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    Should I downgrade? Please help!

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by MAG, Apr 1, 2008.

  1. MAG

    MAG Notebook Deity

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    For all m15x owners with an 8700 I have few questions to ask please.

    1- Are you experiencing any downclocking or overheating issues (before/after BIOS)?

    2- What is the maximum temperature reached?

    3- What BIOS you have?

    4- How is the performance running COD4 and Source games?

    For 8800 users:

    1- Anyone NOT experiencing downclocking and overheating issues?

    I am asking these questions because I want to know if I should downgrade my graphic card (well, at least for now),

    Thanks to all

    -Mag
     
    MAG, Apr 1, 2008
    #1
  2. Packer445

    Packer445 Notebook Consultant

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    i have the 8800 and im not noticing any issues
     
    Packer445, Apr 1, 2008
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  3. Mystik

    Mystik Notebook Deity

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    I have an 8700M GT with the 512. it's great for source.

    I've never played COD4, nor do i have it. Crysis needs to be on low settings to play at a reasonable framerate. I use the triple C pack on low. res 1280x768 or something like that?

    as for Source, if i push the game to full detail, full AA/AF, in CS:S i was getting 30 FPS easy. map was Crackhouse. though, a small piece of warning, i think this is a driver issue, that i get a strange jitter when playing with AA/AF on. (this is on the 1920x1200 screen). not sure why i get it, but it's minimized/eliminated if AA/AF is off.

    every other detail setting on high with no AA/AF, the FPS was locked at 60 (which is max given the refresh rate of 60hz)... so more than enough power for steam/source games.
     
    Mystik, Apr 1, 2008
    #3
  4. rexibaby987

    rexibaby987 Notebook Evangelist

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    and I too had a 8800 & mine downclock like crazy
     
    rexibaby987, Apr 1, 2008
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  5. MAG

    MAG Notebook Deity

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    My graphic card downclocks only when playing COD4 on 1440x900 but never on 1024x768. It also never downclocks on source games (TF2 , HL2, CS:S, Portal, GMod) on 1440x900 (all settings on high)

    Edit: it downclocked once on 1024x768 and the fan stays on high gear the whole time as long as I am playing.
     
    MAG, Apr 1, 2008
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  6. kobe

    kobe Notebook Virtuoso

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    Don't downgrade your 8800GTX. It's not worth it giving up all that power for an 8700GT.
     
    kobe, Apr 2, 2008
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  7. choey

    choey Notebook Enthusiast

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    I think getting 8700GT is missing the point in having m15x.. IMO. I find this notebook to be quite bulky and its not worth it if you don't get the best GFX available on it. Just my opinion. :)
     
    choey, Apr 2, 2008
    #7