Integrated Video Card Comparison

[Paul]

Sponsored Links

How much memory do I need? One of the most frequently asked questions. The solution for this is 128MB would be sufficient. 64MB - not enough, with some exceptions, when an additional graphics card uses system memory usage, such as HyperMemory (ATI) and TurboCache (Nvidia). Demanding gamers need a volume of 256MB video adapter easier to work at high resolutions.

H Name of the technology speaks for itself, i.e. card uses the main memory of the laptop (RAM). Practically, the large difference between HyperMemory (ATI) and TurboCache (Nvidia) is not, but some prefer Nvidia. Be careful! The maximum amount of main memory used by the video card depends on the amount of memory itself, i.e. than its larger, the larger the volume can use the card. Always check how much dedicated video memory has a video card instead of selects from the system memory.

In recent months the world of portable computers has been a major boost, which also involved the narrowest scope of graphics chips: the release of new multimedia libraries of the Windows Vista operating system has accelerated the development of graphics cards capable of DirectX 10 support, and the more widespread use of optical drives compatible with the new Blu-Ray and HD-DVD has made it necessary to empower the GPU to decode the new high-definition video formats.

The market in a very short time has been literally flooded with new models that promise full compatibility with the new operating system from Redmond (and his very demanding Aero user interface) that allow hardware decoding of H.264, becoming the current standard in notebooks aimed at gaming and, more generally, digital entertainment.

It must be said, however, that not always this new generation of video cards have all the characteristics which we have just mentioned: the case of subsystems integrated video chipsets, which are currently lacking is support for DirectX 10 API set both decompression hardware MPEG-4, but is also the case for dedicated graphics card ATI Mobility Radeon X2300 and X2500, mounted on many notebook models and economic mainstream of the new generation. Even the ATI Mobility Radeon HD2300, unlike all other models in the series Mobility Radeon HD is not compatible with DirectX 10, although it is equipped with Avivo transcoder (as witnessed by the acronym HD High Definition).

Types of GPU for notebook graphics cards are not all equal

We can define three categories of video cards for notebooks:

• Dedicated (Nvidia Geforce - ATI Mobility Radeon)
• Integrated (Intel GMA and others)
• Professional (Nvidia Quadro - ATI Mobility FireGL)

The mobile workstation graphics cards, less widespread and more expensive than their gaming counterparts. It must be said that the chip in the graphics card Quadro / FireGL are the same as the GeForce / Radeon, the difference in hardware is often given only on the type and amount of dedicated memory, the rest is just tweaking the software. In many cases it is possible and convenient, modding your video card Geforce Quadro-to-Radeon FireGL, to achieve significant performance improvements in editing programs and 3D modeling.

As for the integrated graphics chips, are obviously the cheapest and therefore the least efficient, but as strengths have a smaller footprint, low consumption and a minimum level of heat dissipation, as well as a price close to zero because they are included in the Northbridge chipset. Advantages that make them the most suitable products for use in ultra-light notebook and entry-level, but are also recommended for those who prefer portability and autonomy and no plans to use the laptop for 3D games.

Graphic memory:

The amount of installed RAM is often the first parameter that evaluates the average user in choosing a video card. This is definitely a feature that affects the overall performance of the GPU, but it is not the only parameter to consider. The main role is played completely from the graph, which is the basis of performance pure video card. Just read the name of the GPU: 8600M GT, HD 2600 every model is almost always a different chip. The models are different then for the type and amount of memory installed, and the frequency imposed by the manufacturers. The GDDR3 is better than DDR2 performance, because they travel at higher frequencies, are made by adopting the most modern production processes that reduce consumption, and also allow overclock more motivated.

So rather than see how much RAM is installed on our mobile video card, try to find out what RAM is. The operation is often quite complex because a single type of graphics chip can be accompanied by different memories.

[Paul]

Hybrid memories-TurboCache and HyperMemory:

At the same graphics chip, is the amount of memory that determines the performance of a video card. A brake on the escalation of RAM comes from the price of these memories. To overcome this limitation ATI and Nvidia, after the introduction of PCI Express bus, they decided to equip their latest creations of a technology that can fragment the memory buffer to supplement the dedicated memory with a variable number of memory shared system. This technology has been introduced in the series 6 Nvidia as TurboCache and ATI's R300 series (x300, x1400) under the name HyperMemory.

