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waterbuck · Feb 4, 2005, 01:15 AM

Hi-
Trying to sort out a PB pu. Purchase decision versus my wallet. Mainly I use it for work, but occasionally like to mess around with games. I tend to keep machines for 3-4 years. For my daily use, it hardly matters how much VRAM I have, but for the game experience I'm curious how big a difference 128 MB vs 64 MB video chip makes.

I occasionally have done some iMovie stuff on an old 667MHz TiBook which has a 32 MB video chip. It was a bit slow.

thanks

iREZ · Feb 4, 2005, 01:18 AM

If you wanna game get the most VRAM you could get your hands on (why oh why on a Mac).

Simon · Feb 4, 2005, 04:28 AM

There's another thread dealing (among others things) with the topic of 128 MB VRAM vs. 64 MB VRAM. There I posted:

I think with the previous revision the 128 MB VRAM BTO upgrade was a no brainer because it was so cheap. Now, it's become more expensive (probably due to the added DDL functionality). For the $100 surcharge, I'm really wondering if it's worth it.

Some time ago Barefeats did a comparison between 128MB and 64MB Radeon Mobility 9700 in the PowerBook. Rob-Art concluded with

CONCLUSION #1: It DOES make a difference if you run 3D apps at extreme settings. But Quartz 2D and Quartz Extreme operations are not enhanced with extra video memory.

It's true that the VRAM can't be upgraded, so I guess if you're planning on keeping the PowerBook a couple of years the 128 MB upgrade makes sense, but otherwise, I'm not sure...

Pierre B. · Feb 4, 2005, 10:27 AM

Originally posted by Simon:
Some time ago Barefeats did a comparison between 128MB and 64MB Radeon Mobility 9700 in the PowerBook.

I am not sure if more VRAM can improve Quartz 2D or Quartz Extreme, but it is certain that it can improve the smoothness of operation of the graphics subsystem under "heavy window load". OS X is very RAM and VRAM hungry. As it consumes rapidly RAM when you open and use applications, so it eats VRAM when many windows are open (even hided). So, expect a (much?) smoother operation of several windows-related OS functions (Expose for example).

iREZ · Feb 4, 2005, 10:59 AM

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the forthcomming OS' going to offload lots of intensive tasks onto VRAM. If that's true than 128MB would be a safety procedure if you plan on keeping your machine for a long time.

Mithras · Feb 4, 2005, 11:02 AM

Certainly if you use your Powerbook dual-screen with an external monitor it's a good idea. Otherwise, meh. For your kind of casual use I don't think it's worth the bread.

Simon · Feb 4, 2005, 11:03 AM

Originally posted by Pierre B.:
So, expect a (much?) smoother operation of several windows-related OS functions (Expose for example).

I hear this quite often, but 'm not really sure. Is there any indication that Expos� really requires lots of VRAM to work well? I have always had a perfectly smooth Expos� and that's with just 32 MB VRAM and 1680x1050 on my 20" ACD. Any ideas?

Eriamjh · Feb 4, 2005, 11:03 AM

The more the better. Get it and you'll never wish you hadn't. It may not be "worth" paying for it, but in the future, 128MB will be the standard. Wouldn't it be nice to have it now?

Pierre B. · 11:25 AM

Originally posted by Simon:
I hear this quite often, but 'm not really sure. Is there any indication that Expos� really requires lots of VRAM to work well?

I have never tried a 128 vs. a 64 vs. 32 MB VRAM Powerbook to really tell the what and when. I simply tell what you should expect, given that the OS X window management requires lots of VRAM.

I have always had a perfectly smooth Expos� and that's with just 32 MB VRAM and 1680x1050 on my 20" ACD. Any ideas?

How many windows you run usually? I am right now on a 32 MB VRAM Powerbook with 20 Mail windows, 18 Safari windows (I count the tabs also), 4 Camino windows, X11 and and 6-7 more from other applications. I have to say that Expose is starting to lose smoothness noticeably, even when Mail is hidden.

Simon · Feb 4, 2005, 12:29 PM

Originally posted by Pierre B.:
How many windows you run usually? I am right now on a 32 MB VRAM Powerbook with 20 Mail windows, 18 Safari windows (I count the tabs also), 4 Camino windows, X11 and and 6-7 more from other applications. I have to say that Expose is starting to lose smoothness noticeably, even when Mail is hidden.

Ok, now I understand

I make it to two dozen windows at the max. I guess your use is a tad more demanding.

ero2 · Feb 4, 2005, 05:45 PM

um I usually only make it to 4 or so, so the vram upgrade may not be as important to me?

markponcelet · Feb 6, 2005, 03:43 PM

If nothing else, having twice the VRAM will increase your powerbook's resale value. On a site like EBay, someone might choose your model over another if they see that your model has more VRAM in it.

Me, I bought a clamshell iBook once thinking that it would last me a long time. And last it did. I'm writing this post with it while I wait for my 17" PB to arrive. But let me tell you: once you start to notice that your built-in VRAM is not enough, you will rue the day that you didn't invest just a couple hundred dollars more.

C'Mon. If you're buying a professional machine (which a powerbook really is), then you should invest a little extra to ensure that it gives you maximum performance and -- more importantly -- maximum longevity. If this were any other user-installable component, I'd tell you to go with the minimum and buy your own upgrades (like a cheaper RAM chip or a third-party 7200 RPM hard drive or something). But this one you can't change.

Err on the side of power, sez I. You can always make more money.

Mark

wuzup101 · Feb 6, 2005, 05:03 PM

I say go for it if you have the money. I game once in a while, but I believe in future proofing my machine. That and, my vram upgrade was on the last revision and was pretty cheap. However, most people here have offered up good points... it will add to resale, and it's a marginal price increase on a professional level machine... mise well go for it...

porieux · Feb 6, 2005, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by Simon:
There's another thread dealing (among others things) with the topic of 128 MB VRAM vs. 64 MB VRAM. There I posted:

I think with the previous revision the 128 MB VRAM BTO upgrade was a no brainer because it was so cheap. Now, it's become more expensive (probably due to the added DDL functionality). For the $100 surcharge, I'm really wondering if it's worth it.

Some time ago Barefeats did a comparison between 128MB and 64MB Radeon Mobility 9700 in the PowerBook. Rob-Art concluded with

It's true that the VRAM can't be upgraded, so I guess if you're planning on keeping the PowerBook a couple of years the 128 MB upgrade makes sense, but otherwise, I'm not sure...

I would take advice from that site with a large grain of salt.

Simon · Feb 7, 2005, 01:41 AM

Originally posted by porieux:
I would take advice from that site with a large grain of salt.

I always had the impression that they do serious benchmarking. Rob-ART posts his methods and the specs in quite some details. They are sponsored, but they always declare where they got their hardware, so you know in advance who's paying. Any special reason to be suspicious?

Big Mac · Feb 7, 2005, 04:16 AM

Originally posted by Simon:
I always had the impression that they do serious benchmarking. Rob-ART posts his methods and the specs in quite some details. They are sponsored, but they always declare where they got their hardware, so you know in advance who's paying. Any special reason to be suspicious?

A lot of people in the know have echoed the assessment that Bare Feats isn't very accurate. They say macspeedzone.com is far better.