What kind of graphics would you want for the SXPS 13?

If you were to put a GPU into the SXPS 13, what would you like it to be? Its default 9400 M is decent enough to trample Intel's IGPs but it could always be better. I mean a 9600 GT on a 13"? It's been done on the LG P series. So what would it be?

 

Newly announced 40nm G210M (not a rebrand). Still needs GDDR5 & a 128-bit bus but it's a huge improvement in terms of TDP, lower idle power usage (50% apparently) and performance per watt.

And it only consumes 14W compared to the 12W the integrated 9400M uses (and 25W in Hybrid SLI which is just plain terrible when compared with the stronger 9600M GT with a 23W TDP alone - also explains overheating issues).

They should ditch Hybrid-SLI as it isn't officially supported in every application/game/OS and performance per watt isn't great either (as noted above).
Also, they should get rid of integrated. With this discrete GPU it should be able provide better power savings close to integrated levels anyway. It also performs about the same as the current Hybrid-SLI configuration but runs significantly cooler (again, 14W vs 25W). Can't beat that. Should stop the thing from melting.

9400M - 52.8 GFLOPS (w/ DX10)
G210M - 72 GFLOPS (w/ DX10.1 - Win7 DirectX Compute support)

Although I would prefer to wait for the mobile 40nm/32nm G300 series, I doubt we'll be seeing them until the middle of next year which is a shame. Still, the G210M is probably the most viable discrete GPU released thus far for an ultra-portable/subnotebook.

Edit: I forgot to mention, according to NVIDIA's official page, the "GeForce G210M GPUs provide up to 10 times the performance of integrated graphics (GMA 4500MHD)".

In comparison, the 9400M provides 5 times the performance of Intel's GMA 4500MHD. So essentially, the G210M is potentially twice as powerful as the 9400M but only requires <15% additional current. Phew.

Posted on IdeaStorm for approval.

 

I really think they'd do alot better if they used an actual integrated intel graphic chip for non-graphic intensive use in order to keep power usage down to a minimum, then using something like the 230M in performance mode

 

I must respectfully disagree with your assessment regarding the value of the integrated 9400M. I think more laptops should take advantage of this technology. I think more people agree take Intel Graphics is not nearly powerful enough according to today's standard. The integrated 9400M, in contrast, supports full 1080p video playback and some light-gaming (e.g. COD4). While it's true that some of the newer generations of discrete GPU may be very power-efficient, these discrete GPU cannot substitute the functions of a chipset. When comparing discrete GPU with Hybrid-SLI, one needs to consider the TDP of the Intel chipset as well.

I think the greatest advantage of hybrid-SLI is the ability to switch between integrated GPU and discrete GPU. This can help extend battery life when the users are not doing any graphic-intensive tasks. When you do need to play games, use GPU-accelerated software, or do GPU computing, you can take advantage of TWO GPUs at the same time.

In terms of OS/software support, Windows is fully capable of supporting Hybrid-SLI; OSX also supports Hybrid-Power. Most modern games support hybrid-SLI as well. Even if a particular software/game does not support hybrid-SLI, it's not going be hurt it.

 

I never said anything about the 9400M being worthless. Don't get me wrong, I think the MCP79MX (9400M) is an awesome chipset and would rather have it than any of Intel's offerings. Imo, it should be in a lot of other notebooks without a discrete GPU. Heck, I was looking forward to a 40/32nm variant before Intel pulled a fast one with Arrandale and it's IGP.

Regardless, I would still prefer a more compatible single-GPU solution which performs well and sips energy when needed instead of a buggy SLI configuration. I mean, the G210M uses only 2W more and (according to NVIDIAs wording) is nearly twice as powerful. What's not to like?!?
And your last statement isn't really true according to Microsoft's own words:

" On November 5, 2008 in Microsoft’s Guidelines for Graphics in Windows 7 document, Microsoft stated that Windows 7 will not offer native support for hybrid graphics systems. Microsoft added the reason for the decision saying that hybrid graphics systems ‘can be unstable and provide a poor user experience,’ and that it would ‘strongly discourage system manufacturers from shipping such systems.’ Microsoft also added that ‘such systems require a reboot to switch between GPUs.’" - [ source]

Which means you'd have to rely on OEMs to provide the drivers, which is no big thing in itself, but still raises concerns. I'm not sure about this, but I also don't think it works in XP either. And OS X still requires a restart till Apple comes up with something. But for Windows, don't count on Microsoft to do the same.

And if Hybrid-Power doesn't work, it will hurt it (?) if you're stuck playing with the IGP, getting crappy fps, or stuck with the discrete option which would impact battery life especially when you don't need it (e.g. forced to use 9600M GT in Boot Camp on Late 2008 MBPs all the time). I'm not even sure why we're talking about OS X. sigh

Hybrid-Power would only be worthwhile when used with discrete GPUs that are really powerful, not the crappy setup the 1340 currently has going (it has to be said). Apple had the right idea implementing it in a 15" where it could actually make a noticeable difference in regards to battery life and heat on the OS X side.
Two weak GPUs in a small chassis isn't the best idea Dell has ever had. And as mentioned in my other post, when running both at the same time, it uses up more energy/outputs more heat then a single 9600M GT alone would and still be inferior to it whilst f'in up the whole system (overheating). In this instance, Hybrid-Boost is a joke. I'm not sure how much clearer I can get.

And i'm not looking for a humongous GPU either. I care more about efficiency and viability than anything else. Some of you guys wanted SLI and are now plagued with several usability issues. Agreed, part of the reason why is down to the way Dell designed the 1340 to handle heat but the choice of GPU still plays a role. Man, I should right an article or something ;p.

Edit: Lol, fail at the last moment. write*

 

Sli Gtx 280m.

 

^ Hahahaa. Wth, why not.. Sli gtx 280m it is

I did get carried away didn't I? lol

 

The current Intel GMA4500M and the integrated Nvidia 9400M both use the same power, with a TDP of 12W. Same power draw, with the 9400M slaughtering the 4500M in performance. I think more notebooks should use the integrated Nvidia card.

 

Serious? Dayum, totally didnt think the power draw was the exact same as an integrated gfx card.

Then i'd like to see a 9400m + 230M Hybrid, but not SLi since the performance is wayy too shaky when you SLi 2 non-identical cards (at least in my experience with the SXPS 13); something reasonable with mediocre power usage + heat, as a 280m would literally melt the plastic off your lap and make the battery life 1h o__O

 

Yup. It'll cause those nasty micro-stutters because of the difference between the two cards. With the 9200 + 9400M it's already stuttering, how much more with an even powerful card such as the 210M/230M. I wish it could be just all discrete but that would mean taking out the Nvidia mobo...Which Dell isn't likely to do.

The upcoming 300m series makes me want to delay my laptop purchase more... But I guess the 200M is decent enough. How about they do the tandem of putting an iCore7 Extreme + GTX 280M SLi? Now that's totally insane.