M17x Performance - GTX 280M SLI vs. Mobility 4870 CF

no, nvidia cannot make a chipset for ANY intel cpu using an integrated memory controller

this was an issue for the newer atom stuff as well I believe

 

hmmm dual igp, lol

 

Don't believe so no, last I heard they're pretty much suspended work on thier Nforce solutions for now.
Shame really as Nforce 2/3/4 were good...onwards however they've been getting worse IMO, and the whole issues with our machines right now dont do anything to dispel that feeling.

 

SLI was resolved in September last year - so Intel chipsets can use SLI solutions just like CF.

But you are right, NV has no license for the new non-FSB Intel designs. They are effectively shutout (as reported by the Inquirer a while back).

 

@Lewdvig, I'd really like to see your feedback when you get your ATI cards. Since you did a lot of gaming tests with 280s it would be great to see your gaming comparison. I hope you will not be disappointed with the replacement.

My only regret so far is for the linux partition (used it for work) that is lost since I can't boot into Ubuntu (not even from a liveCD) ....
I wonder if there is any distro that can be installed and run fluently with 4870s?

 

use vmware if possible.

 

change the inittab to 3 for a command line based boot

 

It remains to be seen if I will even get them. Unisys handles on-site technical support for Dell. They say that can hold the parts for 4 days (including Friday). But I am at a trade show in Toronto all next week - so they'll probably go back.

If I do get the cards I will update the tests. I agree it would be interesting, and would keep me out of trouble for a little while.

 

VMWare is too heavy for my needs. Tried it, didn't really like.

 

Will give it a try, though the problem is the absence of good drivers for 4870s. If I had a mobility modded ones that would do. I can try manually installing the latest drivers from the ATI using your suggestion and see if they are better than those offered by Ubuntu.

Also if it won't help will try my luck with Fedora 12. I read they have a good support for 4000 series.

 

Really? I would think the opposite because it won't rely as much on the physical hardware.

 

Just by running a single virtual machine with no heavy apps utilizes about 30-50% of your CPU and about 1Gb of RAM. Since I only got a P8700, I ended up losing 50-60% of the CPU.

 

Wow that would suck. I mainly utilize ESX (not on my gaming system obviously) and the proc dips below 100Mhz when not utilized.

 

ESX is extremely light, but can it offer the same features as a Workstation or Player?

 

ESX or ESXi if we are talking the freebie version will not let you take advantage of the 4870s ever since it has to be the host OS.

You would need to look at the older vmware server app.

 

Okay, I'm convinced after reading this well put OP GPU match...
+rep
I'm thinking about getting the M17x R2, but was in doubt because of the ATI GPU's (although I love the Core I7's CPU's in the R2). But would have liked to have it with two 260M again.
Anyways, this would mean perfmance increase and better tech. I always was a NVidia (green) person, but somehow this article turns me slightly over to the red side.

P.s. I heard news of the 5870 card(s) comming out. Should it be even a better card, and will it be possible in crossfire aswell? Any use to wait? Would it be the same old; you can always wait... Or is there a real big performance increase compared to the 4780/280m.

 

The performance will be better only if it's using GDDR5, if not, it might be same or worst cuz of the 128-bit

 

Okay, I knew about the 128-bit and DDR5 combination (I don't think they would be so stupid to put DDR3 in those 5870 cards).

But speculating the DDR5 is used; would it be a great leap forward compared to 4870/280m? And would it be something to wait for (DirectX11) or should I just take current best possible tech?

 

10-25% boost at stock, higher crossfire efficiency going by the desktop versions, and a reasonable chance of higher overclocking headroom, lower power consumption. As long as the cards arent crippled with GDDR3.

 

Do you know how many hours the battery can stand with the Dual ATI?
Cause I had one M17x with Dual SLI 260M and I could get close to 3 hours when using power saving and 9400 integrated.

I've sent my laptop back to get the new M17X-R2, someone knows how many hours the 4870x2 gets on battery?

