There is virtually no performance difference between the 64MB and 128MB versions of the Go7400?

Question

"There is virtually no performance difference between the 64MB and 128MB versions of the Go7400; TurboCache shared memory compensates for the relatively small amount of video memory on the 64MB version quite well."

IS THIS TRUE? AND IT ALSO APPLIES FOR 7300GO?
I have read this here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=39568

Also, it writes:
"Nvidia's [shared memory technology] is superior, as part of it is done in hardware; ATI's solution relies completely on software and is considerably slower."

I want to buy an Acer laptop with Nvidia Go7300 64Mb because it has a Dual Core 1.73 Ghz T2080 CPU with 2Mb L2, 667 Mhz FSB.
There is an another too, with 128Mb Nvidia Go7300, BUT it has a slower Dual Core 1.73 Ghz T2080 CPU with 1Mb L2, and 533 FSB...
If the two cards have relatively the same performance, then the 1st one would be faster...
And I want to know if it is a good decision...
Please help me.

Thanks.

Yes, but the shared memory does not compensates the dedicated memory difference?
And on the slower CPU won't the games run slower?

By the way, the card with 128 Mb memory is only DDR, while with the 64 MB is GDDR2...

Answer 1

Yes,it's true. Nvidia found a clever way to make the 64mb GeForce Go 7400 perform better. But it depends very much on what it's tested with.

Keep in mind that laptops won't really compare to the highest-end gaming desktops- there just isn't enough room for the cooling that sort of hardware requires, so you're looking for something that gets good gaming performance- in the same ballpark as a nice gaming desktop. I'd probably choose the 2nd model- it's more likely that some game will really benefit from the extra 64mb of video memory than you'd see a real speed difference because of the 1mb L2 cache and slower FSB. In most cases, game performance is GPU-limited, not CPU-limited.

Also, check out the Dell Inspiron line - there are some decent video upgrade options available for those. And look at the site below, they have a number of gaming notebooks:

Answer 2

Your best bet would be to go with the Mobile Video solution with larger memory, as it would help with texture buffering and better overall performance.

As for who's technology is superior, Both Nvidia and Ati have impressive graphics processors, even in the mobile ring. Much of it depends on who will be compatible with Direct X 10.

As of right now, Nvidia and Intel are the only companies with DX10 Mobile graphics platforms. And i would suggest, if you are a hardcore gamer who likes to play the latest, to look into a machine with DX10 compatibility.

Answer 3

It really depends on how you play. Often people that prefer a nicer looking game will chose cards with higher amounts of ram beacuse ram determines the quality of the textures.

Others will sacrifice ram for GPU clock speed for higher frame rates.

That being said, 64 megs of gpu ram today is next to nothing. You will get better performance with 128. Its really worth the sacrifice if you plan on playing games with your laptop.