Alienware M17x 560M vs 6870M - which one is better, I don't understand???

So... if you look at the Notebook Review benchmarks, then the 560M is a little better - well worth the $100 upgrade. BUT, Passmark tells a completely different story. At PassMark Software - Video Card Benchmarks - High End Video Cards it says that the 560M performs a lot WORSE than the 6870M. So... who am I supposed to listen to?

 

Mobile Nvidia cards don't perform well on passmark tests.

I think these cards are very close to each other.

 

Hi!

I've heard that the newer Nvidia cards are having a hard time performing, because of the Optimus software that comes with it. That might be why PassMark sais that it scores a lot worse. If you get to remove that feature, i think it will do better in benchmark..As PassMark does an average from all the users that have done a benchmark with that card.


I'm sorry that i can't give any more accurate information than this, but if the specs are better, i would probably go with that instead..

Good luck,
- Scott.

 

Actually both cards are very similar and very very close in terms of performance. With the Nvidia card you do get a few added features such as Physx and CUDA but that is to the consumer's taste. Get whatever suits your needs.

 

Also, don't forget the 560M has very nice OC ability. I've had mine pasted with IC7 diamond thermal compound and use a notebook cooler with my m17x, and overclocked it to around 21% over the stock core clocks, and the card never exceeds 63C. It performs very well in the latest games, even in 3D.

 

THIS... got the 560m in my bro's Asus G74 to this in 5 mins:

900 core
1850 shaders
1500 ddr5

There are many stories on the web about people getting 2000+ shaders and 1600+ on the DDR5. i just haven't bothered because there is no current need and i was in a rush. Temps hardly moved

 

Yeah the card is very good at overclocking:

However I think that the 6870m with a push, can reach this too.

 

I prefer Nvidia because in the past I've had compatibility issues with ATI cards. Mostly when using 3d rendering software though.

 

Okay, wait a second, everybody. First, I will never ever overclock my cards. Ever. Don't ask why. I just don't feel comfortable doing it. So think of them as if they both cannot be overclocked. Also, I have another option: the 6990M. Anyway, my budget is about $2200-$2300. Here are my options: (oh, and 1080p is a must)

1.
- 2670QM
- HD6990M
- 1920x1080 screen
- 8 GB RAM
- DVD Drive
- Price: $2,149

2.
- 2760QM
- GTX 560M
- 1920x1080 screen
- 8 GB RAM
- Blu-Ray Drive
- Price: $2,249

I know the second one is a little out of my budget. The thing is, I need a Blu-Ray drive. I don't need it urgently, and I will be able to earn more money and buy an external one soon. However, I don't know whether it will perform as well. Will an external USB 3.0 drive perform as well as an in-built SATA one? I heard USB 3.0 has even better transfer speeds than SATA, but...

So, I'm thinking probably the first one is a better deal because the processor difference is very minor and the video card difference is pretty big... and video card is generally more important than processor, so, I'm really opting for the first configuration now... Anybody?

 

Yep go first option without a doubt.

 

I agree with Widezu. Option 1 hands down.

As for blu ray. If USB won't do it for you (and I see no reason it won't), then you can get one on eBay for $100 to replace your current one.

 

Ok, now it's a bit of a different story!

6990m vs 560m is an easy choice, the 6990m.

Option 1 is a lot better, who the hell needs Blu-Ray these days anyway!

- Scott.

 

I have a blu-ray player and honestly dont use it as much as I though when originally purchased. Get the 6990m as its performance far surpasses the 560m.

 

Okay, thanks everybody! Now, do I need a 3 year warranty? I plan on keeping this computer for exactly three years. Is it too risky to not get a warranty?

 

I would get the longest warranty you can afford. Spending over 2000 on a computer justifies getting a extended warranty.

 

That's the problem! I can't afford ANY warranty besides the 1-year built-in one!

 

If thats all you can afford then its the best you can do. Two years I think would be ideal with three being perfect.