Although the PCI Express bus to bring in a considerable bandwidth, but the built-in memory through these technologies is considerably slower than dedicated memory. It follows that the performance of a graphics card with 512MB of dedicated memory are greatly superior to those of a GPU with up 512MB of memory TurboCache and HyperMemory. Another, more obvious drawback is that the video memory hybrid subtracts a slice of memory to the system.

Apart from its own evaluation of the effectiveness of these technologies need to warn those who buy a new laptop from the confusion that can result. Promotional leaflets or on data sheets that accompany the notebook on display, read often unclear specifications that can mislead buyers and novices: when you read the notebook has 512MB of video memory, ask yourself what is the composition of this memory. Our advice is to clip out the name of the video card and see where our table is placed in the graphics performance.

Module MXM and Axiom

For some time it was realized the possibility of updating the graphics on some laptop computers. This possibility is allowed by using a MXM module (there are 3 types, depending on the size and temperature profile) or Axiom. Nvidia MXM module with its gained considerable support, as opposed to ATI Dell Axiom that, unfortunately, has never really taken hold and the development of which has been virtually abandoned soon after birth.

If you are real fanatics of 3D graphics and want to play always at maximum details without having to change the laptop every 2 years, then buy a laptop equipped with a MXM module might be a good choice, in anticipation of a future upgrade targeted.

Driver

Nvidia and ATI do not provide direct support for graphics cards for notebooks, as this is for the incumbent manufacturer of the laptop. Less savvy users often ask for the driver approved made available on the support page for their model, thinking that it is automatically the latest drivers available for their graphics chip. Nothing could be further from the truth with a little trick we can install the latest driver, just as if we have a video card from the desktop.

Graphic Card Comparison

Best Laptop GPU’s
A. The integrated (IGP)
B. Low-End
C. Mid-End
D. High Performance.
E. High-End
A. The integrated (IGP)

What is the integrated graphics card such as IGP (Integrated Graphics Processors-IGP)? It's just a graphics processor that is built into the motherboard. For the most part they do not have their own vide support (there are exceptions), which does not reproduce complex ZD-game and use the system memory. Integrated cards are designed to perform tasks Stationery, watching videos, working in the internet. They have the advantage - the minimum heating and low power consumption, which increases the battery life.

Below is a list of cards in ascending top to bottom:

• Intel GMA900
• Intel GMA950
• ATI Radeon Xpress 200M
• Nvidia GeForce Go6100/6150
• ATI Radeon Xpress 1100/1150
• ATI Radeon Xpress 1200/1250
• Intel GMA X3100
• Nvidia GeForce 7150M

Note: Cannot use Vista Aero

Video Card Intel GMA X3100 represents a breakthrough by Intel in the market of mobile graphics, because adapters CPU giant, not high performance. With the updated drivers there has been improvement in the adapter.

[Paul]

B. Low-End

If you're not playing games, it probably makes sense to buy a laptop card in low-end. Your choice will not be rash:
Video at this level have their own memory and not use the system as opposed to cards like IGP.

The low-end adapters provide technology enhanced playback of DVD.
Low-end graphics cards can be found in a notebook with a diagonal screen from 12 inches to 17 inches. If you are interested in ultraportable laptops with small display (<12), winning a special low-end card will not
bring. This will be the only pleasant feature.

From top to bottom in ascending order of performance:

• Nvidia GeForce Go6200
• ATI Mobility Radeon X300
• Nvidia GeForce Go7200
• Nvidia GeForce Go7300
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1300
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1350
• ATI Mobility Radeon X2300

Current models of laptops with dual-core processors will be equipped with Radeon X1300 and GeForce Go7300, which replaced the X300 and Go6200.

C. Mid-End

Average performance of video card gives the opportunity to play modern games at moderate settings.

From top to bottom in ascending order of performance:

• Nvidia GeForce Go6400
• ATI Mobility Radeon X600
• Nvidia GeForce Go7400
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1400
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1450
• Nvidia GeForce 8400M-GS

Nvidia 8400M-GS is the newest solution in this category with the support of DirectX 10 and 64-bit memory bus. Radeon X1450 is a slightly improved version of the X1400 without much gain in performance, but has lower power consumption and heat dissipation than the X1400.

