HP v5000z 6-in-1 option, extra Video RAM?

I've read a few threads that mention if you get the extra ports option that you get dedicated video memory.

Is this really the case? If so, is this a good thing or a bad thing?
I wonder since it's possible to allocate the memory from the main memory. I wonder if the "dedicated" memory is of a slower or faster speed that normal.

Finally, if you max out the laptop with 2GB of ram does this mean you have 2GB + 128 MB dedicated video ram?

Regards,

Mike

 

Yes and yes. Basically, buying a shared memory version when a dedicated memory version is offered is for penny-wise, pound-foolish types, so HP strips out a few ports along with removing the dedicated video RAM to save a few dollars more. Always buy the dedicated version. I wish HP wouldn't waste time with the shared memory option. If they're going to offer two versions, one should have a high-end GPU... well, we've beat that horse to death on this forum.

Yes, 2GB main RAM plus 128MB dedicated video RAM. That's what I have in my dv8000z. I favor Crucial PC3200 sticks for AMD notebooks.

 

Is the dedicated memory DDR400 or better? Is it faster to access this memory? I found an article mentioning it's SidePort Memory which is accessed using the onboard AMD memory controller. 32bit for 1 chip 64bit for 2. Aside from freeing up 128MB wondering how this helps.

It's interesting from this page of the review http://www.mobilityguru.com/2006/01/11/hp_pavilion_dv8000z_is_big_heavy_and_full_of_features/page12.html
it looks like a help because it doesn't share CPU memory bandwidth. However, it never says just how fast the memory is.

Mike

 

Hi Panama,
First the enhanced GPU has the advantage of also adding a USB port and a Fire wire port.

Now as to the bus speed of the video mempry, it will be limited to the core speed of the graphics processor. However you need to also consider that for every cpu clock cycle that is not used to prcess video addressing your system will gain some more speed. Further the GPU can function and address its dedicated ram without having to have the CPU issue a memory address.

So does it make a difference? Yes it does and even if the core of the GPU is 350 mhz, your system will still experience a good boost because the CPU is not being required to adress ram for every instruction set the GPU issues and for every screen change.

 

I was aware of the additional ports which are definately a plus.
This is interesting, is does the GPU max out at 64 bit wide bus? Here is another interesting article that provides a little more info. I'm just surprised the GPU memory access would be limited like this. Thanks for the info.

http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache..._2+sideport+:ati.com&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1