Intel 945Gm vs 950 vs Ati X1300

I noticed that the 14" Thinkpad Z series come with the Intel 945GM integrated graphics chip. Is this any different than the Intel 950 that comes with the 15" Z series as well as all the 14" T series computers? Will it run Vista Aero Glass? I don't do any gaming so, that isn't an issue.

Would the Ati x1300 64MB be a noticable upgrade? I don't want my new laptop to be a dinosaur a month or two after I buy it but, I also don't want to spend money on a graphics card that I won't need. Thanks!

 

It will run Vista Aero decently well, but seeing as you can't upgrade your notebook GPU I would get something with alittle more pep. Espescially if you don't want it to be extinct next month

 

Integrated card will have better battery life.

 

If you play games now and then, the Mobility X1300 will be a massive boost over a GMA 950. It has a much better graphics processor, and is a dedicated card. I wouldn't worry about battery runtime either, as the Mobility X1300 won't use too much power.

 

The Intel 950 is the same across notebooks, except for the ability for it to take normal system ram for graphics purposes.

The x1300 will be much better for games. If you intend to do that, then getting the dedicated graphics is the right choice

 

Any low end card will significantly outperform any integrated card. System RAM is much slower then the dedicated RAM built into a real video card.

 

The integrated card with 1GB+ RAM would be fine.

 

Yes, but is the Intel 945 different than the Intel 950?

I don't plan on using the machine for gaming. DVD and Windows Vista Areo are the most intensive GPU applications I will be using it for. Basically, I can find otherwise identical machines, one with the Intel 945/950 for $1000 or one with Ati x1300 for $1300. Is it worth the extra money?

 

With no gaming or any graphically demanding applications--you should be fine with the GMA 950. I have heard that it runs Aero Glass, but have not seen this in person. The x1300 or x1400 would be a nice upgrade to have, but is not a necessary one--it seems--in your case.

EDIT: Intel 945GM is the chipset. Intel GMA 950 is the IGP (graphics processor).

 

In your circumstances no, it isn't worth the extra money as the 950 runs Aero fine.

 

Please avoid cross-posting in the forums. The threads have been merged and placed in the Hardware forum, where it will get the most appropriate attention.

 

They are the same. The 945 is the model number for the chipset, but the GPU is still the GMA950. The chipset is mentioned rather than the GPU model due to the fact that the GMA950 can be bundled with the 940 as well as the 945. So identifying a GPU as the 945 serves the purpose of identifying the chipset as well.

 

err

The Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset features the Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950.

Deal?

 

Originally I had said that the 945GM is the chipset, and the GMA 950 was the IGP. But Lenovo lists the IGP on some of the ThinkPads as the Intel 945. What miner posted above is what I wasn't sure about earlier.

I apologize for any confusion.

 

Well, there isn't a problem, actually. It just sounded strange...and miner's post was't there at that moment...

Afaik, they list it as "Integrated Intel 945GM" or like in the orginal poster's question or the title of the thread...so.."GM" is somewhere there usually..

Anyway.

 

Intel 945 GM is the chipset. GMA 950 is the integrated graphics solution that comes with it.

 

If the original poster is still trying to decide between GMA 950 and ATI x1300 - I'd say the upgrade is worth about $50-$75. If you have to pay $300 for it, it's not worth it - look somewhere else.

A decent compromise between them would be integrated ATI x1100/x1150 or Nvidia Go 6100/6150. These are still integrated GPU's with similar costs, but outperform Intel GMA 950. Of course these can be harder to find (Intel is far more common)