should i get dual gtx 280m's or dual hd 4870 mobility's?

hey guys im gonna be buying an alienware m17x in the next 2 weeks or so and i have a dilemma! which of these two graphics cards should i get? which one will give me the best performance for games like crysis, Arma2, l4d2, etc?my choices are: dual gtx 280m in sli, or dual radeon 1gb hd 4870 mobility in crossfire x. my other system specs are:

Intel® Core™2 Duo T9600 2.8GHz (6MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
17-inch WideXGA+ 1440x900 (900p)
6GB DDR3 at 1066MHz
640GB - 2x 320GB 7,200RPM - RAID 0
Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)

 

for crysis the 280's are the best bet. I am not sure about the other games.

 

Pretty happy with the atis here. Seems to own any game I throw at it

 

I went with the 280s after seeing the ATIs were DDR3. Seemed like a better match over all with the chipset and other features also.

 

I went with the ATI because I like the image quality better. It's personal preference, though. They're both about the same.

 

Yah, really it comes down to personal preference, the performance is just about even really from everything I have read. Some games the Nvidia cards have a slight edge, others the ATIs have a slight edge.

I agree with Mihos about the better match thing though, the chipset is Nvidia as well so all things being considered equal, I would prolly go 280s based on that. But again, my opinion. If the ATIs were DDR5, definately would have gone ATI.

 

Same here. I originally went with the ATIs because I thought at the time they were going to have GDDR5. However, it got delyed and I decided to cancel because I got a better deal. im glad I did because not long after, we all discovered that dell dropped the ball and there was no GDDR5 in those cards. Without the GDDR5, the ATIs became way less appealing to me.

 

I went Nvidia because games are meant to be played with Nvidia

 

It's not too much different between the 280Ms and 4870's. They both use GDDR3.

Also, in my experiences ATI cards last *slightly* longer, have better memory management, and better image quality overall (but that's just an opinion).

I had an 8800GTX in my desktop and had to have it replaced twice within a year.

 

wow thanks for the quick replies! i think i will end up going with the 280's since the chipsets and other components of alienwares are nvidia so i feel that would probly give me a bit of an improvement when it comes to performance. also i think that the geforce gtx 280's are gddr3 not gddr5 but i could be wrong. if anyone has any clarification that would be super!

 

The GTX 280's are indeed GDDR3.

If you plan on overclocking a lot, definitely go with Nvidia. ATI has driver issues.

 

itll probly be a few months before i do any overclocking haha ill have to do some research before i attempt anything like that

 

does this actual version of the 4870 haves drivers issues using mobbility modder?

cause ati's driver issue was in the 90's

how ever the issue is the m17x use a nvidia chipset and might not play nice with ati

 

i have heard that even now ati is pretty slow with driver updates for its desktop models and almost nonexistant with updates on drivers for its nootebook gpus

 

SLI 260M.

CF 4850+ may be slightly better than the SLI 280M but neither option offers enough of a performance increase over SLI 260M to warrant the extra money you have to pay.

 

Both the latest Dell and ATi mobile drivers work with the 4870s.

 

also what do you guys feel would be a better cpu for gaming? the 2.8 ghz t9600 core 2 duo, or the 2.0 ghz q9000 core 2 quad?

 

Go with the T9600 for sure.

 

There is no wrong choice here...So, I am sure you won't be dissapointed either way but let me point out a few (biased as an ati owner) things.

- gtx280/260 is OLDER tech without directx 10.1 support...So some games will have higher performance with the ATI's. Remember newer technology is always the way to go on high end laptops like these. (unless you are like me and upgrade every year)
- The price difference really is insignificant...
- The nvidia chipset really doesn't matter unless you are going to use the integrated video on battery power often. Mine will probably never be used unplugged. Its more like a ups for me. The may vary for you....
- Like others have said....I also feel image quality and memory management is better with ATI's
- Someone said crysis is best with nvidia....I would have to disagree as crysis with the latest updates is directx 10.1 ATI WINS AGAIN!

