how strong is the 128 mb ati radeon 9600 for inspiron 8600?

Question

hi. i bought this recently and it is being shipped with my laptop. i really am a hardcore gamer that likes fps and want to play all the new games out. will i be okay? thanks.   also... why can't i just use a ati mobile 9800 in my laptop? both are agp right? thanks! Message Edited by theorist on 10-20-2004 03:27 PM

mattcowger · Answer

I've seen that card play Doom 3 just fine.

But, if you are an FPS obsessed hardcore gamer, no laptop is the right choice for you. You need a desktop.

If you HAVE to have a laptop, basically your optionsd are the Dell XPS or an Alienware.

theorist · Answer

thanks matt. can i use the video cards from the xps in my 8600? they are both agp right?

ejn63 · Answer

Though both systems are made by the same supplier, you cannot fit an XPS card into a D-chassis (D800/8600). The cards are completely different from each other.

theorist · Answer

thanks. can someone link me to instructions or a webpage that shows how to install a video card into the 8600? i saw it once but i lost it. thanks!

aquariumwarehou · Answer

Dell is right now building me an inspiron 8600, 1.5ghz Pentium M 715, 15.4' WXGA, 512mb DDR Sdram, and128 ATI 9600 turbo.  Is this  a good combination?  Or if I could change something ? what is the weakest link above, or what above is overkill?  My 10 YO son wants to play doom3 and watch DVDs when camping etc.  I might even use the laptop too for work.

theorist · Answer

hi. i researched over five sites and everyone is saying... get the ati 9600 pro. it's remarkably better than the geforce offered.

anettis · Answer

aqua - if the laptop is going to be a 'game machine' then the weak link is the graphics card.  Even though you are getting the highest end graphics card for the I8600 that card does not have enough horsepower to play the latest games at the best settings.  It will, however, run just about any game you thow at it.  If you are looking for a true gaming laptop you would probably be better served with the XPS with the Radeon 9800 graphics card.  Or perhaps wait for the coming release of the Inspiron 9200 with 17 inch screen. . . .

theorist · Answer

thank you. that reply helped me as well!

jhagg · Answer

Also, you should consider the 7200 rpm hard drive for games, it resolves a big bottleneck on disk usage during games.

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