Confusion over Lenovo G505s specs

[chumpington]

Hi

I'm looking at the above laptop. But on saveonlaptops.co.uk they have two versions of the A10 model - one they market as having "dedicated graphics" in the Radeon card, one not.

1) http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo-G505s-59394604_1536136.html
2) http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo-G505s-59408360_1536153.html

But is this right? They have the same processor, and an A10 is an APU, so they both surely have the Radeon. Likely to be a typo/misleading marketing on their part? I've e-mailed them but thought I'd float it here in case I'm missing something.

 

[micropage7]

http://shop.lenovo.com/gb/en/laptops/essential/g-series/g505s/
stereo speakers with Dolby® Advanced Audio™ v2, graphics card options up to the speedy AMD Radeon™ HD8570M with 2GB DDR3 VRAM, and optical disk drive options up to a Blu-ray Disc™ combo, the G405s/G505s offers stunning, stutter-free visuals and immersive sound for a fuller, more satisfying home entertainment experience

i think dedicated graphic that put there is better GPU

 

[chumpington]

So you're saying there IS a difference between the two, and that they don't have the same on-board GPU?

 

[FX-GMC]

So you're saying there IS a difference between the two, and that they don't have the same on-board GPU?

They both have the same on-board GPU. The laptop in the second link has a dedicated GPU (http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-8570M.86985.0.html) in addition to the one on the cpu.

 

[chumpington]

Ah I see. So does the added Radeon render the on-board GPU redundant, then, or do they "crossfire" (or something)?

 

[FX-GMC]

Ah I see. So does the added Radeon render the on-board GPU redundant, then, or do they "crossfire" (or something)?

Without looking much into it, it looks like they can be used in hybrid crossfire. http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-8650G-HD-8570M-Dual-Graphics.104339.0.html

 

[chumpington]

Thanks, guys.

 

[chumpington]

OK so from what I read on Notebook Check crossfire in this particular case sounds pointless, even detrimental. It says it will only bring benefit in games whose drivers support crossfire. I'm guessing that's not very many. Is this a fair assessment?

The other model has just the onboard GPU but an extra 2gb RAM and an 8gb SSD, so perhaps this is the better buy (the price is basically the same) if crossfire will bring no better performance.

I would have thought the dedicated card's 2gb memory would have counted for something, though?

 

[FX-GMC]

OK so from what I read on Notebook Check crossfire in this particular case sounds pointless, even detrimental. It says it will only bring benefit in games whose drivers support crossfire. I'm guessing that's not very many. Is this a fair assessment?

The other model has just the onboard GPU but an extra 2gb RAM and an 8gb SSD, so perhaps this is the better buy (the price is basically the same) if crossfire will bring no better performance.

I would have thought the dedicated card's 2gb memory would have counted for something, though?

The only reason to get the one with the 8570m would be for dual graphics. By itself the 8570m has practically the same performance as the integrated graphics on the A10.

What games do you plan on playing? Most new games will not run very well on that laptop as it is.

 

[chumpington]

>> "The only reason to get the one with the 8570m would be for dual graphics. "

Exactly - but as I say, it sounds like that's a none starter unless a game explicitly supports dual graphics, from what I understand.

Yeah I'm conscious neither is a gaming powerhouse so perhaps I'm putting too much emphasis on GPUs with these models. Gaming's not my top priority but I'd like to play some slightly older games e.g. HL2, NHL, Borderlands 1, BioShock 1 etc.

How much of a jump in class would it be to get something like a GT 750 over this/these Radeon(s)?

 

[FX-GMC]

>> "The only reason to get the one with the 8570m would be for dual graphics. "

Exactly - but as I say, it sounds like that's a none starter unless a game explicitly supports dual graphics, from what I understand.

Yeah I'm conscious neither is a gaming powerhouse so perhaps I'm putting too much emphasis on GPUs with these models. Gaming's not my top priority but I'd like to play some slightly older games e.g. HL2, NHL, Borderlands 1, BioShock 1 etc.

How much of a jump in class would it be to get something like a GT 750 over this/these Radeon(s)?

A good deal better:

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Computer-Games-on-Laptop-Graphic-Cards.13849.0.html

 

[mitya]

Indeed! Thanks, @FX-GMC.