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    Vostro 1400 Smart Value Package...

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by nicedream, Jul 11, 2007.

  1. nicedream

    nicedream Notebook Guru

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    Why does the Smart Value Package include an upgrade to the NVIDIA 8400M-GS graphics card? This is a business laptop, not a gaming laptop.

    It's making me mad, because I don't play games so I don't want the extra heat and power consumption. But Dell tells me I have to take the whole package, or nothing at all. :mad:
     
    nicedream, Jul 11, 2007
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  2. Methodis

    Methodis Notebook Evangelist

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    Because Dell knows that 95% of the people who buy Small Business laptops don't own a business, heh.
     
    Methodis, Jul 11, 2007
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  3. elemenopee

    elemenopee Notebook Consultant

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    Also the 8400M-GS isn't exactly the best gaming gpu (some/most people wouldn't even consider it one). Think of it as just future proofing your notebook. Plus it'll come in handy if you're running aero on Vista.
     
    elemenopee, Jul 11, 2007
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  4. nicedream

    nicedream Notebook Guru

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    Still...more heat, more power consumption, probably not as good support in Linux as the Intel. Those are the things that matter to me.

    < / end rant >
     
    nicedream, Jul 11, 2007
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  5. odin243

    odin243 Notebook Prophet

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    If it makes you feel any better, as long as you're not running games or 3d work the 8400GS should clock down so low as to provide next to no extra heat or power requirements over integrated graphics.
     
    odin243, Jul 11, 2007
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  6. hlcc

    hlcc Notebook Evangelist

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    lol if it makes you any happier, order it and check your order status and you'll the notice the 8400M GS magically turned into a Intel GMA X3000(isn't this for desktops only?).

    well i'm pretty sure its just a mistake on their part and will be shipped with 8400M GS

    still you should consider the 8400M GS upgrade a good thing even if you don't game, if you had X3100 upto 128mb of RAM will be reserved for the integrated video, 128mb+300-400MB that Vista Uses= not much RAM for much else.
     
    hlcc, Jul 11, 2007
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  7. Methodis

    Methodis Notebook Evangelist

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    My order status doesn't say Intel GMA X3000....
     
    Methodis, Jul 11, 2007
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  8. nicedream

    nicedream Notebook Guru

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    Can anyone confirm if this is true? Not that I don't believe you odin243 ;)
    Does anyone have a link to a site that might describe this in more detail?
    Sorry for being such a n00b about this, but since I *never* play games I really know nothing about all the high tech graphics stuff.
     
    nicedream, Jul 11, 2007
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  9. odin243

    odin243 Notebook Prophet

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    Here is the official nVidia description.

    The x3100 will run a bit cooler and take a bit less power than the 8400GS by default, though if you really don't need the graphics, you could always manually clock it way down with RivaTuner or ATITool or somesuch program.
     
    odin243, Jul 11, 2007
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  10. nicedream

    nicedream Notebook Guru

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    Cool odin, thanks for the help.
     
    nicedream, Jul 11, 2007
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