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Which processor to look for in a laptop

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs - Which processor to look for in a laptop

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I am looking for a laptop mainly for working on docs, excel, watching movies, multitasking (running antivirus program in b/g with 2-3 applcations), playing games (1-2 year old games, not the latest ones),

Could you guys suggest me, which process will be sufficient for all this (core-2 duo, duo core, AMD?, suggest the lowest price one)

Thanks in advance

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Well, Intel has the better processors right now, but AMD has better integrated graphics. If you go Intel, I'd look for one of the P series processors (they use less power and create less heat than the T series). For AMD, I don't know their mobile line well enough to know what to recommend. You'll definitely want a decent GPU though - for Intel, look for at least an Nvidia 9400 or an ATI HD3450. Do not get an Intel GMA graphics chip - they're fine for office use, but fail quite miserably at anything related to gaming. For AMD, any of them should be OK for casual gaming on older games.

Message edited by cjl on 08-14-2009 at 09:55:32 AM

------------------------------ Asus P6T deluxe
i7 965 @ 4.2GHz (200*21), 1.384V
12GB Corsair Dominator DDR3-1600 CAS 7
Reply to cjl

Thanks cjl

will pose few more queries

will duo core be sufficient or I need to go for core2duo.. in AMD which is the comparable processor to these two...wouldn't AMD give heating issues...

basically i am looking for laptop in the range of $400- $600. I want to find out whether its worth going for core 2 duo instead of duo core by sacrificing few features (such as windows vista premium rather than home basic, additional ram, graphics card etc, extra warranty)...I don't have any clue about AMD (frankly a little scared to buy, whether they will perform..even though they are a bit cheaper)

Reply to mesmero

What do you mean by "duo core"? Do you mean Pentium Dual Core? If so, I'd go with the core 2 duo if possible, but not at the expense of graphics and RAM. As for AMD, I don't think they have overheating issues. They take a bit more power than the current Intel CPUs, but nothing drastic. They certainly aren't bad.

This one's pretty nice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6834115571

Message edited by cjl on 08-14-2009 at 11:52:50 AM

------------------------------ Asus P6T deluxe
i7 965 @ 4.2GHz (200*21), 1.384V
12GB Corsair Dominator DDR3-1600 CAS 7
Reply to cjl

I have a dual-core AMD chip in my laptop and it runs fine. It's a Toshiba with dedicated ATI graphics and a 7200RPM HDD. No problems with overheating.

Reply to leo2kp

the amd 2. something ghz dual in the hp has the 4550 graphics chip just cant remember the exact model

Message edited by obsidian86 on 08-14-2009 at 03:58:17 PM

Reply to obsidian86

Thanks for your help guys till now. I have checked out few laptops online and wanted to know which one you think would be suitable for me...I am not an avid gamer (so really not sure if i need a graphics card)...
Please compare 1vs2 and 3vs4vs5...Thanks a ton....

Hp
dv7-1245dx
AMD Turion™ X2 RM-72 2.1GHZ
ATI RADEON HD 3200 graphics RS780M
Video Memory
Up to 1918MB total available
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspag [...] 8041148373

Toshiba
L505-S5971
Core 2 duo (2.0)
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
Video Memory
128MB - 1341MB dynamically allocated shared
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspag [...] 8098558628

toshiba
A505-S6965
Core 2 duo (2.0)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570
Video Memory
512MB DDR3 discrete graphics memory; up to 1790MB dynamically allocated shared using ATI HyperMemory
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspag [...] 8093379440

HP Pavilion DV6-1122us
AMD Turion X2 RM-74 2.2GHz
ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics RS780M
Video Memory: Up to 1918MB
http://www.circuitcity.com/applica [...] etailspecs

toshiba
Satellite A505D-S6958
2.1GHz AMD Turion X2
ATI Radeon 3100 graphics with 256MB-1918MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/pro [...] d=11082488

An off the topic help, hope you don't mind: if you can suggest where will I get the best deal on these laptops...I am travelling to US for few days..will be there in jersey city on 23 & 24. Thanks again

Reply to mesmero

HP DV 7 EXCELLENT CHOICE

Reply to pete3867

the a505

Reply to obsidian86

The Toshiba A505 will win in gaming by a huge margin, and be roughly tied for everything else. The graphics card will sacrifice a bit of battery life, but it should still be a good choice overall. I'd chose it over any of the others listed here.

------------------------------ Asus P6T deluxe
i7 965 @ 4.2GHz (200*21), 1.384V
12GB Corsair Dominator DDR3-1600 CAS 7
Reply to cjl

Thanks guys. after reading all you replies, i am zeroing in on Toshiba L505 ($549) and Toshiba A505 ($700)...will prefer L505.snce $505 cheaper

few questions:

How well toshiba laptops perform vs HP/compaq, DELL?

for casual gaming (may be I will play old like KOTOR2, lucas arts games, NFS, Thief ) do I need to shell out the extra 150 bucks? could you compare the kind of games I will be able to play on the two? Also what else is the graphic cards needed for apart from gaming?

could you suggest any other alternative (HP,compaq, sony) with same features in the above price range?

Reply to mesmero

The L505 will be utterly miserable in gaming though - the Intel chip just cannot handle any sort of gaming whatsoever. Even on older games, it will need to have the settings turned down just to get playable frame rates.

------------------------------ Asus P6T deluxe
i7 965 @ 4.2GHz (200*21), 1.384V
12GB Corsair Dominator DDR3-1600 CAS 7
Reply to cjl

well in context toshiba has the best warranty of them all the l505 an a505 wouldn perform that different in everyday use but the a505 would shine in visually taxing programs

Reply to obsidian86

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