Macbooks and Video cards

[eljeyy]

Hey,
I recently bought a new macbook with more RAM and a bigger HD, I was having trouble editing 5K video and I thought this would help. the only thing that is possibly worse with the new macbook is the graphics card, but I cant figure out if it is noticably worse or if it will effect me or not.
my old card: AMD Radeon HD 6490M 256 MB
New Card: Intel HD Graphics 3000 512MB
Does anybody know what the biggest difference is in these cards, Im trying to see if I made a wrong decision or not, from what Ive read it looks like you cant upgrade graphics cards in macbooks.

I know everything else is better with the new macbook
(ram 16vs4
HD 750vs500
hd screen)

but I would appreciate any advice to see if the video card will negetively effect my editing of 5k video.
Thanks
LJ

 

[Kissmyne]

The Intel HD 3000 is notably worse performing than the AMD 6490m in rendering, however simply video editing(no rendering) should be more CPU limited then GPU limited. So if the CPU is better than you should still notice an improvement. However if there is any rendering involved its probably going to be worse(I'd guess about 20-30% worse).

 

[eljeyy]

yes there will be rendering involved.
so the card can't be upgraded, correct?

 

[Kissmyne]

In short, no it cannot. the Intel HD 3000 is part of the CPU package.

 

[eljeyy]

Is there any way that I could transfer the new machines RAM & HD over to my old machine?

Old Model:
Macbook pro. early 2011
2 GHz Intel Core i7
4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
AMD Radeon HD 6490M 256MB
15.4 inch (14404 x 900)
500GB HD

New Model:
Macbook pro. early 2011
2 GHz Intel Core i7
16 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 MB *
15.4-inch (1680 x 1050)
750GB HD



(would be nice to transfer the HD screen as well)

 

[JTToft]

New Model:
Macbook pro. early 2011
2 GHz Intel Core i7
16 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 MB *
15.4-inch (1680 x 1050)
750GB HD

- That model has the same 6490M 256MB as your old machine in addition to its Intel HD 3000. A 15" 2011 model with just an Intel 3000 doesn't exist.
Just like your old machine also has an Intel HD 3000.

To force the machine to use the AMD one, go to System Preferences and disable automatic graphics switching under Power Saving. Then go to About This Mac in the Apple menu on the top left. It should then report an AMD card under Graphics.