Again, I know this sounds biased (and it probably is as I usually always go ATI) But, I figured I would point out some of my reasoning.....

Good luck and welcome to the Alienware family!

 

Everything you said is Correct and going with the 4870s is by far the best move.. For the people slamming on ATI about drivers or the fact these cards are GDDR3 umm yeah clearly you have not owned an ATI card in awhile or ever for that matter..

Nvidia is finally adding DX10.1 to there cards which at first they said was unnecessary but now it will be in the next revision of there cards and is already in some of there newest mobile cards like the 250mGTS...

The speed differences and benefits from 10.1 are there and have been for sometime with most of Capcoms games using DX10.1.. Alot of devs in the past would not use it because Nvidia did not have it but thats all going to change and its best to be ready for it ...

Like fastlappy said when it comes to a laptop and trying to be even remotely future proof with there idea of high end cards in a laptop you would almost have to be crazy not to want the ATI cards ...

 

Also, remember! After reading probably like 20 posts on video cards (search and you will see) You do NOT have the chance to change cards later at any sort of reasonable price....Its more like a mortgage payment to upgrade them (especially changing 2 cards at once!) You will be stuck ebaying the whole system and starting over which will cost alot more then just getting the newer technology now!

AND if all else we told you doesn't convince you to go this route check this out!!

Call of duty world at war II specs:
Minimum:
Core2Duo E6600 OR higher, AMD 64 X2
2gb of 800mhz ram
Nvidia 8800 GT or higher
Ati 4650 or higher

Recommended:

Intel Q6600 or higher, AMD Phenom or higher
4gb of 1066 ram
Nvidia GTX or GTS, Ati 4890 or 4850 X2

Windows Vista or XP
Directx 10.1
Sound driver
Keyboard & Mouse

24 GB of free Hard Drive Space

I know if I had Nvidia I would be upset that the latest and greatest are 10.1!! Here is the proof! I am a call of duty addict and would have been really ticked playing on a OLD 10.0 card! I would imagine all games from infiniti ward are going to be directx 10.1 and they make some amazing stuff! You are going to miss out if you go the gtx260/280. I am sure no one will argue that this will play better on the Nvidia WITHOUT 10.1 support!

Nvidia- "The way it USED to be played!"

(Thanks quad for the help....people really are Nvidia biased and I can't imagine why they want older technology in a 3k+ laptop!)

 

I think I am going to start avoiding ATI just so I don't sound like fastlappy.

 

ok i think i have a final configuration on my m17x. i had to do a bit of tweaking on some of the components to keep the price at a 3400$ price range (tax included) so without further ado...

SYSTEM COLOR Space Black – Anodized Aluminum
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™2 Duo T9600 2.8GHz (6MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
VIDEO CARD ATI CrossFireX™ – Dual 1GB ATI Radeon™ Mobility HD 4870
LCD PANEL 17-inch WideXGA+ 1440x900 (900p)
MEMORY 6GB DDR3 at 1066MHz
HARD DRIVE 320GB - 2x 160GB 7,200RPM - RAID 0
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE Slot-Load Dual Layer DVD Burner (DVD+-RW, CD-RW)

let me know what you guys think!

i am still undecided on the gpu though... i just want to make sure i have the best performance possible!

 

well you should get the ati 4870. it's much better then the nvidia cards.

ati crossfire works. it works in every game and you don't need to worry about 10 drivers every other hour for newer games.

with ati drivers even though they come out once a month, the update is always nessary and you don't ever need to switch back unless you want to test something and the chances of you getting better results with an older driver is rare.

sli isn't great. it doens't work unless you have drivers that supports that game. also different drivers give you different performance which can be very annoying switching from driver to driver to get an extra .09fps(which i would do for any speed increase) and then switching back.

having the 3870x2, 9800m gtx, and the 280m gtx sli. the best overall card experience was my 3870x2. because of the reason i stated above.

