New MBP or Old MBP?

[23027]

Hey guys I was wondering..

I have the option to buy the last generation high end Macbook Pro (2.33ghz 15inch) for 2100 CAD, or the new MBP Generation low end model (2.2ghz, 15inch) for 2100 Cad as well.. The only real difference between them is the video card.. I know the newer model's is better, but will it run games (mainly Half-Life 2 series.. Source games) smoother than the x1600's? I only ask this because the low end model new MBP has 128mb v-ram, and the older one has 256mb v-ram.

I also like the LED screen on the newer one.. Better battery life and is good for the environment =]

Without that in consideration though, which one would be better for gaming? Or are they equal?

[dartzorichalcos]

Here (http://www.barefeats.com/santarosa.html) are the benchmarks. The nVidia GeForce 8600M GT is better than the ATI Radeon Mobility X1600.

[jono_3]

i would absolutely get the new one, the led screen alone should be enough, but the better battery like and faster SR chipset seals the deal

[23027]

Here (http://www.barefeats.com/santarosa.html) are the benchmarks. The nVidia GeForce 8600M GT is better than the ATI Radeon Mobility X1600.

The benchmarks only compare the 256mb x1600 to the 256 8600M GT, i'm looking to compare the 128mb 8600M GT to the 256mb x1600

[rickvanr]

The benchmarks only compare the 256mb x1600 to the 256 8600M GT, i'm looking to compare the 128mb 8600M GT to the 260mb x1600

Compare that with this (http://www.barefeats.com/rosa03.html).

[jklps]

How about the potential of 4gb of ram vs. 3 gb of ram?

[23027]

Hmm.. Seems the 8600M GT on the 15" models are underclocked compared to the 17"..

[Megatron]

Are you going to be running the games under bootcamp?

Apparently the nvidia card's turbocache feature is pretty good so even the 128mb version performs pretty well.

[23027]

Compare that with this (http://www.barefeats.com/rosa03.html).

I tried but I can't because it doesen't have the 15" 2.33 to comapare to on the web site you showed me or the other one. I would use the 17" in place of the 15" 2.33 one but the 15" 2.33 model's gpu's are underclocked so it's inacurrate to use the 17" to compare to. I'm looking to compare:

15" 2.33ghz/x1600 256mb

to the

15" 2.2ghz/8600M GT 128mb.

[23027]

Are you going to be running the games under bootcamp?

Apparently the nvidia card's turbocache feature is pretty good so even the 128mb version performs pretty well.

Yeah i'm going to be using bootcamp, i'm not planning to pay money for a program to run xp when I can just run it for free using bootcamp.

[23027]

Would anyone like to provide some input from personal experience, or if they know sites showing these benchmarks..?

Thanks in advance

[Multimedia]

Hey guys I was wondering..

I have the option to buy the last generation high end Macbook Pro (2.33ghz 15inch) for 2100 CAD, or the new MBP Generation low end model (2.2ghz, 15inch) for 2100 Cad as well.. The only real difference between them is the video card.. I know the newer model's is better, but will it run games (mainly Half-Life 2 series.. Source games) smoother than the x1600's? I only ask this because the low end model new MBP has 128mb v-ram, and the older one has 256mb v-ram.

I also like the LED screen on the newer one.. Better battery life and is good for the environment =]

Without that in consideration though, which one would be better for gaming? Or are they equal?They are not equal at all. The new one lets you put in TWO 2GB sticks for a total of 4GB for only about $200 extra. Moreover, the new one is a TRUE 64-bit motherboard which will reap you benefits once Leopard is on board.

[23027]

They are not equal at all. The new one lets you put in TWO 2GB sticks for a total of 4GB for only about $200 extra. Moreover, the new one is a TRUE 64-bit motherboard which will reap you benefits once Leopard is on board.

Ok sounds pretty good.. If I used 4 Gigs of ram in it, would it work as dual-channel?

[Multimedia]

Ok sounds pretty good.. If I used 4 Gigs of ram in it, would it work as dual-channel?Of course.

[23027]

Ok well I guess that pretty well seals the deal.. I know that the NVidia GPU's are better than the old ATI ones, and having the LED screens added with up to 4 gigs of ram makes me feel pretty confident about occasional Source gaming.

Thanks =D

[23027]

Ok well I started thinking again.. And no one really answered my question..

What is the comparison to playing Half-Life 2 or Day of Defeat: Source/Counter-Strike Source between the two laptopts, in terms of frames per second?

15" 2.33ghz/x1600 256mb

to the

15" 2.2ghz/8600M GT 128mb

[siurpeeman]

i think using the two barefeats links to compare the 17" 2.33 ghz c2d and the 15" 2.2 ghz sr c2d laptops is a good comparison. it won't be far off from the results you're looking for, and it does look as though the 8600m beats the x1600 (despite the difference in vram). my vote is to go for the 2.2 ghz sr c2d. it has a better video card, has an led backlit display, and it's newer. i don't think there's anything the 2.33 ghz could offer that would shame the 2.2 ghz model. good luck.

[23027]

i think using the two barefeats links to compare the 17" 2.33 ghz c2d and the 15" 2.2 ghz sr c2d laptops is a good comparison. it won't be far off from the results you're looking for, and it does look as though the 8600m beats the x1600 (despite the difference in vram). my vote is to go for the 2.2 ghz sr c2d. it has a better video card, has an led backlit display, and it's newer. i don't think there's anything the 2.33 ghz could offer that would shame the 2.2 ghz model. good luck.

Point taken. Danke!

[iW00t]

I will go for the new one.

I had the older one and the new screens alone will make the sell for me.

[23027]

Ok I read something that was talking about v-ram and how it can effect your game play's fps count by the textures.. I never really thought about that before, but i'm thinking having the x1600 with 256mb would be smoother than the 8600M GT with 128mb for Half-Life (Source) games, because of the amounts of textures and stuff..

Would anyone care to elaborate this? Personal experience would be great..

[23027]

Anyone..? I'm buying a MBP in a week, so it would be nice to know this..

Thanks

[Sir Hobos]

Well, if it were me I would go with the SR MBP. The question that reaches my mind is do you NEED the computer next week? If I had the money I would wait a month or so, with all the screen and overheating problems with these beauties you may see a few in the refurbished pile to pick from. Just keep your eyes open.

[luminosity]

Speaking of 64 bit stuff, will I still be able to do 64 bit computing with my C2D 2.33 when leopard comes along?

[daneoni]

Speaking of 64 bit stuff, will I still be able to do 64 bit computing with my C2D 2.33 when leopard comes along?

Yup

[jayeskreezy]

Well, if it were me I would go with the SR MBP. The question that reaches my mind is do you NEED the computer next week? If I had the money I would wait a month or so, with all the screen and overheating problems with these beauties you may see a few in the refurbished pile to pick from. Just keep your eyes open.

how soon do you think these will be in the refurb store and how much will they go for?