AMD Fusion vs Intel Sandy - Laptops

[Bonesjr]

In short, I'm in the market for a mid-range laptop for school that will be running some software that will require a dedicated video card. I've done some reading on both the A6-3400M and the i5-2410M but I still can't decide. I've heard multiple stories of how under certain situations the AMD will out perform the Intel. Then again I've heard that the Intel runs much better with a dedicated video card.

Ex.
i5-2410M
6470M 512mb

A6-3400M
6755G2 1Gb dedicated

Assuming that the ram/hdd/etc are equal which is the best option in your opinion? (both are the same make as well)

[kudrel]

are you multi tasking?

[Bonesjr]

Mainly going to be used for your typical office data calculations and some software that is provided by the school such as autocad or similiar.

[kudrel]

then AMD will outperform intel, AMD is very good at providing some really good multi tasking. imo pick the amd (bias)

[Bonesjr]

I've taken your advice and done a bit more looking around, these links are just for the purpose of debate however.

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...59df5ed52fen02

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...4baf075466en02

http://www.a-power.com/product-22954...-Weeklyspecial

I couldn't find anything else around the $700 price point that was competitive. (the 3rd doesn't have a dedicated card, but has the A8.) Any thoughts or suggestions around these?

[Skelly]

I'm not sure how the laptops with Llano + dedicated card perform, but if you're looking at something with just an A8, the GT540M performs identically, and then you'll have a SB chip that will kick the crap out of the Llano's processing power.

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=61833&...SI%2FMicroStar
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=62593&...nufacture=Acer

[Fuzzykins]

If your using Integrated Graphics, go Llano. If you have a dedicated GPU, you'll get better performance with a SandyBridge processor.

[Asera]

If your using Integrated Graphics, go Llano. If you have a dedicated GPU, you'll get better performance with a SandyBridge processor.

... plus sacrificing battery life.

What software are you running that requires a discrete GPU exactly?

[DarkBlade6]

Core i5 2410m + GT540M
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215110 This is pure win @ 700$

edit: duh its out of stock .. my bad

here something better with same spec
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834230089 This on cost 750$ but has a 7200RPM HDD (very rare for laptop) and 6GB DDR3 1333 (usually 1066) , it really worth the extra 50$

[Bonesjr]

I've got this thing against MSI/Acer, think they are built poorly I could be wrong.

In regards to the other question Solid Works, National Instruments and another program I can't remember. As you can see I dont need a strong video card just something thats dedicated. Major 3D OpenGL acceleration!

[Fuzzykins]

I've got this thing against MSI/Acer, think they are built poorly I could be wrong.

In regards to the other question Solid Works, National Instruments and another program I can't remember. As you can see I dont need a strong video card just something thats dedicated. Major 3D OpenGL acceleration!

MSI makes great motherboards, and produces one of the most widely recommended and desired GPU coolers out there. Their laptops are great. Acer makes some of the most solid monitors and notebooks. I regard both highly.