M17x R3 'Unplugged': Best Overall Experience

considering portability with regards to the M17x R3, which offering (realizing that overall system performance is decreased/throttled while on battery) seems to yield the best 'unplugged' experience?

the NVIDIA offering gets @3.5hrs 'unplugged' while utilizing only the NVIDIA dGPU. the INTEL iGPU available in combination with the NVIDIA dGPU & 60Hz screen yields negligible increase to battery life, so the solo NVIDIA dGPU & 120Hz seems to be the way to go when selecting the NVIDIA offering. the NVIDIA dGPU is the sole source for graphics in this configuration, and provides better performance on battery than the INTEL iGPU.

the AMD offering gets only about half the battery life of the NVIDIA offering when utilizing only the AMD dGPU, so switching to the INTEL iGPU available with the 60Hz screen (120Hz not an option with AMD offering at this time) is a must to achieve @4.5hrs 'unplugged'. the INTEL iGPU becomes the sole source for graphics then while on battery, and provides lower performance on battery than either dGPU offering's.

although the AMD offering has the performance advantage while 'plugged' (and for a brief duration 'unplugged'), and the INTEL offering has the battery life advantage while 'unplugged'; the NVIDIA offering seems to be in a 'sweet spot' of sorts with both performance and battery life while 'unplugged' (compared to either offering from AMD or INTEL)...

 

I believe the NVIDIA dGPU with the 120hz screen does not allow the capabilities of optimus so you won't get good battery life. I find that the AMD dGPU in combo with Intel iGPU and 60hz screen is great because plugged in I get a lot of power but unplugged I can switch to Intel iGPU and get several hours of battery life with good performance for most stuff you would be doing on battery.

 

if you were mainly using your M17x R3 'unplugged', the NVIDIA dGPU would provide a better experience with only an hour or so less battery life than the INTEL iGPU, right?

 

Yea the 460m is definitely better than the Intel HD 3000. If you want to see how the IGP stacks up against other cards check this out Computer Games on Laptop Graphic Cards - Notebookcheck.net Tech

 

I think the point is being made that the 460m with the 120hz screen does get decent battery life(3hr-ish) and is not a total battery hog. Comparing a 120hz system on battery to a 60hz system on battery, the 60hz system will win in battery life, but loose in performance. The 60hz will win again plugged in versus 120hz.

 

This is a good thread. Originally, I had taken OP's advice to get the 460m Optimus setup, but changed to the 6970 because I wanted overall better performance, and much longer battery life on the IGP.

Everyone will be happy with either option though. It all comes down to preference. I definitely need the longer battery life while at work or school. Plus, one can play Dolphin while on the IGP, so s'allgood

P.S.: gave everyone on this thread rep, cuz I'm feeling happy.

 

Thanks, here's one in return for all the good posts in general that you have. Seriously you have asked a lot of questions that I wanted to ask before I got a chance to ask.

 

Thanks. Have a great day!

 

yeah dookie, while frustrating, that sandy bridge production stop definitely ended up working out to everyones advantage, as during those order delays pertinent usage information revealed such as:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...sb-gpu-disabled-w-optional-120hz-3d-wled.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-460m-60hz-vs-3d-battery-life-460m-120hz.html

which let us all know the optimus wasn't going to give the battery life gains with the M17x R3 as seen in the M11x R2/R3's...

when the 6970M option was made available at relaunch, that sandy bridge order delay patience paid off and those (such as yourself ) who desired to were thankfully able to get the system configuration switched to include it!~

+1 for all as well (where's the pub/bar songs?!?!~ ) :cheers:

 

Yuppers. Much love and thanks to you, bro.