Which Processor?

Question

Hello All,

I'm not sure if this is the right place on the forum to post this...If it isn't, please point me in the right direction. A friend of mine has a daughter going to college next fall. She is going to use her laptop for internet access, word processing, email, watch DVD's, and occasionally burning CD's.

Looking at all of Dell laptops and all the possible processors out there to get, where do you start with the research? The price they are looking to spend is between $1000-$1500 for a good quality laptop. I am out of the loop when it comes to mobile processor technology. I'm hoping that there is someone on this board that could help me with explaining the difference between the processors listed below and assist me in choosing the best possible processor for performance and stability; the advantages and disadvantages of one processor over another. There is so much to consider when picking a processor...Everything from CPU speed, CPU Cache, and CPU FSB. Why Maybe there is a website that explains the difference that I haven't found yet...Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Intel Pentium M Processor - Intel Centrino Mobile Technology
Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processor
Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processor-M
Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processor - Supporting Hyper-Threading Technology
Mobile Intel Celeron Processor
Intel Celeron M Processor

PS - Why is the clock speed on the Intel Pentium M Processor so low compared to the Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processors? Does this mean that the Intel Pentium M Processors are slower than the Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processors?

Thanks Everyone! :)

Sorry for the complete lack of knowledge on the topic!

Message Edited by INTERNET2000 on 06-01-2005 12:45 PM

bacillus · Answer

think of the pentium-M cpu as doing more work per clock cycle than a similiar speed P4-M.

SR45 · Answer

I'm not currently up on notebook systems, but I hear a lot of people who like the Inspiron 6000d model that your friends daughter may want, and like for school. As far as the P-4 compared to the M series systems today, read the link below and it will give you a good idea of the difference

http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/20050525/index.html Link to the Pent M over the P-4 cpu

Frazell · Answer

Well as i posted on another message board about this same question i will offer the answer i posted there...

I will add my $.02...

I recommend you do as previously mentioned and look at the P-M (as they are the recent chips from Intel and everyone says they are great), but i say also look at the P4-M. Before everyone screams at me, yes i know the P4-M is no longer on Intel's Mobile Processor Roadmap.

The reason I'm recommending the P4-M is for the HyperThreading. I find the technology to be simply amazing. For example, I was playing Sim City 4 yesterday and when i exited the game it didn't close (it appeared closed but was still running as i learned via TaskMan). On my non-HT desktop i would have noticed this immediatly, because the computer would have slowed considerably since SC4 was using 100% of the CPU. Here on my laptop with the P4-M w/ HT it showed NO performance related signs that it was running. It only ran considerably hotter due to the CPU being used heavily. I was watching videos online (WMP and Flash vids) and had at least 10 IE windows going at the same time, not to forget MSN Messenger. This is just one example of the many where HT gives the machine high performance where other chips i have used leave off.

The P-M is probably a more effecient chip, but look at the machine your buying too. I know a friend of mine that baught a Toshiba Qosimo w/ a P-M and he only gets 1.5-2hrs of battery life (and according to Toshiba that is the designed time), while i get 3 hours on my P4-M based notebook. All notebooks don't give you the same battery time.

I guess what i'm saying to to basically look at the specific notebook more than just the CPU and not to forget the P4-M as HyperThreading is simply amazing. You can't appreciate it until you actually are using it and see how much it is working when you compare it to your other non-HT hardware.

Good Luck on your purchase...

Original Post Viewable @: http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=13&t=321042&hl=&view=findpost&p=585931086

fantomx · Answer

Sounds like you need a 600m. This machine doesn't have as powerful a video card as the 6000d, but since you didn't mention that the girl would need to play games, it sounds good for you. The thing about the 600m is that you can buy a more upgraded system for the same price that you would pay for a 6000d with fewer upgrades. The 600m has a 64MB video card as its highest option, and for DVD playback, that will be more than enough. You can burn CDs with it, and even DVDs if you want. Also, it's powerful and portable. It has the Pentium M technology, so it will be fast, but it will save power at the same time. It's light and very thin for a laptop. Anyway, if that doesn't sound like the right one for you, the 6000d is also a good option. If you're not in a hurry to get the laptop, wait for some of those good coupons. That way, you can get a $2000 system for as little as $1200, give or take a little bit.

powderoo · Answer

I would tend to stay away from HT in theory it is great, but in laptop applications, heat build up becomes a problem over time, and most people need to know, that most software companies have not picked up on that technology, also Intel no longer promoting the HT like it once did:smileyvery-happy:, and the centrinos are the way to go. Great way to combine speed, with low watt. Power saving features, and they run with low or no heat build up>>>

fantomx · Answer

If you're going to buy a Dell, you have nothing to worry about. You will get the Pentium M, which is the best thing in mobile technology.

