Boomer

I returned my current laptop (in my sig) for a full refund today and am looking for a new one.

I want a 17inch laptop with the new 8 series graphic card. My main concern is the graphic card. I loved my last HP DV9000 and would like to get another HP, but with the new models i can get the 8600M GT (Dell) over 8600M GS (HP). HP doesn't offer the GT. Is the GT much of an upgrade over the GS?


I know i want the T7500 (2.2Ghz) for sure.

Here are the two laptops I'm looking at:
HP DV9500:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...dv9500t_series

Dell Inspiron 1720
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...MA1&s=dhs&sm=2

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bumblebee_tuna

There is a significant difference between the 8600m GS and GT.....

A difference between struggling to play games on the higher graphic, AA settings or having smooth, reliable FPS.........

An 800 point difference in 3dMark06.......

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Burgerbob

One other thing, I configured both about the same (2GB RAM, same CPU [2.2GHz], about the same HDD space, same drives, etc...)
And the HP was almost $400 cheaper. And that was with the HP with the 1680X1050 17in and the Dell with the 1440X900 one. I would go with the HP just for price, you can deal with the GS.

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Boomer

thanks for the input! they are both things to think about.

well, how much of a difference in performence is there between my old 7600 Go compared to the 8600m GS (new HP setup)?

i dont play a ton of games. mainly WoW which both cards can easily play. but i want to be able to play some decent games in the future. but ill be getting a new G card for my desktop sooner or later more demanding future games

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bumblebee_tuna

In regards to Burgerbob's comment, the Dell 17" is a bit pricey but I myself went with the 15" with a 8600m GT and got it under $1500 (excluding tax......) although I also did go with the T7100............(2 gigs, 160 HDD, normal screen, all the extra accessories......) But that's just me, I was on a budget and I don't necesarily want to mess with a 17" behemoth.

The 8600m GS is suppose to be roughly the equivalent or slightly less than th 7600. The GT, the next and a good step above the 7600 in comparison with other cards.

Edit: On a side note, HP tends to have more 'random' promotions and deals when configuring systems so it might be cheaper one day, then more the next.

Edit: Edit: Try ordering over the phone...... I had a question about a promotion with Dell, and although I didn't get the discount I wanted, I was able to get an additional $80 off of the configuration I had......

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Boomer

thanks again for the help. i decided to go with the HP. the lower price is what made my decision. the specs i picked are updated in my sig.

cant wait to get it!!!!!

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luckyedboy66

buy the HP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have one like it and i love it!!! plus, dell just sucks, and HP has better standard features.

luckyedboy66

the 8600 has DirectX 10, which is the new graphics program for vista. i saw a comparison btwn DX9 and DX10, and there is no contest, DX10 is superb.

bumblebee_tuna

The only difference between the 7600 and the 8600 is DirectX 10. Otherwise, you'll still get roughly the same performance. If you consider having DX10 better shaders and what-not a measure in performance, then yes, the 8600 does out-perform the 7600 substantially.

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luckyedboy66

why did you return it?? it looks pretty awesome...

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