ATi Mobility Radeon (7500) now, or wait for NV17m

[Dug]

The Ati's out right now, the NV17m in January for Toshiba and probably Feb for Dell

Anybody have a notebook with the ATi that can comment on it?

 

[Jejunum]

the ati's out now?!?!

link me d00d i think ur wrong; probably refering to ati mobility radeon not the 7500! ]

edit: i like ati on laptops mostly even if there are a little less powerful because of their neato power design and better 2d

 

[imgod2u]

We don't have enough info on the nv17m, but from the numbers of the ATI Radeon 7500, I'd say go for that. Since we know the nv17m isn't gonna have all the Geforce 3 features anyway, there's no point in waiting. And since nVidia is very new at writing drivers for mobile solutions, they might not have the driver advantage in the mobile area, so I'd definitely say, go with the Radeon 7500.

 

[Dug]

Dell's got the Ati with 64MB DDR! on their 8100 series.

Here's the problem though. Just found out after configuring one.
You can only get it with their 15" UXGA screen. :disgust:
And the only problem with the UXGA screen is that it's native resolution is 1600x1200.
Too small for me.

I guess I might just go with the Geforce2 Go and the Super XGA. At least I'll be able to see the icons


Oh, and do you think I should wait till an after Christmas sale.
Right now all they have is a free cdrw upgrade and free shipping.

 

[ilkhan_v4]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the Mobility Radeon and the Mobility Radeon 7500 are two different chips. The one on the Dell site is listed as the Mobility Radeon, so it's slower than the 7500 and without T&L.

 

[AA0]

I have seen at least one book with the 7500, but I can't remember which one now. I'd take the 7500, the GF3 numbers aren't known at all, just nvidias internal benchmarks, which show the 7500 slower then the gf2 go.

 

[Jejunum]

soo according to u what laptop has the 7500 now?

 

[LikeLinus]

ilkhan_v4 & Jejunum


Sorry to burst BOTH of your bubbles. DELL is the first person to release the 64mb DDR Radeon 7500 Mobile. Go create a 8100 notebook the the Small Business section. You can get a brand spankin new 7500 Radeon w/ 64mb of DDR ram!!!

My friend works for Dell and we were talking about it the other day. They are the first company to offer it. He said its a SWEET chip, but you can only get it with a UXGA screen (1600x1400), but it's awesome.


http://www.dell.com/us/en/bsd/products/minicat_inspn_8100.htm

Look at the video card section.

 

[AGodspeed]

Since we know the nv17m isn't gonna have all the Geforce 3 features anyway, there's no point in waiting. And since nVidia is very new at writing drivers for mobile solutions, they might not have the driver advantage in the mobile area, so I'd definitely say, go with the Radeon 7500.

You're naive if you think the NV17M won't take apart the mobile 7500.

As for the driver situation, how is writing drivers for a notebook different than writing for a desktop besides possibly the power management aspect of notebooks.

 

[Dug]

<< You're naive if you think the NV17M won't take apart the mobile 7500. >>



It's hard to say. I can't find any definate numbers on the 7500 and the nv17m is whole new architecture. Better than a geforce2 but not even close to a geforce3. Which sounds alot like a 7500.
But knowing nvidia, they wouldn't release the nv17m if it didn't beat the 7500.

I really wish that Dell hadn't locked that 7500 to the UXGA screen. The 7500 is only a 100 more than the Geforce2Go.

 

[Dug]

Just got my latest Maximum PC mag in the mail today. It has the Dell with the 7500 in it, with some preliminary scores. They're giving the full review next month.

Mobility Radeon 7500/ GeForce2 Go

3dmark2k1 3798 / 1848
Q3 Arena MPC Demo 38fps / Would not run
Q3 Demo1 127fps / 78.9 fps

 

[AGodspeed]

Better than a geforce2 but not even close to a geforce3.

