Dedicated vs Integrated graphics card advice

[aviwil]

I am interested in the Lenovo IdeaPad Y550 4186-55U Notebook PC - Intel Core 2 Duo T6500, 4GB DDR3, 320GB HDD, DVDRW, 15.6", Vista Home Premium 64-bit . As I am not interested in gaming , is there any advantage in replacing the Intel GMA 4500M UMA integrated graphics card with the Nvidia Geforce G 210M card for an extra $90 ?

 

[alyarb]

there is no advantage whatsoever, not even with DXVA video. in fact, your battery will last longer with the intel 4500.

 

[Skott]

If you are not interested in gaming at all then I'd second what Alyarb suggested and stick to the integrated and use less battery power and save yourself $90.

 

[undoIT]

Definitely go with the integrated card. It will run cooler and you'll have better battery life.

 

[aviwil]

Thanks for your replies all - looks like the integrated is it .

 

[sgtwiltan]

One advantage discrete has over integrated is that you get to use all available memory you have as limited by the type of OS you use. Of course you do get other benefits with CUDA tech from NVIDIA for decoding video. Unfortunately, in a laptop, discrete video adds to power usage as well as heat and hybrid power (though it does not apply to this chipset/graphics combo) is just not there as far as ease of use. It also means one less thing to break. Don't go with compact if you are planning on any type of gaming. Heat is the enemy and extra power requirements are it's allies.

Also Linux kernel mode drivers suck right now for Intel graphics so you can add another benefit for NVIDIA addin cards.

 

[aviwil]

Thanks sgtwiltan. If you use the laptop as a desktop replacement , always connected to the electricity , so then would the power usage and heat problems be overridden by those advantages you mention ?

 

[Dangerer]

heat problems will always be present if you go with a dedicated video card.

 

[sgtwiltan]

Dangerer is correct due to the limited space for airflow in a Laptop. That is why they are designed with lower power usage parts that a comparable desktop so heat buildup can be diminished. The heat problem is always going to be there which might be alleviated by laptop coolers and you get a much "greener" system to boot. Also laptops have much better cpu clocking systems for when you aren't using it at 100% capacity.