What is better for Video Memory?
I have found two netbooks that each come with 1GB of memory and both can be updated to 2GB of memory. I want it to be able to do 3D and play 3D games. Both have an Intel GMA 3150 graphic chipset. But Gateway says the video memory is, "64MB onboard memory, up to 256MB of shared system memory." The Lenovo simply states, "Shared system memory."
Which one is better to have to get better 3D gameplay?
Is it better to have the video memory to be all system shared, or is it better to have some obard? The Gateway says up to 256MB system shared. Does that mean that it caps itself there and that the Lenovo does not cap itself and can use more system shared memory for video if needed?
Thank GNU
Below listed of the stats.
Graphics
Graphics Processor Intel GMA 3150
Video Memory Shared system memory
Graphics
Graphics Processor Intel GMA 3150
Video Memory 64MB onboard memory, up to 256MB of shared system memory
I am a translator!
AFAIK, there isn't any sufficient performance difference between chipset RAM and shared memory. The only caveat is the fact that when the shared memory gets used, there is less RAM remaining for other functions.
Keep in mind that video RAM isn't a very important variable in getting good 3D performance as long as it's not too low. Video RAM's main function is to store textures, so it presents a major performance bottleneck if you don't have enough, but performance isn't significantly increased if you have a surplus. Clock speed and shaders are much more important in overall performance.
I have another question please. The Gateway says, "up to 256MB" of shared system memory. Does that mean that it just won't go beyond drawing 256MB of memory from shared for video, even if it needs it? Because the Lenovo says, "shared system memory." So, to me, that says that it will take whatever it needs from the 1GB or 2GB of memory I have. I am unsure if 256MB plus the 64MB onboard will be enough to do decent 3D. The system itself takes less than 1 GB. So, I could have about 1.5GB for video memory for the Lenovo if I upgrade to 2GB of memory. I can upgrade to 2GB on the Gateway, but if it caps at 256MB then it really wouldn't help me video out much anyway. So, that's my new question; does that Gatewat cap at 256MB?
Thank GNU
I am a translator!
"Because the Lenovo says, "shared system memory." So, to me, that says that it will take whatever it needs from the 1GB or 2GB of memory I have."
That is probably what it means, but I'm not sure about this.
"I am unsure if 256MB plus the 64MB onboard will be enough to do decent 3D."
All other factors notwithstanding, it probably would be. But as I said before, the amount of RAM is not nearly as important for performance as other factors. One of these factors is the ''type'' of RAM.
DDR3 RAM is ''much'' faster than DDR2, for example.