video card or integrated graphics?

dolemite

Does anyone think that having a dedicated video card is really necessary for doing light 3D work on a laptop?


I'm thinking about getting a laptop, with the idea that I might end up doing some amount of 3D on it. My last high end laptop was a dell m1530, which made a lot of noise and was really hot.


So if I get one with no graphics card will I be completely gimped for 3D work?


I use mostly 3DS Max and photoshop.

CompanionCube

should really get one with a dedicated gpu. the interface in max 2010 is more gpu dependent and looks like there are going to make max even more dependent on gpu so if you want decent performance get a dedicated gpu with at least 512mb of video memory

Will Faucher

I don't know why integrated graphics still exist these days. They used to be OK, but not anymore. If you want to do anything decent, definitely go with a dedicated card.

Will Faucher

I'm not as familiar with laptops as I am with desktops, but a cheap 512mb dedicated card these days really isn't that expensive I don't think. And it will better than an integrated by leaps and bounds, no?

dolemite

Yeh I have a card on my desktop. I'm just thinking about getting a laptop that I would use for the occasional 3D and video stuff, but more often would be used for email etc.


So netbook is out, I don't want to try the mega gaming laptop thing again because they are so hot and loud that they usually aren't really functional as laptops (Not to mention they cost a lot). So I'm just exploring where in the middle ground I would want to go.

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

EarthQuake

Netbook is out for sure, you want atleast a dual core for 3d work, i think if you can find something like a 8500, 8600, 9400, 9500 mobile GPU, maybe even 8400 or 9300 it would be suitable. Some onboard video is ok, you can get onboard 9300 for instance, which is quite a bit better than onboard intel stuff, but still not very good. One thing to keep in mind is that onboard video is going to use your (slower) system memory. You should be able to get a mid-range system with a real video card, it doesn't have to be a "gamer" card, as long as its a real, dedicated card.

arrangemonk

nvidia ion + atom dual core/an equivalent via processor is lickass for laptops, since it uses as much power as some cpus in standby and is capabla of awesome 3d graphics

CrazyButcher

ion chipset is similar to 9400 if I recall correctly. to put it into perspective

arrangemonk

jup

EarthQuake

Oh thats actually pretty decent then, a dual core Atom + Ion would likely work out ok for 3d work, as long as you're not doing anything crazy with it.

arrangemonk

http://nugossips.com/asus-eee-pc-1201-netbook-specs

DarthNater

arrangemonk wrote: »

nvidia ion + atom dual core/an equivalent via processor is lickass for laptops

I never saw a computer component that licked ass.....

HA

Anyway, skip the netbooks, you'll give your self a head ache. Get something with a decent sized screen. I wouldn't go under 15 inches... That's what she said anyway...

Rurouni Strife

Agreeing with DarthNater, skip anything with Atom in it for 3D work. The processor will kill you even with Ion. Which isn't really powerful anyway for a full laptop.

arrangemonk

atom + ion = cheap, consumes not much power and has reasonable amount of power
if i was to build up a company, for rendering i either would buy an array of atom dualcores with ion
or something completely different

Sage

get a one with a graphics card, that integrated shit gives you hemorrhoids and roid rage.

DarthNater

arrangemonk wrote: »

atom + ion = cheap, consumes not much power and has reasonable amount of power
if i was to build up a company, for rendering i either would buy an array of atom dualcores with ion
or something completely different

It wasn't the processor that made me hate netbooks, its the tiny screen and keyboard. 3d would be a nightmare on one. Netbooks are more for someone who needs more than a smartphone, but not a whole full blown laptop.