Video card memory. Dedicated or Shared ?

Question

This toshiba laptop has 4gb DDR memory..and 832 mb shared video memory.

Will I be able to play games like counter strik without giving up the quality or should I go for dedicated video card.

Is it that much of a difference ?

I'd really appreciate some advice.

Answer 1

Generally, most games run at their best when they have a dedicated graphics card. You can play any games using a shared video memory, but, quality will most likely suffer if the game if very dependent on the graphics card. Sometimes you can't tell the difference on some games but, other games it's very obvious. I'd say that you're good with video memory because you have 4GB and only 832 MB of it is going to the graphics engine, which is still plenty. So, you'd have no reason to buy a dedicated one unless you really want it (which I see no compelling reason to upgrade). You're fine.

Answer 2

With a shared memory video card you will be able to play most games except for games that require dedicated

Answer 3

You should be able to play games fine.

However, I find it odd that so many people here send in questions about swapping out video cards in laptops...as far as I know, and I've been a tech for a looong time...only a few laptop makers, such as Alienware and voodoo, make laptops with swappable video cards. Makers like Dell, toshiba, sony, HP and others do not make their non-gaming laptops swappable.

When you order a laptop from say dell, they build it as soon as the order is placed. That's where the customization comes into play. So if you order a laptop with an 8400 video card as opposed to an 8600, that's what they install when they build it. that doesn't mean you can upgrade later. Maybe if you send the laptop back they would swap it, but chances are mfgs won't do it, they'd rather you stick it out for another year, then buy their new laptop with better graphics.

Answer 4

Basically games will play in this laptop even games like counter strike or call of duty four will play. But as far as getting the highest resolution with the least amount of lag you should deff. go for a dedicated card, price also usually has to do alot with the decision too however, but generally for the best gaming exp. i would recommend you dedicated especially with the way graphics accelerate over time.