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    580M SLI or 6990M xFire?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by ravenite72, Nov 11, 2011.

  1. ravenite72

    ravenite72 Notebook Consultant

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    I'm thinking of getting an M18X and I hope I get a lot of feedback on this question. Now that the 580M has dropped in price by 50% which is the better setup for benching mostly, the 580M SLI or the 6990M XFire?
     
    ravenite72, Nov 11, 2011
    #1
  2. Shaden

    Shaden Notebook Deity

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    Benching ask John, but he is going to say 580ms I woul guess. His benches have been amazing. Only one he has trouble with is 3d mark 11 I think.
     
    Shaden, Nov 11, 2011
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  3. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    well...you'll probably score higher with the 580. But then you have to deal with potential throttling especially if you are overclocking the cards for max bench scores.
     
    SlickDude80, Nov 11, 2011
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  4. zoolian982

    zoolian982 Notebook Deity

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    Go Nvidia :D

    Just put dry ice on your computer during benches like DR650SE. You'll be fine :D

    Or put the computer in a freezer and connect it to an external display ;D
     
    zoolian982, Nov 11, 2011
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  5. Spydweb

    Spydweb Notebook Consultant

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    Spydweb, Nov 11, 2011
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  6. inzelux

    inzelux Notebook Evangelist

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    I've heard about the 580m having throttling and Optimus issues. If you're ready to tackle that and fix it, i think i'd be getting the 580m SLI..usually scores better in benchmarks, also, if you're planning on Gaming, Nvidia seem to a be a bit quicker to get those crucial BETA-drivers out there..

    - Scott.
     
    inzelux, Nov 11, 2011
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  7. mharidas

    mharidas VLSI/FAB Engineer

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    All comes down to playability, both play all the titles out there smooth. Crysis 2 takes it toll on both systems on intense scenes, So when we hear great average numbers, the minimum frame rates are never really focused or maybe undisclosed.

    For benching there is no doubt about it, 580s will get you the best results, but bench performances are not mirrored in games, the advantage shrinks. All this if throttling is removed which is currently an issue with stock 580Ms.

    If you are a avid bencher, 580Ms are the way to go. If not you can save the difference and use it to get a good SSD or more RAM, because playability wise you cannot go wrong with either vendor.
     
    mharidas, Nov 11, 2011
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  8. maxheap

    maxheap caparison horus :)

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    freezer :D :D :D
     
    maxheap, Nov 11, 2011
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  9. Johnksss

    Johnksss .

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    nah..it's amd turning off tessellation. i use to have to work twice as hard with amd...but for the price...amd is the way to go...right after they fix all these issues they are currently having.

    and as to games....we have a bunch of numbers here..no need to rely on any one else..come on now...that's why we do it here. so we have up to date numbers in gaming performance.

    shaden, if you're home...can you download the update for 3dmark11 and post some numbers, thanks.
     
    Johnksss, Nov 11, 2011
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  10. Shaden

    Shaden Notebook Deity

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    yea john can do ... will run a couple stock now and then DL and get new results in a sec

    about to order another m18x so I gottu do that first ...

    6990s before you ask :)
     
    Shaden, Nov 11, 2011
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  11. Johnksss

    Johnksss .

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    i was not gonna ask... :D
     
    Johnksss, Nov 11, 2011
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  12. oni222

    oni222 Notebook Deity

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    Bottom line if you want the best of the best no matter what the cost is get the 580. If you want the BEST bang for your buck get the 6990.

    Both will play all your games extremely well and both will fall short when the next generation of uber games come out. By that time we all will upgrade to the best of the best of team red and green.
     
    oni222, Nov 11, 2011
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  13. Shaden

    Shaden Notebook Deity

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    John ... tested older vs fully updated version ... no difference ... unless I am not getting the last update ...

    version 1.0.2.0

    Sys info versoin 4.2.0.0
     
    Shaden, Nov 11, 2011
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  14. Johnksss

    Johnksss .

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    so your gpu score is still a min of 8800 right?
     
    Johnksss, Nov 11, 2011
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  15. Shaden

    Shaden Notebook Deity

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    here are some links

    Stock with old 3d mark:

    AMD Radeon HD 6970M / 6990M video card benchmark result - Genuine Intel(R) CPU 0 @ 2.40GHz,Alienware M18xR1 score: P7065 3DMarks


    AMD Radeon HD 6970M / 6990M video card benchmark result - Genuine Intel(R) CPU 0 @ 2.40GHz,Alienware M18xR1 score: P7067 3DMarks

    Stock with fully updated
    AMD Radeon HD 6970M / 6990M video card benchmark result - Genuine Intel(R) CPU 0 @ 2.40GHz,Alienware M18xR1 score: P7019 3DMarks

    AMD Radeon HD 6970M / 6990M video card benchmark result - Genuine Intel(R) CPU 0 @ 2.40GHz,Alienware M18xR1 score: P7026 3DMarks

    New Version with an 850/1150 OC (aka easy street)

    AMD Radeon HD 6970M / 6990M video card benchmark result - Genuine Intel(R) CPU 0 @ 2.40GHz,Alienware M18xR1 score: P8047 3DMarks

    AMD Radeon HD 6970M / 6990M video card benchmark result - Genuine Intel(R) CPU 0 @ 2.40GHz,Alienware M18xR1 score: P8050 3DMarks
     
    Shaden, Nov 11, 2011
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  16. Johnksss

    Johnksss .

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    this is what now shows up on old scores...

    Your result has the following problem(s) and will not be shown for example on leaderboards:
    Unable to verify AMD Catalyst tessellation setting, result invalid. (What is this?)
     
    Johnksss, Nov 11, 2011
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  17. Shaden

    Shaden Notebook Deity

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    but I have the new system info installed

    4.2.0.0 ...
     
    Shaden, Nov 11, 2011
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  18. Shaden

    Shaden Notebook Deity

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    I will turn Tess on and see if it still gives that error
     
    Shaden, Nov 11, 2011
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  19. Shaden

    Shaden Notebook Deity

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    Shaden, Nov 11, 2011
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  20. Johnksss

    Johnksss .

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    so do a super run and see if you get close to 9k
     
    Johnksss, Nov 11, 2011
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  21. Shaden

    Shaden Notebook Deity

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    with or without Tess ! cuz with tess I am guessin not ...
     
    Shaden, Nov 11, 2011
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  22. Johnksss

    Johnksss .

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    without tess.
     
    Johnksss, Nov 11, 2011
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  23. iPhantomhives

    iPhantomhives Click the image to change your avatar.

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    @Op , my 6990m is running horrible in bf3 , if I've you , I'd go for 580m
     
    iPhantomhives, Nov 11, 2011
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  24. stu.artd

    stu.artd Notebook Consultant

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    I went for dual 6990m's in my m18x as the gtx580m's would have added about £500 to the cost. If the price difference had been less (say upto £150) then I'd have went for the 580's. Nvidia appear to offer Better driver support for new games and less hassle overall, imo.
     
    stu.artd, Nov 12, 2011
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