Dual Graphic Cards Worth it?

I was looking to buy an Alienware laptop for gaming. I see other computers that are twice as cheap with everything the same inside (even better graphic cards) of it except for the dual graphic cards. Do the dual cards really make a difference in gaming??? Is it a technology that really set it aside from other gaming laptops?

 

i don;t believe it does...
i think it makes you get better resolution on external screens and supports dual or quad screens with good resolution. it is almost same as desktop..
doesn;t make real difference
correct me if i am wrong

 

Umm do not just look at the Alienware notebooks, because they are highly overpriced.... like the VoodooPC and Dell XPS notebooks.

Please read the Clevo Guide to find the same re-branded notebooks for much better pricings through resellers like:
- www.powernotebooks.com
- www.xoticpc.com
etc...

 

Additional frame rates, and that's pretty much it... I guess?

I'm getting a D900c with Dual 7950s for extra frame rates, and smoother graphics .

 

dont get a dual gpu setup.

it almost ALWAYS makes more sense to get a faster gpu than dual gpu's.

basically, there is a limit of returns on the dual gpu setup, and you aren't going to get double performance at all. there will be driver issues forever. you will have a better experience with one. trust.

 

how do you attach the automatic questions to a new thread?

 

The more common point would be an increase in frame rates, if you're into gaming, but after a certain level, your eyes would not be able to differentiate between a 80fps and 90fps for example. A decent GPU and esp for those that has an SLI/Crossfire option would support nearly the highest screen resolution available anyways. Like others have pointed, save the $$$ and get other upgrades if you so choose

 

If your a hardcore enthusiast then get two GPUs lol.

If you're on a budget, I would recommend 1 GPU
if you have $$*999 then get everything max w/ dual

 

The Clevo D900C (aka. Sager 9260, Pro-Star 9191) is the world's fastest notebook. PERIOD.

No other notebook comes close.

 

If you've got the money, got for it. If your on a budget, get a single card.

 

Don't use a dual video cards on laptops. Your palms will be hot.lol Use dual cards with desktops, they're more efficient.

 

not true really...

all of the new reviews for the Clevo D900C beast has shown that the new thermal designs barely makes the notebook warm with SLI 7950GTX's.

 

I think dual cards in general are kinda a waste. Unless you have alot of money, or for whatever reason it's completely neccessary to have the highest everything, probably not. The performance you'd get with 1 high end, top of the line card will pretty much always be enough to play at high settings.

 

sli & xfire are a no-no the price/performance ratio is never worth it.

thats from a desktop point of view, in a notebook its even a worse idea when you factor in size, heat, and power use.

 

But In general, yes, it would overheat quite easily. It's better with using dual cards on desktops, they have much bigger fans, and liquid/water cooling for instant anti-heat.

Desktops can be cheaper too you know than notebooks, and have more powerful and bigger monitors at great values..

 

That's true.. but as technology improves, notebooks get better cooling systems and better performance, in other words notebooks/laptops are getting alot more like a desktop .. like the D900c desktop proc + multiple hdds + cooling system *it's a monster*. still expensive

 

The Clevo 900C is not a notebook lol, Desktop processor and 2.5 inches thick, nuff said. Comparing SLi notebooks is hard because there are only two contenders, the Arima sold by Alienware and the Clevo sold by everyone else.
Alienware:
-1.5 inches thick
- Mobile Core 2
- 2 HDDs
- Around 200-300 more expensive than similar Clevos (w/SLi)
-Cards behave like a GX2 (better than SLi)
-3Dmark03: 34,000's
Everyone Else:
-2.5 inches thick
-Desktop Core 2 Duos
-Faster bus
-3 HDDs
-Cards behave in SLi
-3Dmark03: ?

 

I stand corrected

Well... it looks like a fat notebook... like the earliest XPS design line lol...

 

Can someone tell me the 3Dmark scores of the Clevos?
Anyway, SLi in Laptops is good, the 17" laptops have had no heat issues and you can even run the AW m9700 on your lap (dunno if the same can be said of the Clevos), its just cheaper to get a great Desktop (build your own) and a cheap laptop for work.
The Alienware (Arima) is a laptop, most 17" laptops are around the same thickness, the Clevos on the otherhand are fatter, you can stack 2 macbook pros on top of eachother and theyd still be thinner!

