Question:
Need help with DDR2/DDR3 w/ 8400 GS
So I'm not really into the whole technical stuff... this is my first laptop, and my first time really buying a computer on my own. I just bought a 1420 with the nVidia 8400M GS, and I'm seeing a bunch of people get a $100 credit on the 8600. Two questions:
1) Does the same discount apply to the 8400? Meaning, do they advertise it as DDR3, but it really comes as DDR2?
2) Can someone explain the difference to me in the most basic of terms? I've looked around and found a couple things, but people jump right into units and numbers out of nowhere, and I just don't follow.
I don't know if anyone has gotten the 1420 and tested the GPU yet, so I'm not sure if we know. For reference, here's what the Dell site says about the 8400:
128MB discrete memory, 64-bit graphics memory interface, a graphics memory bandwidth of 9.6, and a texture fill rate of 3.2 billion/sec.
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm all for getting as much money back as I can. And I'll be sure to rep whoever helps, of course...
Answer:
Re: Need help with DDR2/DDR3 w/ 8400 GS
DDR3 is faster memory than DDR2, and it's not RAM it's dedicated graphics memory. But yes, you can get a discount off the 8400GS as well because that was advertised as DDR3 as well :)
Answer:
Re: Need help with DDR2/DDR3 w/ 8400 GS
I know it's not RAM. I don't know why I put that.
Where does Dell say it's DDR3, though? I've seen the numbers explanation for the 8600, but not the 8400, and I'd like to at least appear to know what I'm talking about when I call.
Also, do we know for SURE that it's DDR2, or are we just assuming it is because the 8600 on the 1520 is DDR2?
Answer:
Re: Need help with DDR2/DDR3 w/ 8400 GS
The 8600M should be around twice as fast in games based on 3dmark06 benchmarks.
~1400 for 8400M and ~3000 for 8600M
People getting a $100 credit aren't getting a discount, per se. You could probably finaggle the $100 out of Dell but you can't honestly say you didn't know the graphics memory was lower than advertized at this point.
Bottom line- spring for the 8600M if you intend to game.
Answer:
Re: Need help with DDR2/DDR3 w/ 8400 GS
Check out this link for benchmarks...
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-...ist.844.0.html
And yes, it is absolutely going to be DDR2.
Answer:
Re: Need help with DDR2/DDR3 w/ 8400 GS
Discount, credit... free money.
And I'm getting the 1420, so no 8600 option for me. I think you misinterpreted my question... I'm not looking for the difference between the 8400 and 8600, but the DDR2 and DDR3 versions of the 8400.
Answer:
Re: Need help with DDR2/DDR3 w/ 8400 GS
It was purely some HIGH LEVEL persons mistake when creating the documentation. nVidia offers UP TO DDR3 memory for the 8-series, but also offers some DDR2 versions for reduced heat and power consumption. Dell engineers used the DDR2 version, but someone else composing all the technical documentation referenced nVidia's specifications and saw the DDR3 RAM. It's all just an honest mistake, which just happened to be very high level...
Answer:
Re: Need help with DDR2/DDR3 w/ 8400 GS
I'm not completely sure, but I think I read somewhere that the 8400M GS in both the M1330 and the 1420 are both DDR3 - unlike the 8600M GT. It's underclocked tho' at 500Mhz. I can't remember where - check out the recent 1420 threads.
Answer:
Re: Need help with DDR2/DDR3 w/ 8400 GS
My bad, good luck.
Answer:
Re: Need help with DDR2/DDR3 w/ 8400 GS
interesting... i'd like to get 100 back when i buy the 1420 lol