MBP 8600M GT Gaming and Longevity.

[Quad 2.5 G5 =)]

I found a good deal on an MBP (SR, 2.4, 17") that has the "defective" nVidia 8600M GT GPU. What exactly is the problem with these GPUs, what is 's repair policy for these GPUs that are defective, and how much of an improvement with gaming in Windows XP will I see with this MBP versus my MB?

 

[iLog.Genius]

Two things I would consider:

1. consider only if the price is very reasonable
2. other defects

Is there a reason he wants to unload it? Currently as it stands, even if the MacBook Pro in question is the 2007 revision, you would be covered for a complementary repair until 2010 (month unknown unless you know the seller's information).

As for gaming, I believe the 8600M GT is better than the 9400M but I don't know by how much so there would definitely be some improvement.

 

[unagimiyagi]

the 8600gt is still alot better than the 9400m. Like at least 2.5 times better.

 

[Vulcan]

The problem with the 8600M GT's is that reports claim that all of them are defective, so your replacement may still be prone to failure.

By the way, if you want to look at actual statistics that compare the 8600M GT and 9400M... link. Although, I'm not sure why the other two posters brought it up when you have a X3100. That's shown there also; the 8600M GT blows it away.

 

[iLog.Genius]

The problem with the 8600M GT's is that reports claim that all of them are defective, so your replacement may still be prone to failure.

By the way, if you want to look at actual statistics that compare the 8600M GT and 9400M... link. Although, I'm not sure why the other two posters brought it up when you have a X3100. That's shown there also; the 8600M GT blows it away.

Hah. Didn't read his signature and didn't know he would be comparing an Intel GMA to a NVIDIA 8600M GT; thought he had a unibody MacBook. Not calling out OP but do you even have to ask if there would be a difference between the 8600M GT and the Intel X3100? (Guess I should've made that connection sooner...)

But what Vulcan stated, 8600M GT is a much more powerful and capable GPU than your Intel GMA GPU in your MacBook.