X1400 128MB or X700 64MB

I know this question has been asked a few times, but I still think it is difficult to answer.

Firstly the X700 is faster in 3Dmark03 at about 5000 against 3000, so older games should run faster. However, for 3Dmark05 the X1400 is just as fast (about 1500). I don't have figures for 3Dmark06.

Secondly the X1400 runs a lot colder than the X700 and with the extra RAM will run more future titles (+ it has overclocking potential - although I don't think this is wise to use in a laptop!).

Therefore, my question is what games do these version of 3Dmark refer to (HL2, Doom3, FEAR, etc)? Shouldn't this be the question as which is better for the user?

And finally, if the X1400 is the card for the more modern titles, does it really have the raw speed to play them or will be able to run them at unplayable speeds?

 

I'd skip any card - doesn't matter the model -that has 64MB of dedicated memory. It's a huge bottleneck in the latest games, and definitely limits future gaming capabilities.

Go for the 128MB card, you'll have a better experience with that. The X1400 isnt't a top-end card, but more than capable of playing the latest games at medium settings or so. Older games, it will have no problem.

3DMark is a benchmark, and those numbers only apply to it, not games. The only true indicator of performance is games, not synthetic benchmarks like 3DMark. They're more of an indication of speed - 'guidelines,' if you will.

 

i agree with chazman, do not buy a card with only 64 dedicated. most games out there require 128 atleast (as far as i know). so your better off with the X1400

 

FYI, if it matters, my X1400 scored 1653 in 3dMark05. I have no beefs with it, although I'm not a gamer. Might have to install HL2 eventually though to see what it's like since I've had a few questions thrown my way about gaming performance.

 

For comparison, I had a 64MB X700 in my last laptop, and that scored right around 1,000 in 3DMark05. It did better in '03, around 4,500 marks. '03 wasn't as dependant on video memory. For '05, I'd say you need a minimum of 128MB to get accurate scores.

 

A 64mb mobility radeon x700 should be getting around 1500 in 3dmark 05:

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm05=1619661

The x1400 should score the same.

I'd go for the x1400 as it will be faster in newer games though don't expect high settings.

 

The X1400 won't be faster in newer games, though - the X700 is a stronger card by a good amount. Having only 64MB of memory will kill it though, so the X1400 will be better in this case.

 

I have to agree with you chazman, being the x700 the better card, only 64 mb of memory is killing it!! you jus got to see the minimun requirements for the lastest games, almost all of them uses at least 128 mb!

 

64mb cards are bottom of the barrel along with integrated chips IMO. the more memory it has, the better it will perform (in most cases).

the 3DMark0x scores, do not really tell you how they will play in games. it simpley measures how well it does on THEIR tests. do not confuse gaming performance with 3dMark0x scores...some computers will score very high with 3dMark0x, but some games are simply unplayable, and vice versa.

pb,out.