Intel vs AMD Duel Core Processors(buying new notebook)

Question

Hi friends,      I am looking at buying another new Dell Notebook. I noticed that Dell is offering both the Intel and the AMD Processors in some of their new notebooks. I was wondering if you could tell me the differance between them, like is Intel better then AMD or just that AMD is cheaper? I noticed that all the more expensive 'XPS' and the 'Gaming' notebooks have only Intel in them.   Thank You for your help. Rick

dcgtls · Answer

Here is a simple comparison between the 2. This is just what I see from Dell's lineup. If you do not need that top of the line video card then AMD is the way to go, but if you plan to do any 3D gaming you will be better off with the Intel. Now some other companies do offer a better video with the AMD but not all. If the 1721 had better video card options I would have gotten that instead of my 1720.   AMD:  uses less power and you will have a little more battery life.  Not the best video card options.  runs a little hotter than Intel.  Is a very good CPU   Intel:  uses a little more power  Much better video cards available  does not run as hot as AMD  Is a very good CPU   I hope this makes sense. If my take is incorrect someone will correct me soon.   Dave

maxd · Answer

I read something nasty about ATI video having major issues (with Vista ?). Intel uses Speedstep technology in some/all (?) of their newer processors which maximizes battery/power performance. This is just 2 of probably many good reasons to go with Intel.

2Perfect · Answer

From what I've read, AMD provides good competition with Intel only in desktops. When it comes to laptops, I think Intel is the way to go.

I've had a laptop with an AMD Turion64 before. It gets a lot hotter than Intel laptops, which in turn makes the fan run constantly (and annoyingly loud), which I think also reduces battery life (extremely high temperatures).

But I think most AMD chips are faster than most Intel chips. Not sure about that one though.

iKlaatu · Answer

I have the AMD TL-60 2 GHz, just got it last week. From what I was finding in the benchmarks I wanted a Intel but not pay the extra $150 or whatever the difference was in price. Just figured I'd risk it since I've never had a computer with AMD in it.

First time I've had a dual core CPU, too, so I can't make a direct comparison.

Seems to be up to almost 1/2 (down to 2/3 or so) the processing time, using POV-Ray (a ray-tracer) over the past 15 years, when compared with the P4-M 2GHz in my Inspiron 8200.

Which is actually about the improvement I got each time I 'upgraded' to a new CPU (486DX 66MHz, Pentium 133MHz, Pentium II 500MHz, P3 800MHz to the P4-M 2GHz).

I'm never completely thrilled with any new computer. ;) However, I haven't encountered problems with the X1270 video for just the Aero Glass of Vista and running programs that don't require better video cards (no gaming stuff yet).

I really haven't had time to try much yet. Spent most of the past week getting wireless networking/internet to work right, then file backups/transfers.

Not disappointed with the notebook itself, until maybe I use it more and find otherwise, only with Vista and the crazy change it is from XP. Except how the sideways fan exhaust and bottom intake isn't ergonomical for using in a lap.

Anyway... I'm thinking planned obsolesence while I await the next good thing to come along (64-bit OS on a quad-core) and whenever that doesn't cost a whole lot. :)

Search for benchmark comparisons and I think Intel has been winning this round for most stuff. As always, though, when I try to check such things there's usually some descrepency in the details depending on what you do with the computer.

P.S.

After writing all that, thought I mentioned some trouble with the dual processing versus single processor 'thread'. So editing this to say I think there could be a potential problem causing a slow-down under certain circumstances. Again, nothing I could elaborate on without knowing more myself. More to find out about before I could say for sure.

Message Edited by iKlaatu on 11-18-2007 09:29 PM

jcn77056 · Answer

If you want a raw comparison of CPU performance, go see Tom's Hardware here.  They list every CPU made and compare it with standard benchmarks.  They also have the same thing for graphics cards here.   Remember, you're mileage will vary.  All of the components in the system together make up the performance.  You're workload also has a profound impact on how the system performs.  Disk intensive applications will do better with a 7200rpm hard drive which is not on most laptops by default.  CPU intensive calculation programs require fast CPU and memory.  Games are graphics intensive and will die with most on-board laptop graphics chips.   What are you going to do with the laptop?

