kidwolf909

I'm getting ready to purchase my college laptop, a dell, with a Core 2 Duo T5470, 2GB DDR2-667, and I can't decide which GPU is the better route. I know most of you are like "8600GT!!!!!! DUHHH" but I'm not planning on doing much gaming on this (Maybe 1.6 and CS:S) because I'll be building a new desktop around Christmas or Q1'08. I will, however, be running Vista on the laptop, which I know likes a better GPU. My upgrade options are priced like this:

- Intel Integrated X3100 [Included]
- Geforce 8400M GS 128MB [$99]
- Geforce 8600M GT 256MB [$199]

So what do you guys think? Is the 8400 worth it over the intel? Or should I just go balls to the wall for the 8600GT because it's gonna make the notebook THAT much better in everything?

Thanks in advance!

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Bal3Wolf

id go with 8400 or 8600 least they got dedicated memory the intel probly shares system memory. My laptop has a x200 with dedicated memory and i can play cs:s with most stuff on high but aa and af arent maxed out.

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Boinc Stats
3Vantage 21673
3dmark06 22135
3dmark05 24551
3dmark03 80562
3dmark01 53929

kidwolf909

The X3100 does share system memory, but it is the best intel has to offer integrate lol. I guess I could do the 8400M for $100... it isn't too much more. I was just looking to stay <$700 and this will push me to like $780...

Is it worth it guys? C'mon I need more replies here! lol

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Bal3Wolf

The 8600gt seems best if you swing it gets 3000-4300 on 3dmark06 thats pretty good for a laptop gpu.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-G...00.2176.0.html
http://www.notebookreview.com/defaul...w=ThinkPad+T61
thats got a review with a laptop using a x3100.

8400 gs
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVidia-...GS.3709.0.html

8600gt
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-...GT.3986.0.html

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Boinc Stats
3Vantage 21673
3dmark06 22135
3dmark05 24551
3dmark03 80562
3dmark01 53929

kidwolf909

Wow, thanks Bal3! I wish I could find a heads up comparison of them though... hwbot has X3000 and 8400GS and 8600GT, but they are not mobile versions and their data is very scarce :-\

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kidwolf909

Alright well right now I'm thinking 8400 since it's only an extra $100... that'll put me at $740-$780 depending on if I go 1.5 or 2GB's of RAM.

What do you guys think... I'm really no expert in notebooks. I could get an 8600GT, but that would put me at $800, and then I'd have to spend another $40 for 1.5GB's RAM = $840, which is kinda steep. I wanted to stay under $700 if possible.

UGH! This sucks! lol

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kidwolf909

Now a poll people! Help me out please, I need to decide before the weekend

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numlock2.0

I was in the same situation as you, and I had to make a decision by today. I went with an old(ish) refurbished Dell XPS laptop with integrated video. I went this route because I didn't want to be tempted into playing too many games. I could occasionally play some freeware and slower games just for kicks. In college, I want to put most of my focus into studying or doing something else productive.

That's just my opinion. Since you are going to build a system later (plenty of good stuff by then!) anyways, I think you should save as much money as possible for it.

Retrospekt

Save the money. Low end DX10 cards are crap.

High end DX9>Low end DX10


Integrated for now.

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mugan23

8600 so u can hold out for longer cuz in collage money is short right?

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