ENTHUSIAST / HIGH-END GPU FOR NOTEBOOKS

Class 1
» GeForce 8800M GTX SLI *coming soon late Dec-Q1 2008*
» GeForce Go 7950 GTX SLI
» GeForce Go 7900 GTX SLI
» GeForce 8800M GTX *coming soon late Dec-Q1 2008*
» GeForce Go 7950 GTX
» Quadro FX 3500M
» GeForce 8800M GTS *coming soon late Dec-Q1 2008*
» GeForce 8700M GT SLI
» Mobility Radeon HD 3800
» GeForce Go 7800 GTX SLI
» GeForce Go 7900 GS SLI
» GeForce Go 7900 GTX
» Quadro FX 2500M
» GeForce Go 7900 GS
» Quadro FX 1600M
» GeForce 8700M GT
» Quadro NVS 320M
» Quadro FX 1500M
» GeForce Go 7800 GTX
» Mobility Radeon HD 2600 XT
» Mobility Radeon X1900
» Mobility Radeon X1800XT
» Mobility Radeon X1800
» GeForce Go 6800 Ultra
» GeForce Go 7800

General

These are the best of the best. Creame of the creme. They do come with a price tho. Class 1 GPUs worth every penny u squeezed for it. Why u might ask? Because you get the HIGH settings power on ur hand, AND together with mobility. That is indeed very impressive advanced technology. Class 1 GPUs are so tempting they blind us the more cheaper and powerful option, desktop. I won't blame u if these harden ur decision . They usually come in heavier and bigger form factor; means they come in 17" and above mobile system. So if ur hands can't resist HIGH settings in any sort of games, or u one of those hardcores that couldn't accept below 30 average fps, look nothing but Class 1.

Personal

The usual trend about these Class 1 that we tend to under-look it's purposes and services. We always see Class 1 enthusiast as an idiot richies. If u asked me, if we could only afford Wira, why condemning people who has the money to buy Ferraris? They might have the better option to save fuel and money based on efficiency like higher MPG and stuff, but still Class 1 means they are fast, and they don't come in cheap.

Think of it this way, if we always over-look and over-rate 8600m GT /GS as an acceptable gaming GPU which basically crawl for our new benchmark game (other than Doom) Crysis, why under-look Class 1 GPUs? If one couldn't afford and still eager to get it, then I might not disagree that one is in fact an idiot.

Pros -

1) Come in expensive packages; sometimes u have to opt for overseas/international brands to get it.
2) For now the 8700m option and above is only Available from Dell XPS, domestically that is.

Cons -

1) Higher chance of overheating, especially for overheating countries like us
2) Comes in huge and heavier platform, usually 17" and above.

Comments:
prasys's


derred's


Suggestion:

For those who in the markets for these, think again. Weigh in ur mobility features. Ask urself THE question: "Do I really need this MOBILITY?" and ask the follow up questions as well: "Or am I just a student that game on leisure time and play on my desk at my dormitory?" or "Am I a 32-years old gamers that fly for outstation every once in a fort-night that couldn't leave that COD4 behind?"

Basically, GET IT if:

1) U know u will really use it as 8800m GTX (magnified the M) instead of 8800m GTX but sitting on ur desk MOST of the time (performance/money ratio wise).
2) Rich bastards or lucky bastards whose money isn't a factor.
3) U already have desktop and still it couldn't satisfy u ON THE-GO or travel.

DON'T GET IT if:

1) U will use 8800m GTX (again, the m) on ur desk MOST of the time, even if it's not all the time. U could get a much powerful option with much cheaper price. How much u ask? 8800 GTX for desktop has been out for a year and u could save at least RM1000 easily as for today's price and market for those cards. U don't even need the same model to argue between laptop and desktop performance. For instance 8800m gtx vs. 8800 gtx, u already on the higher ground if u could fork out for that sexy 8800gt which has like RM1200 price margin between them. I quote myself, "If laptop performance is as powerful as those desktop, we won't have any desktop anymore. By then desktop is already obsolete."

2) Broke-a$$.

