Lenovo W520 or Dell M6600 for Solidworks

[stretchy]

the number pad is important but I can get one fairly cheap. If the 8900M isn't going to be overwhelmingly more powerful I'm kinda leaning toward the Lenovo W520. I'll call them tomorrow and see what kind of a deal I can get over the phone.

My assemblies can range anywhere from 5 parts to 300 parts and the ability to be able to run simulation software would be cool too.

I'll have to give the HP another looksee just to give it a chance.


WE ARE! PENN STATE!!!

[sgogeta4]

Umm, the M8900 is MUCH more powerful than any of the GPUs offered by its 15" workstation brothers. It's equivalent to the top HD 69xx models with 256-bit GDDR5 and 960 shaders. Comparing this to the M5950, which is built on the HD 67xx model, and having 128-bit GDDR5 and 480 shaders.

[Altered Phoenix]

WE ARE! PENN STATE!!!

Are you going to PSU?

[jin07]

Ugh yeah sogogeta4 is right. I mixed up my GPUs and thought the 8900M was based off the 6950. It's based off the 6970 which is about 55% more powerful than the 5950 (just comparing 3dmark06 it's about 11000 to 17000). To give you a real world idea, Black Ops on ultra gets about 42 frames on the Quadro 2000M and 68 on the 8900M. Starcraft 2 gets 37 frames vs 58 frames.

[dsrini9000]

You're right...and as to the reason we aren't suggesting HP...look in the owners lounges...people aren't too happy with them right now...shipping delays and other issues that shouldn't be happening...

[stretchy]

Actually I graduated from Penn State about 11 years ago. Graduated from Penn State Erie. Really nice campus and nice area.

Wow, didn't realize that the M8900 was that much better. Doh, it's power vs. battery life, portablity, and price. I may need to call dell and see if I can get a better price over the phone.

[jin07]

You're right...and as to the reason we aren't suggesting HP...look in the owners lounges...people aren't too happy with them right now...shipping delays and other issues that shouldn't be happening...

Most of what I've seen is ordering problems when people order from HP and confusion over the pre-config model specs. I haven't seen too many issues with the laptop itself, but I've looked at the thread less and less as I've narrowed down my choices. The HP's poor battery life and weight makes it a no go for me. I don't want to carry a 7 lb laptop AND a 1.5-2 lb charger whenever I bring my laptop with me. Ironically, since I saw the 30% Dell discount, I actually am considering it. Yes, yes, I know.


Have you looked at the eGPU thread? Might interest you. http://forum.notebookreview.com/gami...periences.html

[dsrini9000]

Yes jin07...it was off of that that I got my discounts...

[jin07]

Now the biggest problem for me and the Dell precisions are their battery life of 2.5-3 hours. It's the same problem I'd run into with the 8560w. I place a premium on a portable laptop since when I buy one, I really want a mobile workstation. Power is nice, but if it's impractical to carry it around, there's little point. If I REALLY wanted power at home, I'd get a desktop and a 12" laptop. Getting both would probably cost about $2000.

[dsrini9000]

Well that's because of an ATI card that's a little bit hoggier on idle, and Dell's power management software, which is not as good as Lenovo's. But it is cheaper than an equivalent Lenovo with a Quadro 2000M, which is it's competitor (the 1000M has no guts, so to speak...), especially because of buying the warranty with the Lenovo, which should come standard with a 3 year if Lenovo really cared about it's customers...