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    Nvidia 8400M GS or 8600M GT for CAD?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by Britackle, Jul 14, 2007.

  1. Britackle

    Britackle Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have been looking at the new Inspiron 1520 to replace my aging laptop. I pretty much know what kind of specs I want but the one area I am still struggling with is the graphics card. I have a couple years of school left in my engineering degree and so I would like to use this laptop to run 3d CAD software (primarily Unigraphics and Pro/E). It won't be an everyday task but occasionally during the semester I would work on CAD stuff at home. I am not really a gamer but if I get this laptop I suppose its possible I will dabble in a few, although probably not many of the newer/really graphic intensive games so gaming isn't my primary motive for choosing my graphics card.

    So I am wondering if the 8400M is sufficient for my needs? Ideally I would of course get the 8600M but it puts me over what I wanted to spend. Would I regret it if I get the lower card when I run CAD software or in a few years when the computer starts to show its age compared to new hardware?

    Just to give some background for you, here are the other specs for what I am looking at:

    2.0 GHz/800MHz 4MB Core 2 Duo
    Vista Home Premium
    2 GB RAM DDR2
    1440x900 15.4" LCD
    160 GB Hard drive 5400 RPM

    Thanks!
     
    Britackle, Jul 14, 2007
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  2. thegsrguy

    thegsrguy Notebook Deity

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    GT for sure. It will be more "futureproof", meaning that in 2 or 3 years it won't be deathly slow.

    Ideally you should try and get a FireGL or Quadro card, they're optimized more for CAD and 3D modeling.
     
    thegsrguy, Jul 14, 2007
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  3. MXandSXracer21

    MXandSXracer21 Notebook Consultant

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    If the 8600M GT Is over your price range, the 8400M GS should be alright for your needs. I have a 2 year old Inspiron 2200 with a Pentium M 1.5 GHZ proc, 768MB RAM, and a 30 GB 5400 rpm HD and has an integrated video card and it does enough for me to do what i need to do in Autocad, Solidworks, and Inventor..although it gets kind of slow and stuff for me.

    im hoping to get a new 1520 soon though...it would be a LOT faster than what I have...

    If you get the 8400M Let me know how it works out...Im thinking about buying one when they have the back 2 school sale, on tax free weekend.
     
    MXandSXracer21, Jul 14, 2007
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