Mobile CPU help

[amdolev]

I'm looking for information about 3 model of Intel's mobile Core2duo pros.
P8700 2.53Ghz 3M cache 25W
P8800 2.6Ghz 3M cache 25W
T9600 2.8Ghz 6M cache 35W
All 3 have 1066FSB and 45nm architecture

Of course 2.8 > 2.6 > 2.53... but does the cache size really matter? Does more power consumption mean better performance, or just less baterry life?

Thanks!!!

 

[hefox]

The cache memory matters more on some applications. If you intend to use the laptop to movies then the cache memory doesn't matter.
More power consumption doesn't mean that the processor is better but a more powerful processor (from the same company and generation) tend to use more power.

 

[amdolev]

I'm sorry, maybe it's me, but it does not explain whether it means that the CPU is more efficient or any faster.

to sum things up, does twice the cache, 10% more clock and... umm... 10W more is worth the 150$ for the upgrade?

 

[hefox]

From my point of view, no. What do you want to do with the laptop? And if is for games, what videocard do you have?

 

[amdolev]

Thank you for your time.
It's mostly a desktop replacment, so power consumpsion should not be a problem. It'll be an "all-rounder", but mostly games and movies.
I have an offer for a Sony VAIO:
T9600, 4GB RAM DDR2, ATI 4650 1GB, 320GB 7200RPM, Bluray burner
for just under 1500.

...But I heard horror stories about the reliability of the parts. So if I drop the CPU from T9600 to P8700, I can get a similar offer from HP.

I'd go for an ASUS (with supirior graphics, as posted several threads ago), but no Blu-ray option.

 

[hefox]

Yes, you should go for P8700. It will never bottleneck your videocard. If you want to play demanding games, you should buy a laptop with a better graphic card. Maybe you can change optical driver from Asus and put a blu-ray and you really want to have blu-ray.

 

[amdolev]

After browsing around a lot I actually dropped the idea of getting the VAIO, and the ASUS option springs up to mind.
For 1750$ I get:
G51vx-A1
Q9000, 260M GTX, 4GB DDR2, 640GB 7200 and BD-ROM
or for 1500$
G51vx-X2A
T9600, 260M GTX, 4GB DDR2, 320GB 7200 and no BD-ROM (which i can get from ebay for extra 200, which makes the price the same)

so it's to the ultimate question: a fast 2.8 dual core? or a sluggish 2.0 quad core?
since i'm not rendering anything and just using this for games (not necessarily the top end ones), movies and internet fun, which is better for my using profile?

 

[obsidian86]

i'd consider the msi gt727 in this range

 

[amdolev]

i still cant find the GT727 on sale, but i heard it's a new model.
funny thing is that the new laptops come out faster then the official websites can update
specs sound pretty sweet since i really thought the DDR2 is a weak spot in the G51/G71

still it doesn't answer whether i should look for the T9600 or the Q9000 versions.

in any order, MSI give only 1 year warrenty, not int`l
while ASUS gives 2 years global (i'll buy the laptop in the US, but i'm living somewhere else)

 

[obsidian86]

if you want a solid warranty anywhere anytime toshiba is the best

 

[hefox]

Yes but not so reliable laptops at least from my experience. I wouldn't buy Toshiba.

 

[amdolev]

toshiba also won't have anything to do with bluray (although an external one can be used)... and don't have anything with a descent graphics card.

come on, guys...
fast dual core
or slow quad core?

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Processors-Benchmarklist.2436.0.html
if you restrict selection to laptop CPU t9600 is no. 6 and q9000 is no. 24

q9000 beats the t9600 in almost every category, but can these results be appiled on gaming?
i wouldn't want my CPU to be a bottle neck

 

[hefox]

My suggestion is to buy the dual-core one.