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Major difference between 256 and 512 MB of graphics RAM?

Reaktor5

Reaktor5

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 12, 2007
712
24
New Hampshire, USA
Hey everyone, I just have a quick question. I'm ordering a Macbook Pro this weekend and saw that one had a little beefier 512 MB of RAM instead of 256 dedicated for the graphics card.

Where would I notice this performance boost? Mostly gaming and video editing?

I really hope Starcraft 2 isn't too graphic intensive and that the 256 would be enough to handle it. That's really the only game I plan on buying to play on here.
 
What are the min requirements for your game? That's what you want to focus on and make sure your computer matches those specs ... if that if what is most important to you.
 
Well, since it hasn't been released yet, it's a bit tough to say what the requirements are.

The bottom line is for most games out today, a 256 MB card will work just fine. In the near future - next couple years - the majority of games will work fine, though they may require you to turn the detail levels down for better performance. In general, more VRAM means you can turn up the details with little degradation in performance.
 
From what I read, the 256MB -> 512MB offers roughly a ~10% FPS increase, and that most games would max the card out before it could even utilize the extra 256MB. It's kind of like cameras and mega pixels. Manufacturers slap on 12MP but if the optics are shoddy, it's pretty much useless. Or if you goto the store and see a Nvidia 9400 with 1GB of memory, you already know how that card performs. That, and it's only 128bit.

My 2c after much research.
 
So it looks like I should go with the $1999 model.

Also, would the 2.66GHz to 2.8GHz processor be much difference either? I'm on a 2.2GHz white Macbook right now, I think any higher would feel speedier.
 
I wouldn't spend any extra money for it. You will be fine with 256. I would use the extra money for just about any other upgrade first. I don't know if you are looking refurbished, but I have seen the 2.53 GHz MBP with 4 GB RAM and 512 MB graphics for $1449. While the 2.4 with 2 GB RAM with 256 graphics was $1349. I would pay the extra $100 in that scenario for all three of the upgrades for $100 (HDD is larger too). Those both max at 4 GB RAM, but for those prices, you get an amazing MBP for a huge discount.

Maybe you are looking at new ones though, and I wouldn't spend $300 more for just the desire to get more VRAM.

I have read that performance is less than 10% unless running a game or something that needs 512... not many.

Good luck with your decision.
 
Scottsdale said:
I wouldn't spend any extra money for it. You will be fine with 256. I would use the extra money for just about any other upgrade first. I don't know if you are looking refurbished, but I have seen the 2.53 GHz MBP with 4 GB RAM and 512 MB graphics for $1449. While the 2.4 with 2 GB RAM with 256 graphics was $1349. I would pay the extra $100 in that scenario for all three of the upgrades for $100 (HDD is larger too). Those both max at 4 GB RAM, but for those prices, you get an amazing MBP for a huge discount.

Maybe you are looking at new ones though, and I wouldn't spend $300 more for just the desire to get more VRAM.

I have read that performance is less than 10% unless running a game or something that needs 512... not many.

Good luck with your decision.
Click to expand...

I am looking to buy refurbished with extra AppleCare. So I think I'm best off buying the $1349 one and surfing Newegg to max out the RAM. I have three 500GB externals and only have 120GB hard drive on my Macbook right now, so double that will be just fine for me.
 
Well provided its the same card, it really depends. If the card is fast enough and has a 128bit or higher memory throughput, you would see maybe a 20% increase.

If this were say a 9400m or GMA, you wouldn't see really any improvement. Ill use the ATi Mobility 9700 benchmarks in my Powerbooks to just give an example. Both the machines were exactly the same other than vram.
---------------------------------------
Unreal Tournament 2004 Highest Settings @ 1024x768

64mb: 18.87fps

128mb: 24.49fps

Halo Highest Settings, Vertex Shaders Only @ 1280x854

64mb: 25fps

128mb: 32fps

Colin McRae Rally, Mid Graphics Detail, 1280x854

64mb: 14fps

128mb: 20fps

Doom 3, Lowest Settings, 1024x768

64mb: 15fps

128mb: 20fps
--------------------------------
Now other cards will react differently and will have different traits that may or may not make it less of a difference. Such as the ATI x300 in a couple of my laptops there is no difference in graphics operation due to the 64bit memory bus.

Anyway the 256mb will more than likely be fine for Starcraft 2, as a general rule RTS's usually aren't as intensive as say FPS's.
 
Scottsdale said:
I wouldn't spend any extra money for it. You will be fine with 256. I would use the extra money for just about any other upgrade first. I don't know if you are looking refurbished, but I have seen the 2.53 GHz MBP with 4 GB RAM and 512 MB graphics for $1449. While the 2.4 with 2 GB RAM with 256 graphics was $1349. I would pay the extra $100 in that scenario for all three of the upgrades for $100 (HDD is larger too). Those both max at 4 GB RAM, but for those prices, you get an amazing MBP for a huge discount.

Maybe you are looking at new ones though, and I wouldn't spend $300 more for just the desire to get more VRAM.

I have read that performance is less than 10% unless running a game or something that needs 512... not many.

Good luck with your decision.
Click to expand...

OTOH, RAM and HD are user upgradable any time after purchase, be it that day or two years later. When you purchase that laptop, the amount of VRAM will stay constant until the day the the machine dies or the user decides to dump it.
 
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