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General discussion

Dedicated Graphics or Integrated?

Dec 27, 2008 1:59PM PST

Hi,
I have a couple of questions regarding when dedicated graphics are needed and when integrated is enough? I am shopping for a laptop and a desktop for "home users". They will likely only surf the net/email and probably like to watch an occasional dvd movie or one of those online rental movies and also there's the msn news videos and the like. No gaming. Also maybe storing photos and streaming music. I was thinking that I would always need a dedicated card but have read that integrated is enough for the preceding needs. Please let me know which and by the way, if you think I need a dedicated card, please include the size memory for the card as well. Not the main system ram but the dedicated card ram. Also, they will have Vista Home Premium, so does that automatically mean get the minimum system requirements for running that OS and that would therefore take care of any other home use graphics needs?

Thanks,
Tech

Discussion is locked

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The breaking point appears to be GAMING.
Dec 27, 2008 10:34PM PST

Games are where the dedicated graphics pay off. There is not much payoff for video or photo editing so that's not it.

And for now, for today, both solutions on today's hardware and PC/Apply machines will play DVD, video with the right software. Why I must write that is that XP for example does not come with DVD player software. We can fix that for free with VLC PLAYER.

Bob

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Dedicated Graphics vs Integrated continued...
Dec 28, 2008 12:39PM PST

Thanks for that info! I need all the help I can get on making a "value" decision.

Thanks again,

Tech

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I see you have not done very much photo editing! Intergated
Mar 27, 2012 3:39AM PDT

Integrated is a poor choice for photography buffs ! Also a HA should be 7200 not 5400 and lots of ram , You might say that if you are a serious photographer that a gaming PC or Lap top with Big hard drive and big screen is very close to a gamers choice!!

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Sadly I've done too much.
Mar 27, 2012 3:42AM PDT

But am not as buff as you!

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dedicated verses intergrated
Mar 27, 2012 9:14AM PDT

hi ! I was not attacting you just made a statement as to which a photographer would prefer ! Most of the info I have read on photographer's forums agree that high HD deicated graphics lots of ram as photoshop alone chews up ram , and 17 inch screen and up, thats pritty much what you will find in a gaming PC , No? I am not as much of a buff if it means tech smart, But it is my passion ! John Take care!

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Re: dedicated versus integrated
Apr 26, 2012 7:46PM PDT

Good screen, enough RAM, good CPU, that's fully true.

But where does the need for a dedicated graphics come from for doing photo editing? Baisc photo editing is all about calculating pixels (by the CPU) in a bitmap (in the RAM). The graphic card doesn't do anything special; just showing the bitmap on the screen.

For games and 3d design programs it's another thing.

Kees

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ya i will suggest
Apr 26, 2012 7:30PM PDT

dedicated graphics is sufficient for you as i have 256dedicted graphics and its well proper for me to have it as to play games also and for photoshop and all its more than enough .