Intergrated or dedicated graphics for gaming and mutltaking use?

[Tomtom111]

Hi,

I'm looking ofr a new laptop which I can use for gaming, stuff like Minecraft and complex driving games, but I also use it for multitasking quite a bit. Linked to my main query- Intel of AMD? I've read that Intel is better for multitasking but AMD is better for gaming. If it turns out an AMD CPU would be better I could shell out on a laptop with dedicated graphics, but if I get an Intel I'd probably have to settle with integrated (something like Intel HD 4000 Graphics (btw are they any good?)) I don't want to spend anymore than £500 (equivalent to this laptop: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pavilion-g6...12?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1352915007&sr=1-12 )

As I said, the majority of the use is multitasking and not in games, and when I say multitasking I mean 80+ processes.

Any help will be appreciated and don't hesitate to ask me more questions if I've not given sufficient information.

Thanks in advance,
Tom

 

[Tomtom111]

So nobody has anything at all? No advice, no tips, nothing?

 

[bobkn]

Maybe because to many here, "gaming laptop" is an oxymoron.

 

[M1GU31]

Well for gaming I would never use a laptop but if you have to go with a dedicated graphic chip from either amd or nvida. Stronger then the integrated chips from intel which will run poorly for games. Better off with a dedicated graphics chip for gaming. The cpu on it is good but intel hd 4000 is going to struggle with games, they will run but on low and older games might run ok.

 

[Tomtom111]

Maybe because to many here, "gaming laptop" is an oxymoron.

Sorry, but I didn't know how else to describe it. I needed a laptop, and something to play games on.

Well for gaming I would never use a laptop but if you have to go with a dedicated graphic chip from either amd or nvida. Stronger then the integrated chips from intel which will run poorly for games. Better off with a dedicated graphics chip for gaming. The cpu on it is good but intel hd 4000 is going to struggle with games, they will run but on low and older games might run ok.

Ok, thanks. I know this is a huge question, but AMD or Intel, as I said earlier if I get an AMD I'd be able to get a better graphics card, andd if I get Intel I won't be able to get such a good graphics card. Sorry, but I have no idea what CPU is better for what...

Thanks for your replies.

 

[M1GU31]

Maybe because to many here, "gaming laptop" is an oxymoron.

Sorry, but I didn't know how else to describe it. I needed a laptop, and something to play games on.

Well for gaming I would never use a laptop but if you have to go with a dedicated graphic chip from either amd or nvida. Stronger then the integrated chips from intel which will run poorly for games. Better off with a dedicated graphics chip for gaming. The cpu on it is good but intel hd 4000 is going to struggle with games, they will run but on low and older games might run ok.

Ok, thanks. I know this is a huge question, but AMD or Intel, as I said earlier if I get an AMD I'd be able to get a better graphics card, andd if I get Intel I won't be able to get such a good graphics card. Sorry, but I have no idea what CPU is better for what...

Thanks for your replies.

Well technically Intel cpus are most of the time superior to amd cpus in terms of power and usually outperform them. Though Amd graphic gpus out perform Intel's graphic solutions, maybe something with a amd gpu and a Intel cpu or just a amd cpu and amd graphics or possibly one with nvdia graphics and a intel cpu would benefit you more. Um what is this other amd laptop that you are looking at? Just want to know to help guide you and give a better judgment since only the one with intel graphics laptop link has been provided.

 

[Tomtom111]

Well technically Intel cpus are most of the time superior to amd cpus in terms of power and usually outperform them. Though Amd graphic gpus out perform Intel's graphic solutions, maybe something with a amd gpu and a Intel cpu or just a amd cpu and amd graphics or possibly one with nvdia graphics and a intel cpu would benefit you more. Um what is this other amd laptop that you are looking at? Just want to know to help guide you and give a better judgment since only the one with intel graphics laptop link has been provided.

There are no specific AMD laptops that I've seen, patially because I don't know which CPU model is better than another, but I found this Intel laptop with dedicated nvidia graphics

Lenovo Ideapad Z580 15.6-inch Laptop (Gunmetal) - (Intel Core i5 2450M 3.1Ghz, 6GB RAM, 750GB HDD, DVDRW, LAN, WLAN, BT, Webcam, Nvidia GT630 Graphics, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

It seems quite good to me, but I'm open to other opinions.

Thanks

 

[M1GU31]

That's a pretty decent choice, should be pretty good at multi tasking and decent gaming at around 30fps average. This guy uploaded a video of him running some games with that laptop. Can run pretty modern games at medium-high at 30fps avg though he does dip into the 20's at times which can look a bit jittery. Usually console games run at 30 fps so it should look okay to you if you're use to playing console games but you will probably notice some fps dips.As for multitasking and rendering the i5 should have no problems what so ever. I think most games would run decent at medium at 1336x768 native res on that laptop, could probably bump the graphics or get a tad higher fps if you play at 1280x720 instead of 1336x768.

 

[4wd]

Some sources of info:

Mobile Graphics Cards - Benchmark List -
(Intel HD Graphics 4000 is no 207 down the list...)

Notebookcheck.net Tech Gaming Forum

 

[Tomtom111]

I read on another forum site that a Nvidia Geforce GT630 with 1GB dedicated memory is better than a Nvidia Geforce GT620 with 2GB dedicated memory. Is this true, surely more memory would be a bigger advatage than the slight speed difference between models?

 

[M1GU31]

Yes,the more memory is kind of gimmicky, you won't use it all unless you got really high really high resolutions like when ppl use 2 monitors with high res. Though it's up to you on what to choose. I would go with the one with more power instead of the extra 1gb of ram which most likely won't get used anyways.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

Linked to my main query- Intel of AMD? I've read that Intel is better for multitasking but AMD is better for gaming.

AMD is better in the small ultraportables, and it's losing that edge as well. Go Intel.

If it turns out an AMD CPU would be better I could shell out on a laptop with dedicated graphics, but if I get an Intel I'd probably have to settle with integrated (something like Intel HD 4000 Graphics (btw are they any good?))

Either way, if you want to play moderately good games you need a "dedicated" graphics, which is still technically integrated as it's soldered to the mobo, but anyway.

Intel HD graphics 4000 is much better than the older iteration (the HD 2000), and can run BF3 at medium settings (and at high settings as well, with 20ish fps). Plus the usual HD movie stuff. Don't know about AMD integrated graphics.

Of course any dedicated graphics is going to blow it away, but you need to think if you really need that. Battery usage of the HD 4000 is significantly less than any graphics worth comparing. Look in Google if the games you want to play on the HD 4000, probably someone made a video about it.

IF it is a laptop dedicated graphics, anything above 1 GB is overkill as more than that is needed only by serious gamers that want 2-3 multiscreen, that won't buy a laptop anyway.

As I said, the majority of the use is multitasking and not in games, and when I say multitasking I mean 80+ processes.

If you don't mind toning a bit down the game quality (or play minecraft that has no real graphics need) and don't play the most demanding PC games around, I suggest to find a good 3rd gen i5 and be content of its HD 4000 graphics (as only 3rd gen Intel cores have the HD 4000) and its better processing power.

Unless you are on the run and need the laptop NOW, keep looking for deals as stuff with win7 is getting discounted as it is "old and outdated" lol.

Stay away from Acer, as it's cheaper but often unreliable.