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    Vostro 1400 w/9 cell battery life...X3100 onboard vs. 128MB Geforce 8400M GS

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by mh454, Aug 30, 2007.

  1. mh454

    mh454 Notebook Guru

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    Trying to determine how much loss there would be with the discrete graphics on this model.
     
    mh454, Aug 30, 2007
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  2. mh454

    mh454 Notebook Guru

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    Bump to top
     
    mh454, Aug 30, 2007
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  3. elscorcho

    elscorcho Notebook Consultant

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    depends what games you're trying to play. Intel's new beta drivers for the X3100 double the framerates over the previous version, but it still won't compare to the 8400M.
     
    elscorcho, Aug 30, 2007
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  4. mh454

    mh454 Notebook Guru

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    No gaming at all (just considering the 8400M for light CAD work). I'm concerned about the actual battery difference when doing things like internet browsing and just general idling of the notebook.
     
    mh454, Aug 30, 2007
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  5. elscorcho

    elscorcho Notebook Consultant

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    oh, the X3100 will make a HUGE difference with regards to battery life. on my D630 with a 9-cell battery I get a shade over 5 hours of basic office/internet/wifi use out of my laptop.

    also, if you're a Vista user the X3100 drivers work very, very well with Aero Glass.
     
    elscorcho, Aug 30, 2007
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  6. billcsho

    billcsho Notebook Deity

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    I have 8400M GS in my vostro 1400. I also get around 5hr of basic office/internet/wifi use with a 9 cell and slightly above 3hr with the 6 cell.
     
    billcsho, Aug 30, 2007
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  7. Waveblade

    Waveblade Notebook Deity

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    Yeah I get about a bit over 3 hours with the 6-cell (8400 GS)
     
    Waveblade, Aug 30, 2007
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  8. manzi

    manzi Notebook Evangelist

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    I thnik its a 15-30 min difference when there is no 8400GS. And that can probably be re-gained by lowering the brightness of the screen a few notches.
     
    manzi, Aug 30, 2007
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  9. mh454

    mh454 Notebook Guru

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    Is this 5hrs with the screen on the entire time or having it set to go off automatically then bouncing back between on/off when in use?
     
    mh454, Aug 30, 2007
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  10. billcsho

    billcsho Notebook Deity

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    Did I say 5 hr of basic office/internet work or just let it sit?
     
    billcsho, Sep 3, 2007
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  11. caveman017

    caveman017 Notebook Consultant

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    I've had both.

    I got around 5.5-6 hours with the x3100 and right around 5 hours with the 8400 with basic work.

    Kept the 8400 since it is too sexy to game :)

    I actually use my 6 cell more since it weighs less, but when i'm on the road ill bring my 9
     
    caveman017, Sep 3, 2007
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  12. boxcar_racer821

    boxcar_racer821 Notebook Consultant

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    basic apps and internet, my 1500 with 9 cell and 8600gt gets 5 1/2 hours...wooo!
     
    boxcar_racer821, Sep 3, 2007
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  13. rbc555erc

    rbc555erc Notebook Enthusiast

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    lets just put it this way x3100 was designed with maximun battery life in mind, the 8400m was designed with balanced performance in mind(battery life & light gaming), and the 8600 and above were designed giving priority to gaming preformance over the battery life.
     
    rbc555erc, Mar 15, 2008
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