2 mobile graphic cards

[Finrir]

what's the difference between these two cards? i'm trying to find a decent laptop that i'll be able to play some games on. i see these two graphics cards. i wanna know which one is better?

NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT

[Hitman]

For playing games the GeForce 8600 would be a better choice. The Quadro is a production card, meant for Autocad, and programs of that nature.

[Yellowhello]

If your lookin' for a decent laptop have a look at this: ASUS C90S

It uses a desktop CPU so it's super easy to upgrade! And it comes with an 8600GT laptop card.

[Hitman]

Something to note on Desktop CPUs in a Laptop. Desktop CPUs generate more heat, and consume more energy. So if you plan for your laptop to be mobile then thats not the best choice. If your just looking for a very portable computer, then keep cooling in mind. Because Laptop cooling isn't the best on the market. You will need another cooling device to be able to play games.

[Yellowhello]

I bet you'll be fine unless you put a quad core in there. The C2D's are pretty efficient.

Another nice thing is that desktop CPU's are MUCH cheaper than the equivilent laptop CPU.

[Stormcrow]

Originally Posted by Hitman

For playing games the GeForce 8600 would be a better choice. The Quadro is a production card, meant for Autocad, and programs of that nature.

Exactly. AMD and Nvidia have two different series of GPUs, one thats designed for 3D gaming: Radeon/Geforce, and one that's meant for rendering 3D applications like animations and construction models: FireGL/Quadro.

The 8600M is about the best you can get for a laptop right now thats DX10, the Go 7950GTX performs better but takes more power and if you're buying from a company like Gateway you won't find it. The 8600M is also full DX10 compliant, and its a decent performer all around.
As an added note, if a company offers you a 8700M, don't take it. Some people have been fooled thinking the 8700M is the less intensive version of the 8800 for laptops, but it's really just an overclocked 8600M

Edit: Yellow, Laptop cooling is very inefficient compared to desktop cooling, it's pretty much just a heatpipe that leads to a fan. In the cramped confines of a laptop chassis, you'll find a desktop version of the Core2 too get real hot real fast. Combine that with a graphics card and it'll get even more toasty. The laptop we have around here has a Centrino version of the Core2, and after about 30 minutes the bottom of the laptop gets too hot to hold. A desktop one would be even worse, AND thats without an added graphics card. Lets not mention that OEM companies like to skimp on the cooling to save costs..

[Yellowhello]

@Storm: Yes, but I have read that the ASUS laptop I linked to is not like other laptops. The cooling is better than the average laptop, and even supports OCing. As I have said before, a 2.4GHz desktop CPU is going to be a lot cheaper than the equivalent laptop CPU, and on top of that, it makes it very easy to upgrade.

[Stormcrow]

If the cooling is better, then thats different. OEMs like Gateway, and Dell...their cooling is pretty much awful and most people buy their laptops from them. Enthusiast laptops like Voodoo and Alienware normally have much better cooling, but still get hot. I just know with our Centrino Core2 the laptop bakes, I cant see putting a GPU and Desktop variant into that thing. If you can overcome the cooling and power requirements, then its a bit different and worth a shot. You are right about the cheaper cost and easier upgrade path.
That Asus is a barebones with the GPU included, right?

[Yellowhello]

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

That Asus is a barebones with the GPU included, right?

Correct. I read that ASUS will sell upgrade GPU's (i.e. 8700 Go, etc) later on.