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    Difference between cache video memory and dedicated?

    Discussion in 'HP' started by jbachandouris, Mar 27, 2010.

  1. jbachandouris

    jbachandouris Notebook Geek

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    I am considering a new laptop. The HP I am consdering has ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4200 graphics with 128MB cache memory. The other I am considering is the Samsung R580 which has a smaller screen, smaller battery, but 512MB dedicated video. Since the HP has an 8 cell, it will get beter battery life.

    So, the 4200 is integrated into the AMD Turion chip, yet has 128MB memory onboard for the graphics chip whereas the Samsung has a separate GPU?

    Both laptops have bluray and are within $50 of each other in price.
     
    jbachandouris, Mar 27, 2010
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  2. bobthenailer

    bobthenailer Notebook Consultant

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    I would say go with the dedicated one. No the ATI HD4200 is not in the CPU. It is integrated into the chipset. It has 128mb of sideport memory which is also on the motherboard. Thing is sideport is SLOW (its DDR2 RAM and it has a narrow bus width) so the dedicated GPU (which probably has GDDR3 memory if your lucky) is much faster. Now the dedicated GPU has its downsides too, it will get hotter and use more power. How much depends on the chip. For that price range I would defiantly go with the Samsung. I've been hearing good things about their quality as well.
     
    bobthenailer, Mar 27, 2010
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  3. jbachandouris

    jbachandouris Notebook Geek

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    It is DDR3 and most of the reviewers on Best Buy.com say they have not noticed any heat issues. It has an Intel Core i5 with 4GB DDR3 RAM.
     
    jbachandouris, Mar 27, 2010
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  4. Serg

    Serg Nowhere - Everywhere

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    Depends on your usage. A dedicated graphics processor (GPU) consumes a lot more battery than an IGP, but it is more powerful.

    Considering how it is an i5, it is possible (not sure though) that Arrandale's IGP is enabled. What's the GPU on the Samsung? If it is NVIDIA, try checking if Optimus is supported. If it is ATI, check if the IGP is enabled. If so, the Samsung is the one to go...
     
    Serg, Mar 28, 2010
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  5. jbachandouris

    jbachandouris Notebook Geek

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    NVIDIA GeForce GT 310M graphics. Not sure what Optimus is.
     
    jbachandouris, Mar 29, 2010
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  6. Serg

    Serg Nowhere - Everywhere

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    Optimus is an NVIDIA technology which allows the GPU to switch with Intel's IGP automatically when needed, in order to save battery life or give better performance when needed.
     
    Serg, Mar 29, 2010
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