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    Thoughts on the ATI Mobility Fire GL V5250 256MB

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by SportsC, May 11, 2007.

  1. SportsC

    SportsC Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm not very familiar at all with different graphics cards besides the Nvidia Go series since these are the ones offered in the computers I'm looking at.

    Now I'm checking out the Lenovo ThinkPad and it has the ATI Mobility Fire GL V5250 256MB in it. Honestly, I've not heard of this but then that isn't saying much. Can anyone tell me where in the food chain this is compared to the Nvidia 7900 or the ATi X1600? How would it be for standard/high def video playback/editing?
     
    SportsC, May 11, 2007
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  2. mujtaba

    mujtaba ZzzZzz Super Moderator

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    It's almost equal to ATi X1600.And 7900GS is almost twice as powerful.
     
    mujtaba, May 11, 2007
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  3. SportsC

    SportsC Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ah, I didn't realize the 7900 was so much better. Thanks for the info.
     
    SportsC, May 11, 2007
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  4. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    The V5250 is actually based on the X1700, which has near-identical performance to the X1600. The only real difference is that the X1700 uses a bit less power.
    If you're not going to be playing games, then there's no point in getting a card as powerful as the V5250/Go7900GS. You don't need anything more than an integrated card to play videos, although having a lower-end dedicated card could help smooth things out. For example, take a look at how the Nvidia GeForce 8 series helps out with high-definition video playback:
    http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3699
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, May 11, 2007
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  5. FREN

    FREN Hi, I'm a PC. NBR Reviewer

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    Are you going to be using the graphics card for any game playing or CAD rendering, or is it just going to be high-definition video playing/video editing?
     
    FREN, May 11, 2007
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  6. SportsC

    SportsC Notebook Enthusiast

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    Nope, no games. HD video playback, editing, live streaming video and general internet and word processing stuff. I've been reading about new cards coming out...nVidia 8 -something-something. ;) Would waiting for these be overkill for me?
     
    SportsC, May 11, 2007
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  7. FREN

    FREN Hi, I'm a PC. NBR Reviewer

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    No, not at all, because the Geforce 8M series fully support high definition playback!

    If you're not going to be gaming, I recommend something with a Geforce 8400M inside of it. The 8400M comes in 3 flavors: G, GS, and GT, from least powerful to most powerful.
     
    FREN, May 11, 2007
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  8. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    The advantage the GeForce 8 offers for high-definition playback is that it does all the processing, leaving the CPU free. Usually hi-def playback is a CPU job.
    http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3699
    Honestly though, if you're not gaming, just get the Intel GMA X3100. It's cheaper, uses less power, and therefore produces less heat.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, May 11, 2007
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