256MB 8600Mgt or 512mb 8600gt. laptop purchase deciding factor..

after stressing over what laptop to get, i boiled it down this is the final factor that will set my decision on which notebook to buy for sure. please please help =)

how much is the difference between nvidia 256MB 8600gt and the 512mb 8600gt? is it a significant one?
affects on benchmarks, speed, etc.

 

it depends on the clock speed of the card, but it wont make much difference in IN-GAME performance. so i'd go w/ 512 mb. you'd be able to run more than 1 graphics intensive program.

 

It's not a big deal bro. Just get the 256 if it's cheaper by a lot. If it's not that more money, then go with the 512MB.

 

yeah, 512 will definately be worth it, if its not too much more in $$

 

Exactly what two models are you comparing?

 

well the difference is about around $150s.
dell's 1520 256mb 8600gt card vs sager2090 516mb 8600gt
both systems specs is basically the same thing. but dell has a larger hd(free 160gig deal) and slightly better resolution screen. and is $150 cheaper(with coupon).
is the 512mbit worth $150s? just on the graphics. disregard the companies reputation, build, quality, costumer rep etc. ( i really want to justify myself in buying a sager2090. i dunno why... i just want it over the dell. but i also have to be considerate of my money haha =\

 

well, i think the sager np2090 will be better in terms of build quality. Also dell has been known to have not so great customer service. Also if u order from powernotebooks.com, or xoticpc.com, you can get a 3% discount using cash payment.

 

I know lots of people have problems with Dells, but you do know that Dell redesigned the the new Inspiron chassis...it's much more sturdier than the previous models

 

Wow, I never even considered Dell. I didn't realize 1520 was so cheap and had so many options.

Dangit, another notebook to add to what I'm considering.

 

Honestly, the bottleneck for the 8600 gt is going to be the interface, not the memory, unless you're playing on high-res with AA on.

However, I'd say the Sager would be worth it due to better support, build quality, and overall kickassery.

 

I don't think the 512mb version will help, as the 8600M GT really doesn't have the graphics power to utilize it. The interface is negligible: 4x AGP is barely a bottleneck at all, even at high resolutions.

 

The difference between the 256mb and 512mb is just that no one is completely certain if the 512 is GDDR2 or 3. Rivatuner say it's 3, but people are thinking due to the clocks it is set as, and what clocks it can reach that it is GDDR2. All that really means is that is uses slightly more power and a little more heat. Performance wise there is no difference.

The only time I can see the 512 being better is at much larger resolutions. I personally decided on a PowerPo J 10:15, a version of the Sager 2090 from powernotebooks. It's really kind of a toss up and more about what resolution, company, and warranty you want. At least in my opinion. So if you want the Sager, go for the sager. If you want the Dell because of the coupon, go for the Dell. /shrug

 

add the asus c90s to your list

 

go for the dell, the difference will be small, but the dell is a lot cheaper with the deals they have going and the 350 off coupon

 

The Sager uses "512MB DDR2 Video Memory". Says right here.
http://www.sagernotebook.com/pages/notebooks/product_w.cfm?ProductType=2090

Where can one find this coupon?

 

if its using ddr2 (lower clock speeds) then you will actually get less performance out of the 512 card than the 256.

the speed of the memory is more important than the amount (even moreso because the power of the 8600m gt sort of plateu's at about 256 megs).

 

Both the Dell and the Compal use GDDR2.

Dang, now I want this Dell. Configured the way I like, it's $1189 with the $225 coupon! Other than being loaded with software and somewhat iffy tech support, and of course, the 256mb as opposed to 512mb, what's the downside to a Dell compared to, say, getting the NP2090 at PowerNotebooks?

Edit: And can the Dell utilize TurboCache for the graphics?

 

No one has been able to verify it yet. The site says it's DDR2 and 3, the customer support says it's 3, and the specs for the 8600m GT on dell's site correlate with the 700MHz (1400MHz) DDR3 version, so...

 

well, build quality for one(as said by others), customer service, warranty(the standard warranty on the compal ifl90 is better), 24/7 tech support, corsair ram option(compal only), AS5 thermal compound

 

All things not worth more than $300!

Again, what does a notebook for Turbo Cache? Does the 1520 support it?

 

dunno if the 1520 supports it. If all things are not worth $300 to you, then purchase the Dell. Either laptop you chose, you will be happy with.

 

UK/Irish version of 1520 seems to have DDR2 memory on its 8600GT... Anyone know how much it decreases performance of the card?

 

Performance difference hasnt been verified yet.

 

probably not THAT much... as long as the memory interface itself isn't crippled (i remember there used to be nvidia go 7600's with a 64 bit interface...

but a large difference in memory clocks (400 vs 700) would almost certainly affect performance much more than merely a different amount of memory.