gtx280m vs dual 9800 1gb?

[DrewB]

I am considering buying the np9280, but am debating if it's worth it.

I know the np9280 will have the power of the core i7 (:notworthy), so would that suffice for any less power that the 280 has to the dual 9800s?

Thanks a bunch, and I can't wait to buy one (probably after the release, I don't like to preorder stuff ^^).

[powerpack]

Welcome Drew!

The short answer real world and talking gaming? No. GPU's are specialized and a more powerful CPU in most cases does not make up for. But that assumes I even accept your original premise.

I guess I do accept the 9800m GT/GTX SLI does have overall greater power. But the game must be coded to take advantage of dual cards. Also must be well coded to see better performance from dual. If not coded or well coded 280m will out perform 9800's.

I can see why for some this is a tough decision. For me it is not I don't mind a single card setup But understand why some do want the absolute most.

It is good you are willing to wait so you can see owners input. I suspect that single 280m will be just fine.

I pondered why not offered as SLI as does seem like a performance lowering vs SLI? I am not a technician. I think I read Justin N say it is not offered and is not planned? If so clear no MoBo support so current never will. I suspect if I knew more it would be clear would not physically fit so will not ever be offered? So all waiting? If I am correct stop waiting.

Why? I suspect that thermal solutions have not kept up with the chip advancements. When I say have not kept up with understand I have no illusion that, that would be possible with air cooling. And water cooling or phase change are not an option at this point. I doubt they ever will. I say because proximity is the enemy of notebooks. They both rely in the end on dissipation as either air or say a cooling pond. Cooling pond and notebook do not belong in the same sentence. And I think cooling ponds ultimately rely an air/atmosphere. I think the thermal solutions have hit a practical wall.

The I7 has jumped to 130w vs the C2Q 95w. I think just too much heat to dissipate SLI just not happening. Unless CPU and GPU TDP's can be dropped. Since 35w TDP increase seems to make SLI not feasible? 280m's are what 75w? I don't see happening in this cycle.

Good luck and happy notebook hunting.

Hope I didn't scare you away.;)

Edit: A mobile (TDP) CPU might make SLI happen again?

[DrewB]

You didn't scare me away, that's just the answer I was looking for (and more)!

And I think some go for the dual 9800 cards to keep up with next gen games, but like you said, I think the gtx280 will be more than enough.

I don't have a long ass reply like your's, so I leave you with a thanks!

Thanks!