Graphics Card for Probooks

[cmmpro1]

I have two Probooks. The 6455b uses a Radeon graphics card and the 6470b uses Intel. I was told that the Radeon was a much better graphics card but it runs much slower than the 6470b. Why is that. The 6455b has 4 gigs of RAM whereas the 6470b has 8.

 

[townsbg]

Intel doesn't do as good a job with graphics as ATI and Nvidia and until recently they where considered to be third rate at best. I think they have improved. Now without knowing anything else about these chips, there are more factors than just the amount of ram.

 

[cmmpro1]

So is the Radeon a good graphics card? If so, why doesn't the 6455b run as good as the 6470b?

 

[LMiller7]

Certainly, Intel video does not compare favorably with discrete video. There is a large market for computers with limited graphics capabilities. Intel video was designed for that market by building the GPU into the CPU package. This has advantages and disadvantages. For technical reasons performance is a weakness but a major advantage is lower cost.This makes it possible to build a computer without a discreet GPU, whether built into the motherboard or in a discreet card.

There is a common belief that the amount of graphics memory in a graphics system is a major factor in performance. It is a single and easily compared number and that is an attraction. But it is a number of little importance. There are multiple other factors that are more important with the amount of memory being a relatively minor factor.

Incidentally Probooks do not have discreet video cards. The graphics system is built into the motherboard and is not upgradeable.

I don't have any specific knowledge of Probooks or their graphics capabilities.

 

[cmmpro1]

What type of computer would you recommend that has a discrete graphics card? Keep in mind cost is a factor.

 

[Bat 1]

You're trying to compare a banana to a mango. The 6654b is much older and less powerful. Read the Specs: HP ProBook 6455b Specs - CNET and HP ProBook 6470b Specs - CNET

Then use PassMark - Radeon HD 4250 - Price performance comparison and PassMark - Intel HD 4000 - Price performance comparison to compare. You can use Passmark to also compare the CPUs as well. PassMark - AMD Turion II P520 Dual-Core - Price performance comparison and PassMark - Intel Core i5-3210M @ 2.50GHz - Price performance comparison

My Lenovo G780 "Gremlin" also has the 3210M and it's my Daily Driver and Workhorse. The 3210M is a great little CPU for most everything except Gaming. Gaming level laptops are fairly expensive and if that's what you're asking about (?) you'd be better off with a Desktop.

 

[LMiller7]

Contrary to what some ads and sales people might tell you, laptops are not good gaming systems. The requirements of high performance graphics and the design priorities of laptops (small size, low power consumption) are at odds with each other. To get discreet video cards you must go to a desktop or a few high end gaming laptops. In the latter case you will be limited to the few offered by the laptop manufacturer and you will be paying a premium price for them. And the performance will not match that of a good desktop system.

 

[RoasterMen]

So is the Radeon a good graphics card? If so, why doesn't the 6455b run as good as the 6470b?

AMD Turion is old compared to the processor of the 6470b.

I've had a laptop with Turion X2 RM-72. I'll say yours will perform pretty bad without the AMD 880G Onboard GPU.

 

[townsbg]

Intel is designed for cost whereas enthusiasts either go for ATI or Nvidia if they are concerned about performance. Now when comparing 2 cards there is more than just ram amount to consider. Although it is important to have sufficient ram that isn't as important a factor as speed. Both the frequency of the chip or even the speed of the ram are very important. In reality if you only need a card with 1 gb of ram 4 gb isn't going to be any better for you than 2 gb and will cost more money. The only way that the 4 gb card would perform better than the 2 gb is if the chip and the ram speeds are faster. Does that help?

 

[cmmpro1]

Intel is designed for cost whereas enthusiasts either go for ATI or Nvidia if they are concerned about performance. Now when comparing 2 cards there is more than just ram amount to consider. Although it is important to have sufficient ram that isn't as important a factor as speed. Both the frequency of the chip or even the speed of the ram are very important. In reality if you only need a card with 1 gb of ram 4 gb isn't going to be any better for you than 2 gb and will cost more money. The only way that the 4 gb card would perform better than the 2 gb is if the chip and the ram speed are faster. Does that help?

Yes!! That makes total sense. Like building a racing engine but running cheap gas!!

 

[townsbg]

Yes!! That makes total sense. Like building a racing engine but running cheap gas!!

Not quite. More like paying for a race car and only cruising around town.

 

[cmmpro1]

Not quite. More like paying for a race car and only cruising around town.

Lol! That too!!! Hey! I've done that!!! Lol

 

[mrjimphelps]

When you say "discrete" video, do you mean that it has a video card which can be removed (and replaced), as opposed to onboard video which cannot be removed?