Intel HD 3000 vs. 9400M

[Buschmaster]

I don't play very intense games, but I do like occasionally playing games. I recently ordered the baseline MBP and may upgrade the HDD and RAM at some point, but for now it's just the basic model.

The only thing I really use my computer for are: App Development, web, light gaming, the occasional photo editing.

The 9400M seemed to be enough for my gaming, I would have liked it to have been better, but it worked.

So my question is, will my new MBP be an upgrade from the 9400M? Should I have gone with the i7 or the 15"?

Thanks!

 

[Adidas Addict]

I don't play very intense games, but I do like occasionally playing games. I recently ordered the baseline MBP and may upgrade the HDD and RAM at some point, but for now it's just the basic model.

The only thing I really use my computer for are: App Development, web, light gaming, the occasional photo editing.

The 9400M seemed to be enough for my gaming, I would have liked it to have been better, but it worked.

So my question is, will my new MBP be an upgrade from the 9400M? Should I have gone with the i7 or the 15"?

Thanks!

Definitely an upgrade from 9400M

 

[Hellhammer]

Intel HD 3000 is nearly as fast as the 320M so it's definitely an improvement over your old 9400M. i7 doesn't have any better GPU and 15" is a lot more cash so for light gaming, the base 13" should be fine.

 

[adnoh]

Don't worry, it'll be fine

 

[CBeckstrand]

I'm in the same boat. I upgraded to the 13" MBP right before the refresh last year (stupid) and have not been to happy with the 9400m. I am debating upgrading to the 2011 MBP with the better CPU but worse graphics, the 13" MPA or a 15" i5 refurb.

 

[Buschmaster]

The combination of CPU + GPU still means better gaming with the HD 3000, so that debate is overblown, I think.

How much better was the 320M (and therefore, about the 3000) than the 9400M? I'm having trouble finding the numbers for it as the 320M is no longer in the MBP at all.

The games I generally play are:

Counter-Strike: Source, Day of Defeat Source, Left 4 Dead 2
Command & Conquer (Whichever one, they're not too different graphics wise)
Occasionally some Sims or Sim City...

 

[trip1ex]

320M is twice as fast as 9400M. HD3000 is close to 320M. I think HD3000 is about the same as 320M on low settings in games. A bit slower at medium settings. Frame rates also being game dependent.

 

[Buschmaster]

This is very good news and really helps reassure me on my purchase. Now if the FedEX man would hurry up!