i.m looking t buy a laptop & has a few questions:?

Question

1. Core 2 Duo or AMD 64 x2? - some says that Intel is definitely better & AMD heats up real quick. Others says both are as good, only Intel is preferred only cos of the popularity & there's no difference between the 2.
2. Some says the speed e.g 2.0 Ghtz, is more important than the FSB & the cache & others says otherwise or doesnt matter - the RAM is more important as the bigger itis, the easier & faster the computer will access the required info/perform the required tasks.
3. My main usage will be for gaming, some file sharing on the net, movies now & then & storage (which i'm aware the bigger HD the better)

Answer 1

if u re comparing the 2 types of cpu, then i will say Intel has an edge. The main disadvantage of AMD's Athlon64 x2 and Turion64x2 is that it is based on technology that was developed abt 3 yrs back, which is very long in IT. For Intel's current line up of Core 2 Duo, it was launched only last year, so it is pretty new, and includes technology that's absent in the AMDs

however if u re comparing the Turion64 (single core) against the older Pentium-M, then both are pretty close in terms of performance

and one reason for getting Intel cpu for laptop is battery life, generally AMD's dun last very long, but still good enough for simple tasks. Laptops that are Intel Centrino certified can last pretty long, 3.5 hr can be obtained easily on a Centrino machine

if u re into gaming on ur laptop, then the order of importance will be:
1. Graphic Card
2. RAM
3. CPU

for graphic card, Nvidia is preferred since many games are developed based on it's cards. I would suggest something like GeForcr 8600M GT or GeForce 8700M GT, these 2 cards can handle new games pretty well. If u ve the money to spend, then get a GeForce 8800M GTX, which is launched very recently, u will be able to pwn anyone u see in game with this card. but u may need to look harder for a laptop that's equipped with this card. If you are thinking of going SLI (dual card solution), i dun really recommend it as the performance boost doesn't justify the extra money spent.

for RAM, if u re running Vista, which i think u will, 2GB is highly recommended. But dun bother getting more than 4GB as the current 32-bit OS can address only up to 3.25GB, anything more will be wasted.

for CPU, since u re gaming, i suggest Intel Core 2 Duo T7000 series. anything that is T7300 (2.0GHz, 800MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache) or above is good enough for a gaming laptop, however, if u re tight on budget, then a T7250 (2.0GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB L2 cache) or a T7100 (1.8GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB L2 cache) is pretty decent too.

as for the importance of GHz, FSB and cache, perhaps u can tell from the way Intel name it's procesors:

T7100 (1.8GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB L2 cache)
T7200 (2.0GHz, 667MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache)
T7250 (2.0GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB L2 cache)
T7300 (2.0GHz, 800MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache)
T7400 (2.2GHz, 667MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache)
T7500 (2.2GHz, 800MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache)

take note that T7100, T7250, T7300 and T7500 are of the same generation (current) while T7200 and T7400 are of the previous generation

and for desktop:

E6300 (1.8GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 2MB L2 cache)
E6320 (1.8GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache)
E6350 (1.8GHz, 1333MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache)
E6400 (2.1GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 2MB L2 cache)
E6420 (2.1GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache)
E6450 (2.0GHz, 1333MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache)
E6550 (2.3GHz, 1333MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache)
E6600 (2.4GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache)
E6700 (2.6GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache)
E6750 (2.6GHz, 1333MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache)
Q6800 (2.9GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache)
E6850 (2.9GHz, 1333MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache)

and btw, all Core 2 Duo, Athlon64 and Turion64 (x2 included) support 64-bits OS, technically it is a 32-bit cpu that supports 64-bit application, even more technical would be x86 cpu with x64 extension. Intel calls this extension Enhanced Media 64-bit Technology (EM64T). AMD calls it AMD64.

Answer 2

The two processors you described are pretty much identical. Just pick one that you like better. Don't think speed is more important than FSB. They almost go hand in hand in a way. If you got a dual core processor anything over 2.0 Ghz is plenty and your front side bus is over 800. Ram is very important make sure you have a min of 2 GB more is better if you can afford it. If you are gaming you really want to focus on the video card. STAY AWAY FROM INTEGRATED GRAPHICS. Make sure it has a video card should be at least 128 mb. You wont regret it.

Hope this was helpfull

Answer 3

1. Intel Core 2 Duo is better - reason AMD is the generic version (i.e. copy) of Intel. Do you drink Coke or Sams Cola? Microsoft developers use Intel processors - enough said.

2. The amount of RAM is the most important. If you don't get a 64 bit processor (which is Core 2 Duo is NOT), then you don't need more than 2Gb (the processor can't address more than that).

3. For your application - spend your money on a graphics accelerator, screen size/quality.

PS - get an external USB HDD to backup your data, small money - worth every penny.

Answer 4

I have a 64 x2 AMD Duo Drive and have no problems with overheating.

If you're going to use your laptop for gaming, I recommend no less than 2 gigs of RAM. I got my laptop for a steal with 2 gigs of ram and 160 gig hard drive and AMD duo processer for around $600.

Oh and one final word of advice if you're a gamer. Be sure that the graphic card is excellent! You can't change those in a laptop or so I've heard...that's where my laptop stinks...I need more cowbell!

Answer 5

Don't be fooled like all the consumers AMD makes better processors. You can Google amd vs. intel for detail. Intel just know how to advertise better. I only run AMD processors. Honestly AMD is better but the differences in the processor models you really can't tell unless you run a battery of test to see for yourself. The ram is defiantly important, if your going to game you need at least 3 GB of memory.

Answer 6

I would say Core 2 Duo. But definately get a second opinion at the actual store you are buying from. Most sales associates are knowledgeable of these things.

Answer 7

as you mentioned your main usage i would say go for AMD as its as good as intel and cost effective surely you can save
some money if you go for AMD with that you can either have 4GB of RAM and a nice Graphics card.Remember It is not easy to upgrade things in laptop so choose wisely

Answer 8

to be honest there is not much difference. If your going to be using it for gaming your better off playing on a desktop. What you have been told is the truth, but its like saying nike's got a red stripe and adidas has 3 black ones.... and this one I found is with blue laces.....ect. For what your going to use it for its not worth bothering with. they both get hot, they are both dual processors, and they are both good. Its only enthusiasts like me that notice considerable changes. as long as your laptop is new, has lots of memory a good graphic card and a good size hard drive you will ok.

Answer 9

I don't find the AMD processor having any overheating problems in my Dell Inspiron. You probably can find isolated cases of overheating with the Intel stuff.

Answer 10

Check out the listings on BESTBUY.com, they have a bunch of gamers laptop with enough speed to blast your competition away!