 

Smart move on the ATI's....1. UPGRADE THE SCREEN! Best money you will ever spend! Crossifre or SLI really benefit with hi res screen. But I would not get the processor upgrade and buy the qx9300 aftermarket and upgrade later...I bought an OEM for a great price. I know some say its not necessary and quad core is not needed for most games but again I say it "future proof" as much as possible. Just my 2 cents

 

haha...just the facts man...They are better cards...ddr3 or not. Sorry I went on such a tangent...But, everyone screams NVIDIA and really has no idea why ATI's are better. Just trying to educate....

 

No biggie, I have several computers and it is a pretty much even split between ATI and NVidia. Have to watch sounding like a fan boy for either side though. Old people like me tend to skip reviews that have exclamation marks in them. I can dig the enthusiasm though.

 

hey guys im still doing a bit of tweaking here and there and was wondering what (if any) difference i would get between 6gb of 1066Ghz and 6 gb of 1333Ghz ram. i can go with either but im wondering if the 1333ghz warrents the 100$ upgrade

 

If benchmarking is one your reasons for buying the machine then get the 1333 but beyond that just get the 1066 and put the money towards something else like say a SSD ...

 

k 1066 it is

 

Besides if you decide you want 1333 memory there's better memory out there than what Dell gives you.

 

I'm confused now...

I have been reading loads regarding the battle between 260M Gtx in SLI and ATI 4870 crossfire.

It seems the 260 beats the ATI in most benchmarks but it does not have directx 10.1

The ATI's use more power.

What ones should I go for... ATI or Nvidia 260M

 

AMD/ATi should have better image quality and better performance with FSAA enabled at high resolutions.
Nvidia, however, has the more flexible driver profile management (which means you can create your own profiles with a third party utility to enable SLI, force FSAA, etc. in the latest games without having to wait for a driver update just for that).
While I generally like AMD/ATi videocards better, the lack of a potent profile management tool like nHancer is for Nvidia cards was the biggest factor I went from ATi videocards to Nvidia cards in recent years, however.
It doesn't really matter if you get the 280Ms SLI or 4870s Crossfire. They should both perform on the same level, sometimes better, sometimes worse. I'd go with whatever you can get cheaper.

 

you should get the 4870. and if you don't like it. then we can trade and you can get the 280m gtx sli which is better then the 260m gtx sli.

 

lol, nice Don

 

Hey Mandrake can you give us a link to the better memory than the one Dell uses.

Thanks in advance.

 

I'm using this http://epichardware.com/index.php?topic=12.0

seems to work for borderlands?

 

These would do it nicely
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ..._re=hyperx_sodimm_ddr3-_-20-104-158-_-Product

 

In the limited time I've played with the 4870s I can tell they have more power "out of the box".

Yeah that.

 

The out of the box experience is what people should want the most..

Overclocking while an option is not for everyone and not ideal for every day operation..

Sure you can do it and sure you cards might last but you could also kill them prematurely for the sake of a couple extra frames...

I still say anyone on the fence grab the ATIs and dont look back ..

 

I've had no issues with drivers either but I've only tired 2 and they both worked.

 

ok so with my budget limit i can choose between either the (dual 4870 mobility's) or the (dual gtx280m's AND the 1200p screen.) whatdya think?

 

might as well get the 260 slis if you're going with a smaller screen

 

I think you should get the 4870 and if you don't like it, you can trade with me and then you be happy either way.


just my opinion.

 

If budget was an issue I would make sure you get the better screen and the Nvidia's.....G/L

If you can get the 280's and the 900p screen I would downgrade the processor and add a faster one later. You can score some great deals on ebay for processor only. It is not a difficult mod to change the processor.

 

Hey Mandrake, I actually forgot to ask you. The better RAM from Kingston. How is it better?

Will it improve framerates on games or is it just better for OC?

 

Just timings. It's CAS 7 memory versus CAS 9. You won't see any difference in frame rates.

 

thanks

10 chars

 

Nice. I didn't know there was such a tool in existence for ATi cards. Does it also allow you to choose the FSAA compatibility mode for your profile like it does for the crossfire mode?

 

thanks glzmo!