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    What is the Intel GMA HD capable of?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by stevenash, Jul 7, 2010.

  1. stevenash

    stevenash Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi all,

    i'm currently looking for a new notebook. It has to be portable but still have enough power to enjoy HD Movies, Multitask a lot and run games like CSS or WoW, maybe SC2 (nice to have)

    So I'm thinking of an Asus UL30VT or a new Sony Vaio Y.

    The spec of the UL30VT:
    Intel SU7300@1,2 GHz
    GeForce 210m

    Sony Vaio Y
    Intel U5400@1,2 GHz or maybe I'll upgrade and take the i3 330UM@1,2 GHz
    Intel GMA HD.

    Now, I really like the Sony Vaio Y, the design is awesome and the keyboard is brilliant, but does it offer enough power? What can I expect from an Intel GMA? Enough to play games and watch HD Movies smoothly?
     
    stevenash, Jul 7, 2010
    #1
  2. H.A.L. 9000

    H.A.L. 9000 Occam's Chainsaw

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    About the same thing as an ATI Integrated HD4200. At least the GMAHD in the i3 & i5 that are regular voltage, as they're not underclocked like the ULV models are.

    EDIT: The G210m is a slightly more capable card.

    LOL. EDIT2* The Sony won't be a very capable gamer because it's ULV like I stated above, and it's underclocked. TehSuigi is correct that the GMAHD will handle most ever type of HD video, even in the ULV version. But my pick between the two would definitely have to be the ASUS. It's just much more capable.
     
    H.A.L. 9000, Jul 7, 2010
    #2
  3. TehSuigi

    TehSuigi Notebook Virtuoso

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    The GMA HD is more than enough to watch HD movies smoothly - it easily handles the offloading of most, if not all, popular HD video codecs.
     
    TehSuigi, Jul 7, 2010
    #3
  4. G73Guy

    G73Guy Notebook Consultant

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    HD yes games very weak.
     
    G73Guy, Jul 7, 2010
    #4
  5. stevenash

    stevenash Notebook Enthusiast

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    well ok, I guess CPU performance is quite similar but if the 210m is that much better than the Intel HD it'll be the ASUS.
     
    stevenash, Jul 8, 2010
    #5
  6. Amnesiac

    Amnesiac 404

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    Not very much.
     
    Amnesiac, Jul 8, 2010
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  7. User Retired 2

    User Retired 2 Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    GMA HD is great for video playback, keeping battery consumption low and keeping overall weight of the notebook down. If need a more powerfu gpu, consider supplementing the Intel HD with a DIY ViDock attached to an expresscard slot. Eg: US$190 HD5670-1GB.
     
    User Retired 2, Jul 8, 2010
    #7
  8. Althernai

    Althernai Notebook Virtuoso

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    It is capable of everything except modern 3D gaming. If you want to play the latest games (the kind you buy for $40-60, not the flash ones), get something from Nvidia or ATI. If not, Intel GMA is more than adequate.
     
    Althernai, Jul 8, 2010
    #8
  9. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    get something with i5 processor and G310M... or GT330M and switchable graphics.... but if u don't mind 14 inch , best is sony Vaio E series.. cheap and super switchable with ATI 5650 and 4250..
     
    sean473, Jul 8, 2010
    #9