This post has been edited by derred: Dec 27 2007, 06:02 AM

MAINSTREAM / MID-RANGE GPU FOR NOTEBOOKS / LAPTOPS

Class 2
» GeForce 8600M GT SLI *available on Toshiba X205*
» Quadro FX 570M
» GeForce 8600M GT
» GeForce Go 7600 GT
» Mobility Radeon HD 2600
» GeForce 8600M GS
» GeForce Go 7700
» GeForce Go 6800
» Quadro FX Go 1400
» Mobility Radeon X800XT
» Mobility Radeon X1700
» Mobility FireGL V5250
» GeForce Go 7600
» Quadro NVS 300M
» Mobility Radeon X800
» Mobility Radeon X1600
» Mobility FireGl V5200
» Mobility Radeon 9800
» GeForce Go 6600

Class 3
» Mobility Radeon X2500
» Mobility Radeon X1450
» Mobility Radeon X700
» Mobility FireGL V5000
» Mobility Radeon X1350
» Mobility Radeon X1400
» GeForce 8400M GT
» Quadro NVS 140M
» Mobility Radeon HD 2400 XT
» Quadro FX 360M
» GeForce 8400M GS
» Quadro NVS 135M
» Mobility Radeon HD 2400
» GeForce 8400M G
» Quadro NVS 130M
» GeForce Go 7400
» Quadro FX 350M
» Quadro NVS 120M
» GeForce Go 7300
» Quadro NVS 110M
» Mobility Radeon X600
» Mobility FireGL V3200
» Mobility Radeon X2300
» Mobility Radeon HD 2300
» Mobility Radeon 9700
» Mobility FireGL T2e
» Mobility FireGL V3100

General

Welcome to the mainstream classes. These classes fall under the "Favorites" or "Most Popular" section for notebooks and laptops. To discuss about these mainstream it could take forever; considering to cover every topic related to it. From technical to best bang for the buck view, I will only cover things that I found fairly important and other topics could be cover in comments as we go on.

Budget

Usually budget is the most important constraint for these classes. By raw observation, I would say individuals that have a budget from RM 3000 and above (and of course there is a level which it reaches the enthusiasts price range) should read on at this point.

Brand

Budget is surely a no brainer, but brand, uh it could eats months of researches and weeks of wait just for majority reviews. From Dell, Apple, HP, Asus, Acer,BenQ,Toshiba and the list goes on, sometimes too many options means hard decisions. Spec-wise, brand could means same technology with different names. In more technical terms, we could use an example of two exact same system models (say Santa Rosa or Napa platform) that have two different names/branding.

However, brand could be the best indicator when it comes to customer AND technical services. There are tons of bad stories and great reviews about every brand we have seen (even we never heard and seen of) for instance the famous Dell/Apple to the entries like MSi, so never hope that I would mention it out here. There are tons customer service reviews on PC Mags,sites,forums and shops for you to refer yourselves. It wouldn't hurt me to mention that this year best service falls to Apple but of course we all know they only cover US and canada continents not ours. But if they could do great on the huge continent as the U.S, I believe they will have no problem to treat equally for our beloved small peninsula, aren't they?

*I can sure you could take my words on this topic; as I am not a/an fanboi/owner for any brands I have mentioned. I am stick with boutique brand at the moment and maybe forever, but who knows.*

I am a ..?

This part I could assure you never see it before, have you? (maybe I should copyright it huh ?). If any of us notice I haven't gone specific on budget and brand topics, this is simply because I shouldn't. Mind this: Not all of us are gamers/enthusiasts ok? Remember I put RM3000 - above instead of RM3000 - RM8000? Cause believe it or not, there are richies/uncles/aunties that owns 4 houses and Ferraris, but 8800gtx in SLi doesn't fancy them at all. They prefer d more sturdy classic black "business-themed" platform that those fancy boutiques brands (And of course they are also those who are if we take the whole world as our samples). It could be a different trend in the US, but randomly speaking, they divided into half. The first one fancy high-end laptops/notebooks/brands and the other half just don't.

Mainstream gpus are meant for all types of users. However, like I mentioned before, sometimes it's overrated. Some of us expect too much out of it. Come on, with the strict budget and given the limitation of mobile system could do within that range of weight and height of a box to be classified as laptops/notebooks species, what more could you expect? So for gaming purposes, expect it to game decently.

So which one are you? A gamer? Or maybe just common users that doesn't game at all? Ask yourself that question and if I guess it right, it could affect your each own pocket just because of the brand names and laptop themes. There are gaming-themed laptops/notebooks that have absolutely no different
spiritually"/tech spec but cost just a bit more because their physical beauty. So is it dumb to buy physical beauty instead of saving with things that
have same quality? I'll leave it to you guys to answer that.

