The "Do I Really Need the 8800 GTX" thread

Okay, so I've listened to people on here telling other people (including myself) that there's really no point in getting an M15x if you're not getting one with the latest graphics card (i.e. the 8800 GTX).
I've experienced the 8800 GTX in my last, non-Alienware laptop (briefly before I sent it back), and I was very pleased with the graphics it displayed. (But then... I am running the very ancient GeForce FX 5200 in this desktop, so anything looks amazing!)

However, I haven't experienced the 8700 GT in order to say that the 8800 was truly AMAZING.

So, what I want to ask people on here is: where I can find comparisons of the same screenshot of the same game taken with both the 8700 GT and the 8800 GTX card?

Or does somebody have first-hand experience with the difference you get between both cards. Is it really noticeable? And is there enough justification to choose the 8800 over the 8700?

 

The 8800GTX is the single most powerful mobile card on the market, the only thing that beats it right now is the 8800GTX SLI.

Its more than twice as fast as the 8700GT which is nothing more than an overclocked 8600GT.

In other words, if a laptop offers it, get it. Got it. Done.

 

How does 2x 8700Gt in sli compare then?

 

I owned the XPS M1730 with Sli 8700 ... and I had nearly NO Game, which I could play on HIGH ... I mean, the 1730 was one of the best laptops I evere owned ... and I could play a lots of Games after OC the 8700, but it takes time to get the perfect settings for the 8700 Sli

So, I really don´t understand this thread, becaus if you are a gamer, there is no way to don´t get the 8800 !

 

8700M GT sli is still weaker than 1 8800M GTX.

8800M GTX can get around 9500 on 3dmark 06
8700M GT SLI can get around 8700 on 3dmark 06

 

A very good performer in the xps-forum got 12xxx with the 8700 Sli in the 1730 ... myself just 11xxx

 

cool thanks, i want to get the 8800gtx but i have resevations about the m15x as u've probably seen elsewhere so wanted to see how much i'd be losing if i went for the m9750

 

Would taking screenshots with both cards be useful? You could set both cards on the same amount of graphic detail and the screenshot would be static.

Better bet would be a gameplay video.

 

Good point, dtwn. Videos would be far more useful, but without Fraps because that apparently lags gameplay a bit.

 

8800m gts is better the 8700

 

I have tested several notebooks with the 8700M-GT and 8800M-GTX, and there is a huge difference between the two in gaming performance. You can feel the difference - the 8800GTX is able to power through difficult scenes in games (explosions, etc), where the 8700M-GT will struggle and falter. The 8700M-GT will limit you to lower-res gaming with new games because of its lack of processing power relative to the 8800M-GTX.

Let's just take a look at the numbers: the 8800M-GTX has a 256-bit memory interface and 96 stream processors, where the 8700M-GT has a 128-bit interface and 32 stream processors. BIG BIG difference.

3DMark is synthetic/useless - in games, your machine will be faster than the 8700M-GT SLI setup.

The 8700M-GT is still a fast video card and will give you a good gaming experience, but it's just not on the level of the 8800M-GTX. It's easily twice as powerful.

 

Nice info. Now just to build up the confidence to be able to buy a m15x knowing what may be in store. Hoping those who have laptops arriving soon will have good experiences

 

I know that the 3DMark is useless .. I just meant because of the 8500 poinst ...

Sure, you can play with 8700 as well, and alos still with a 7600 ... but not on the level of a 8800

 

Thanks Chaz. I was just having thoughts as to taking a backstep and getting a card that would be less likely to give me heating problems, but I know I would be disappointed if I didn't get a card that would plough through any game out there effortlessly. My original spec choice included the 8800, but after reading a lot of the M15x problem threads I started to have doubts.

I think I will take the risk and stick with my original card choice: the 8800.

 

Would you be able to replace a 8700 with an 8800 yourself in a few years? I mean, I bought mine with an 8700 because I'm such a poor student, but could you just do it yourself as they become more availible?

