again you will be saving $280 if you get the Compal.

 

Two words - completely wrong.

Both cards have dedicated RAM, but the 7600 GPU isn't fast enough to cope with 512. 256 is its sweet spot.

Were we talking about GeForce Go 7900s, that'd be a different story.

 

^How about 7700, if I picked up that A8Js when it comes out?

 

First ask yourself, when are you EVER going to need 512MB VRAM for a graphics card? The difference between 256 and 512 is non-existent, but the difference in price is $280. Both models share the same GPU generation so they will generally have the same capabilities in terms of GPU speed, pipelines, etc. Capabilities are what determine the performance of a graphics card, not the transition from 256 to 512MB.

 

Where do you live because the A8Jm is only $1500USD.
And whether or not the extra VRAM makes a difference, it does have one of the highest 3dMark05 scores for any laptop with the 7600 (bit over 4000 if I'm not mistaken)-granted doesn't mean best performance but...
my two cents

 

^The price I gave includes all the upgrades I want for both systems.

But now the Asus A8Js has caught my eye.

 

I think the ASUS A8Js would be a good call.

Is the difference between the A8Jm and the Compal HGL30 worth the money?

A crucial point to consider is that near as I can tell, the HGL30's Go 7600 is underclocked. I've seen it bench substantially worse than the one in the A8Jm. It may or may not be the video RAM; I think the HGL30's might just be underclocked. You may think, "oh, well I'll just overclock it back up," but there are no guarantees.

And I've told you this before, Juz, and I'll say it again in case you didn't read the last guy: TurboCache doesn't exist on GeForce parts higher than the 6400 or 7400 in their respective lines. It is a HARDWARE feature, not a SOFTWARE feature like on ATI's cards.

 

I would suggest waiting for the A8Js. You will see a much bigger gain in performance from that... it is roughly equal to a 7600GT in the Sony Vaio AR, which is a very strong performer. There was a guy a while back that ran benchmarks on his AR and ended up getting 3Dmark05 scores up over 5000. Very strong. I would suspect the 7700 to be just as strong.

 

Alright! I'll wait a month or so for the A8Js.
Would waiting a week to see user-reviews be a good idea? Is there any chance with something being wrong with the first shipment?

 

The A8Js is unchanged in comparison to the A8Jm for all I know, the only difference is the graphics card. There are one or two sites on the net that have benchmarks for the Go7700. It is not quite as strong as the Go7600GT in the Sony AR as previously stated, but it should come close. More than enough power to play the latest games.

 

The is only a 128MB and a 256MB version of the GFGO7600

Any extra is TurboCach which is shared from the ram.
Go to Nvidia's website and look it up for yourself.

 

By the way, do you have the weight for both machines? I think the price difference should account for that as well

But i say the a8js

 

Umm, no; the 7600s have purely dedicated vram, no turbocache; even the 512MB version.

 

Man, somebody'd better let ASUS know that and tell them they've been shipping notebooks with imaginary graphics parts.