*Again I wouldn't take sides,you could have your own opinions here but come on, if physical beauty should never be an option why HollyWood/celebs/whatever that phenomenon we should call it, exists?*

PC vs. Mac

This one goes straight to world classic debate's favorite topic, should you get a PC or Mac? Instead of reading comments on Engadget or Youtube where fanbois/fangirls firing each other at this endless war, get urself some time to spend with both system. Macs have their own shops in local areas or try a friend's for even as short as 10 minutes. Feel which one feels comfortable the most for you. Depending on individuals deep pocket and preference, sometimes this was never an issue for some of us. Those with tons of money could simply buy both and enjoy both worlds side-by-side! (means two computers with 2 different OSes, not boot camp or parallel, coz that doesn't count. I'll add more info about that later on). So try it yourself for future satisfaction and peace of mind. It's not as simple as black and white. It's more like it's either ur a lefty/righty or ambidextrous, maybe?

MacBook could be the solution between the two major OSes. I didn't say you couldn't install Leopard on ur PC, but it takes a little too much of knowledge and patience in order to make it dependable as an OS.

Personal

Personally, If money/budget is not a factor by any means, I'll go for MacBook Pro with 3rd party mouse. If not, I'll get the least problematic platform (regardless what brand it is). I won't go for a better brand with better customers service but has hell lots of problems. Thirdly, I would go with any brand that offer great warranties and supports which is important especially when unexpected errors/problems occur. Other than that, I wouldn't see any brand should be an important factor.

Pros -

1) This class have the majority power. Which means automatic the best additional tech supports (users-to-users) and spare parts u could get aftermarket, in case if you needed.

2) Great value for money.

3) Higher stability and life-expectancy; since it doesn't produce as much heat as the high-end gpus which usually have a shorter life-longevity (because of the high heat that usually comes with the high-end packages).

Cons -

1) Sometimes majority/average aren't always right, didn't they? It won't hurt but things like laptops/notebooks supposedly match the way of your lifestyle. It could be perfect for others but not you and only you. It could be too big, too heavy, too ugly or whatever. So like I mentioned earlier, try it before you buy (Any know some of us do, but some of us just don't have the habit u know). If u still couldn't understand why this get into "Cons", here some examples. Say 8600m gt, which mostly available and equipped by a 15.4" platform, is also available on 17". Models like Asus G2s have the same exact spec (expect for the size and screen resolution perhaps) is one of 17incher that holds that spec. So before you get it, make sure what you need and want. Some of us here like it big, and willingly to sacrifice the weight part for the higher reso benefit, but some just regret because of own stupidity.

2) Stuck with medium and perhaps some high settings depending games u run.

Comments:
derred's


Suggestion:

Set your budget and try to compare the alternatives that you have. Like I said, try to look out the most stable/least problematic specific models, other than just brand. The extra money u save on the less branded laptop could be invest onto the whole purpose of having laptop. In other words, maybe you could use the extra money for an extra years for warranty or maybe a higher quality laptop bag/sleeve. So even Acer or BenQ doesn't sound or look cool, doing some research on some models wouldn't hurt and will save you lots of headache later on.

Basically, GET IT if:

1) lazy to write anymore. Seems like no one is reading pun. wahaha.

DON'T GET IT if:

1) bla bla bla bla. quack quack quack quack. hoho.

This post has been edited by derred: Jan 5 2008, 04:13 AM

LOW-END GPU FOR LAPTOPS / NOTEBOOKS

Class 4
» Mobility Radeon X1300
» GeForce4 4200 Go
» Mobility Radeon 9600
» Mobility FireGL T2
» Quadro FX Go 1000
» Mobility Radeon 9550
» GeForce Go 7200
» GeForce Go 6400
» Mobility Radeon X300
» GeForce Go 6250
» GeForce Go 6200
» GeForce FX Go 5700
» GeForce FX Go 5600 / 5650
» GeForce FX Go 5600 / 5650

Class 5
» Radeon Xpress X1270
» Radeon Xpress X1250
» Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) X3100
» Radeon Xpress X1200
» Radeon Xpress 1250
» Radeon Xpress 1150
» GeForce 7150M
» GeForce Go 6150
» GeForce Go 6100
» GeForce 7000M
» GeForce FX Go 5200
» Mobility Radeon 9200
» Mobility Radeon 9000
» GeForce 4 488 Go
» GeForce 4 460 Go
» GeForce 4 440 Go
» GeForce 4 420 Go
» Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950
» Mobility Radeon 7500
» Mobility FireGL 7800
» Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 900
» Radeon Xpress 200M
» Radeon Xpress 1100

