discrete graphics vs integrated graphics

Sorry to post again, but I have another question. I was planning on going with the discrete graphics on the T400 I'm ordering since I've heard a lot of people say the Intel GMA is crap compared to the ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 and that discrete graphics are worth it. Someone else told me that integrated graphics are switchable (I don't know if this is true?). Since I am planning on upgrading to Windows 7 when it comes out, would the integrated graphics be a better choice?

I tried searching the Windows 7 forum but I didn't find much.

Thank you to everybody who has been helpfully answering all of my questions! And thanks in advance for the questions here too

 

Integrated graphics is just plain, vanilla, integrated graphics. Discrete graphics means that you get both integrated and discrete, and it's switchable.

Intel integrated is fine for Windows (including Aero), and even HD movie playing (the 4500MHD is capable of HD movie decoding), it just sucks for gaming.

Basically: if you plan to play any games, go for the discrete switchable graphics (only downside is price); if not, go for the cheaper integrated graphics.

 

there is nothing "crap" about the integrated gpu. for general office and web computing it is preferable to the dedicated gpu, as it uses less power, creates less heat, needs less fan cooling, and does the job just as well. only certain programs need the dedicated gpu. in those cases switch to it either by necessity or because they run much better. it is nice to have both and to be able to switch between them.

 

Discrete = switchable.
ATI 3470 = not a great graphics card, but better than the Intel GPU.

The one issue to be aware of is that AFAIK enabling the switchable option loses you some available RAM. I have 4GB installed, but Vista 32 only sees 2.5GB. It would see over 3GB if I disable the intel GPU and used only the ATI card (or vice versa). Kinda sucks. Not such a problem, of course, if you use a 64-bit OS.

 

OK let's pick them off one at a time:

That depends on the usage. If you only want to use your machine for watching movies, playing music and using office applications then I'd actually recommend the Intel based solutions as they are often:

1. Cheaper
2. Better on your battery
3. Produce less heat

Again, depends on usage. If you want to do any 3D gaming with your computer, or are heavily into 3D graphic design then I'd recommend a discrete graphics solution, and in that case it would be worth it (assuming the cost is not extreme).

This is sometimes true and sometimes not. Unless your machine specifically states switchable graphics then this is not true.

The reason why you'd want to switch between the GPUs is due to battery life more than anything else. By the way, it's not just Intel solutions which can be switchable; but as I said before, unless it specifically states it, you have to assume that you have either integrated or discrete and not both.

Shouldn't matter; although again it depends on what you want to use the machine for. If you are only going to do a light bit of gaming that does not involve much / heavy 3D work then you'd be fine with the GMA 4500 (which is what ships with most of the newer laptops that have integrated graphics).

Hope that helps.

 

So the ATI mobility radeon 3470 is definitely switchable?

 

OK, I just checked on the site for the T400 and it looks like that model does come with switchable graphics.

 

Where do you see that? Because when I go on the site and select T400, my options are either T400 with integrated graphics or T400 with discrete graphics (or the enhanced T400 which I'm not looking at)

 

Any T400 model with discrete graphics has switchable graphics.

 

If you select from the top menu Products > laptops > t series, it is there on the front page - see screenshot below:

 

Yes. sgogeta4 is correct.