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    Which Processor/GPU combo is the better performer?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by govtdog, Jan 26, 2012.

  1. govtdog

    govtdog Notebook Consultant

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    All other things being equal, which choice is a better performer in a laptop?

    A.) Intel i5 with Intel HD 3000 graphics
    or
    B.) AMD A-Series A8-3500M 1.5GHz with Radeon HD 6620G

    Thanks!
     
    govtdog, Jan 26, 2012
    #1
  2. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    I would ask what you normally do with your laptop? Tasks like email, Word won't need more than the i5 and Intel GPU. Also what laptops were you talking about..
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Jan 26, 2012
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  3. govtdog

    govtdog Notebook Consultant

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    The laptop is for my son. Mostly he screws around watching videos and social networking... but will also need to use it for homework by doing some web browsing and using MS Office Apps.


    The two notebooks are:
    A.) Lenovo Z570 with i5 and HD3000 Refurbished at $629.
    and
    B.) HP DV6-6140us with A8 and 6620G Refurbished at $549.

    Both laptops have same screen resolution and HD size/speed. Both laptops come with only 4GB but will be ugrading whatever to 8GB.

    So which do you like better and why?
     
    govtdog, Jan 26, 2012
    #3
  4. H.A.L. 9000

    H.A.L. 9000 Occam's Chainsaw

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    If he ever plans on doing any gaming, maybe even just light gaming like the Sims or something... the A8/6620G combo is much better. The HD3000 is competent but it's drivers just aren't made for gaming at all. The 6620G is much better equipped plus it's got a much more developed driver stack.

    Personally, I'd go with the A8/6620G combo. It's got plenty of power plus decent graphics.
     
    H.A.L. 9000, Jan 26, 2012
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  5. R3d

    R3d Notebook Virtuoso

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    They are about the same for general use but the A8-3500m is better for gaming.
     
    R3d, Jan 26, 2012
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  6. Ellatan

    Ellatan Old Timer

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    Ellatan, Jan 26, 2012
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  7. govtdog

    govtdog Notebook Consultant

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    Wow... i7, GT550-5M, 8Gb, 500GB(7200)HDD, nice keyboard... only thing missing is an aluminum case which looks like the departed V570.

    What is the case of the Y570 made out of... is that carbon fiber?
    EDIT: just found this on the Lenovo site -
     
    govtdog, Jan 26, 2012
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  8. govtdog

    govtdog Notebook Consultant

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    Went to order it and my total delivered price is $677, which is about $50 more than I have right now. I have a 10% off Lenovo coupon but I guess it is only good if you shop at the regular lenovo site?

    Dang, gotta try and find some more money and then deposit it into the card account before they run out as they only have 4 left.
     
    govtdog, Jan 27, 2012
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  9. Ellatan

    Ellatan Old Timer

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    Just a fair warning, the surface surrounding the keyboard service feels metallic somewhat, but I can't really tell for sure. Maybe it's stylized plastic, maybe not. It feels somewhat cool to the touch and looks great. I love the touchpad texture as well. However, the bezel surrounding the screen is black glossy plastic which attracts finger prints, that's the main downside of the build imho. The back of the laptop is also nicely textured and looks great and stylish with an orange trim.

    Yeah the coupons won't work on the Outlet. Outlet will always have more deals available at some point. I only suggested that one since you were looking at $625 Z570, which would also result in around $670 with tax included. There is an i5 version of Y570 for $500 available there. However it also has half the ram and 5400RPM HDD. If you don't mind stepping down to 14 inch, there would be Y470 available at some point as well. I bought mine for $540 tax included.
     
    Ellatan, Jan 27, 2012
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  10. govtdog

    govtdog Notebook Consultant

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    Your description of the LED and keyboard area sound exactly like the V570 which we loved.

    The laptops I previously mentioned was the delivered price, so the total was $625 at my door.


    Are the Z575s any good? Except for the color tint, the Z570 look almost identical to the V570.
     
    govtdog, Jan 27, 2012
    #10
  11. FlossBandit

    FlossBandit Notebook Guru

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    I specialize in this thread.

    Even the A4's integrated graphics (which I used to have before upgrading to an A8) pwn hd 3000. A8 still beats down Intel HD Graphics 4000.

    I can vouch that with an A8 you'll be able to play:

    Modern Warfare 2 (60fps) 1600x900. low settings with extra texture quality. aliasing 4x and frame sync.
    Batman Arkham City (30fps) 1280x720 low settings with v sync.
    Bulletstorm (40-60fps) low setting, vsync.
    Fallout 3 (60fps) 1600x900 low setting, vsync.
    MW3: (40-50fps) low settings

    Deleted BF3. Nearly unplayable on all lowest settings.
    Deleted Black Ops. Sporadic high/low fps.

    YouTube it and look at it for yourself. Also Check the Benchmarks.

    Link:

    Mobile Graphics Cards - Benchmark List - Notebookcheck.net Tech

    6620g (A8) = #130
    HD Graphics 4000 = #143
    6480g (A4) = #197
    HD Graphics 3000 = #215
     
    FlossBandit, Jan 27, 2012
    #11