MBP's shared video RAM

[iSax1234]

The video card has its own dedicated memory correct?

With 48 processing cores and up to 512MB of dedicated video memory,

Straight off the site

 

[Kevlar]

15" and 17" has dedicated 256/515mb depending on build. 13" is an integrated card.

 

[Zok]

13" uses shared memory

15" uses either 256 or 512 MB of dedicated video memory

 

[mikeo007]

13" uses shared memory

15" uses either 256 or 512 MB of dedicated video memory

Except when running in crappy (Intel) GPU mode...then it shares system memory too, just like the 13".

 

[Zok]

Except when running in crappy (Intel) GPU mode...then it shares system memory too, just like the 13".

True, but it's bound to be minimal. If an app is requiring a large amount of graphics memory, it's likely to be using the dedicated GPU.

I could be wrong, however, but that would seem logical. We'll see once more get out in the wild.

 

[mikeo007]

True, but it's bound to be minimal. If an app is requiring a large amount of graphics memory, it's likely to be using the dedicated GPU.

I could be wrong, however, but that would seem logical. We'll see once more get out in the wild.

Yes, you are probably right. If Apple's GPU switching technology is well designed, it should switch over when more VRAM is necessary.

 

[nconnella]

Yes, you are probably right. If Apple's GPU switching technology is well designed, it should switch over when more VRAM is necessary.

Anyone know how the Intel HD Graphics compare to the 9400m? Just wondering if this is a downgrade compared to the last gen when not using the dedicated card.

 

[mikeo007]

Anyone know how the Intel HD Graphics compare to the 9400m? Just wondering if this is a downgrade compared to the last gen when not using the dedicated card.

The Intel HD is very similar to the 9400m in terms of performance. It is slightly better at some tasks, and slightly worse at others. Overall it should offer identical or slightly better performance.

 

[iSax1234]

Alright thanks guys I thought so, but I was reading something and got a little confused. I believe that the automatic graphics changing should switch when sees the need for more power, isn't this the point haha?

 

[Cali3350]

Alright thanks guys I thought so, but I was reading something and got a little confused. I believe that the automatic graphics changing should switch when sees the need for more power, isn't this the point haha?

Its actually dependent on the App. The driver looks at the .exe (or osx executable) running and checks to see if its in a database. It has nothing to do with load.