Curse

Syndren · Dec 08, 2006, 11:01 PM // 23:01

So getting a new laptop from IBM (so the heat, weight, and sound produced are minimal (reviews seem to agree with me) ) but the problem now comes to the gfx card.
I have a choice of fireGL v5250 or x1400 hypermemory.
Here is the run-down:

fireGL v5250 256mb is based off of x1700 but is intended for use with CAD and DCC.
specs:
http://ati.amd.com/products/mobility...700/specs.html

The problem with this card is that there are reportedly alot of driver issues with the newest games - etc.

The next card is x1400 128/128 hypermemory (so 256mb but half is only VRAM)
specs:
http://ati.amd.com/products/mobility...400/specs.html

Any suggestions? This should be a good reference for any other laptop buyers.

Lord Sojar · Dec 08, 2006, 11:42 PM // 23:42

Personally, I would go with the x1400. Despite the Fire's higher powered core drive, it lacks a drive core to perform high polygon renders (aka games). It is resigned more for rendering single character models or for, as you stated, CAD system. A while back, I made the mistake of SLi rigging 2 Quadro FX4600 cards..... my 7800GTXs I had a while ago kicked them in the stomach for gaming performance, but 3DMaX Loved them!

So, despite the power difference, get the x1400. That.. and.. well... the FireGL cards do have driver issues with games. Not that ATi Catalyst drivers are much better.... @_@

Syndren · Dec 09, 2006, 12:06 AM // 00:06

part1
Thanks for the input

. I probably will go with the x1400 but am still iffy on the hypermemory part >.>. As you said the 3dmark loves the firegl. However I am now confused with the x1400.
Wikipedia shows this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X1400

search for a table with this information:

Quote:

MR X1400 HM RV515 90 nm 432/345 4:4:4:2 1728 216 64-bit 5.5 GB/s 32-128 MB local RAM.
MR X1400 RV515 90 nm 432/345 4:4:4:2 1728 216 128-bit 11.0 GB/s

the regular x1400 without hyper memory seems to greatly outperform the HP version.

So would getting a HP version doom my performance? I found a x1300 laptop (no HP) but it would seem to outperform a x1400HP? (slightly)
EDIT: ok I think I used the term outperform too loosely in the above text. I mean beats the x1400 in the Memory Interface and Memory Bandwidth categories

part2
Well a quick wikipedia search yielded this:

Quote:

They are very similar in hardware to the Radeon range, but have slight differences, which the FireGL drivers check in order to allow them to be used. Because of their similarity, some users soft-mod their Radeon cards to use a modified FireGL driver, effectively getting a cheaper, equivalent, FireGL card.

Any one familiar with soft-mod? Not too sure what/how to do this... only experience I have is playing around with drivers...? :S

EDIT2: Omega drivers all the way :P (actually I just switch around to find whats best for my system :P but usually omega is better)

MegaMouse · Dec 09, 2006, 01:25 AM // 01:25

The FireGL series of cards are designed more for 2d type of work and sometimes are not certified to work with direct 3d games. They are more of a programers card than a gamers card due to the way their drivers are set up. Personaly if you are a gamer go with a card that is built for gaming in mind not a card that is designed for productivity apps like CAD and other programs used in the workforce.

Mega Mouse

Syndren · Dec 09, 2006, 01:39 AM // 01:39

Actually I do animation, 3d renderings, and photoshopping... and I like gaming too :P So its a mixed bag for me.

Serafita Kayin · Dec 09, 2006, 02:43 AM // 02:43

Unless you're running SolidWorks or AutoCAD, skip the FireGL.

GW can't even be played on it. That would suck big time.

LifeInfusion · Dec 09, 2006, 05:55 AM // 05:55

Fire GL is designed for CAD, like Serafita said.

I doubt you cannot play GW on it, it just won't be that great since Fire GL is designed for more line-blueprint kind of things.

As an engineering major, I also have got an IBM. It plays well on medium 1400x1050 on my ati x1300 so I don't see why it wouldn't play on high settings on your x1400.

BTW I find it ironic with the shift to 3D type of modeling programs like Solidworks instead of 2d-style Autocad, FireGL is going to be obsolete soon.

Also, with hypermemory serving up the graphics most of the time when you run games, the GPU is more important.

Syndren · Dec 09, 2006, 06:04 AM // 06:04

--edited out it was a double post of the exact same content--

Syndren · Dec 09, 2006, 06:05 AM // 06:05

Does hypermemory work like IGP cards? (I think its IGP can't remeber anymore brain going bleh) Where you can dedicate x amount of RAM for your GPU.
I am under the inpression that hypermemory would hinder performance compared to a straight x1400 256VRAM without hypermemory.

MegaMouse · Dec 09, 2006, 06:30 AM // 06:30

Here is a link that explains Hypermemory and how it relates to the way it is used ingame: http://www.hothardware.com/viewartic...leid=647&cid=2
Hope this helps some.

Mega Mouse

Syndren · Dec 09, 2006, 06:37 AM // 06:37

thanks reading it now