How is the x1600 256mb DDR3 for Gaming, vs. GeForce 8600gt 512mb?

I'm considering buying a laptop off a member of the forums here, and its an asus with core2duo t7400, 2gb ram@667mHz, and a ATI x1600 Mobility 256mb Dedicated GDDR3 Graphics Card.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=199096

Previously, I was looking at laptops with the nvidia geforce 8600gt 512 mb with only ddr2.

I'll be playing games like CS: Source, Portal, HL2, and maybe try some more graphics intensive games if it can handle it, like Lost Planet.

I'm just a student in school, so I don't have too much money to splurge for nicer stuff, like a Dell XPS M1530, unless I can find a deal on a used one.

I wasn't sure which would be better, I'm presuming the 8600gt even with ddr2, so I just wanted some expert advice.

It's much appreciated. Thanks!

 

According to this thread the 8600 is a superior card even with DDR2 video memory. Dell Inspirons and Vostros can be configured with these cards at a good price if you pay less for RAM and select less pricey options during configuration.

The 8600 can handle all the games you listed reasonable well, lost planet apparently is badly coded as a console port so its DX10 features aren't worth enabling due to their performance hit.

 

thank you! the only thing is, the laptop with the 8600gt will be like $300 more, is it worth the difference? what would you guys suggest as a decent gaming laptop under 1000?
repped!

 

Is a 17'' too big?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834210006

Is a pretty nice one if you can add another GB of RAM. The CPU is somewhat weak but does the job. You can also upgrade it yourself

 

no 17" would be nice too, but how is that video card? I've never heard of zt before. Do newegg lappys come with warranties?

Also, aren't core2duo's more efficient?
there's a pretty good deal at cyberpowerpc.com right now, where i can get a [email protected], 2gb ram, and a 512 8600gt for 1000 shipped.

repped, thanks.

 

The 8600GT is a better card hands down.

However, the x1600 is no slouch, and can handle games such as HL2 just fine as noted in my review. Expect very playable frame rates at 1280x800 resolution. (The FPS in my review were taken at 1680x1050)

But for $850, you could do much better with a Vostro 1500 with a 8600GT. If it were a couple hundred lower, than it would be an acceptable deal.

 

at $700 shipped, is this a smoking deal?

I've tried configuring vostros, but its sometimes expensive with a nice processor, even when i don't add ram or anything. +$200 for 8600gt, +$175 for decent processor...

thanks, repped

 

I read somewhere here that ZT are based on my MSI GX barebones so they're good.

the T7500 + 8600M GT for $1000 is the best though

 

ah...alright new scenario.

what about a nvidia 7900 go versus a 8600m gt?

nevermind-found the answer to that myself, though it was obvious from the start. lol

 

which 7900? gs or gtx?

 

don't think it matters, they're both better than the 8600gt

 

uhhh as far as i know 8600 spanks x1600 pretty hard

 

the gs. repped for, i dunno, repping.

 

thx for rep

 

Lukekim91, keep us posted on your search! Good to see your questions being quickly solved!

 

thanks! i'm prolly going for an e1705, with a 7900gs, t7400, 3 gb@667mhz, and a 100b 7200rpm harddrive.

ill have to rep you tomorrow, i can't give anymore out it says.

thanks everyone!

 

don't get the 7900gs, it's not practical anymore. 8600 is by no means worse than 7900gs. it might be a little slower, but nothing major + in new games that will come out soon, 8600 should perform better imo.

 

what do you mean by practical? cuz i think i'm going to buy a laptop with it, because it comes at a good price.

won't it get my job then, and then some? I just need a solid performer that won't leave a hole in my wallet.

900 for a laptop with 3 gb, 7900gs, t7400, mouse,games, etc. I think that should work fine, no?

 

i think for that kind of money u can configure a nice inspiron 1520 or a vostro 1500. did u check out the coupons?($300 off $1,199)

p.s. by practical i meant 8600 having dx10 and 7900gs only 9.0

 

aren't they expired?
so something better than this deal??
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=189984
900...

will rep tomorrow. thnx.

 

i wouldn't buy a 17" laptop, unless it had something like 7950 or 8800m in it. neither 7900gs, not 8600 will allow u to experience the higher resolutions on future games.

Dell Inspiron 1520 (Core Duo 1.66GHz, 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD, Vista Home Premium) XJ60HV47FLT0TH Use code XJ60HV47FLT0TH to save $300 off $1,199.00+ on this Dell Inspiron notebook. (valid 12/20/2007 - 1/4/2008 11:59:59 PM)

not expired yet

 

hmm...thanks.

 

That coupon seems like a pretty good deal. That's something I would definitely consider.

 

bleh...came out to $976...i think i'd rather get one that comes with a bunch of accessories if i'm still going to be able to do some nice gaming on the 1705.


T7250,256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT, Only 1 gb, High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch display (1440x900)

thanks for the suggestion.

 

you guys definitely piqued my curiosity, thanks. I made a thread asking the differences between the two lappies now that I'm unsure.

thnx

 

buy whatever will make u happy

 

thats the thing, i don't know what will make me happiest. more money def equals me being happier, but i do want to make a wise investment.

 

how much money u got in total to spend on a laptop?

 

As was previously stated, the x1600 is a bit dated but by no means a slouch. I have run HL2, F.E.A.R., S.T.A.L.K.E.R., BioShock and I just started Crysis. My settings are not maxed out, but the video settings are respectable and I'm at native resolution of 1440x900. All the games ran good with no serious framerate issues. The 8600 is probably a faster mobile card overall but my laptop still does a good job of holding its own against the new stuff.

Just my 2 cents.

 

no more than 1000, i'm buying riskblings laptop

 

cool, man! wish u the best

 

thanks, i can't wait