 

Buying the M15x without the 8800GTX is like buying nachos without the Dip. You can still eat them... but they will taste just boring.
Now seriously, if people are not going for the 8800GTX the M15x is really not the choice you should be making (obviously this is a personal opinion). The potential problems that might arise do not justify getting the weaker GPU versions. Because without the GTX, the M15x is just a plastic box with lights (and you will easily find better options than the M15x).

Now, if you want to game (the main reason for someone to buy an M15x), then the 8800GTX is a must. It's really that good... I was amazed with the performance it gives you (obviously I haven't been playing seriously for the last 3-4 years, so take my Wow with a pinch of salt). Saying this, if you turn details down, you will be able to play everything even with a 8600GT (I did this with my previous laptop, a Dell XPS M1530). But you can find these lower end cards in more reliable and solid laptops out there.

Regarding upgrades... what people always say is, never buy thinking about upgrading GPUs. Obviously you will always be able to do it, but people that understand something about the laptop market say it's not a wise choice.

 

I've not gamed on a PC seriously for about 3-4 years either, hence why my desktop only sports an old FX card. I let it get so out of date. I tend to buy something expecting it to comfortably last me for about 2-3 years, and if I can't afford the latest thing by then, I just have to resort to web editing and doing non-gaming stuff on my current machine. I'm not one of these people who upgrades to the latest things every year, due to money reasons. So when I do buy, I tend to buy something new and max everything out as much as I can. Which is why I was looking forward to getting back into gaming again, and the fact that I could take games on the road and look cool with it (thanks to the lights).

I don't expect gaming on a PC to feel better to me than gaming on consoles, but there's something to be said about the WASD + mouse combination on FPS games. The only thing I dislike about laptops is the back ache and eye strain you get from looking at a screen mere inches away from you.

Which leads me onto another question... what lead would I need to send the image from the M15x to a standard TV screen?

 

HDMI (10 characters).

 

You can only output HDMI. So you will need an HD TV. You can also use an HDMI to DVI converter to connect to your TV. No VGA output though...

 

Time for a TV upgrade, methinks.

 

i agree i think the 8800m GTX is the hole reason for the m15x's appeal... other than the smartbay HDD/battery.. every thing els is secondary.

on the same note however u could get a 8800m GTX now and find out the 9800m GTX comes out in 2weeks and is alot more powerfull and cheaper... and a upgrade to it later on it cheaper etc etc..

it all dep on what u need now.. if u want to play every thing this year on max get the 8800mGTX imo

 

Somebody posted this on another forum:

You no the 9*** series is basically the 8*** series rebanded right?Much like the 7800GTX>7900GTX.

It will run cooler and prob be clocked a bit higher but thats ALL!

Not worth waiting for IMO.

 

Opinions on this?

http://www.newlaunches.com/archives/toshiba_9800m_gtx_high_end_gaming_laptop_beware_alienware.php

 

It will kick M17x in the bottom... if it will have an SLI version.
It's a 17'' so it's not a direct competitor to the M15x. And, if it only offers a single 9800GTX the performance increase will probably not be huge.

 

If you want to play on a VGA monitor you could just grab a HDMI to DVI converter and then stick a DVI to AVG converter on that

 

Converters, converters. My living room will become a health and safety hazard.

 

few things:
1) 9800m gtx is not coming out in 2 weeks. there is a chance for 31st August the earliest.
2) how do you know it is a lot more powerful?
3) how do you know it is cheaper?
4) upgrade it later? there are more than just pull out the 8800m and plug-in the 9800m gtx.

that person is wrong. for 1) 9800m gtx will not be cooler and 2) it has 112 SP.

 

How much if any do you think the m15x will come down in price when the m17x comes out in the uk or the 9800gtx comes out?

 

9800GTX isnt going to be that much of difference above a 8800GTX, like when the 8800GTX will not be able to play games anymore, the 9800GTX will be in the same boat aswell, also i wont bet on the Toshiba with 3500$ because its most likely the first true Hardcore gaming laptop with a single card. time will tell about how it will perform, but again its not a major upgrade, well, unless the Cell Processor will do anything..

 

That Qosmio is an ugly bugger. I couldn't justify having that thing on my desk or on my lap.

