Question:
Heat & noise, "cad" GPU vs "gaming GPU"
I'm vaccillating between a few HP business models and the main (only?) difference between two of them seems to be the GPU:
nc8430: ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 & 256MB VRAM
nw8440: ATI Mobility FireGL V5200 & 256MB VRAM
As both would probably be overkill for my needs (photoshop and such, might be interested in working a bit with video-encoding etc), which one has the edge when it comes coolness, and stepping it down (perhaps even underclocking?)?
(I actually use laptops on my lap, so this is an important question.)
I'm assuming the FireGL would be as good with simple playback of video and such as the Radeon.
Another consideration is that the nw8440 is available in a wuxga (1920x1200) version - is that totally a non-starter for a 15.4" machine?
(I have absolutely no problems with 1024x768 on a 12", in fact lately I've sometimes wished it was more than that.)
Answer:
Re: Heat & noise, "cad" GPU vs "gaming GPU"
The Mobility X1600 automatically clocks down, as you can set it to do this the Catalyst Control Centre, that should be included with the notebook. The FireGL will also do this, I believe. The tasks you have mentiuoned, are alot more processor dependant, so if you wish to complete them faster, it may be a good idea to go with a processor that is fast.
If you are gaming, then the Mobility X1600 will be better, because it is a card that is made for gaming. The FireGl won't be bad either, but not quite as fast the Mobility X1600. Choosing a screen is mostly personal preference. See if you can go have a look at that resolution in a shop, and then make a decision upon that. Having said that, some people didn't like their resolution of 1920 x 1200 on a 15.4" screen.
Answer:
Re: Heat & noise, "cad" GPU vs "gaming GPU"
Thank you.
Whichever model laptop I chose I will be going for T7200 processor (and 2G ram), which I think should be enough to last me a few years.
I see from the thread about "business & pro" GPUs that they are also suited to video-editing and such, I had thought the "gaming" cards would be better for that?
Since my gaming is extremely limited but my threshold for frustration when working with multiple big images and complicated documents is very low perhaps the FireGL cards would be better for me?
Another consideration is the HD speed - this is a really tough choice because 7200rpm vs 5200rpm simply has to add heat and noise, no?
The nw machine with the FireGL card is also available with T7400 and the wuxga for only 250 euros (incl VAT) more - it is somewhat tempting.
But would the same card driving a higher resolution screen have to "work harder", thus generating more heat?
Answer:
Re: Heat & noise, "cad" GPU vs "gaming GPU"
The two graphics cards are the same in terms of their power, its just that one is optimised for gaming, and the other for professional work. Video editing is alot more processor intensive, and a faster graphics card won't increase the speed. A faster graphics cards would be useful if you were dealing with workstation applications, which invlove rendering large images together and also 3D applications.
A faster hard disk will be useful. I would advise to go with a 7200 RPM. The heat differences aren't massive, and some 7200 RPM drives are as cool as 5400 RPM ones. The choice on processor is good. The T7200 has the best price to performance ratio, and is generally the one to go for. For €250, the T7400 is also good, and coupled with that screen, it could be an improvment. However, you need to make sure that you can adjust to that resolution. If you go for that, you don't need to worry about the graphics card having to do more work. It can run that reolution fine, and since there is no real load on it, you should have no problems.
Answer:
Re: Heat & noise, "cad" GPU vs "gaming GPU"
The Video Encoding/Decoding will get a boost with dedicated GPU's.So a dedicated GPU,say, a 7400 will perform much much better than an integrated GPU.(I have a friend who had a U205 that comes with an integrated GPU, he once tried encoding he said the encoding speed was crawling compared to a dedicated GPU)
But I couldn't find any GPU based encoding benchmarks though.(To find out how much is the performance difference between 7200 and 7400 or 7600 is)
see these :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purevid...deo_Technology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVIVO
Answer:
Re: Heat & noise, "cad" GPU vs "gaming GPU"
I think you misunderstood my post, mujtaba. The T7200 and T7400 I refer to are the CPUs, core 2 duo models, not the GPUs. Or maybe I'm misunderstanding?
Answer:
Re: Heat & noise, "cad" GPU vs "gaming GPU"
No, I'm pointing out that GPU will help out CPU in encoding and decoding.
I suggest at least you take a GeForce Go 7400 or it's equilavent ATI X1400.
While T7200 is 1.5 times more powerful than Core Duo 1.66.
If a dedicated GPU comes to 1.66's aid,it'll become perform better that a T7200 with a GMA.
And I think both of the GPU's (V5200 and X1600 which are based on the same core) will perform equally in regard of encoding/decoding.
(But I did misunderstand it a little)
Get the best CPU you can get your hands on (still the CPU has a vital role in Video encoding and decoding)
Good Ram and at least a 7400 or X1400
Answer:
Re: Heat & noise, "cad" GPU vs "gaming GPU"
The FireGL V5200 is based off the X1600 but aimed at CAD and 3D work. I would consider it a waste of money to upgrade from a T7200 to a T7400. The T7200 is the sweet spot for Core 2 Duo's. It's 2Ghz and has 4MB's of Cache. If I were you, I'd spend money on faster RAM, 667Mhz if possible as well as a faster HD, a 7200RPM drive. The 7200RPM drive will eat at the battery a little, and will generate a very slight amount more of heat / noise, but the performance tradeoff is worth it! The only time the 7200RPM HD will eat at your battery is when your truly using it. So if your just browsing the net its not going to make a bit of difference.
Answer:
Re: Heat & noise, "cad" GPU vs "gaming GPU"
I'd stay away from both of those cards and go with an NVIDIA one if you're doing CAD work (which is all OpenGL). ATI historically has had horrible OpenGL support, and will not fix their drivers until forced to: http://www.3dnature.com/ati.html
See if you can find a GeForce or Quadro based machine instead, IMHO.
Answer:
Re: Heat & noise, "cad" GPU vs "gaming GPU"
I'd stay away from both of those cards and go with an NVIDIA one if you're doing CAD work (which is all OpenGL). ATI historically has had horrible OpenGL support, and will not fix their drivers until forced to: http://www.3dnature.com/ati.html
See if you can find a GeForce or Quadro based machine instead, IMHO.
I would like to see the test with Catalyst 6.12 or 7 versions.
Since AMD has bought ATI the drivers have improved very much.
But remember, sometimes the "features" used in nVidia cards might not be in OpenGL specifications.nVidia tends to add extensions and such to their GPU's, trying to create a monopoly.