 

I would not expect over 90 minutes

sorry, lol

 

I used to be a green person. But now Im sick of non stop rebranded G92. When I buy a R2 it will be the first time I become an ATI user.

Regarding 5870M read "Is 4870M really GDDR5" in Side Topic. Alex and Scook are doing great job over there.

 

For me the issue was the different drivers you had to juggle with Nvidia. With ATI the latest is the best at everything....

 

Ok, but why, the systems with ATI does not carry the integrated cards or what? because if it's on it, the consumption would be pretty much the same, as the two 4870 would be turned off.

I like the games but i also like the cordless casual using....

They say that on the R2 the LED display saves energy.

I've ordered mine with LED + SSD, both saves energy comparing to Regular HDD and LCD display..

 

correct, the 9400m (IGP) was the key to long battery life for the R1, the R2 lacks any such IGP though (the arrandale cores have one but the chipset will not support use of that IGP unfortunately)

 

I want to be educated more on that too but AFAIK, R2's mobo does not support IGP so battery life will be so poor.

 

You will not see a huge difference with LED+SSD, you need an IGP to really extend the battery life. I get 3-3.5 hrs with 9400 + P8700.

 

When they put AMOLED display on M17x we will have a huge boost in battery life

 

oh, that really pushed me back on getting the new R2......
I loved the 2:45 hours on the R1

 

Even with a holographic display the GPUs will demolish all your gain

 

That's my concern with R2 too. If my R2 is out of battery during lecture my whole class will laugh at me and I can't stand that

I was proud of my R1. I can brag around that my beast can be calm when I ask it to and wake up angrily when I need it to. R2 beast seems always angry

 

5870's are very energy efficent

the g73 gets about 3 hours idle

 

Do you teach or undergraduate ?

 

Can you prove it? Any reviews? Or just an assumption?

 

It was posted in the g73 lounge

The desktop 5870 consumes I think 50-7o watts idle so imagine the mobile based on the 5770

 

Think it was actually something like 29 watts when idle Moo. I remember it was RIDICULOUSLY low

 

Yep. Was 28w. The desktop 5770 consumes just 18w idle. 50-70w was previously commonplace for idling cards...massive difference.

 

Errr well there you go

 

Yep...crossfire 5870m's idling at less than 40w for the pair? Excellent
(Given the average DTR PSU is 220W)

 

Okay this confuses me again in ordering.. It seems to me that waiting for the 5870m's (with DDR5) looks like a right thing.

 

Well they are not a given at all is the thing. We just do not know for sure that they will be an option to us

 

Hopefully they will be though, given the contracts Dell has recently signed with AMD.

 

anyone try me2 or dirt2 with dual 4870s?

on my 280m SLI setup dirt2 runs great and me2 is pegged at 59fps avg in FRAPs runs (I can force off vsyns but fps is capped at 64)

 

And what contracts did Dell sign? Links?

 

http://www.overclock.net/pc-games/5...cussion-screenshot-thread-21.html#post8300284

Now that this is figured out I will update my review with me2.

when the 4870s arrive I'll re-test use the same games and settings

 

I'd be more interested not in FRAPS but in actual gameplay smoothness and amount of FPS plunges. For example my 280s stuggled with Dragon Age (the Denerim marketplace and Cultist Temple, the snow area) so even with an OC'ed to 3.06GHz CPU I saw occasional 16FPS and felt it very well.
IMHO, even if you get 65 instead of 70 FPS it's invisible. The lowest extremes matter the most.

 

thats what fraps does, its a tool that records framerates (low, avg, high). It's the best tool to use because unlike benchmarks it can't be optimized for.

http://www.fraps.com/

 

Lol I know, had too many thoughts. That's what I meant, using FRAPS to detect the lowest, but if the gameplay is always smooth you don't even need it. Do you really care about the numbers when playing your favorite games?

 

2010-02-03 21:45:19 - MassEffect2
Frames: 22125 - Time: 300000ms - Avg: 73.750 - Min: 30 - Max: 155

1920*1200, max details, 8x AF

195.62 with Batboy's latest SLI profile.

 

Ok, downloading the game...