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subzero · Sep 20, 2005, 03:07 PM

Hello MacNN,

This is my first post on this, obviously amazing forum. I am expecting to switch my Dell Inspiron 8600 laptop with an Apple PowerBook 15" SuperDrive, by the time Apple Expo is over.

I do, however, have a question for you mac-users, as I've never owned a mac myself.

Would I experience any performance-boost with 128MB memory on the graphicscard instead of the 64MB card?
One should note, that I am not going to play games with the PowerBook. It will exclusively be for graphics design, web development, IM and studies (perhaps a bit dvd-watching aswell).

I am intending to buy a 20" TFT monitor in the future aswell, which I would like to use with the PowerBook - will I suffer from a performance slowdown, if choosing the 64MB card and using the higher resolution (1680x1050px) ?

I am aware, that I should upgrade the ram of the PowerBook, which I intend to do with a 1GB Crucial stick.

Thanks on advance

Best Regards
Kenneth Fuglsang (aka. subzero)

hickey · Sep 20, 2005, 03:41 PM

I only have 64mb in my 15", it isnt that bad when im doing a lot of video editing. But there are times when I wish i had the full 128. And since its rather inexpensive to get that upgraded, id say definitely go for it.

Dakkon · Sep 20, 2005, 05:10 PM

i had the same question as you do, but honestly if your not gona be playing games, 64meg is more than enough, i had a 1998 model powerbook and i think it had 16meg video ram, and i did video editing on that machine, no problem at all, so with my new 15" 1.5 64meg powerbook, i would emagine that there will be no problem editing video on my new pb.. i would save the money on the v ram, and do 2 gigs on system ram. thats just me though.

sadpandas · Sep 20, 2005, 05:15 PM

I would get the upgraded 128mb VCARD.. The reason being it is the only thing on the powerbook that you can't update at a later date.

Scooterboy · Sep 20, 2005, 05:37 PM

As more and more work is put on the GPU by the OS, the GPU becomes more and more important. Go for the 128 MB graphics option. It's only too bad the PowerBook hasn't had an updated GPU this revision. They could have used the Radeon 9800 Mobility w/ 256 MB DDR VRAM. I might have upgraded for that.

olePigeon · Sep 20, 2005, 07:02 PM

I'd go for the 128MB. I think Leopard (PPC version) is going to take a lot more advantage of it.

ink · Sep 20, 2005, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

I'd go for the 128MB. I think Leopard (PPC version) is going to take a lot more advantage of it.

But how much is it really going to be worth it? You have to pay up to $700 more for the 128MB card (base 15" vs. 128MB 17") -- unless there is some "build to order" option that I'm not seeing?? I would love to upgrade the video card in the 12", if I could :-)

itguy05 · Sep 20, 2005, 08:30 PM

I have the 64MB 15" and don't game. The 128MB would be a waste unless you are hooking up a 30" to it. VRAM is highly overrated for non-gamers. Even video editing (unless you're doing tons of 3d) won't notice any speed difference in 128MB vs 64MB.

Don't regret not getting thee 128MB one bit. Just not worth it if you're not a gamer.

Helmling · Sep 20, 2005, 08:58 PM

He can get 128 Mb on the 15" for a lot less than $700.

And yes, I would definitely go for it.

Helmling · Sep 20, 2005, 09:00 PM

sorry, didn't finish that thought...

It's only $100 more (ink, you choose it under the processor drop down menu).

But yeah, do wait a few weeks, rumor is there's the update coming.

ink · Sep 21, 2005, 12:04 AM

Originally Posted by Helmling

It's only $100 more (ink, you choose it under the processor drop down menu).

It's definitely worth $100 then. I was trying to add it to the 1.5Ghz 15" powerbook (my bad, I didn't realize that video RAM had anything to do with CPU speed...

)

subzero · Sep 21, 2005, 03:05 AM

First of all, I'd like to thank all of you for your answers.

I've come to the decision, that I should get the upgrade, which is approx. $100. Along with the 1,5GB of ram, I think the system will be running nicely - atleast it is ought to do so.

sadpandas · Sep 21, 2005, 04:31 AM

Sub,
you might want to order it with the stock 512 of ram and order a gig or two from an outside source. Apple charges a lot for their ram (add $350.00 for 1gb on powerbook) and most 3rd party places charge a lower price for compatible ram. Other World Computing even offers Samsung, the same ram that Apple ships with for $165.00. Do a search for ram and you will find more than a couple of threads regarding different kinds of ram, prices, places to buy, and different member experiences. The install is pretty easy and there is a 'How to' in the back of the owners manual as well as on the Apple website. Good luck.

subzero · Sep 21, 2005, 05:00 AM

Thank you sadpandas - I've already researched this, and I'm able to get a 1GB Crucial (compatible) for $160

Al G · Sep 21, 2005, 05:25 PM

I think it's a complete waste of $100. It's the same exact clock speed and memory speed in the video card, just with more VRAM. And 64MB VRAM is more than enough to drive the 30" display.

Dakkon · Sep 22, 2005, 12:24 AM

its not really only 100$ more, is more like the 400$ because you cant get the 1.5 with 128meg vram, you HAVE to get the 1.67 which is 300$.. then 100 for the vram.

subzero · Sep 22, 2005, 04:57 AM

I'd want the 1.67GHz w/ SuperDrive anyways though, so it would only be $100.

Eriamjh · Sep 22, 2005, 05:56 AM

Get it. You can't add it later. Later is when you will wish you had it.