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    Graphics switching question

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by HeatFireAsh, Jun 11, 2011.

  1. HeatFireAsh

    HeatFireAsh Notebook Guru

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    Im looking at the video cards for the m17x and it seems to me that the stock 6870 is better than the 460 but i want to know if amd has graphic switching like optimus? Because Unless your doing 3d it seems that the 6870 would be the obvious choice over the 460.
     
    HeatFireAsh, Jun 11, 2011
    #1
  2. hawk1410

    hawk1410 Bird of Prey

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    The 460m is more powerful than the 6870m, and yes AMD has graphics switching, it is manual switching compared to Optimus auto switching, but it is much better as it does not have issues like Optimus
     
    hawk1410, Jun 11, 2011
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  3. HeatFireAsh

    HeatFireAsh Notebook Guru

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    ok thanks for the info I guess this can be closed then.
     
    HeatFireAsh, Jun 11, 2011
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  4. ECKS

    ECKS Notebook Prophet

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    If you can shell out a bit more cashmoneymillionairez, get the 6970. I promise you won't regret it. <<<< This is coming from NBR's biggest cheapo :)
     
    ECKS, Jun 12, 2011
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  5. hawk1410

    hawk1410 Bird of Prey

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    ^^ True, for just 250$ it is quite a great upgrade.
     
    hawk1410, Jun 12, 2011
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  6. Jas71

    Jas71 Notebook Evangelist

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    Jas71, Jun 12, 2011
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  7. pp_ph

    pp_ph Notebook Consultant

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    pp_ph, Jun 12, 2011
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  8. hawk1410

    hawk1410 Bird of Prey

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    They have just listed it above the 460m on the basis of speculation, they do not have actual benchmarks. But user usshellfire posted benchmarks for his system with the 6870m here - http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/550930-m17xr3-6870-a.html
    Hmm now that i look at those it seems that the 6870m is indeed more powerful than the 460m, but i was under the opposite impression, my bad.
     
    hawk1410, Jun 12, 2011
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  9. Jas71

    Jas71 Notebook Evangelist

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    That's because it is basically just a 5870m slightly underclocked. Just look at the 5870m benchmarks because the difference should not be noticeable.
     
    Jas71, Jun 13, 2011
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  10. HeatFireAsh

    HeatFireAsh Notebook Guru

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    Hmmm that's very interesting well I've got some thinking to do.
     
    HeatFireAsh, Jun 14, 2011
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  11. KillerBunny

    KillerBunny Notebook Evangelist

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    The 5850m was roughly on par with the 460m. So the 5870m is better for sure. The 6870m, being an unclocked rebranded 5870m, should alos beat the 460m. The 460m has CUDA, Physx, and 3d support, but costs more and is slightly less powerful. Hopefully alienware launches the 485m, which would be around 10-20% off of 5870m CF, or the 560m, which should be at or slightly above the 5870m.

    Oh and the AMD 6870m does have graphics switching. It is manual
     
    KillerBunny, Jun 14, 2011
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  12. CleanSweep

    CleanSweep Notebook Geek

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    Get the 6970m, I have one and it is definitely worth it. The 460m is so old now, too, and it will certainly have a problem playing Battlefield 3!
     
    CleanSweep, Jun 14, 2011
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  13. ECKS

    ECKS Notebook Prophet

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    ^^ What he said. And you can trust my words that it's worth it, cuz I'm the cheapest person on NBR :)
     
    ECKS, Jun 14, 2011
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  14. HeatFireAsh

    HeatFireAsh Notebook Guru

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    I found a m17xr3 with 2630 and 8gb 320hdd and blu ray and 6870m for $1560, or there is one that 2630 16gb 2x 250hdd blu ray and 6970m for $1840
    or 2720 with 8gb 750hdd dvd drive and 6970m (i would have to buy an aftermarket blur ray for about $90)

    Which one would be recommended? (All have FHD screens and are refurbished.)
     
    HeatFireAsh, Jun 14, 2011
    #14
  15. ECKS

    ECKS Notebook Prophet

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    What's a new one cost now?
     
    ECKS, Jun 15, 2011
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  16. hawk1410

    hawk1410 Bird of Prey

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    You should also check out NBR marketplace, they have some pretty amazing and cheap R3s here. There was one with a 6970m and 1820qm and 2x256gb SSDs for just 2000$, and nothing wrong with it. Amazing.
     
    hawk1410, Jun 15, 2011
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  17. HeatFireAsh

    HeatFireAsh Notebook Guru

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    A new one with a 6970m and blu ray with 4gb is around $2000.
    I always worry about buying from a forum because there is no protection for me if I get screwed over.
     
    HeatFireAsh, Jun 15, 2011
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  18. hawk1410

    hawk1410 Bird of Prey

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    Actually since you will use paypal you will have a little protection, and most sellers also have Ebay accounts and all. But that guy seems to be selling at an extremely low price, so it does seem kind of fishy.
     
    hawk1410, Jun 15, 2011
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  19. HeatFireAsh

    HeatFireAsh Notebook Guru

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    Yea I think I'll just stick to dell for now. Is the extra money worth it for the 6970m I mean the 6870m is still a good card I really don't know the extra money can really be worth it.
     
    HeatFireAsh, Jun 15, 2011
    #19
  20. MrHappyyy

    MrHappyyy Notebook Consultant

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    u will never regret getting 6970M!

    PS: Looking forward to Battlefield 3! damn the release date is too far!
     
    MrHappyyy, Jun 15, 2011
    #20