How much video ram is enough?

Message

kuma · #1 Post by **kuma** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 10:18 am

So I am trying to decide if it is worth it to spend the extra $300 dollars to get a T42 with 128vram, or spend $1700 and get the 64vram. I'm a med student who might do some gaming, no design software, but I do intend to keep this computer for 4 years and don't want to regret not spending the extra cash. What do people think?

Thank you,

Miss Kuma

DIGITALgimpus · #2 Post by **DIGITALgimpus** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 10:34 am

laptops aren't for gaming, that's really the bottom line.

Yes the 128MB card will make a big difference, but it still doesn't make it a gaming rig. Is it worth the cost? I couldn't say.

hoya · #3 Post by **hoya** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 10:51 am

Windows Vista will run better with the 128mb of VRAM, but by the time Microsoft's new OS ships (late 2006) newer ThinkPads will have much better video cards and of course dual processors (Intel's Yonah in early 2006 and then Merom in late 2006). if it were my money, I would buy the 2373H6U (which is on special at Lenovo's site), and then sell it on eBay in 18 months when Vista will come preinstalled on new ThinkPads. if you're set on keeping the T42 for 4 years and upgrading to Vista, I would get the p model with 128 VRAM.

#4 Post by **Kyocera** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 2:44 pm

My t42 has 32mb of video ram, will it be able to handle Vista? Is there a way to upgrade video ram?

DIGITALgimpus · #5 Post by **DIGITALgimpus** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 3:07 pm

It will, just not with the fancy new graphics system.

Most people will likely turn off the new User Interface anyway (provided it even ships, which as we know is a big 'if'), since it's rather intensive, and unnecessary.

So yes, your 32MB system should handle Vista just fine. Many will be in your situation. You only need 128MB if you enjoy fancy user interfaces.

Greg Gebhardt · #6 Post by **Greg Gebhardt** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 6:35 am

Sorry to not agree with the others but the more the better. Get it now as the upgreade path is poor.

Esben · #7 Post by **Esben** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 8:57 am

I'm happy with the 64MB on my laptop. It plays many games fine.
Your laptop will still be able to run the games it runs today, in the future, but remember it's a laptop, so performance will not equal a desktop of today.
In 4 years a current desktop will also be crawling along.

onix · #8 Post by **onix** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 1:25 pm

I agree completely with Greg.

I have suffered with a top-of-the-line T23 that has a 16MB SuperSavage/IXC and 1GB or RAM under numerous applications including web surfing and scrolling images, along with 3D CAD and had NO upgrade path. Perhaps poor choice on my part at the time of purchase, but now I'm having to buy a new laptop - a t43p, but a t42p would have been just as good.

Research your options and compatability of graphics chip with software manufacturers, and then decide.

Greg Gebhardt wrote:Sorry to not agree with the others but the more the better. Get it now as the upgreade path is poor.

kuma · #9 Post by **kuma** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 3:12 pm

onix wrote:I agree completely with Greg.

I have suffered with a top-of-the-line T23 that has a 16MB SuperSavage/IXC and 1GB or RAM under numerous applications including web surfing and scrolling images, along with 3D CAD and had NO upgrade path. Perhaps poor choice on my part at the time of purchase, but now I'm having to buy a new laptop - a t43p, but a t42p would have been just as good.

Research your options and compatability of graphics chip with software manufacturers, and then decide.

Greg Gebhardt wrote:Sorry to not agree with the others but the more the better. Get it now as the upgreade path is poor.

So If I'm not going to be doing much gaming as I'm not doing any now, will 64mb of Vram be enough for normal application like surfing the web, and whatever the new Microsoft system is say in two years will I be fine with 64mb?
I don't think I'll be doing any gaming. But I'll be watching videos of DVD's on my computer, and lets say that websites get a lot more like TV will I then be wishing that I had more V ram? It is an extra $400, so I'd have to take out a student loan for that cash. I'm starting to sway toward more Vram, as I think websites in the future will be more visual, like ESPN will have highlights that you will be able to download, and say Comedy Central I could watch some of the daily show. Would it be better to have 128mb of Vram, or would it run smoothly on 64mb?

Thanks.

Miss Kuma

kuma · #10 Post by **kuma** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 3:12 pm

Once again I'll be doing no CAD, or anyother designing on my computer.

Thanks again.

#11 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 5:53 pm

I have a T42 with the ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 and 64Mb VRAM. I find this configuration totally acceptable for my needs. I do watch DVD's at times. I am not a gamer.

Regarding Vista I don't know the requirements and am not concerned. I don't plan to upgrade unless some killer software comes out requiring Vista, that I just have-to-have. Although I have Win XP Pro and am happy with it, I would be perfectly happy with Win 2000 Pro as well. The only thing that I would miss on Win 2000 would be Windows Media Player 10 (only available on XP). And I really wouldn't miss it much.

Mumin · #12 Post by **Mumin** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:28 am

T42/1GB/32mb ram-able to play Call of Duty(however mostly sniper servers)

How much video ram is enough?

How much video ram is enough?

Who is online