Bronco74777 · Answer

Thanks all for your responses. As for 'what I will be doing with notebook'. I just use it for fun. No heavy stuff or heavy gaming. I like to play online games like 'Pogo' and other web stuff or surfing like that. Minor record keeping, maybe a few CD games. I think I am gonna go with the Intel from what I heard from you all. I've always know the name Intel the CPU to use since my 1st computer back in the 1980's. I guess I might go with the 1720. I am looking at some min specs that I got from 'Answers That Work - The Ultimate Troubleshooter'. -Intel (1.7GHz) or AMD (1.8GHz Turion) (3GHz Sempron) -2Gb Ram -120+ Hard Drive (my choice) -DVD Writer -128Mb Graphics   Does that sound ok to u guys? That is their min specs.   Oh also what is the difference between glossy and non glare screens? i guess the glossy is better.   Thanks you all for your time in helping me.   Rick

iKlaatu · Answer

The glossy is somewhat reflective but not as much as I worried it might be before actually using mine. I don't think it would be great in outdoor sunlight if you get distracted by reflections (something like store windows). Can't say for sure since I haven't been outside with the notebook. And yet, indoors near a sunlit window isn't exactly awful, however lightbulbs will definitely shine back at you from the display so keeping things like that angled away could be a problem.

I liked the anti-glare screens but there's an inherent dullness from them. And although I never owned one of the Dell Ultrasharp LCD I had seen them at a Kiosk before and wasn't impressed enough to buy one after already paying more for the 1600x1200 res. screen anyway.

Aside from some reflection issues I do like the glossy, nice and bright. Viewing angles are little better, too. I'm doing alright with the glossy and don't mind not having anti-glare.

On the subject of video hardware... this ATI X1270 does good for general stuff. I haven't noticed any trouble doing photo editing and the Vista Aero Glass is fine. I'm pretty sure games you mentioned would be okay with onboard video. I even reduced the shared memory down to 64MB from 128MB (BIOS options from none [or dedicated 64MB] to 256MB) since I wanted more of the 2GB for programs.

About the heat... This AMD Turion 64 X2 isn't different from the old Inspiron 8200 with Intel P4 2GHz. Both can toast my lap. heh-heh! Unless it's working hard (not just web browsing, typing) it's usually only warm. Something dependent on each person's tolerance to heat, of course. I won't leave it on my lap more than, say, 15 minutes at a time before I set it aside.

I've only burned 2 DVD-R's (file backups) so far but that is also apparently good enough with my notebook's specs.

Looks like you might be thinking about single CPU instead of dual core. Remember that dual core allows better multi-tasking AND has a speed boost, just in case you need that someday. Otherwise, yeah, doing basic stuff shouldn't be a problem with single CPU. Heck, I was doing fairly well these past few years with the old Inspiron except certain programs I use are helped by moving to a dual core.

2Perfect · Answer

Yup. Single core should be fine for most of the things you'll do. Even more advanced things it could probably still handle once in a while. But I've found my core 2 duo to run a lot quieter, and cooler than my turion64, added of course to the speed difference due to the new technology. Plenty of advantages to dual core, but again, getting by with a single core shouldn't be too bad either.

Glossy vs. Anti-Glare? I don't notice much of a difference.
My glossy one (might be different. it wasn't from Dell) seemed brighter and made the picture (or made it seem to be) clearer. When I got my Dell with anti-glare I thought my wallpaper (transferred directly) somehow got converted and lost quality, but it didn't. It was just the screen. Although it's not as bad as you're probably imagining right now.

With glossy, lights are annoying when watching movies. But you barely notice it when you're just reading through webpages and such, unless of course you're outside in the very bright sunlight. At those times I can't even see the glossy screen.

Bronco74777 · Answer

Thank You EVERYONE for all your help and suggestions. I ordered my notebook today.   INSPRON 1720   - Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 2.0Ghz 800Mhz - 2GB DDr2 667MHz 2 Dimm -Glossy 17' (1440x900) screen -128MB NVIDIA video card -250G 5400RPM Hard Drive - CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive) - 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card - Bluetooth capability - 2.0 Webcam

2Perfect · Answer

Great choices! You may already know this but I'd just like to point out so it's clear: to maximize the wireless N card you got with your laptop, you also need a wireless N router :) (unless of course you'll be close to your router/modem and wont use wireless). So while your waiting, go look for a bargain on N routers :)