Class 6
» GeForce 2 Go (200 / 100)
» Mobility Radeon 9100 IGP
» Mobility Radeon 9000 IGP
» Mobility Radeon
» Mobility Radeon 7000 IGP
» Radeon IGP 340M
» Chrome9 HC
» Extreme Graphics 2
» S3G UniChrome Pro
» S3 Graphics ProSavage8
» Mirage 3 671MX
» Mirage 2 M760
» Mirage M661FX
» Castle Rock

This post has been edited by derred: Dec 9 2007, 03:55 AM

Bolded - popular and widely supported GPUs

Green - From Nvidia

Red - From ATi

Any sellers or resellers that would like me to include brand or laptop models can post it here. I would update as the thread moves on. For example

8600m GS - Dell XPS m1530, BenQ whatever model, Acer whatever model, Asus whatever model etc. This will be easier for users or forummers reference.

This post has been edited by derred: Dec 9 2007, 09:10 AM

Low end GPU oso can run HALO very smooth...

Nice and useful info... May be moderator can pin this thread, and can be updated later for new model.

yup .. its helps when people want to purchase a lappy with graphic card depending on their needs ...

I'll put it as a sticky , if you specify more information. Who should be using high end cards , etc

Here is a good example

Class 1 cards

<list of cards>

This card offers the best gaming experience the money could buy. If you are not a gamer but a serious person who will be using to do AutoCAD or so , go for the Mobile Quardo series as its optimised for OpenGL instead of DirectX. Hence you'll get better output. Please do keep in mind that , the notebook that comes with this kind of cards are pricey (so dont expect to get them anywhere around 3.5k budget). Plus , they are big and bulky (17.1" inch or 19.1" inch) although there are smaller ones.

yeah...by write a short summary/description on which class might give readers have clearer ideas....

yup .. the nvidia quadro series r very good workstation graphic cards ...

good for CAD ...

When will Geforce 9 series launch?

Thankz mod....

come on...pin it to top thread....XD

I already updated the high-end post as u suggested. I will try to squeeze some other time for the other ones. I wasn't expect this to get pinned. I was expecting the other one

Post ur WorkStation pictures thread - if only you could do the favor, pleaseeeeeee?

@Deani_77, eddy230379, BOTAK_WAI

thanks for the support.

I will have exams just around the corner. I might not be online for at most a week or two. So don't worry bout me, continue utilize the thread. I will update it as soon as I can. I would appreciate help too for all the other Class for GPUs.

The other idea will be I will link this with our benchmark thread made by HellRyzer. From here for those who only see FPS or benchies as their estimator, we will point it to the exact direction. We would appreciate if we have various Classes of GPU contributors on that thread. That will indeed help more of first time buyers or even desktop-gurus who just couldn't escape mobility. Hope all these will be helpful and worth the time making it.

This post has been edited by derred: Dec 9 2007, 04:26 PM

I think we can also have some 3dmark score in this topic..sure a lot can help. so do me..

Do me a favor guys

I couldn't be online all the time. As mention below, I would appreciate help since I will be kinda busy in these 2 weeks time. I will update as soon as I could. Keep the words spread for me yah ! please..

As for the 3dmark request, I will somehow link this to HellRyzer's benchmark thread. This is strictly Class reference, suggestions, comments and what not. It's not that I wouldn't do it. It just that if it's too much info crammed within one topic, it would be crowded and nothing left for readers or learners to digest.

Plus, having just numbers could mislead and stuff. It's better to head to the benchmark thread for more in-depth and details about NOT just 3dmarks, but also REAL game benchies which IMO is more important. We get Class 1 for gaming jaa? Not to play 3dmarks over and over and over again? yah? or do we?



This post has been edited by derred: Dec 9 2007, 04:46 PM

i just want to help. a lot of people refer to 3dmark score rather than real time game performance FYI>>

Yup don't worry bout it. I do understand and i will put that into consideration.

Maybe I'll try to persuade those @ HellRyzer thread to post their REAL 3dmarks points, that way u will see specific model for specific brand, with specific config, with respective 3dmarks scores (that what I meant by details and in-depth).

I know there is notebookcheck.net, but then it's better to head there straight up if that's what I will be posting, don't u think?

no prob derred ... we will try our best to provide info ... and also .. good luck in ur exams ...

anyone have benchies for the new ati 3800 ???

I have not yet heard or see anything equipped with the new high-end gpu from ATi. It will be good to see a benchies or even laptop from that type of gpu..