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    W520 w 1000M, possible to later upgrade to 2000M? How big difference in video/photo editing?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by grkn, Apr 30, 2011.

  1. grkn

    grkn Notebook Consultant

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    I'm doing a lot of photoshop editing and some after effects work, and I'm wondering if the 2000M will give me any noticeable improvement with various effects in both programs, and if it's possible to upgrade to the 2000M later on.
     
    grkn, Apr 30, 2011
    #1
  2. afhstingray

    afhstingray Notebook Prophet

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    its not possible to upgrade, for performance comparison look at notebookcheck.net they have rankings for graphics cards
     
    afhstingray, Apr 30, 2011
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  3. grkn

    grkn Notebook Consultant

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    Seems like I should get the 2000M version then ;)
     
    grkn, Apr 30, 2011
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  4. AboutThreeFitty

    AboutThreeFitty ~350

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    What is the price of the upgrade?
     
    AboutThreeFitty, Apr 30, 2011
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  5. asp

    asp Newbie

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    The upgrade price is $250 for the 2000M.
     
    asp, Apr 30, 2011
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  6. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    What programs are you using?
     
    Thors.Hammer, Apr 30, 2011
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  7. leiatlarge

    leiatlarge Notebook Enthusiast

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    I think the OP uses Photoshop and After Effects. Unfortunately, Notebookcheck only offers one benchmark on the Q1000M vs the multitude of benchmarks on the Q2000M. But based on the 3DMark06 benchmark, the Q2000M is about 40-50% faster. Something to consider if you plan on playing games.

    I'm in exactly the same boat and will probably opt for the Q2000M just to be safe. If I'm keeping the laptop for 5 years, that's only $50/year in additional costs.
     
    leiatlarge, May 1, 2011
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  8. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is Photoshop and After Effects using the GPU for edits?
     
    Thors.Hammer, May 1, 2011
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  9. leiatlarge

    leiatlarge Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes, both applications are optimized to use the GPU. It's just a matter of what the actual performance differences are.
     
    leiatlarge, May 2, 2011
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  10. erik

    erik modifier

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    yes, these leverage the GPU but currently make no significant use of CUDA aside from a few specific plugins.   since that's the main difference between the 1000M and 2000M, i don't see there being any tangible difference.   memory size and bandwidth are identical - still the two biggest factors in a 2D application.

    i have an FX 4800 in my thinkstation and it's overkill for anything i do in CS5 apps.   for 3D it's great but nothing i have leverages CUDA in any significant way... yet.

    the Q2000M might be a good future investment if you intend to keep the system a long time.   CUDA support in 2D apps could certainly improve in that time.   today, however, i wouldn't lose a minute of sleep over the Q1000M if my budget didn't call for the added expense.

    if a person is getting paid professionally to do "some photoshop edits and after effects work" then the added expense can be a tax write-off.   but, if you're a professional then the $250 could be paid for in one job and easily made a non-issue.
     
    erik, May 2, 2011
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