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    For Text: T61 w Intel GMA X3100 or NVidia Quadro?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by fbp, May 20, 2008.

  1. fbp

    fbp Notebook Enthusiast

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    I work primarily with MSWord, Acrobat, Explorer, Firefox.

    Does anyone know if there is a difference in quality of text display between the Intel GMA and Nvidia graphics controllers? If yes, which is better for text?

    My likely T61 screen choice would be the 15.4" WXGA or WSXGA+.

    (My desktop has a not so new Intel 82865G graphics controller, and its text reproduction is excellent so I have had good results with Intel.)

    Also, does anyone know if any of these controllers can run the T61 screens in non-native screen resolutions without losing any sharpness, ie if I have the WSXGA+ and want to run it as WXGA?
     
    fbp, May 20, 2008
    #1
  2. stewie

    stewie What the deuce?

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    For text, you will see no difference.

    Discrete graphic controller is good for: games, 3D rendering software, HD videos.

    You can still watch HD videos with the IGP, people have no problem watching 1080i with the GMA X3100, but of course it's always better with a discrete controller.
     
    stewie, May 20, 2008
    #2
  3. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

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    Changing the resolution of the monitor from non native, such as from WSXGA+ to WXGA is not a good idea. The screen will become a bit blurry and you will lose clarity.
     
    The Fire Snake, May 20, 2008
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  4. fbp

    fbp Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thats what I thought too. Someone in this forum reported a few days ago that he was able to go from WSXGA+ from WXGA on a 15.4" panel without any loss of clarity and I was surprised.
     
    fbp, May 21, 2008
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  5. LoneWolf15

    LoneWolf15 The Chairman

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    Text readability will be fine with either choice.

    If you're running Vista and wish to use the Aero Glass UI, the Quadro will probably be a bit snappier in this regard. You'll also have more free RAM to run apps, and as others have said, some types of video playback (esp. MPEG-4) should be smoother.

    On the other hand, if you're planning on running XP for the life of the machine, and all you want is text capabilities, the X3100 will do so very well, and give you a bit longer battery life.

    No. And you cannot on any LCD screen I know of; you will always lose sharpness running at non-native resolutions, at least if they are scaled to the edges of the display.
     
    LoneWolf15, May 21, 2008
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  6. tallshorty

    tallshorty Notebook Evangelist

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    With the X3100 I can even play CS:S at nearly full settings and get around 35-40 fps. But mind you, the X61 display is only 1024x768. I was happily surprised
     
    tallshorty, May 22, 2008
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