GeForce 128MB 8400M GS questions...

After being dissapointed to see that the 8400M GS review was based on the 64MB card, not the 128MB at all, I decided to make this post...

I was dissapointed with the Inspiron 1525 ($700), so now I'm going for an Inspiron 1720 notebook ($150 more than the 1525 at $850 with defaults), and am choosing to upgrade the graphics card between the 128MB 8400M GS (+$100) or a 256MB 8600M GT (+$200). I'd prefer to go stick with the 128MB 8400M GS as my primary choice, as +$200 for the other 256MB 8600M GT seems a little risky at costs... I've been getting multiple answers and I'd appreciate accurate answers. Will the following games run on the 128MB 8400M GS? And how will they run? Specs? Screenshots? (to show or compare performance between the 2 GPUs; would be appreciated)

1) Crysis (this for me is the biggest case, I'd appreciate help on this one, and based on full version, not demo please if possible. Specs? how will it run?)

2)Far Cry

3)Sims 2

Also, would the 128MB 8400M GS be a good gaming card for future gaming too?

Please remember though that I mentioned TWO GPU options, I'd like to try and stick with the 128MB 8400M GS as my PRIMARY choice, 256MB 8600M GT as a SECONDARY choice.

For incase it helps, here are the OTHER specs that my Inspiron 1720 would have, but they all seem rather good...

Inspiron 1720
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5450 (2MB cache/ 1.66GHz/667Mhz FSB)
(x2 at 3.24GHz)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
Glossy, high contrast, widescreen 17.0 inch display (1440 x 900)
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 Dimm
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability

 

For the games you listed you will want the 8600 gt with 256. I dont have specifics but I do have an 8800m GT 512 and I get about 4350 3d 06 marks. I can play crysis well on medium and COD 4 on med/high. I feel if I had a lesser card it would definately cut into my enjoyment of those games.

I think the 8400gs can run the games but probably on low settings and not the same frame rate.

 

The 8400M GS is not too powerful of a card, although any game not from the last 2 years should run near max settings (excluding crappy port games such as Halo 2). You should still be able to play every game at least on low settings, including Crysis. For games such as COD4, I was able to play at 1280x800, high textures and most extras off.

The card will run those games at:

1) 1280x800 low, maybe medium at a lower resolution

2) 1280x800 basically maxed out

3) Maxed out, native resolution

If you don't mind playing Crysis on lower settings then the GS will be sufficient, but if you're looking to game in the future I would definitely consider upgrading to the 8600M. If you think so, then the $100 extra upgrade will be well worth it.

 

I would just like to comment on the 8400m GS vs 8600M GT and possible future outlook.

The 8400m is, in my opinion not even a real gaming card. Much less a future gaming card. Yes it will run pretty much all games, but at markedly reduced details & resolution (especially crysis), and as things are now it is already on the slow side. The games we will see in the future will be based on engines like CryEngine 2 (Crysis) and Unreal Engine 3 (Unreal Tournament 3, Gears of War). Therefore I would definitely not recommend it as a future gaming card.

If I was to consider the 8400M GS for 100$ and the 8600m GT for 200$ I would pick the 8600M GT or not upgrade at all. The 100$ upgrade from 64->128mb is not even remotely worth 100$. The 8600M GT on the other hand is pretty much twice as fast, if not more, and a much better bet for playing some of the games down the road.

 

Actually it's an upgrade from the x3100 to the 8400M GS, so it's not that bad of an upgrade if he chooses so.

 

Well, I'd only put thought into the 256MB 8600M GT if it REALLY would be eventually sufficient in the near future of gaming and if the 128MB 8400M GS wouldn't hold up in A LOT of the newer games in the near future, and when I say that, I hope it REALLY means that the 8600M GT WILL hold up in future, not just to say it will hold up BETTER than the 8400M GS. That would make the 8600M GT the one to get because that would make it seem useless getting the 8400M GS if its not gonna be a great card sooner from now...

As other than that, if thats not true, and the 8400M GS is still a great choice and will hold up for a good timing even into gaming in the near future, I could only see getting the 8600M GT as more than what I need for my other games, but mainly just for better settings in Crysis which would be ridiculous to spend extra money on...

 

It seems like the "extra" money you speak of is $100 bucks. TO me the 8600GT would be worth that. Good luck with your choice.