The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Difference between the 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT and the 128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GS

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Dreamband20xx, Aug 4, 2007.

  1. Dreamband20xx

    Dreamband20xx Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I have been looking at the Both the Dell Inspiron 1520(256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT) and the Dell Inspiron 1420(128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GS) and the only difference that i can pick out is that they both have different video cards. Now i am looking into buying either one of these notebooks cause they are actually pretty decent for me going into college but do i need to worry about these componets in the future.
     
    Dreamband20xx, Aug 4, 2007
    #1
  2. baddogboxer

    baddogboxer Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    144
    Messages:
    1,092
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Depends what you want to do with it. The 8600m GT is more powerful than the 8400m GS. This really only comes into play if you 3D game if not does not matter.
     
    baddogboxer, Aug 4, 2007
    #2
  3. Afterburner22

    Afterburner22 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    35
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    It really depends on whether or not you do serious gaming or light gaming. Both cards are designed for the new Directx10...but the 8600m gt has got more future-proof potential.
     
    Afterburner22, Aug 4, 2007
    #3
  4. Hugovr

    Hugovr Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    132
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Light and day man.
    The 8600 GT is on the high end of the notebook range right now, to play most (if not all) of todays games with medium-high setting. Meanwhile the 8400 GS is on the low, mainly for light gaming and working with 3d programs, as well as high-def movie viewing.
     
    Hugovr, Aug 4, 2007
    #4
  5. lappy486portable

    lappy486portable Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    10
    Messages:
    387
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The 8600 is better, no doubt about it, but it depends what you want to do with it. The difference for playing games is huge, but Windows Vista Performance, or HD viewing there isn't much of a difference.
     
    lappy486portable, Aug 4, 2007
    #5
  6. hehe299792458

    hehe299792458 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    175
    Messages:
    1,571
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    The difference between the two cards is indeed large, but it should be noted that the 8400 is for smaller notebooks (12-14in) where as the 8600 is for large notebooks (15in). It's like comparing apples and oranges
     
    hehe299792458, Aug 4, 2007
    #6
  7. fabarati

    fabarati Frorum Obfuscator

    Reputations:
    1,904
    Messages:
    3,374
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Also note that the 1420 is a 14" laptop and the 1520 a 15,4".
     
    fabarati, Aug 4, 2007
    #7
  8. squeakygeek

    squeakygeek Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    10
    Messages:
    185
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    No. They are both video cards and can be directly compared. He will simply have to weigh the fact that if he wants an 8600 he will have to have a 15.4". It is not apples and oranges.
     
    squeakygeek, Aug 4, 2007
    #8
  9. lappy486portable

    lappy486portable Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    10
    Messages:
    387
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    He can get an Asus which has an 8600 in a 14.1" form factor.
     
    lappy486portable, Aug 7, 2007
    #9
  10. squishy

    squishy Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Go with the 8600 GT it is future proof for some time
     
    squishy, Aug 7, 2007
    #10