Actually, the NV17M is supposed to have the same "Lightspeed Memory Architecture" as the GeF3 according to Anand. Here's what was listed spec wise:

- 0.15-micron GPU w/ Mobile AGP Package (see our original article for more information)
- GeForce3 Memory Controller w/ Lightspeed Memory Architecture
- New Video Processing Engine with IDCT support
- Quincunx AA support
- No Pixel Shader support
- Limited Vertex Shader support

The only part that is different than the GeForce3 (besides including IDCT support and a new packaging) is the last two items, no Pixel Shader support and only limited Vertex Shader support. While these are important, it's a definite plus to see that nVidia will be using the GeF3's memory controller/Lightspeed Memory Architecture, only without any Pixel Shader support. I think it's closer to a GeF3, and will probably perform at or better comparable GeF2 Ultra levels. But we'll see.

I'm not mentioning the IDCT support and new moble AGP packaging simply because it is new. However, if Nvidia does what it usually does, these extra two features could be a very big hit.

Mobility Radeon 7500/ GeForce2 Go

3dmark2k1 3798 / 1848
Q3 Arena MPC Demo 38fps / Would not run
Q3 Demo1 127fps / 78.9 fps

Ouch, that's an ass whopin'.

 

[Dug]

<< Ouch, that's an ass whopin' >>



Yeah, not to bad considering a P4 with Geforce3 only scored 42fps in the Q3 Arena MPC Demo.

 

[Jejunum]

anyone know if the dell 8100 uses the 830 chipset now?

 

[Dug]

It's still the 815. I just asked LikeLinus about that and he said that the 830 won't be out until next year for the 8100.

 

[imgod2u]

I would think I prefer an LCD with a native resolution of 1600x1200. It's directly scalable down to 800x600 for games. Which, on a mobile solution, is probably the resolution I'd be playing games at. Also, you can just increase the fonts if you think it's too small.

 

[apoppin]

I called Dell because I was dissatisfied with WinME on my 4100 notebook (I got Win2K on it now and it works great with 320 MB PC-133).

The tech told me there were known problems with the GeForce2GO and WinXP (I was considering an upgrade to it from my 16MB ATI Radeon Mobility).

Anyway, running a P-III 866-M and a 14.1" TFT at 1024x768 with the "old" ATI 16MB Radeon, I can play ALL the current games satisfactorily. And I'd have to spend a lot more than $1200 to get a substantial upgrade.

I'd say, "why wait?" - next year will always be something "better". Right now, you have a very good shot at a "desktop replacement".

Do NOT get the UXGA screen. It is way overkill for a 15" screen and hard on any Video card. Drop the resolution and you will get a blurry screen. Talk to Dell - they are known for their customization.

 

[daddyo]

<< As for the driver situation, how is writing drivers for a notebook different than writing for a desktop besides possibly the power management aspect of notebooks.
>>



In fact, the drivers for the Geforce2Go have been appearing less than a week after new detonators are released. There's a guy who hacks the desktop drivers to work with the G2G. In the few months I've been using them, I haven't hit a single snag.



<< The tech told me there were known problems with the GeForce2GO and WinXP >>



Not me. XP installed without a single burp, even with my GeForce2Go. There are a few problems, but most revolve around XP Upgrades and some users with 512mb RAM.



<< Do NOT get the UXGA screen. It is way overkill for a 15" screen and hard on any Video card. >>



You'd have a hard time getting my UXGA screen away from me. I really like having the extra space, and it's just so damn clear.

 

[LikeLinus]

i picked the 1400x1050 and i love it. 1600 was just too damn small. Also i play all my games at 1024x768 (CS, EQ, Q3) and they run smooth as hell and no real noticable blurriness. I think AT people are way too hard and think even the smallest blur is bad, you cant tell when your running around fragging people!

830 will be released in the spring, along with the N17. Honestly i wouldnt wait. The 32mb Geforce 2 Go just rocks. There is ALWAYS going to be something bigger and better coming out, so you could wait a lifetime.

As far as XP and Geforce 2 Go? I never had a single problem? Never heard of any either. I even use 23.xx drivers! Been running since Oct on XP and never the problem

 

[AA0]

the 7500 and new nvidia mobile chip are really far ahead in the mobile world. They have massive performance jumps over the previous versions.
I hear the power saving features in the 7500 are much better than anything else.

 

[DataFly]

Just to bring this thread back to the front...


Does anyone know whether or not the NV17M will have four pipelines or only two? I've heard conflicting informatoin...