 

the only ugly thing i see about the Qosmio is the color scheme and of course the pink and red flames. pink and red flames will just make any guy walk away from the laptop.

running the m15x with the pink lights seems more manly >>. actually im using pink lights right now and it looks pretty nice with the silver

 

I was in your boat during the stressful order period...my old desktop I used had an ATI x700 pro. Pretty old, but it still beat integrated graphics before I got the M15x with the 8800.
Now that I have this, though, the graphics are amazing. Games my desktop struggled with (FEAR!!!!) the 8800 laughs at. The fans dont even go to full speed on the highest settings. It's beautiful. However, one main reason I love a game is the graphics. Yes, I know FF7 is the greatest thing ever, but I cannot play the thing through because of Clouds arms. Toooooo pixelated.
End of pointless ramble and isertion of opinion: If you are a stickler for graphics, get the 8800. You'll never be sad. And whoever said it first was right, if you dont think you'll need the 8800, you can find something much cheaper to fit you than the M15x

 

i definitely agree once you try out the 8800M GTX you will be really amazed. before i bought the m15x i was using a ATI x800 PRO inside my desktop. lets just say once i experienced the difference i wanted to throw the desktop out the window since it basically became useless. the x800 only gave me 1600 in 3dmark06 so you can basically guess how weak it is.

 

I'm in 100% agreement with that ^
It is really heavy as well; my lap would suffer a dent

EDIT: I'm not one for a 17 incher you see..

 

Most people dont use laptops on there lap. It just a saying. Stupid people use laptops in areas that will make laptops overheat. Like pellow, bed, carpet and there laptop. then you get My laptop overheated POUT POUT POUT when it there own fault.

If I use my laptop On my bed I use 2 desktop mother board boxes for cooling I dont set my laptop on the bed. It to dumb. Or it on table that dont have dust on it.

I guess stupidty is not a crime so your free to go.

 

use www.monoprice.com for all of your cables / converters. You can get a HDMI cable for around $4

 

I guess that laptops evolved to a new stage... Now besides carrying your "lap"top... you need to carry a flat portable desk with you so that you don't run the risk of burning it.
No more using laptops on airports (unless they have refrigerated desks for you), on a long train trip, etc etc...

Maybe they should be renamed from laptops into portable desktops.

 

You can use a laptop on your lap, just don't cover up the intake fans. I use my m15x on my lap when I go mobile.

 

I strongly recommend you get the best graphics card available in any laptop purchase you consider. Years down the road, it is going to be the graphics card which hobbles your computer and prevents you from playing the games you want to play. To save yourself from the expense of having to buy a new laptop sooner, get the best graphics card available now.

I know these graphics cards are supposedly upgradeable, but four years ago I bought an Alienware Area-51m 766 with an upgradeable mobility Radeon 9700 video card.

But by the time I wanted to upgrade, nobody sold any better video cards for the computer! Only a marginally better one was even available used on eBay, and for ridiculous sums of money.

The processor and other features of my old 766 are still fine, but two weeks ago I ordered a new m15x with the 8800GTX because I am sick to death of gaming on the old Radeon 9700.

So I say don't get some cheap videocard! Three years from now, the hottest title may be "Battle Zombies Invade K-mart: Online Platinum Edition" or some such. Everyone you know will be tearing it up in the dungeon levels below the cafeteria while you will be getting your butt spanked on "Level One: Defend the Icee Machine" due to graphics issues and wishing you had that 8800GTX.

 

Oh my god... "Battle Zombies Invade K-mart: Online Platinum Edition"!!! I want this game to be invented! Although, the UK edition might change the store name to ASDA.

 

I heard Dell was sued once due to a lady being Burnt by a Dell Laptop for it was on her Lap. So Dell Change the name Laptop To Notebooks. On the Dell website they are all called notebooks.

Oh one funny note. Both the M15X and M17X are called Notebooks by Alienware.com So some of us can drop their silly arguements. It the Reviews on Alienware site that call the Notebook a Laptop.

It funny there Notebooks and sub Notebooks and Desktops Replacements and looking up Notebook vs Laptop there no clear answer. Some say laptops are bigger some say Notebooks are bigger.

 

Thanks for the chart - That's a clear and decisive answer to this thread
+ rep !!