D. High Performance.

Well, now talk a little bit. Gamers and connoisseurs of high-quality images in a notebook with a diagonal screen from 14 inches to 17 inches choose a model with these video cards. Consumption cards level, of course, higher than average level, but within reasonable limits. The notebook must have worked steadily to 2.5 hours of battery life.

From top to bottom in ascending order of performance:

• Nvidia GeForce Go6600
• ATI Mobility Radeon X700
• Nvidia GeForce 8400M-GT
• Nvidia GeForce Go7600
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1600
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1700
• ATI Mobility Radeon X2500
• Nvidia GeForce Go7700
• Nvidia GeForce 8600M-GS
• Nvidia GeForce Go7600GT
• ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 DDR2
• Nvidia GeForce 8600M-GT DDR2
• Nvidia GeForce 9500M-GS DDR2
• ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 GDDR3
• Nvidia GeForce 8600M-GT GDDR3
• Nvidia GeForce 8700M-GT
• Nvidia GeForce 9650M-GS

Nvidia 9500M-GS and the 9650M-GS has only recently stepped into this category. This is not simple, but only the advanced version of 8600M-GT and 8700M-GT respectively. 8600M-GT is much faster than 8600M-GS expense of the availability of dual-stream processor. Both cards support DirectX 10. Nvidia 8400M-GT got into another class, because equipped with 128-bit memory bus and the performance slightly inferior to the Go7600 and X1600. We have included in this category 8700M-GT for 128-bit memory bus. This High-End card should carry on board a 256-bit bus.

ATI Radeon X1700 and GeForce Go7700 can be found in a few models. X1700 is comparable in performance with the X1600. Attention, X2500 is a clone X1700, a new name, it was obviously for marketing reasons. GeForce Go7700, without doubt, the faster X1700.

E. High-End

If you are looking for a laptop with maximum performance in 3D-applications, they are solely responsible to attend the following video cards High-End class. Most often they are equipped with laptops with a diagonal display of at least 17 inches. High-End graphics card is much more voracious in the energy sense. It is reasonable to think about additional cooling of the notebook. All the cards in this category support the latest games and can easily cope with the highest quality settings and resolution.

From top to bottom in ascending order of performance:

• Nvidia GeForce Go7800
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1800
• Nvidia GeForce Go7900GS
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1900
• Nvidia GeForce Go7800GTX
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1800XT
• Nvidia GeForce 8600M-GT SLI
• Nvidia GeForce Go7900GTX
• Nvidia GeForce Go7950GTX
• Nvidia GeForce 8700M-GT SLI
• Nvidia GeForce 8800M-GTS
• Nvidia GeForce Go7950GTX SLI
• Nvidia GeForce 8800M-GTX
• Nvidia GeForce 8800M-GTX SLI

The fastest is only just released GeForce 8800M-GTX. 8800M-GTS impresses with its features and superior 8700M-GT SLI. SLI cards, in our opinion, not worthy of special attention. All other applications like office, internet surfing, video editing, photos etc. Require no additional power 3D accelerator to the processor and therefore to use something like (not fun), the lower base board sold a few dollars or a graphics card built into the motherboard will be sufficient (the newer cards be more efficient to decode certain video streams). For players the choice is very complex, but with this guide you should be able to find the right graphics card based on your usage and your budget.

Early onset of 3D accelerated graphics cards, the amount of embedded memory plays an important role and performance went hand in hand with the amount of ram. That has changed, and today, the amount of memory on the card is no longer the most important element in choosing the card especially since marketing departments are on the card market with a need that much memory will never be used in its entirety (and the memory has a cost). Today 1 GB of video memory is sufficient for most current games even with very high graphics options, it is often the power of the GPU and bus width (bits) are the limiting factors.

The speed and bus width (in bits) influence the bandwidth of memory and thus directly on the performance of the graphics card. And, unfortunately, manufacturers are quick to rein in their models of cards (bus width) to reduce production costs and this has important consequences on the power of the card.

The laptop was on a roll and there are many manufacturers who are trying to penetrate this promising market, which has now overtaken that of desktop computers. Consequence of this enthusiasm references multiply and it becomes very difficult to identify the machine of his dreams, or at least, one that offers the best value on a given segment of the offer.

To ensure maximum compatibility, we recommend you keep the MXM port type and brand of the card when you decide to replace it. In the following section we will show in the 'Change Map' how to replace an MXM graphics card from another perfectly compatible, then in the section 'Changing the cooling, we will discuss solutions to the problems incompatibility.