Thinkpads Forum

For graphic intensive programs, or programs the use graphics? Maybe this is a question about graphics speed. I'm not using my X61 for gaming, but I AM using Windows Blinds which adds skins to Windows XP (and Vista if you're using that) to customize the look of the windows interface.

Sometimes, my X61 is doing poor redraws . . . . Like when I click on the START menu, and release it, the [TURN OFF COMPUTER] will be left hanging on the screen, but it's not there, it's just the product of a bad screen redraw.

Would this just be because the X61's graphics aren't enough, because I need more RAM, or because the graphics need more memory?

I'm also using other STARDOCK products like Windows FX, Desktop X and Icon X which I like very much in addition to Windows Blinds. I'd recommend them . . .

But back to the question at hand . . What do you think is the cause of this? All three??

Sorry to annoy you guys with all of the questions, I'm just trying to get the most out of my X61, and am really happy with it so far.

Hi epu, I would think it's all those programs you're running
My X60 has 96Mb allocated to it when I have an external monitor attached to it running at 1200x1600 in 32bit colour mode (it's in portrait mode in case anyone thought I put the resolution down wrongly). Running XP with the latest drivers and no 'frills' everything snaps on screen. No lags,delays etc

you would probably want to add more ram if your computer has all those eye candy things running. also look into optomizing your system for performance on one of the many guides that are out there... check out the darkviper list etc.

theres no way to upgrade a video card on most laptops. i personally would never run that kind of software on a computer like this. to each his own...

jd

If you are not running games - it is very unlikely that you need more graphics memory. At 32bits/pixel - the X61 screen buffer is 3MB. 32MB leaves a lot of room for temporary buffers, textures, etc.

The larger graphics memories are really only useful for very intense 3D where you have display lists with a million vertices and dozens of huge textures at a time.

When you see a substantial benchmark difference between, say a 128MB and 256MB version of a graphics card - that generally means that the 256MB version has a memory bus that is twice as wide. The amount of memory is a somewhat minuscule factor.

epu wrote:Sometimes, my X61 is doing poor redraws . . . . Like when I click on the START menu, and release it, the [TURN OFF COMPUTER] will be left hanging on the screen, but it's not there, it's just the product of a bad screen redraw.

Would this just be because the X61's graphics aren't enough, because I need more RAM, or because the graphics need more memory?

Sounds like an issue with Window Blinds to be honest.