Bronco74777 · Answer

Thank You. Yea, I was gonna order a 'n' router with the computer, but said lets see if it works at 54Mbps with the router/modem I have. If I get 54Mbps then I'll wait a month and see if Verizon releases the Westell versa link 'n' router/modem and get that. But in the mean time I guess I will start looking around. I lost all my trust in 'Linksys' as they falsely advertised that their 'n' PC card would work with any 'g' router or router/modem. It don't. I saw one from 'Belkin' electronics. Also Dell has some. I guess thats the next project because I bet Verizon will sit on this for a long time.LOL I just hope that if I do go and buy a router, it won't be too hard to get it to work with the versa link, I have a feeling my time will be consumed with trying to figure out that nasty 'ol Vista thing.

iKlaatu · Answer

Maybe this is another well-known thing but just in case someone reading doesn't realize it yet: Not all wireless 'n' stuff has the 5 GHz frequency along with the 2.4 GHz. Blame the ever-changing Draft N specs, I guess, eh? I don't know... I read about it being dual frequency a long time ago and figured that went for all the new 802.11n things. Okay, blame myself a bit, too.
I made the mistake of not checking into that when I bought the Netgear WNR834Bv2 with my new notebook. However, the DELL wireless 1505 'n' card apparently does have both frequencies.

Special reason for the 5 GHz for me was to prevent wireless security camera interference.

I've been using a Netgear WGU624 wireless router the past couple years since it has the 'a' band, working at 5 GHz, and disabling the 'g' band in both router and DELL 1450 wireless card.

Obviously I was wanting better range, so thought the new router would provide that at the very least. As it is right now I can't get 30' away from the old router without losing the connection (half that through walls).

Regardless, I retried the new router again today and still can't get a signal at all. Thinking defective more and more. Might avoid the camera signals and help both devices stay noise-free even if I use its 2.4GHz signal.
Might never find out if I can't connect and try it, maybe it was the firmware update it did the moment I went into setup... read that those wireless firmware updates can be problematic sometimes.

Bronco74777 · Answer

Well as you can see in my sig below, I got my new laptop. The wireless card they gave me is the 108.11n and I looked it up in the specs, it says it is both 2.4 and 5GHz. Is that ok? It is only connecting to my Westell router/modem at 11Mbps instead of the 54Mbps. Verizon is still not offering a 108.11n router/modem yet so I guess I have to go somewhere else and buy one.   Questions: 1- Should I just buy a router and If I do I guess I just have to turn it on and connect an ethernet cable to the westell router/modem. Then I'll see the routers name on my internet connection and instead of connecting to the westell I connect to the new router name. Then I'll be commucating to the router and the router will send the signal to the westell and the westell sends it along the phone line?   2- when I look for a new router I take it I should look to get the 5GHz cause thats better then the 2.4GHz? Or a router that has both 2.4 and 5GHz?   3- Should I get just a router or should I get a router/modem?   4- Any suggestions on brands to look at?   Thank You Rick

2Perfect · Answer

I don`t really know the difference between 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz. but from what I understand it`s only used to avoid interference if you have many 2.4Ghz appliances and such.

If the Westell box is indeed a modem, then that setup should work. If anything doesn't work, try following your router's installation manual. You shouldn't have to get a new modem. I'm not even sure if there are any wireless N router/modems.

dual_kore · Answer

I noticed you said that you think Glossy is better. I hope I catch you before you get the glossy screen. I made the mistake of getting the glossy screen....I am in college and sometimes you can only be outside for you to get a wireless signal on campus...the glare is WRETCHED. If I could go back and get the other screen I so would. I hate the gloss.

Also, for anyone who thinks that AMD is no good, I would beg to differ, this is my own personal experience though. Intels always seems to run slower for me, I dont know WHY though. I do typical things on my computers nothing to over taxing. The battery time seems about the same as far as laptops go. But it seems my AMD processors run smoother and last longer than the comps I had with Intels. I have a desktop for 2000 that only has a 9 gig HD and just shy of a gig of RAM and STILL runs smoother than the 1 gig Intel I had. I kept it and gave it to my daughter!

So I guess its just a matter of opinion!

Dell Inspiron 1526

AMD Turion 64 X2 2.00 GHz Dual Core Processors

ATI Radeon X1270 Vid Card

DVD+-RW Drive

Conexant HDA D330 MDC V.92 Modem

230 Gig Local Disk HD

Locked Topics – Laptops General

Intel vs AMD Duel Core Processors(buying new notebook)

Was this post helpful?