ATI Mobility 3650 in the Toshiba Satellite A355?

I've been looking at this Toshiba Satellite A355 on Newegg.

The specs look great, and according to Notebookcheck the Radeon 3650 is class 2 GPU (if that means anything, and I don't know being higher or lower in the listing means anything either).

But I was reading the CPU Guide and I wonder if the 3650 is part of the new integrated GPUs, and does that mean anything as far as performance, do they perform like an integrated card or a dedicated card?

(Actually newegg lists it as being a dedicated card, but I'd still appreciate confirmation, thanks.)

EDIT: Basically I just want to do light gaming, (games up to C&C3:KW, maybe RA3, maybe Crysis on medium if possible, if not that's ok), maybe some video editing and 3D, and of course your average PC tasks.

Thanks

LC

 

its a dedicated card, so it will draw more power and create more heat but give u high 3d performance

BTW that laptop is 16", ive heard that its resolutions might not be very compatible with some games and stuff u might wanna check into that

 

the resolutions fine, go for it.

 

Class 2 For light gaming this should do the job if this review of the card it right, looks not bad deal, you could do worst.

 

Radeon HD3650 is not an integrated GPU. Actually, it is powerful graphic card able to provide great gaming experience on reasonable game settings. For your needs it will be perfect.

Classes on NotebookCheck are based on GPU's performances, so Class 2 is supposed to contain good graphic cards, but not the best one. Anyway, HD3650 is good for you.

 

the hd3650 is a passable gaming card

 

Cool. Thanks guys!

That's what I figured, but does the position in the 'ladder' so to speak mean anything?

Like the 9700M GT is at the top of the class 2 list, and the 3650 is nearer the bottom.

Does that mean that within class 2 lineup the 9700M is way better than the 3650?

Thanks

LC

 

Notebookcheck's classification are a rough outline though. Don't take every detail too seriously, but it is a good source to check the GPU's general performance.

The 9700M GT is much better than the HD3650 yes, but not by miles as they are both limited by their 128bit bus interface.

 

I see. Thanks!

LC

 

Err, that's kind of a moot point, integrated cards are rubbish for gaming, so you need a dedicated card. I mean, words cannot express the mootness of that point!

Oh NOES!!!!! Conflicting opinions!!!!

See, now this is the thing I about computers, so many conflicting opinions.


As I said in my OP, I'm going to be playing mainly older games.


If the game doesn't run or something it could be because of the resolution?

Can it be changed so the game runs on the correct resolution?

Thanks

 

Nah, the 16" screen, if anything, will simply mean that the game does not support or have 16:9 aspect ratio resolutions(such as 1600*900 for example). That means 2 things:
- the game will probably run, but with black bars on the sides(seeing as it probably uses the old 16:10 or 4:3 aspect ratios)
- the game will not run(highly unlikely, but can happen)

Some games do support 16:9 aspect ratio resolutions though.

 

Shoot, so, just to be absolutely safe and avoid any possible headaches like that, what resolution/screen size would you recommend? 15.4?

Thanks

 

Well 15.4" is the standard 16:10 screen size for notebooks yes, but I wouldn't be worried really.

Most games support 16:9 aspect ratios and like I said, I doubt a game(unless really that old) will outright not run because of it. If anything, you'll have the black bars on the side.

Most modern games have 16:9 aspect ratio resolutions anyways .

If you really like that 16" machine, I wouldn't be worried and get it

 

And I guess I can always change the resolution also.

Excellent, thanks.