 

The Clevo D900C got a 3DMark06 score over 9000.

And thats with SLI 7950GTX's... just wait until the 8700M and the 8800M's come out for this thing to upgrade to.... drool.

Read the reviews for it:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=133052
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=130281

Mobile workstation ownage. PERIOD.

 

When I get mine, I'll try to benchmark it

@Phritz, that 3DMark03 score.. from what model?

@Gophn, what about 3DMark03?

 

3DMark03 or 3DMark05 should not be taken too seriously anymore... they are out-dated and only single-threaded... not very accurate for the current era of multi-core systems.

FYI:
3DMark05 score for D900C = over 15000

3DMark03 score for D900C = over 35000

...c'mon this is not the world's fastest notebook for no reason. :wink:

 

Its the score from the laptop magazine review of the Alienware Area-51 9750

@Gophn The Clevos are a bit faster but dont call them laptops, theyre not, theyre DTRs, try dragging the clevo from class to class for example
__ = MacPro
_____ = Clevo
___ = Arima

 

LOL. I do actually carry my 13 pound notebook with its 3 pound powerbrick in my Kensington Contour Backpack from class to class... and work.

Seems fine to me.

 

lmao, Nice.

 

What makes your "dtr" that heavy Gophn?

 

He attaches a 5lb weight to the bottom of it with duck tape just to be more manly with the extra weight.

When he goes to the gym he just adds his usb dumbbell attachment to it and curles his notebook. Arnold Swazzengeer caught onto the new craze and is currently having his 50lb custome notebook made so that he can "pump da iron" even when he is checking his email.

 

haha, Id say that the cooling and physical frame would be the heaviest parts of the Clevo?

 

lmao, that explains alot bro.

I mean the
D900c (2 GPUS + 3 HDDS + monster heatsinks)
D900K (his siggy)

and weighs 15lbs

 

I have to update my Sig... too lazy.

I have:
AMD Opteron 175 (dual core)
Nvidia 7800GTX (thinking of upgrading to 7950GTX)
2GB DDR400
2 x 120GB Seagate Momentus SATA (RAID-1)
2 x Optical Drives (Pioneer DVD-RW & DVD/CD-RW drive)


The main weight (about 12-13 lbs) from the notebook is the hardplastic chassis and the massive copper heatsinks within for the desktop CPU and the high-end GPU.

I would say that the notebook is bullet-proof (literally). The build quality is definitely superior compared to other notebooks it its class. and technically this thing can kill someone if it were to be used as a projectile. J/K.. or am I ?...

 

the HDDs aren't that heavy, in fact they're almost flimsy.
Even the Alienware is almost 10lbs without brick

 

If you every get to see a Clevo gaming notebook in person... you gotta go up and check it out (by picking it up and check the sturdiness).

Its pretty cool when you do for the first time... you just wonder how condensed is the plastic casing to make it fell like a light metal.

 

A picture is worth 1000 words...

Clevo D900 in Action!!!

 

LMAO!!

@Gophn,
2 Optical drives?!?

 

Aww, look. Arnolds struggling?

Yup, that's our govenor people...

 

Not mine, woot.

 

Yep thats the point (to portray the weight)

Of course it doubles as a shield against bullets and may even withstand a single grenade if you jump directly ontop of it and place the notebook over it. I dont recomend trying these things at home tho.

 

Yup lol, thats how fat it is, they're on top of eachother.

So its been proven that Clevos are worth it if you're serving in the forces. (We should e-mail mythbusters about laptops being bulletproof)

 

Someone do it!

 

LOL!!!! i can just imagine, the next mythbusters...they have a clevo and an AK47. LMAO!!!!!

 

Ahnolds such a fanboy.

 

And I'll be right there to salvage the cards

 

Remember that the mobile video card's power consumption is far lower than that of desktop cards, even if they have equivalent designations.

If you're interested in a dual video card notebook, take a look at my review of the Clevo D900C:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3783
If you want 3D performance comparisons, find a review of a notebook with a single Go7900GTX/Go7950GTX.

 

Well said