Intel HD Graphics 4000 or NVIDIA NVS 5400M?

[lenojustin]

Hello, i am buying an i7 thinkpad T430. i am getting a choice between * Intel HD Graphics 4000 * NVIDIA NVS 5400M Graphics with Optimus Technology, 1GB DDR3 Memor. the Nvidia one will cost additional 85$. is it worth it considering that only graqphics I do is watch YouTube and movies on vlc? thanks!

 

[LoveMachine]

If you aren't gaming, save your money. HD4000 is plenty potent for your stated needs, and has all the appropriate decoders and audio features you would need for VLC and high res YouTube, and would burn substantially less battery power. Heck, it can even play most games at the standard laptop resolution of 768 pretty decently.

 

[DaveSimmons]

HD4000 is fine for YouTube, Hulu, Amazon, Netflix, VLC, ...

 

[GreenOrbs]

Completely agree. My brother has a laptop with a HD4000 in it. Works just fine for watching video and even a bit of TF2 on low settings. Considering that you only watch movies it'll work great.

 

[ZGR]

I use my HD 4000 graphics for blu-ray all the time. Saves a lot more battery life than using my discrete card. I find that HD 4000 can do most things, even Minecraft and low-textured 3D games.

 

[SPBHM]

this NVS 5400M looks like the "good" old GF108, a pretty weak GPU from 2010, it should be faster than the HD 4000 for gaming, and it supports "CUDA" if your work with that, my first reaction to this would be save your money, but, an i7 laptop for basic usage is already a waste of money, and considering you can't upgrade laptops like desktops, and it's "only" $85, it's not a bad idea, what % of the laptop price is that?

anyway, since you are limited to using Optimus, the Intel IGP is going to be used for most of your basic needs, and the added GPU is basically not going to use more power for that.

 

[lenojustin]

thanks guys! Stikcing to the default intel one only!