Don't buy a DV6500t yet. Here is why.

I just got my dv6500t, as a replacement for my dead dv6000z. Here is a quick comparison between my top of the line Z which had a Nvidia Go 7200 (This was an option at the time of purchase last year), compared to the t which has a Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator X3100. Here are the test results:

dv6000z (64 X2 Dual-Core TL-60, Nvidia Go 7200, Memory 1GB, and XP pro):

3DMark05: 1551
PCMark05: 3311

dv6000t (Core(TM) 2 Duo T7300, Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator X3100, Memory 2GB, and Windows Vista Business):

3DMark05: 778
PCMark05: 3900
Super PI: 59 secs.

Windows experience index base score: 3.4 ( Here is microsoft's comment about the index score, "A computer with a base score of 4 or 5 is able to run all new features of Windows Vista with full functionality.........")


My advice: Stay away until the new GPUs are out. My PCMark was great compared to the Z, but my 3Dmark was very disappointing. Even the desktop colors are not as crisp. I'm returning this baby back for an upgrade, as this seems to be a downgrade. I guess I have to wait like everybody else.

I might write a review.

 

What i'm concerned about is how did your dv6000z die. I know that i should stay away from Intel already.

 

What do mean stay away from intel? You mean the GPU? The Z is a an AMD and I got the T now which is an Intel.

My Z died all of a sudden. I think my motherboard got fried. All of a sudden with normal use, it just shut off and won't wake up again.

 

Ok, now you've gotten me scared. I am planning on getting the dv6000z.
And i say i should stay away from intel because i don't like them. Otherwise good brand.

 

Just wait for the nvidia 8xxx bette video etc, and they will add the hd dvd option when the 8000 series would be included.

 

Sure. But this is a replacement. Do you think they won't give me a hard time?

 

Same here and thats why I got the Z in the first place. But currently the t is faster, comes with better GPUs, and more responsive. AMD needs at least a year to gobble up the ATI merger and then we will be talking. Haven't you heard that AMD is run by scientists and Intel is run by sales people. I believe that in two years time AMD will be king.

 

well GMC it looks like you will have to stay away from PCs altogether

seriously just cuz someone here had a dead laptop doesnt mean you will

and america is run by a monkey but the US is still "king"

AMD has yet to prove they can recover here, we will have to wait and see

 

Phew. I was getting really worried there. I though i was going to be doomed into a $700 sham. And mid what do you mean they have to gobble up the ATI merge? Do you mean they have to get accustomed to it or something?

 

what he means is a merger isn't an instant thing, it takes time to get accustomed to the new way of doing things. now that AMD and ATI are one, they have to start working together more closely to benefit their products. also the price of buying ATI was quite hefty and AMD is going to need time to recover.

$700 is decent for a laptop, the AMDs are fine and every model even Intels have the occasional faulty unit, it's inevitable.

 

Everyone knows that the Windows Experience score isn't exactly the best indicator of computer performance. And you'd be foolish to think the X3100 isn't enough to use Aero features. Even the GMA 950 was fully authorized by Microsoft as a GPU that could support Aero.

In regards to gaming, yes, the X3100 sucks. But for Vista features? It's plenty good, and you get more battery life.

 

WEI sucks...I've seen X1300 machines that have a higher score than my X1600

The X3100 will be fine for Vista...just don't play games.

 

Calling people foolish doesn't help anybody.

 

If you give the 6500 a negative review because you don't like the x3100 it would be very unfair. You should have known that it was not a gaming chip before choosing it.

1) If colors aren't as crisp, try changing the color settings in the intel control panel. Perhaps nvidia may use different color settings than intel.
2) The x3100 was designed with aero in mind. It runs aero fine. The Windows Experience index is not an accurate benchmark.
3) The x3100 is not for gaming and is fine for people who don't plan on gaming. However the other hardware makes the 6500 an upgrade in non-3d tasks.

 

Did you really expect that the weak little x3100 would compare to a discrete GPU like the 7200??

 

the 7200 sucks on Vista. i had both, the old intel graphics card, and the nvidia both on visita. it sucks!! too glitchy! needs better drivers

 

I bought the DV 6500T for my father, he doesn't play games. The integrated graphics will allow the laptop to run longer on battery power.

To the OP, when your laptop died was it really dead?
Or did the screen just not come on?

I had that happen to my DV6500T yesterday. The laptop was on, yet there was nothing on the screen. I removed the memory, the battery, replaced them, and the screen came back to life. There are other threads from people who have the same problem. There are people who say their laptop runs fine for 1 year, then the screen stopped working. It's not an operating system problem, it's a hardware glitch. Everything is working fine now.

Me? I'm having fun wiping the drive clean and putting 3 operating systems on it (The Triple Play). Check out my guide here. DV 6500T Triple Play

 

Guys,

I was not trying to give it a negative review. This is just a follow up to the thread below. You can also notice that I have added the a PCmark, SuperPI, and both were great. What I wanted to show is that people where questioning the GPU, and how it could be close (less, but close) to the Go 7200. Also, I got this as a replacement so I had no choice, but I said I will give it a shot. I think this thread should be helpful for people that are contimplating whether to wait or buy now.


http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=123651

 

I have the nvidea 8400m card in my 6500t and i still get total score 3.1 with graphics having the 3.1 so go figure.

 

I also have the 8400m gs card in my 6500t and I just installed vista ultimate. I also downloaded new video drivers through windows update and i now get a 3.4 on the wei.

 

go back and edit your original post then. The dv65000t is customizable with a better graphics card now.

 

Yeah, from what I've heard the 8400M GS gets like 1500 in 3dmark06. I'm going to benchmark it in detail in Counter-Strike: Source and Half-Life 2 and all the SDK base stuff once I get my dv6500t in the mail.

I'm using a stripped OS (146MB) with a MINIMALIST shell (200KB) to get the best results.

 

I agree, one cannot state "not to buy the 6500t" because the intergrated graphics card did not meet high benchmark standards. Thats what the upgade is for.

 

He said "Stay away until the new GPUs are out", and was obviously commenting in regards to graphics performance. I don't see any problem with his post.

 

your right, kubel didn't read clearly enough. The the only issue is that he's telling something that a majority people already knew. That's why so many people waited until the discrete graphic options were available.

 

If a video card is released for the dv6500t that is better than the 8400gs will it be upgradeable?

 

My Z with the same config as yours died too. I sent it in to HP and have to pay 400 bucks to fix it, but I can't get anything with an equivalent or an improvement in GPU for the same price, so I'd rather fix it.​

 

Stop reviving old threads. This was written before the 8400m GS was available on the dv6500t.

 

Plz just answer my question so i don't have to create a whole new thread 4 it!!

 

No. GPUs can not be upgraded.

 

sometimes it is better to start a new thread... confusing to see these old threads... don't be a azz....

 

Ummm, I think it's time for a new thread, K?

 

Question answerd no need!

 

Awwww, go ahead, it's fun!