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    Advantages of Discrete Graphics

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by sblb, Jan 13, 2010.

  1. sblb

    sblb Notebook Guru

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    I am interested in ordering a new T410 and I was wondering what the advantages are of getting the discrete graphics card over the integrated one. I will not be playing any games on the computer but I will be watching movies, editing video and using photoshop along with other daily tasks.

    Do you think that I would see any huge improvement in system performance with a discrete card over an integrated one? Is it really worth the extra $220 if I am not going to be playing games?
     
    sblb, Jan 13, 2010
    #1
  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    I do not.
     
    ZaZ, Jan 13, 2010
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  3. Needmore4less

    Needmore4less Notebook aficionado

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    All those tasks are more CPU demanding. Max out the RAM and you are good to go.
     
    Needmore4less, Jan 13, 2010
    #3
  4. jonlumpkin

    jonlumpkin NBR Transmogrifier

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    NO. Buy an SSD and/or extra RAM instead.
     
    jonlumpkin, Jan 13, 2010
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  5. bbedward

    bbedward Notebook Enthusiast

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    No, especially since the new arrandle GPUs are a HUGE improvement - no solid benchmarks yet

    I think toms hardware said that the arrandale IGP was almost on part with the hd3870 on the re5 benchmark - and about a 2x better performer, so if you did play the occasional non-graphics intense game you'd be more than fine (and who buys a thinkpad to play games anyway)

    Plus, the intel IGP gets better battery life than a discrete card.
     
    bbedward, Jan 13, 2010
    #5
  6. jonlumpkin

    jonlumpkin NBR Transmogrifier

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    That CAN'T be right. Also, most of the really good reviews for the new Intel IGP are based on the overclocked desktop part attached to the i5 661. However, I agree that the new integrated GPU is faster than the x4500MHD (both should be plenty adequate for the OP's needs).
     
    jonlumpkin, Jan 13, 2010
    #6
  7. Lostinlaptopland

    Lostinlaptopland Notebook Consultant

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    Lostinlaptopland, Jan 14, 2010
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  8. not.sure

    not.sure Notebook Evangelist

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    Technically, that's correct. However, you can always get an SSD and RAM later on, and they even get cheaper. Concerning the GPU, you have only one shot.
     
    not.sure, Jan 14, 2010
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  9. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

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    But if he doesn't need it, he doesn't need it.
     
    jaredy, Jan 14, 2010
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  10. Partizan

    Partizan Notebook Deity

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    You could always buy a vidock later if you want to play games on your laptop, you need an aditional monitor but if you have an integrated graphics module you can use your own laptop screen, which is not possible if you use a seperate graphics card.
     
    Partizan, Jan 14, 2010
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  11. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    discrete GPU is more useful when you play a lot of games and do a bit of CAD. Other than that the advantages of owning of discrete GPU over integrated GPU is almost none, considering that modern Integrated GPU have built in acceleration for HD and Blu ray movie and use less power in the process.
     
    lead_org, Jan 14, 2010
    #11