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    Replace 280m?

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by washy212, Mar 21, 2011.

  1. washy212

    washy212 Notebook Consultant

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    Hey all. My rig is in my sig. I am under the impression that my video card is my weakest link by far. If it would grealty improve performance/increase lifetime, I would like to get a new one and I was wondering what my options were. Thanks.
     
    washy212, Mar 21, 2011
    #1
  2. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    I think you can go up to a 480m. As I know that newer d900f's have shipped with them.
     
    widezu69, Mar 21, 2011
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  3. washy212

    washy212 Notebook Consultant

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    Is there a large difference between the two?
     
    washy212, Mar 21, 2011
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  4. Kevin

    Kevin Egregious

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    Probably around 45% faster, but is that worth $949 USD?

    In comparison, Sandy Bridge and 6970M will be about ~$1600.
     
    Kevin, Mar 21, 2011
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  5. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    You can look here for some benches (scroll down to the gaming tests and click compare "+" sign to see other GPU's). Their tests should be taken with a grain of salt, but on average, they are close to reality in most cases.
     
    Aikimox, Mar 21, 2011
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  6. Saltius

    Saltius Notebook Evangelist

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    Go up for Mhd5870 --> You need to cut your original VGA heatsink to make it fit, someone sells the modified heatsink on ebay.
    Go up for GTX480m --> You need to swap both your CPU&VGA heatsinks, sellers may include these with the GTX480m if you purchase.

    Besides,right now MXM-upgrade is making M6970 run on D900f, maybe we should just wait for their result.
     
    Saltius, Mar 21, 2011
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  7. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    Very good advice! You can't beat this option both in price and performance. :cool:
     
    Aikimox, Mar 21, 2011
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  8. washy212

    washy212 Notebook Consultant

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    Is there any less expensive options that would not require any changes?
     
    washy212, Mar 22, 2011
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  9. Alexrose1uk

    Alexrose1uk Music, Media, Game

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    Replacing an MXM GPU will always be expensive, especially as you're looking high end, and you'll need to mod/replace the heatsink. If the 6970m runs, that would be the most cost effective upgrade, but it'll still cost $500-600 most likely.

    Its working out whether the cost of getting a new GPU is worth it, or whether you're worth not bothering/shifting to a new machine. MXM cards, when available, cost a lot more than normal desktop GPU by sheer number economics and relative availabity.

    FWIW, a 6970m would be close to twice as fast as a GTX280m.

    From memory the 280m is about 10-15% slower than the 285m IIRC with the 5870m being upto about 30% faster than that, and the 6970m is approx 50%-60% faster than the performance of a 5870m.
     
    Alexrose1uk, Mar 22, 2011
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  10. Kevin

    Kevin Egregious

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    Question:

    In what game(s), does the GTX 280M not satisfy you? Knowing this will help determine what upgrade is best for you, if any is even necessary.
     
    Kevin, Mar 22, 2011
    #10