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    Any Significant difference in picture quality for 128mb and 256mb graphics card

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by gopinath, Aug 1, 2007.

  1. gopinath

    gopinath Newbie

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    The only major difference between the two MBP 15.4 inch models is the graphics card. Is there any significant difference between these two in picture quality-like watching DVD movies and online streaming videos and photo editing. i dont have much prefence in playing games.

    because this difference makes upto 500 dollars.
     
    gopinath, Aug 1, 2007
    #1
  2. Sam

    Sam Notebook Virtuoso

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    Photo editing does not utilize the graphics card, it utilizes the CPU. The other tasks you mention (DVDs, streaming video) also uses the CPU, not the graphics card.

    So no, the difference in video RAM will not affect the tasks you list. Personally, I feel only if you need the gaming power/graphics-intensive tasks should you get the higher video RAM for the MBP. If not, the 128 MB 8600GT is more than enough.
     
    Sam, Aug 1, 2007
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  3. gopinath

    gopinath Newbie

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    Thank you Sam,

    Can you tell me what will be the major uses of having 256mb graphics card- as you mentioned graphics intensive tasks. like....?
     
    gopinath, Aug 2, 2007
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  4. nattonrice

    nattonrice Notebook Enthusiast

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    namely gaming and to a latter extent (when stanford get around to it) nv gpu folding :)

    i think hd video editing gets a boon from it aswell.
     
    nattonrice, Aug 2, 2007
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  5. wave

    wave Notebook Virtuoso

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    When you work with 3d models like in 3d CAD applications. There the differance will be seen. Games too like stated but that's about it.
     
    wave, Aug 2, 2007
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  6. nattonrice

    nattonrice Notebook Enthusiast

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    mind u think bout the games u wanna play. The biggest diference it makes is when useing aa. If you happen to play rts games then u can usually survive with no aa at all so ur gtg :)
     
    nattonrice, Aug 2, 2007
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  7. DeepShadows

    DeepShadows Notebook Geek

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    Actually if you are using Aperture, it does actually use the GPU
     
    DeepShadows, Aug 2, 2007
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  8. cashmonee

    cashmonee Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Correct, but the 128MB will more than handle Aperture. If you are not doing anything 3D intensive the 128MB is fine. In fact, it is probably overkill.
     
    cashmonee, Aug 2, 2007
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  9. Gleeky

    Gleeky Newbie

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    The only real reason you'd need the 256mb card is if you game on a display higher than the native resolution of your MBP.
     
    Gleeky, Aug 2, 2007
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  10. DeepShadows

    DeepShadows Notebook Geek

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    Or you game in windows, it's been proven to have a massive in-game edge using windows with any of the graphics turned up.
     
    DeepShadows, Aug 2, 2007
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  11. circa86

    circa86 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    actual image quality will not change at all just based on the actual GPU memory alone.

    they both use the same chipset, the only place "image quality" could really differ is jut in situations like gaming where image quality is actually controlled by software, and the 256mb card could have an advantage, but only because it allows for higher settings and whatnot, but this is specific situations and depends on how intensive of a game or task you are doing.

    there will be no difference in quality in things like video/dvd playback, and photo editing, Aperture is not really a image editing program, it is a workflow program, and even then, the difference in performance would be extremely minor because even the base version of the 8600 is such a strong GPU.

    keep in mind that the GPU is not the only thing raising the cost. the cost of CPU's go up drastically when it comes down to using the highest end notebook GPU available.
     
    circa86, Aug 2, 2007
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