MSI GX640 with ATI 5850 has GDDR3 or 5?

hey guys, quick question
I was looking at the MSI GX640 on xotic pc, and on the
features page they say it has an ati 5850 GDDR3 VRAM
but isn't the 5850 supposed to have DDR5

the confusing part though, is that when you go to customize it
it says it has GDDR5

So my question is, is this just an error on their part and i shouldn't worry
or did they really put some GDDR3s in there

Thanks

oh, here is the link

 

It is GDDR5 , probably a typo.

Go there if you need more info

MSI Notebook Computer Discussions

http://forum.notebookreview.com/msi/473766-official-msi-gx640-owners-thread.html

 

MSI GX640's 5850 is GDDR5.

Only Acer is using GDDR3 for their Mob. HD5850s.

 

Yeah, has to be a typo. They probably didn't up date that since, originally, the GX640 was thought to have GDDR3, so that info on xotic was probably from the pre-order specs.

 

I couldn't find any Acer notebooks that used the ATI HD5850. What models are they in?

 

Try the Aspire 7745G, 8942G, and 8943G.

 

Ah ok, those are all a bit bigger than the GX640. Given the high levels of heat generated by the GX640, an HD5850+ in a 15in laptop probably isn't that good of an idea. I also read that GDDR3 runs cooler than GDDR5, but not sure how much of an effect it would actually have.

 

The "higher" temps are because the system use's one fan. And as proven in the MSI section temps can be reduced by adding new thermal paste and a copper shim on the gpu. You cant really expect the cooling of a 17" machine in a 15" one. And really no one has really complained about the heat on the GX except the people who dont own it and like to judge things from benchmarks and furmark demos...

 

If you want something using GDDR3 in a 15" laptop, look at the Envy 15. The 5830 is about as fast as a 5850/GDDR3. There is no reason to get a 5850 paired with GDDR3.

 

^ i second that!

its the gddr5 of the gx640 that makes it such a star performer.

 

Agreed, unless you want to buy a Sager, or maybe Alienware too, you wont find 17" cooling in a 15" laptop. As various posters in the GX640 'what are your temps?' thread indicate, the machine runs too hot for continuous gaming. The Envy 15 might be a little better on temps; however, it seems to be affected by BSOD problems, and doesn't offer the DVD drive or connectivity options I'm looking for.

Actually there are several 14-15+" laptops that have been announced and/or introduced that are going to have the HD5730 or equivalent GPU which is probably good enough, and is more suitable as an affordable gaming machine in that form factor, like the Dell Studio XPS 16 which is available now.

 

i actually was/am looking at the three systems mentioned here,
xps 16
pro -great screen (so i've heard )
con -5730

msi gx640
pro -5850
con -heat?, fan loud?, never bought anything from them b4 and this is my first laptop which is supposed to last through 4 years of college

envy 15
pro -light
con -GDDR3( ARHHGGGGHH, this pains me so much!!!! ), price since the $450 coupon expired

i think the xps 16 is pretty much out, since its almost identical in price to the envy (when you start adding upgrades )

so what do you guys think, the gddr5 worth it, i read somewhere that the performance difference can be up to 50% when compared to gddr3.

 

the MSI will prob last you the longest in terms of warrenty, a standard 3 year comes with it. Great machine and best bang for your buck really. And not that loud or hot. Gotta remember its a gaming machine not a sit around and lounge on the couch type of machine.

 

I would get a Asus G73.. it has none of ur problems and is actually quite light compared to some laptop like M15x which is heavier although its 15inch.. but out of the 3 , MSI GX640 is best.. but G73 is better and should last longer.. also has full HD screen so nice for seeing movies..

 

^ I agree, Asus will never let you down, and has some "special" features

 

free OC for CPU and GPU.. also i7-720qm is officially OCable in G73 unlike in other laptops with SetFSB.