GeForce 8600 gt 256MB vs 512MB

Hey guys,

I got my dell today, and im lovin it! When looking through my computer to make sure the had made it correctly, i notcied they had given me a 512mb graphics card instead of the 256mb i payed for. I have heard that the 512mb actually performs worse than the 256mb, so i am wondering whether to return the laptop and have the 256mb put in, or just to keep the 512mb, surely double the RAM would increase the performance????? I only really want to use this laptop for fs9.

Any help would be appreciated
Thanks

 

256 is better than 512 if you cant count haha

why not play fsx instead? you gpu could easily support it

 

Download GPU-Z and find out whether DDR2 or DDR3 memory is being used. If it's DDR3, it's a keeper.

 

where cud i download that from?

 

Type GPU-Z on google. first link that comes up

you can also download CPU-Z for full CPU info

 

cheers mate

sorry whats the 'validation ID'???

nevermind sorry....

 

i have a jfl92 with the exact same specs as you including the 512mb ddr2 8600m... and i'm a heavy FS9 user.. i have the frame limiter locked at 30, but when it is set to unlimited i get 70+ fps most of the time with maxed everything (including weather and traffic), and a ton of addons. .... so you'll be fine

it's a myth that 256 is better... people think that because the 8600m has a 128 bit interface.

PS: FSX is the s&!*iest program on the planet. microsoft really F'd that one up

 

Wheyhey thanks Dell, its DDR3, Cheers for your help everyone who posted!!!

 

damn, your lucky. Hope that happens to the Inspiron 1720 I just ordered

 

yeah hope so, maybe ran out of 256mb 8600GT's hehe

 

I doubt they gave you the wrong card, you are probably just getting an incorrect reading from the program you're using to check the card. Mac OSX sees my 8600 as a 256 yet in XP nVidia control panel, and everest see it as a 512. Use GPU-Z, it'll tell you what it is correctly.

 

I Really Highly Doubt That They Gave You Ddr3. Run 3dmark06 Please. If You Have Ddr3, I Will Rep You To Heaven.

 

In Windows XP control panel you are not told how much dedicated VRAM you have; it will count the turbocache plus the cards dedicated memory as one. So XP will show you 256MB of dedicated with 256MB of shared for a total of 512MB. In Windows Vista though you are given categories which tell you how much is shared, how much is dedicated, and what is the grand total. So he's probably not mistaken his reading if done from Windows Vista's control panel. I haven't used nVidia card in awhile though so I wouldn't know if now days it's more accurate in XP.

 

I am talking about the Nvidia control panel where you control 3d settings and such, not the OS' integrated system. I am fully aware of WEI on Vista, I use it on my Toshiba. GPU-Z will clearly tell him what card is in the system.

 

Alright then I have no idea what's up with that.

 

ill get a screeny if you guys want, how do u put images in?

 

Does this work?

 

the same thing happened to me . I ordered one with 256 mb but the system specs say its got 496 mb (which i assume it means 512mb) !

 

dam it , the CPU Z tells me i got 256mb ded memory lol, and its DDR2...oh well, its good enough for playing QUAKE WARS with everything maxed out except the AA

 

gpu-z is saying its ddr3 with 512mb, but i cant upload the screen shot? its saying i have to scale the imae down to something stupid like 446kb?!?! help... anyone

 

There we are

 

I thought NVidia didn't make 8600mgt's with 512 and ddr3.

 

upload it to imageshack.us or something like that than paste the link on here.

Or just run 3Dmark06 and tell us the score.

 

That's not working.

Please run 3DMark06 and post results.

 

1. Alt + PrintScreen
2. Open up Paint
3. Paste and Save
4. Open up Firefox [or whatever browser you use]
5. Go to this thread [lol] and click "Post reply"
6. Find "Additional Options" [it's below the textbox] and click "Manage Attachments"
7. Choose the picture file you saved from #3 and upload
8. Click "Submit reply"

Hope this helps.

 

I'm pretty sure the Vostro line was never supposed to run a GDDR3 8600m GT, regardless of the VRAM size. That's for the XPS line.

Also, considering that the GDDR3 8600m GT 512mb JUST came out in the new MBP revision (which is damn expensive), I'm skeptical that Dell would follow suit in their business line of all places.

My GPU shows as 512mb everywhere else but GPU-Z and the CCC, where it's correctly identified as GDDR3 256mb VRAM + 256mb temp ram or whatever.