New laptop, which video card?

I am not an intensive gamer, but occasionally like to play a game (the game doesn't have to be on high settings and doesn't have to be brand new state-of-the-art graphics intensive either).

I will be using a lot: word/internet/word like applications

I will be using occasionally: photoshop/potentially basic 3d rendering using a program like 3d studio max (in a hobby setting, not business)/watch a movie/games as described

the problem is that this computer must last 4 years, without being completely obsolete during the last year or so. therefore, I don't know if the easily obtainable geforce go 7400 or radeon x1400 will do the job, or if I should search harder for the x1600 or geforce go 7800. I understand there is a substancial difference between an x1400 and x1600, but other than games, would I ever even notice the difference?

for comparison purposes, in my current desktop I have a geforce 4 MX 440, and I would consider it obsolete. Not sure how a 7400 go compares to this card.

 

For occasional gaming / photoshop, the GeForce Go 7400 and the X1400 should be sufficient. Keep in mind, however, that the GeForce Go 7400 is 64 bit as opposed to the 128 bit X1400. Hence, the X1400 should be the better card.

But to last 4 years, it might be better to get the X1600. The GeForce Go7800 might be overkill for your purposes, not to mention being more expensive.

Hope this helps.

 

True, but the Go7800 is only a $40+ upgrade from the X1400 on dell.com ($239 upgrade vs $199 on the E1705).

 

well, its purchasing technology time before the machine is obsolete.

when you buy a new laptop i dont think the processor will become obsolete for the life of the machine.

the hard drive will break in a few years, so youll be buying a better faster one for it anyway for cheaper.


the gpu will become obsolete. Its the reason you will throw it away or give it to your neice in a few years.
So what you want is to buy the best one that makes sense.

The dell e1705 with coupons on this page 750 off 2000
1250 shipped for e1705 with 7800 go and uxga.
there wont be anything that compares to that really.


forget about today. in order to be a non intensive gamer next year youll need a gpu thats better.

You see if the ati 1400 meets your needs today, it wont tommorow. you want something thats better than you need today because youre not renting the machine for a month. If you are renting the machine for a month, well then worry about what works for you today and a ati 1400 is fine.

 

stamar, that is not entirely true. my x700 is still alive and kicking as a low-mid range card. it can handle anything out right now at pretty decent settings, and i think it is a great card. it wont be obsolete tomorrow, nor the day after, but i think i can manage to squeeze a year or two out of it without being in denial that is is a top notch card.

be a little more realistic, you make it sound like spending $2k on a laptop today, and it wont be worth it tomorrow.

pb,out.

 

For $40 more, it makes sense to get the Go7800. Its much better that the X1400.