X3100 vs 8400M

How much battery life would I gain with the X3100? And would the laptop feel noticeably cooler? I am not interested in games, but I have read that the x3100 has many software glitches, including playing videos. I am interested in an HP dv6700t SE, and wonder if there is a big difference in how often the fan turns on with the X3100 vs the 8400M. Would the 8400M make a difference in performance in any tasks unrelated to games?

 

Software glitches have been reduced since most of the updated drivers (and i hear, they are still working on new drivers too) Not sure in battery performance. I havn't seen any graphical glitches on my x3100 in my c712nr

since 8400m has dedicated memory and graphics processor, it will improve many applications, since any video processes can be loaded onto the card instead of the system processor and system ram

 

Sometime it does run cooler but when you don't use it like when just browsing the temp will be just the same as a x3100

If you do not really play games then your fan will most likely be just like a x3100

Yes 8400 will make your video run more smoothly.

 

What is the battery life difference between an X3100 and an underclocked 8400M?

And if I had to sell the notebook down the road, which one would have better resale value? Would the battery life of an X3100 win out over the power of an 8400M? Or do most people prefer the video capability?

 

X3100 battery consumption is next to nothing compared to the 8400M. If you look at Intel's TDP numbers for the GM965 (the chipset containing the X3100) it tops out at 14W. In contrast, an 8400M on its own eats 15W. That isn't counting the wattage the northbridge, which is a GM965 taking another ~9-10W. Basically, you double the power consumption from that part of your computer. Even with underclocking, you would still be using more power. Addressing the fan, more power consumption = more fan. If the fan isn't kicking on more, then you're circulating more heat in the case, simple as that. Heat from components doesn't just "disappear".

It's hard to say how these two choices affect total battery life since that is all dependent on other components. Basically, you might not notice the difference much on a 17" laptop with a high end processor using a 7200rpm drive. On the other hand, if you use a 12" laptop with a low voltage processor and a 5400rpm drive, this could make a bigger impact. What specific configuration are you looking at?

 

You could underclock the graphics card, and undervolt the cpu if you want to get every last ounce of power out of your batter, but its still going to be noticable (atleast 30 minutes, but this is HIGHLY VARIABLE depending on components).


Also, the 8400m will be better for resale value..but...(thats a big butt, and i do not lie). The 8400m is already falling from the mid-range of cards, and probably won't matter much after 3+ years, since its already been out for awhile.

 

Underclocking the graphics card does absolutely nothing for battery life. The core consumes the same amount of power underclocked as it does at stock speeds.
The 8400M is rated for 15 watts power consumption.
The X3100 probably uses about 8 watts cause its an integrated card.
This pwoer difference may equate to 20 minutes.
This is a lot of time.
Dont worry, get the 8400M, its much more powerful than the intel integrated card.
You can gain battery life back by undervolting your processor. If you choose an Intel processor, you can undervolt quite a bit, probably enough to gain back 20 minutes of battery life.

Get the 8400M

In two years if you are going to sell your notebook, you would probably get around $100 more for it because it has an nvidia dedicated card.

K-TRON

 

Thanks guys for your detailed responses. I don't know why this decision is so hard for me.

These are the specs I am considering:

- HP Pavilion dv6700t Special Edition CTO
- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (32-bit)
- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
- 15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
- 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
- 50% OFF 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS - For Core 2 Duo Processors
- HP Imprint Finish (Influx) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
- Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
- 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
- LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
- No TV Tuner w/remote control
- High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- Microsoft(R) Office Home and Student 2007

 

If possible, I would go with XP for the operating system, your system will run 10x faster with xp than vista.

K-TRON

 

10x faster? haha
hardly, xp is barely faster than vista and all the bench mark tests pretty much prove that..and no w/sp1 out idk if xp is any faster

 

Its very hard to put XP on the latest pavilion series. The drivers isnt easy to find and you need to flashback BIOS. You will definately loose your Mic functionality due to drivers.

 

This thread compares the battery life of two T61s which are identical except for the GPU. The 140M is based on the 8400M G or GS so the power consumption should be similar.

John

 

You cant deny that XP is faster, it runs more stable and snappier in every program. Its not 10x faster, but it is significantly faster on startup and gaming.
Its because laptops dont have the high horsepower a desktop has.
The 8400is not a very powerful card, so using xp will allow one to use all of its power for games. In vista, half of the cards potential is used to run the aero feature, so you are not getting all of the performance you are paying for.

It may be hard to get drivers for XP, but if Hp offers XP as an Operating system option, then I am sure there are drivers. If XP is not an option, than you just have to use Vista.

K-TRON

 

Maybe, but turning off Aero is very easy. In fact, because I immediately set the Visual Settings to best performance (+ smooth screen fonts) I forget that Aero exists and may be one of the reasons why people complaint about Vista's performance and power drain.

John