GeForce Go 7900GS vs. GeForce 8600MGT

Hey guys, long time reader, first time poster. I'm about to buy a new laptop, and have the opputunity to get two laptops with almost exactly the same specifications (2.0GHZ C2D, 2GB DDR2-667MHZ) for almost the exact same price. I plan on using this laptop as my primary gaming machine for at least a year, maybe two, and then after that, for light gaming on the go for another year or two (wouldn't care if it ran games on absolute lowest settings, just so long as they ran). If you were in my position, which card would you choose?

 

The 8600GT.

 

Any reason behind that?

 

I'm about to pull this off the top of my head...so don't quote me on it. Basically, what I've heard is that the 7900GS outperforms the 8600M GT in gaming b/c of its 256 bit memory bus. The performance is still somewhat similar. The 8600M GT has an advantage b/c it's DX10 and it's better for video decoding. The 8600M GT is more future proof than the 7900GS...so I'd choose that. Like I said...don't quote me b/c I'm guessing off of the top of my head If you check some of the stickies you'll probably find something.

 

It would be a pure personal preference IMHO.

I also hear the 7900gs is stronger for gaming at a raw level, but probably nothing too drastic.

If you do decide to go with the 7900gs there is always the chance, and more than likely the probability that some if not all DX10 games will have a way to run in DX9 mode (or so I have heard).

I currently have a 7900GS in my desktop and am currently ordering a 8600mGT in my laptop.

So I like both cards.

 

if you want a 17" notebook that has a screen size of 1680x1050 or higher, the 7900 gs will most likely outperform the 8600m gt, because the "wide bit bus" matters more at higher resolutions.

at lower resolutions, about 1440x900 and lower, the performance of the cards are equal. the 8 series core is more advanced and efficient, and the performance penalty of the narrow bus is less at lower resolutions (which the 8600 was designed for). it's expected that the new series midrange will approximate a 7800 (or 7900 gs, in this case) in power.

the 8600m gt is the best card on the market for 15" laptops. if you want a 15" laptop, you should definitely get that card, without question.

if you want a 17"+ notebook, with a screen size of 1680x1050 or higher, the 7900 gs will outperform it, but honestly, you don't really want either card at that resolution. you are better off getting a faster 7 series card or waiting for an 8800m.

 

I say go with the 8600m gt. the feel i get from reading the forums are both the cards are comparable. since u plan to use it for 4 years i think having the dx10 support will come in handy and with the release of new drivers, 8600m gt can only get better but i would say 7900gs is already at its full potential(since the dx10 era is on da horizon and dx9 is ending).
But u wont lose with either of them.

 

Yeah, I agree compeletley. If you're looking at gaming on WXGA or WXGA+ resolution, get the 8600GT, if you're looking at gaming on WSXGA+ or WUXGA, you should probably either go for a 7950GTX, or better yet, wait for the 8800m series.

 

Alright guys, thanks! I'll be ordering a lappy with the 8600mGT and a 1280x800 screen (more than enough on the go, i've got a 19" widescreen i can hook up if i need higher resolution).