need to make a decision

I'm getting ready to order my M17Xr3 and I know I'm getting a 2760qm, aftermarket ram 8gb 1600,SSD. The only thing I'm having a tough time deciding about is the GPU. I'm ordering from Evolution computers and the 6990 and 580 are the same price,$325.I looked on Passmarks chart of high end video cards and the 6990 is ranked 23rd and the 580 is 41.I also researched a number of websites and most of them say that card for card the 6990 is faster but the 580 in SLI is way faster than a 6990 XFire.Can anyone help me with some advice. Thanks

 

I'd be going with the 580M, if it were me. Because:

This allows you to run Optimus (automatic graphics switching vs. manual with AMD) - Though it can be a little glitchy at times.
NVIDIA cards typically have better drivers than their AMD counterparts - Helpful with any new games that will come out.

 

Passmark charts are a joke.

Best Graphics Cards February - 2012

Charts that are actually correct.

 

Thanks for that chart

 

That says that a 485 > 580.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M - Notebookcheck.net Tech
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 485M - Notebookcheck.net Tech

Yet the 485 doesn't beat the 580 in anything...
Except for Left 4 Dead by z0mg 1 fps.

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnd
A 285 > 570?
I don't think so. Looks like those charts are a joke.

 

All charts are a joke, ask the community or try both yourself. The latter is ideal, but hard to do so.

At stock voltages both cards compete fairly well, 6990M is better in Metro, whereas the 580M excels in BF3. However, the 580M when overvolted wins hands down. You'll have to be enthusiastic with regards to repasting, elevating back of laptop, live in fear that the 580M might die, etc.

The 6990M is pretty much play and play and enjoy. But it can't be overvolted, what hardcore benchmarkers love.

 

I read that there were a lot of throttling issues with the 580.I've seen a .92v Vbios somewhere here on the forums; would that help with throttling?

 

6990m and 580m are both excellent cards and what the consensus is 6990m is better in dx9 titles and 580m is better in dx11 titles, it depends on the games you want to play, 6970m is the best card for metro 2033 for example, I think both are great products, I would have randomized but I am an nvidia nut from now on

 

No...the .92 is an overvolt, which means your GPU will actually be running hotter. That overvolt is used for better overclocking...but its a great way to fry your GPU

The 580m is better at tessellation, so anything that is heavy on that will be better on the 580m. This also helps in better 3dmark11 scores

however, the 580m is not without problems. You will have to repaste and raise the back of your laptop if you get the 580m. There is a power throttle at 67c. That drops the GPU mhz around 200mhz. Some may or may not notice this drop, however, the temp throttle at 77c is very noticeable as your fps literally drop to nothing until your temps drop. There are fixes for the power throttle, but there is no fix for the temp throttle. So the only way is to keep your computer as cool as possible

My advice on this is that if you are a tweaker and are willing to install fixes and repaste then the 580m is a viable option. However, if you are the type that buys a laptop and will not touch the internals, get the 6990m

 

I want to become a tweaker!! and will ask you billion question when I do slick

 

ha...you assume that i'll be able to answer your questions lol...I have a feeling that you are already quite a tweaker Graz

 

Well thanks guys.I think I'm going with the 6990.Also soon the 7000 series AMD cards for notebooks will be out.I just hope they are compatible with mobo.

 

It is worth mentioning that Dell is now aware of the 580m issues and the rep has said they will be fixed. A week ago I would have said 6990m no contest, but now that Dell is fixing the 580m throttling I would probably go with it for the same price. Optimus is actually pretty nice if you go mobile a lot, and the 580m is a tad faster.

6990m is a very nice card though, and it does "just work" without any Optimus problems or throttles. It is a very solid choice.

 

It will be fixed but the SATA 2 issue will still remain...

...because the fix for that is Samsung PM810 SSDs.

 

This is related to GPU choice how?

 

I'll give you a juicy cookie if you figure it out.

@OP Based on your expertise and needs you have made the correct choice.

A newbie will flash to A10 to fix 580M throttling issue. Assuming Dell is Dell, his SSD speeds will revert to SATA II. Newbie will cry and be confuzzled.

The pro will flash to AO8 modded, flash 580M, re-paste properly, elevate laptop and occasionally monitor temps, brag, etc.

A 6990M owner can just enjoy gaming with AO8, with correct speeds.

 

If the pro lives anywhere warm then it won't matter, Widezu just doesn't have problems because he keeps his house 15-20c, that is freaking freezing. Anyone using the laptop at normal ambient temps will sometimes hit the throttle during normal use. Even Wide said he hits the throttle when he goes to his friends house, that is actually heated.

The Dell rep has also said that the next bios should fix the SATA speed issues and everything should run full speed. He has also confirmed that the throttling will be fixed. Thus, everything should be fine, eventually.