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General discussion

Shared/Integrated Memory problems

Aug 7, 2004 5:50PM PDT

"And, yes, as Bob through in as a curve ball, try to avoid notebooks that have shared or integrated video
memory."

I have read this before, in both the desktop and notebook forums. Could someone explain this pitfall to me a little more. I usually go through Dell, and, since I'm, in the market for a new pc, I've noticed that during configuration, I come across things like 512 SDD shared ram and stuff like that; is this what you're speaking of? Why is this bad? Any retort would be much obliged.

Discussion is locked

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Re: Shared/Integrated Memory problems
Aug 7, 2004 10:12PM PDT

The reasons are repeated often in the same discussion. In short.

1. Forget 3D games.
2. Takes a toll on CPU performance.
3. Eats some main RAM.
4. No upgrade possible in such systems.

In closing, such systems still can beat a machine from 2 years ago.

Bob

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Re: Shared/Integrated Memory problems
Aug 9, 2004 4:48AM PDT

If you look at Dell models like the 8600 Pentium M it has options for 32mb, 64mb or 128mb DEDICATED memory.

Just make sure you get a notebook with at least 32mb dedicated video (ATI or Nvidia) but 64mb is better and as you see Dell even has 128mb but that is mostly for gamers.

A lot of the ultralight notebooks have integrated video (like Fujitsu) as they can make the notebooks enen thinner and lighter without a separate video card (integrated video is only a chip on the motherboard).

But remember this -- a desktop (even if purchased only with integrated video) can be upgraded with a video card at any time if you have an open expansion slot. You CANNOT due this on a notebook.

You can find many excellent Pentium M Centrino notebooks for between $1200 and $2000 that have dedicated video (best cost ratio is usually ordering online -- Toshiba M35 right now is 10% off or any Toshiba custom order is 10% off) - HP/Compaq has many student or employer discounts online also.

The practical matter alone (even if you are ok with integrated video as you do mostly business tasks only) to get dedicated video is that the video memory is separate. If you get shared or integrated it takes away some of your system RAM so if you have 512mb (recommended amount now for Windows XP/Windows 2000, etc) then you really only have 512-64 = 448mb availble.

Dedicated video is completely separate from RAM.