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    So, is the 9400M classified as an integrated or dedicated card?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by cathy, Dec 20, 2008.

  1. cathy

    cathy Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm a little confused over here. I mean we all know that the 9400M is an integrated card, yet it's more powerful than some dedicated cards such as the 9300M GS.

    We have classified these as the main differences,

    Integrated: Weak & low power consumption
    Dedicated: More powerful & higher power consumption

    But if this integrated card is more powerful than some dedicated cards, should it still be classified as one? I'm also really curious about the power consumption. How does the power consumption of the 9400M compare with a low-end dedicated card (eg. 9300M GS) and with an Intel integrated card (x3100 or 4500)?

    I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this, because I've been really wondering about this since the new Macbooks were announced.
     
    cathy, Dec 20, 2008
    #1
  2. ScifiMike12

    ScifiMike12 Drinking the good stuff

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    ScifiMike12, Dec 20, 2008
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  3. Tony_A

    Tony_A Notebook Evangelist

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    Although it's true, dedicated ones tend to be more powerful, the difference between integrated and dedicated isn't defined by the power of the GPU

    Integrated uses system RAM and system bandwidth.

    Dedicated has its own RAM and a DEDICATED connection to that RAM.
     
    Tony_A, Dec 20, 2008
    #3
  4. Melody

    Melody How's It Made Addict

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    Yeah, the definition of an integrated card isn't based on its performance, but on the fact that it has no dedicated memory to perform its tasks and therefore it must use system memory to do so.

    We've already seen IGPs who are able to perform well. The HD3200 is capable of performing on par with lower end dedicated cards and the 9400M GS is stronger than the HD3200.
     
    Melody, Dec 20, 2008
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  5. cathy

    cathy Notebook Evangelist

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    Mmm...alright.

    So umm, what's the power consumption of the 9400M btw?
     
    cathy, Dec 20, 2008
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  6. Red_Dragon

    Red_Dragon Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    not much :D its only 12 watts :D
     
    Red_Dragon, Dec 20, 2008
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  7. cathy

    cathy Notebook Evangelist

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    Mmm...anyone knows how this compares to the X3100 or 4500MHD?
     
    cathy, Dec 20, 2008
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  8. Red_Dragon

    Red_Dragon Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    LOL X3100 is worse they use 13.5 watts :D

    im not too sure about the x4500 it cant be that much better though :)
     
    Red_Dragon, Dec 20, 2008
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  9. emike09

    emike09 Overclocking Champion

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    Your going to find far more performance with the 9400 when compared to any intel chipset out there. Highly recommended as far as integrated GPUs are concerned.
     
    emike09, Dec 20, 2008
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  10. zakarydoks

    zakarydoks Notebook Guru

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    I read Chaz's GPU page but I'm a bit confused. He listed 9400M in intergrated and then 9400M-G in dedicated. Which does the dell XPS 13 and Sony Z use?
     
    zakarydoks, Feb 7, 2009
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  11. Red_Dragon

    Red_Dragon Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The xps 13 uses an integrated 9400, when you pony up on the xps 13 and get the 9500 GPU you get a 9400m integrated and a 9200m in a type of SLI boost config.

    the sony Z uses and Dedicated 9300
     
    Red_Dragon, Feb 7, 2009
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  12. TehSuigi

    TehSuigi Notebook Virtuoso

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    Nvidia's botched numbering system created the 9400M (which is the 9100M G + a weak dedicated GPU in Hybrid SLi) and the 9400M G (which is the IGP used in the Macbook, and discussed here).
     
    TehSuigi, Feb 7, 2009
    #12