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    underclock 8600 gs to match x3100 battery life and temp

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by toeknee85, Jul 21, 2007.

  1. toeknee85

    toeknee85 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is there a way to underclock the 8600gs so that it will match the battery life of a X3100. Also, will this reduce the temperature significantly?

    This is to determine if I should get x3100 or discrete in my dell m1330. I wanna play games but i also want good battery life and no heat issues.

    Thanks
     
    toeknee85, Jul 21, 2007
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  2. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    By the way I believe you mean 8400M-GS. There is no 8600M-GS in the XPS M1330.

    There is no way you could underclock the 8400M-GS to the extent that it would reach X3100 power consumption levels. Not even close.

    You are best off letting PowerMizer do its job - set it to minimum performance/maximum battery life on battery. I believe PowerMizer actually undervolts the card in addition to underclocking it. If you underclock manually the card isn't going to do that I think . . . at least that is how it is with ATI cards.

    If you want to play newer 3D games then I don't see any way around getting the 8400M-GS. Just get the biggest battery you can.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jul 21, 2007
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  3. manzi

    manzi Notebook Evangelist

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    BTW Chaz if i get a Dell Vostro 1500 (15", T5470 1.6GHz, 2GB RAM) with the 8400M GS, then will the battery life be the same like having a x3100 installed when i am not playing gmaes but just surfing the net and listening to music?
     
    manzi, Jul 21, 2007
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  4. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    No way. It's still a dedicated card that has its own memory. You won't get close to the battery life you'd have with the X3100. There is no way around this I'm afraid . . .
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jul 21, 2007
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  5. Dell C.A.

    Dell C.A. Company Representative

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    I’m at Dell Headquarters in Austin, Texas and I just came across this thread. I haven't tested the two side by side so I don't know exactly what kind of increase in battery life you get by choosing the onboard over the discrete card but I'd agree with the Chaz that if gaming is a consideration, just buy the 8400 and deal with the battery issue.

    In my experience the best two things for battery life are dimming the LCD as much as you can tolerate and buying a new battery every year or so to ensure you're never working with a worn one. The second option is expensive but not dealing with worn batteries is nice and since it creeps up on you slowly, many people with 2+ year old batteries don’t realize that they’re only holding half the charge they used to. There are other little things like processor settings and killing BT and wifi radios but I think screen brightness and old batteries are the two biggest enemies of long battery life.


    Neil
    Dell, Inc.
     
    Dell C.A., Jul 25, 2007
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  6. moon angel

    moon angel Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    I believe the upcoming Asus U3 is a 13.3" that can switch sony SZ style between integrated and dedicated graphics, likely X3100 and 8400M GS.
     
    moon angel, Jul 25, 2007
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  7. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Well, Sony wasn't the first one to make it IIRC, there was another one.

    However, the SZ is probably the exact same as the U3, 8400GS and x3100.
     
    coriolis, Jul 25, 2007
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