8600M GT vs. 8400M GS

i am debating between a dell 1520 and 1420 right now...and i was hoping that the answer to my question would help me finally choose a laptop...so here it is:

assuming that both come with 2.2ghz core2duo processors with 2gb of ram, how much of a difference will there be between the two laptops in gameplay and movie-viewing/multimedia? (1520: 256mb 8600M GT; 1420: 128mb 8400M GS)


thanks for your help!

 

bigger is always better

 

gameplay? ALOT! the 8600M GT is heaps better than the 8400M could ever be. just the 3dmark score difference is something like 1500 points between them which is almost 40-50%

 

8600M GT wins by a longshot.



Also consider this:

16 stream processors vs 32 stream processors

 

Considering its effectivly an 8600GT cut in half thats not too suprising

 

Read this review between two competing laptops equipped fairly similarly (the 1520 is a bit faster and has the 8600 vs. the hp with the 8400). There are 3d benchmarks as well.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=137206

 

I was facing this dilemma earlier today. When I ordered I picked the GS but I then called up Dell and changed it to the GT because apparently it owns.

 

good call lol

 

hey guys, i've been looking at all the threads and cant get an answer, im getting a dell Vostro 1500 and i cant decide if getting the 8600 GT is worth the price. I dont game at all, but i do video editing on occasion. What do you think i should get 8400M GS or 8600M GT? Mind you, i have a Intel Core 2 Duo T7500(2.2GHz) and 4 GB of ram.

 

if your getting 4gigs of ram you might as well get the 8600 gt, sheesh.

 

i dont think you need a good GPU for video editting, but i could be wrong. you would be fine with an integreated card, the intel X3100

 

video editing won't benefit from a gfx ctard

gfx handle 3d apps mostly, 2d cpu can do

8400gs will exceed your needs

 

alright, thanks for the help guys

 

IMHO, the 'GS will be a potential bottleneck in that system.

 

..if you're only playing video games...

 

Surah989, I sure hope you didn't buy the ram from dell...

 

No, i havent bought it yet.
why shouldnt i buy the ram from dell?
well my choice is 3 GB ram with the 8600 or 4GB ram with the 8400

 

It's a lot cheaper to buy and install the RAM yourself than buy it from Dell.

 

check the prices for ram at newegg.com

get the minimum amount of ram preinstalled on your system and order 2x2gigs from somewhere like newegg.

again, the 8400gs will only come into play as a bottleneck if you are playing 3d games.

still- its much better to have a low end gpu than no gpu in my opinion. 8400gs can offload the processor while you are playing back hd h.264 content, which will make your system more responsive and lengthen your battery life against a system without an 8 series dedicated gpu.

you just need an 8 series gpu - 8400 is perfect.

mostly what matters for you is processor speed (you made a good choice) and ram (2 gigs is good - 4 gigs is better)

 

Suraj, if you buy 2 of these (or any other brand, that was just a suggestion) off of NewEgg, you could get 4 GB of memory AND the 8600GT for a LOWER price than Dell gives you for the 4GB of memory and the 8400.

Someone check my figures for me and confirm that the ram I listed is compatible.

 

so that settles it...4GB ram...and a 8600GT fine with me...thanks guys

 

is there a specific manufacturer the i should be looking for when buying RAM?

 

just dont buy from Dell, unless you love getting ripped off

 

Don't buy any unknown brand... Crucial, OCZ, Transcend, Kingston, etc are good names.. There are many more good ones...