512MB 8600M GS on 1680x1050 vs. 256MB 8600M GT on 1920x1200

I currently have an HP DV9700T with a 1680x1050 res that has a 512MB 8600M GS. I'm thinking about getting rid of it (other hardware probs giving me trouble) and getting a Dell.

I was just wondering how a 512MB 8600M GS on a 1680x1050 res compares, performance wise, to a 256MB 8600M GT on a 1920x1200 res since I see on the boards that the higher the res is, the less your GPU can handle.

I don't play heavy FPS games but I'd like to know before I buy if I'm really trading like for like since I'd be upgrading to a better graphics card but also an even higher res.

(FYI, there's a thread in the HP forums about how HP has had NVIDIA downclock the 512MB 8600M GS and a 256MB 8600M GS is outperforming it.)

 

The 8600Gt is a much more powerful graphics card than the GS. You will enjoy the larger 1920 x 1200 resolution. In just about every game, you can set the resolution at which the game plays at, so dont worry about not having enough power.

What is wrong with your dv9700t ?, maybe we can help you.

K-TRON

 

Thanks for the info and the offer as well. I sure wish you could help. That sucker is 32 days old and is already in for its first repair (LCD is totally black but occasionally powers on). I get it for 32 days, HP gets it for 14. Lovely.

But I'm not bitter, right?

Anyway, if I was able to pull a rabbit out of my hat and go for a Dell M1730, how much better would the 8700M GT serve me or would it just be overkill? My main games are Sims 2 and Oblivion so nothing major. The only other thing I do that's a bit intense would be video editing.

I know the old question of "how long will this graphics card last" is silly but is it worth the extra money to get a suped up M1730? My last computer is still chugging along 3 1/2 years later...very slowly but still kicking.

 

You will not need a 1730 to do the games you recommended, it is completely overkill and a waste of money. The Inspiron 1720 or the XPS 1530 would be fine for you.

The 8700GT is a better card than the 8600, but it is much more expensive, and you need to buy an even more expensive dell laptop to get it.

K-TRON

 

Thanks so much. That's what I thought but I needed a solid voice of reason to tell me that really cool looking toy was out of my league. LOL

I've got both the Inspiron 1720 and the Vostro 1700 on my list. They're actually the only 2 left on my list so now I guess it's more of a black or silver decision since the specs are basically the same for the ones I've configured.

Not to redirect this thread off topic but I have a T9300 now. Will I miss it that much if I downgrade the processor to save money to a T8300 (on the Inspiron) or the T8100 (Vostro 1700)? The extra L2 cache on the T9300 is nice to have but I honestly don't know if I even use it. But everything I read says, "Get it," but that may just be me getting back into the "cool looking toy" mode of thinking.

Sorry about asking the unrelated question. You seem to know your stuff so I'd love to pick your brain on this one.

 

If you are keeping the Hp, I would buy the slowest processor from Dell, and hen put your T9300 into it.
If you have to return you Hp, than You will notice a small speed difference, but its not going to be night and day, more like 5-8 % difference. Most programs and games will not even use full processing power, so do not worry. The T8100 and 8300 are plenty powerful for games and the works.

I would go into the dell forum and see if you can find a person with each notebook, and get some opinions.
Vostro's are usually a better value, cause they are cheaper.
the Inspiron's usually are a bit more expensive, but are flashier.

K-TRON