HELP: NVIDIA Quadro 120M vs. GeForce 7400

Hey all,

I just ordered an XPS M1210, but am having second thoughts and might purchase a D820 instead. However, I'm a little concerned about the workstation graphics card.

Is there anything that the 120M CANNOT specifically do when compared to the 7400? I know it is not a gaming card, but I do want to at least make sure it CAN do light gaming.

 

i wouldnt worry about it. its not gonna blue screen if you run a game or anything. just understand you a paying a premium for nothing unless you are using CAD or something similar.

Edit: (it really wont perform well though. seriously.)

if gaming is of concern, go with the 7400.

 

Doing a google search, I came across a fairly interesting discussion of the gaming capabilities of the Dell D820 and the Quadro NVS 120M video card. Sounds you it probably would be ok for you.

http://www.notebookforums.com/thread147016.html

As others have noted, it isn't a gaming card, but if you're only concerned with light gaming it sounds like it is up to the task.

 

AFAIK, the Quadro 120M is based on the 7400 core. So they should probably be pretty equal. But the Quadro NVS is a 2D workstation card according to nVidia. Just putting it out there.

 

hehehe...i just called a sales rep to cancel, and instead to wanting me to cancel they offered me a little better deal to keep the M1210!

Problem solved: the M1210 now beats the D820 by ~$100-$150! (If you count the $100 Dell Gift Card)

 

The first question you should have asked yourself was what will you be using the notebook to do.

As discussed numerous times before, the Quadro is intended for business and CAD applications whereas the GeForce is a gaming card, and a good one too. You can read the comparisons on Nvidia's site.

I'm glad you didn't decided to cancel that M1210.

 

i still can't find any absolute answers as to who has played what on a 120M. I'm basically trying to find out if the 120M or 110M will play most (or all of) my current games, and possibly handle NWN2 (although I'm not holding my breath on that one). I know the build quality on the Latitudes are better than XPS (right?)...and I need the laptop for probably 3 years...

I can configure the D820 for a little less out of pocket (I get a $100 gift card that would make the M1210 technically cheaper), so I'm still considering them a tie on price. But as for the GPU...

Who knows what the 120M CAN play?

geez...at least the older latitude had common consumer cards (X300, X600, etc)!

 

120M is rebadged 7400 Go.. similarly 110M is rebadged 7300 Go. They just have different BIOS and advanced Quadro support.

 

+1
But the thing is, you can get a a much better card in a 15.4" notebook. As for performance, I heard some guy on here was playing BF2 nearly maxed out on his 110M in a D620 overclocked. But that's just hearsay.

 

I've got the 110M in a Toshiba Tecra M5 (1 gig MEM 2.0 Gig Duo Core) and I can play BF2..with everythign turned down low (except distance set to 100) i get about 60 FPS on it..seems like it's more of a processor problem than anything as it works great for about 5 minute intervals..then starts to skip.

 

well, I'm gonna go ahead and try out the M1210 instead. I was able to get it at a better price than before (you have to love calling in to bluff and cancel the order, then "change your mind"), so it definitely beats the D820 in price now...

In any event, I at least know what to expect with the 7400...not exactly so with the 120M

Thanks guys, you helped me get an even better deal!