6990M vs 485M?

Sooo they're the same price, but have different strengths and weaknesses. Asides from brand preference, which is better/worse? I understand this is half opinion, half fact. Just looking for some input from you lovely NPR members...

 

6990M is stronger than the 485M,

but you lose the PhysX and CUDA of nVidia.

 

Yeah, that's the tough bit I'm having deciding. (PS, hey I'm in Durham too!)

Is it just a crapshoot, neither is the "total package?"

 

This is pretty much the simplest answer. If you're looking for benchmarks and performance in-game, you can check out these two handy links I keep around for just such a question:

Mobile Graphics Cards - Benchmark List - Notebookcheck.net Tech

Computer Games on Laptop Graphic Cards - Notebookcheck.net Tech

 

Do you really need CUDA and PhysX?

It really comes down to branding preferences in the end..

 

Yeah, I think the game performance is the main thing, it seems the 6990 has an edge(although it's certainly more battle tested from the looks of things...)

I'll be probably doing some other computing I'm sure, but gaming will be where I require the most muscle.

Thanks guys!

 

However, if you want the 17" model with 3D or the 120hz screen without spending the premium for the 580M then this is probably the card you may need to go with.

 

I have a 6990m, I can test things for you if interested

So far everything I've thrown at it runs flawlessly, no complaints.

 

Does it have reasonable fps for crysis 2 at max settings? Wanna get the 6990

 

Relatively fluently, though you'll get dips in the mid-20s certainly, or at least I do. Notebookcheck has the 6990M and the 580M is a tie on Crysis 2.

As for the display, I've been totally happy with the 60hz matte model, but I've never really been able to tell the difference between 60 and 120 on screens in general (which is on me, I know; some people can)

 

6990m upgrade from gtx560m is only $149 now on Sager NP8150/70. I think unless one have to have CUDA (like a developer), choosing 6990m over gtx485 is a no-brainer.
Physx is not that useful IMHO - few games support it. Plus it doesn't come for free - it will reduce fps once turned on.

 

Agreed. I maxed out settings to see if it would run and yes it does at around 30FPS.. it won't be as smooth though so I lowered the settings a bit and the game is very fluid. I can't honestly tell the difference from the lower to max setting graphic wise. At some point everything looks just pretty and nice

BTW I have a stock glossy screen.

 

Im going to chime in here with support for the 485m, obviously because I bought it. For me I like physX enabled in game, I use video encoding software which utilizes cuda processing, and wanted a 3D capable machine. For all these reasons, along with the ability to match GTX580m clocks the 485m was a no-brainer especially for the price. At stock speeds and stock fan after 3 hours of 3D gaming the temps do not go over 81C on the gpu(stock paste), and if I turn on the Enhanced cooling (FN+1) my temps stay at 70C on GPU while gaming. I have been enjoying some Mass Effect 2 @ 1080P 4xAA w/All Highest Settings, in 3D and it's phenomenal. Also I have enjoyed Hubble 3D, and Avatar 3D quite much. This panel in particular is a joy to view in 2d and 3d.

For me the 485m offered a lot more bang for the buck due to it's versatility.

AnAndTech performed a review of the Alienware M18X with 6990m CF, however their chart has single 6990m's, GTX580M's, GTX485m's, amoung others. It may give you a perspective in terms of actual frame rates you'll experience choosing a 6990m over a 485m, and whether or not the trade off is justifiable. AnandTech - Alienware's M18x, Part 2: AMD's Radeon HD 6990M in CrossFire

 

Yup that discount upgrade is sweet. I'm looking forward to it.

 

yeah I was leaning in the direction of the 6990, with the 100 bucks off I think Nvidia will have to wait for me to come back to them

 

I have been thinking about this and I do not remember Clevo/Sager ever offering a high end card like the AMD 6990M for only a $145.00 upgrade.

-

 

What drivers do you use in your AMD6990M? Latest?
Because I'm using the latest. Do you know why?
Because they are better than the previous.
Simple?

 

8150 have 120mhz screen?

 

At the moment, no. Only 60hz screens in glossy/matte and 60%/95% color gamuts. The 120Hz is limited to the P170HM for now

 

I wish there was a cut and dry way to pick a graphics card, but there really isn't.