Hi, Im looking at new laptops, but im a bit lost with all the different laptop graphics cards. Is there a list anywhere of the top graphics cards for laptops?
I don't know your needs, but you may want to wait for Intel Core i series to reach smaller form factor, and current generation systems, as well maybe Nvidia Optimus technology (right now only available on select ASUS laptop... more to come from different OEM's, of course). http://www.nvidia.com/object/optimus_technology.html Of course, it all depends on how long can you wait. Here is a comparison of all GPU's in laptop: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html It's missing the new Nvidia Geforce 300M series at the moment. More powerful the GPU's means larger and bigger and fatter systems, not to mention reduction in battery life. Also, remember that laptop GPU's are no wear near desktop GPU's - same for the CPU, so don't get fooled you can get a complete gaming system on the go where you can play your favorite games at max max settings and coming up game. Laptops are not gaming systems.
I'd imagine the HD5870 and GTX 280m would be at the top. They'll set you back around £600 though and they're size is quite large.
Thanks for the info, i've not heard of this Nvidia Optimus. Recon it's worth holding out for? That asus 17" looks pretty good, not sure ont he release dates tho. In the meantime i'll see what mchines pack the 280m and then not buy them because i carnt afford them lol. I'm guessing there following hte same naming pattern as the desktop cards then. Higher number better.
i recon Nvidia Optimus + directx11 with a core i cpu with integrated gpu are worth holding out for but then I have no idea how long till Nvidia will release Directx11 mobile gpu's and then usually a few more months until manufacturers start using them what are you going to use the laptop for? is 17inch to large?
nvidia havent even released a desktop dx11 part, let alone said anything about mobile. plus, fermi is said to run very hot so it probably isnt suitable for mobile platforms.
heres the link for a rank order mobile GPU chart http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html i use it when im picking laptops that people want to do a little gaming on
i know, and i said exactly that aside from fermi running hot but the gt 300 series is performing well they just need to slap directx11 onit
to be honest, thats easier said than done. it took ati the best part of 6 months to get mobile 5xxx part, and that runs fairly cool and efficient anyway, so i dont know how nvidia are going to manage it. unless they rebrand the g92 core again as the 470M
To take defense of Nvidia, if you have a G92 chip which you can put DX11, tweaked up for more performance providing similar or more performance than the ATI solution, why would you make a new architecture. Is there a point? No! It would be a waist of money and provides nothing to the end user (won't see any difference - or worst, the new architecture isn't as powerful).
its not quite as simple as just sprinkling some dx11 on the chip, they would need to add a tessellator, and a bunch of other things. i think BT made this point - nvidia have been peddling G92 (ie 2 years old) tech as the GTX260M and GTX280M, ie making it appear to be the equivalent of the GTX260 and 280, when they werent anywhere near. im glad ATi are pulling their finger out with mobile parts tbh, when they release the Mobility HD5870 it might spur nvidia into releasing a new product.
I'm going to be using it for graphics work, mainly 3d. As a replacement for my desktop at home and around about. But it'll be travelling by car so size isnt an issue really. Mainly so i dont have to sit at a desk when i get home after i spend all day sitting at a desk..
prob best to go with a fire pro or nvidia equivalent, I have no idea about that side of the gpu market though suppose it depends what software your going to be using and what graphics work i heard the Dell Precision M6500's are good http://www1.euro.dell.com/uk/en/bus...fs.aspx?refid=4x_precn_m6500&s=bsd&cs=ukbsdt1
i'm sure nvidia has made plans to finally pull there finger out and go directx11 across the entire range isn't the GT 335M new or is that just rebranded aswell? i'm glad ati are stomping nvidia, just wish they'd get more 5800 series laptops to market asap
Ye, i've had precisions in the past. There good machines, but a bit over priced. A decent nvidia gaming cards always seemed to be just as good in my experience. So i think i'll look at cards with a pretty decent gaming card, and ideally an i7 720.
I've recently ordered an Alienware m15x for use with some CPU intensive applications, such as 3ds Max, Photoshop, Visual Basic etc. I don't know what your budget is, but the i7 720QM and gtx 260m seemed to be a sound option for what I need, so perhaps they fit your requirements as well. Since these new i7 mobile chips have hit the market, higher end laptops are far more appealing than the sluggish Core 2 range of previous years.
Ye i did look at that one, bit pricy for me im looking nearer the 1000 mark, and i'd like to go for a 17" display. I'm tempted by the hp pavillion dv7, but im not 100% yet
omg avoid HP at all costs. i fix laptops everyday and about 80% of the laptops that come in are HPs new and old.
True that, My first summer job as a student was at a big retail store (a first time summer job is at least a job), we had so many HP being sent to repair. Broken hinge, overheating, lamp or transformer burn after warranty, lot's of faulty motherboards that don't last after the manufacture warranty, and more. Also I noticed, that glossy laptop look always nice, but no mater what you do, they will get all scratch up and ugly after about a year or so, unless you take extreme care of it. This makes a laptop 1 year old look like 3-4 years old. Acer laptops.. you better have the official OS disk (not recovery disks image), same for Toshiba's. They pack so much junk it will take you less time to just format and re-install Windows (if you can). The lucky ones are those who got a laptop with Vista on, and got their free Win7 upgrade. This way they have Win7 official disk and won't be stuck with a system image disk where all the junk is pre-installed. Dell is the least affected by putting junk. They do, but the least amount. But, if you get a Dell, you might be better off buying it at Dell website so that your extended warranty is directly from Dell, ensuring (that the job is well done, with people who are trained and under supervision) or if you get next business day onsite service (of course, more expensive - but worth it), that you keep the laptop at all times and fix the next day, no need to wait a week or two to get the system back. Now, if you want better manufacture warranty service, more solid system, junk free system, with OS disk, go Lenovo, or any small business section of a computer manufacture (you don't need to be a small business to other from there... just say family business - starting, and you are set. No company will say no a to a sale. Yes, you can order only 1 thing from them, it's small business). And sometimes, depending on the OEM, you can negotiate a price when you call to order, which is always nice. When I order my laptop from Dell Small Business and negotiated, I got a bunch of free upgrades, and serious price cuts. The downside of going business, is because you have a clean system (no trial software and crap-ware used as ads to reduce the price), and as mention better service and better quality, the system cost more. Another upside of going small business, is that you can find laptop with matte screens. Granted they don't look super nice in store shelf as the display color calibration is not overly saturated, but in home and day to day usage, you'll love that you can see your display and not your face, even if you have a strong light (or even sun, if you have outdoor view displays (strong back light) ) behind you.
