8600 v 8700 on m15x

So i've read a few posts and it seems the 8800gtx isn't best suited for the size of the m15x. Is the 8700 worth the money over the 8600 becuase I remember reading somehwre a while back that 8700 has bottleneck because it only has a 128bit memory interface or something.

 

yes, the 8700m gt can't really use all of it's 512mb of memory because it can't get the data to and from the memory. at least that's what i've heard. however, if you don't want the 8800m gtx, you might want to look for some other notebook that's less expensive/probably more reliable, because the 8800m gtx is one of the biggest reasons for buying the m15x.

 

well whats really selling me with the m15x is the battery life with the extra battery installed and the fact that it will play games even with a 8600. There's no other laptop out that can compete with m15x for battery life right?

 

yeah but the GPU will be a major bottleneck. current-gen games, you'll be able to play at maybe medium settings. but next-gen stuff, you'll be stuck to low settings and lower resolutions... the 8600 just isn't very future-proof.

granted. unless of course you just buy a second normal battery for any other notebook.

 

Hi SpiralTrance,
I would actually stear clear of the 8400s and 8600s. They're suspected to be part of the defective line of GPUs that Nvidia released to laptop vendors. I would suggest trying out the 8800 despite all the heating issues you've been hearing about. To tell you the honest truth, as long as you don't smother it (block the air vents), or try overclock, you'll be fine. The more air you can get to it, the better. But don't think that setting it down for a few minutes is going to cause it to combust or anything lol. If all else fails, there's always the warranty. Alienware will be happy to send you another card if yours goes bad.

Gabe

 

While not perfect the 8700 is a good alternative for cost savings and less hot running than the 8800. Battery life is very nice on this machine I to want a second battery

 

How many hours is it recommended to game with the 8800 on the m15x in one session? Regardless of which gfx I go unless i'm specificly gaming it'll be in stealth mode as i'm sensitie to noise. And with 8800 in stealth mode does windows/2d performance take a hit on graphic intense web pages ect?

 

you have bought a gaming laptop with a gaming graphics card so in theeary you should be able to game until your hearts content BUT this is the m15x and with all its heat problems and downclocking its a difficult question to answer.

 

It won't. ------------

 

sorry mate but that just made my day...

 

I do have 2 8600 and they seem to work just fine. in 3dmark 06 I get the score of 7000 useing sli.

 

atol:
if i read the post headline it refers to the OP asking about the card in the m15x and not the m17x in sli....

just thought i would point that out....

 

I was looking at this post

GabeZ

I hate to bite everyone in the butt on this one. Every cpu, gpu are tested then rated then branded. Like AMD Phenom X3 Triple-Core Processors it is a defective AMD Phenom X4 Quad-Core. What they do is disable the bad core and sell it as x3 triple-Core. Intel, Amd and Nivida do the Same practice. That why some cpus gpus are slower. What the companys do is Stress the cpus gpu. If it works at 2.1 ghz fine but crashes at 2.4 ghz they brand it to 2.1ghz and sell it. So that 2.4ghz chip could of been in a a batch of 2.8 that would not work at 2.8ghz or 2.5ghz.

 

yes but Nvidia has been shuffling separate chip generations (G84, G92) into one lineup. so maybe it's just the G84's that are defective.

 

Could be right All I had was the gf 7600 then this system 8600 which will be upgraded soon.

 

if you plan on getting the 8600 for you m15x it isnt really worth it. compared to a normal 15.4 inch notebook the m15x is a bit bigger and heavier. i would recommend the dell xps m1530 if you want the 8600. the size and weight wont justify itself for the specs if the m15x only has a 8600. i would get at least a 8700.