laptop graphics truelly dedicated?

15th August 2007, 14:56

Ok a friend and I are having a bit of an argument about my new Dell Vostro 1500 laptops graphics card. The card is described as 256MB 8600M GT with dedicated memory, now thats the definition of a dedicated graphics chip right? Integrated is when the card uses ram memory. He's just overwhelmed with jealousy he's trying to make me feel like i have a crappy computer.

thanks

-Ray

jmke · 15th August 2007, 14:58

otherwise they would use "shared" in the description, 256mb is dedicated

Sidney · 15th August 2007, 15:00

Love-Jealousy-hate

Don't get another more stuff way better than your friend(s), or you will be hated

You are correct, he is jealous.

jmke · 15th August 2007, 15:04

but memory size don't matter much at low/midrange

15th August 2007, 19:21

haha I knew there was a reason that this is my favorite tech forum! I did a little research the definition of a dedicated graphics card is that it has it's own memory chip thats separated from the RAM, but sometime the video chip is integrated into the board inside the laptop i think thats what he was trying to get across to me, along with insinuating that the laptop sucks haha. Also I found out it has an integrated RAM DAC I'm not sure what that means but in any case the card is at least as good as a desktop 7900GT and certainly better then my friends ATI 9800Pro

Thanks guys for that clarification

-Ray

jmke · 15th August 2007, 19:43

RAM DAC controls 2D gfx afaik, and it's vital to most systems

Quote:

n modern PCs, the RAMDAC(s) are integrated into the display controller chip, which itself may be mounted on an add-in-board or integrated into the motherboard core-logic chipset. The original purpose of the RAMDAC, to provide a CLUT-based display-mode, is rarely used, having been supplanted by true-color display-modes. However, many CAD and video editing applications use hardware overlay, combined with the programmable palette, to ensure the user interface does not disrupt the rendering of editing window.

As the use of DVI, HDMI, and other digital interface technology becomes increasingly mainstream, the "DAC" portion of the RAMDAC will likely become obsolete.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAMDAC

The 8600M GT will be comparable to 7600 GO performance wise; the desktop 7900 GT is faster than 8600 GT or 8600M GT

15th August 2007, 20:03

Ah well thats close enough for me, my desktop only has a 7800GT, but I really like having the mobility of a laptop and being able to play games on high quality if I want to.

And correction my friend has an X1300 ATI card lol

But I've seen RAMDAC on other card specs but i didn't know whether there was integrated and dedicated RAMDAC or not, i know almost nothing about laptop components but all I know is that it'll play the games coming out with directX 10 and thats all i need to know

jmke · 15th August 2007, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by mentalcrisis00

it'll play the games coming out with directX 10 and thats all i need to know

at 640x480 min. detail

15th August 2007, 14:56	#1
mentalcrisis00 Posts: n/a	laptop graphics truelly dedicated? Ok a friend and I are having a bit of an argument about my new Dell Vostro 1500 laptops graphics card. The card is described as 256MB 8600M GT with dedicated memory, now thats the definition of a dedicated graphics chip right? Integrated is when the card uses ram memory. He's just overwhelmed with jealousy he's trying to make me feel like i have a crappy computer. thanks -Ray

15th August 2007, 14:58	#2
jmke Madshrimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: 7090/Belgium Posts: 79,019	otherwise they would use "shared" in the description, 256mb is dedicated __________________

15th August 2007, 15:00	#3
Sidney Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 15,738	Love-Jealousy-hate Don't get another more stuff way better than your friend(s), or you will be hated You are correct, he is jealous. __________________ lazyman Opteron 165 (2) @2.85 1.42 vcore AMD Stock HSF + Chill Vent II

15th August 2007, 15:04	#4
jmke Madshrimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: 7090/Belgium Posts: 79,019	but memory size don't matter much at low/midrange __________________

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15th August 2007, 19:21	#5
mentalcrisis00 Posts: n/a	haha I knew there was a reason that this is my favorite tech forum! I did a little research the definition of a dedicated graphics card is that it has it's own memory chip thats separated from the RAM, but sometime the video chip is integrated into the board inside the laptop i think thats what he was trying to get across to me, along with insinuating that the laptop sucks haha. Also I found out it has an integrated RAM DAC I'm not sure what that means but in any case the card is at least as good as a desktop 7900GT and certainly better then my friends ATI 9800Pro Thanks guys for that clarification -Ray

15th August 2007, 20:03	#7
mentalcrisis00 Posts: n/a	Ah well thats close enough for me, my desktop only has a 7800GT, but I really like having the mobility of a laptop and being able to play games on high quality if I want to. And correction my friend has an X1300 ATI card lol But I've seen RAMDAC on other card specs but i didn't know whether there was integrated and dedicated RAMDAC or not, i know almost nothing about laptop components but all I know is that it'll play the games coming out with directX 10 and thats all i need to know