Frazell · Answer

@powderoo wrote:

I would tend to stay away from HT in theory it is great, but in laptop applications, heat build up becomes a problem over time, and most people need to know, that most software companies have not picked up on that technology, also Intel no longer promoting the HT like it once did:smileyvery-happy:, and the centrinos are the way to go. Great way to combine speed, with low watt. Power saving features, and they run with low or no heat build up>>>

My laptop runs cool... Fans are barely ever on and the HT technology works wonders as i previously mentioned...

Intel is no longer pushing HT because they are not pushing HT 2.0 which is Dual Core chips. HT as is in my laptop is great, but since it is one core it still has some limitations on what i can and can not do. Dual Core chips have less limitations because the chip can actually do two threads at a time no matter what.

http://www.intel.com/personal/desktop/pentium_d/index.htm?iid=ipc+home_rhc_pentiumdlearnmore

Watch the flash demos to learn how Dual Core is HyperThreading 2.0...

INTERNET2000 · Answer

Thanks All! :) If anyone thinks of anything else, please let me know! - - Sorry it took me so long to respond! I appreciate all the time everyone took to answer my questions! :)

powderoo · Answer

keep in mind, that dell does not offer one laptop with HT technology.  that in itself is enough for me..

Frazell · Answer

Well as i said in a previous post...   You cannot appreciate HyperThreading until you have used it. I can bet anyone on this board that has a HT enabled chip in their laptop will rave on about how much more performance or responsiveness it leaves them with. The P4-M is no longer on Intel's Roadmap simply because Intel wants to push Centrino and the P4-M was not apart of the centrino package. People today buy laptops with Centrino, because they think it is a CPU and not a platform. As i mentioned in my previous post P-M does not always equal a lighter laptop or a longer run time, but it does sell better because of the Centrino branding. In a notebook designed to be thin and light the P-M excels very well, but in a more usage intensive situation (real world not benchmarks) the P4-M reigns supreme. When the Dual Core P-Ms make their way into the market then we will have a chip that can be spoken of in comparison.   Go use a laptop or desktop with HT and compare it when using processor intensive applications to non-HT hardware and you will see why in real world usage HT is simply better...

INTERNET2000 · Answer

I will have to do that just for the heck of it! :-) Thanks All for continuing to provide me with information...I appreciate it! :-)

powderoo · Answer

If you want a frybox, get HT, keep in mind that your fans will spin like a helicopter, and use a battery in no time, look up the facts on centrinos/ its the latest and best for mobile computing, but if the laptop will just sit on a desk plugged in all the time, then consider HT but also know that dell does not use HT in Laptops>>>  just some food for thought>

fantomx · Answer

To get a truly nice laptop with HT, you would have to go with something like Alienware. IBM might have them too, but I'm not sure.

Frazell · Answer

@powderoo wrote:

If you want a frybox, get HT, keep in mind that your fans will spin like a helicopter, and use a battery in no time, look up the facts on centrinos/ its the latest and best for mobile computing, but if the laptop will just sit on a desk plugged in all the time, then consider HT but also know that dell does not use HT in Laptops>>> just some food for thought>

Why do you keep replying with the same message irrespective of the facts that disprove it? As i mention in my sig i have an Dell laptop that has HT and i get 3.5 hours of battery life and i have provided a link for you to a Toshiba P-M powered laptop which only gets 1.5 hours of battery life. You just telling the guy that "If it has a P-M your battery will last forever in comparison to non-P-Ms" is just not true in every situation. And my fan does NOT stay on all the time and if nessesary to shut you up in that regard i can run FanGUI and send screenshots of the temperatures i obtain.

My machine is not on a desk all the time. If anything it spends maybe 20-30% of the time on the desk as i use it for school and everywhere else i go... Even around the house.

I understand that the P4-M might not be what he needs and that is why i recommended him to review the machine as a whole, not just on the basis of the CPU. If the machine as a whole does what he needs properly then that is what he should get. But since he asked about the comparison of the CPUs i felt it was and continues to be very valid that he is given the facts about these CPUs in usage. Not just FUD from users who have not used the CPUs and are simply spreading the garbage they hear online everywhere else.

And as i posted in my previous message... Intel discontinued the P4-M for many reasons, the main one being to continue pushing the Centrino brand name. As i stated, since many people believe Centrino is a processor and not a platform, a platform that is synonamous with wireless in many people's eyes, Intel is making sure to squeeze as much as they can out of the brand.

As i stated to the original poster, and i hope he/she listens, go into stores like Staples or whereever you can and use machines that have similar specs as you want and compare. If you know people with the various chips see if you can use various software configurations on their machines and see how well it does or does not benefit you.

@Toshiba Qosmio G15 Specs @ http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/product/pdf_files/detailed_specs/qosmio_G15-AV501.pdf

As posted in the doc for quick reference...

CPU

Intel® Centrino™ Mobile Technology featuring

• Intel Pentium® M processor 745 [1.80GHz, 2MB L2 cache,

400MHz FSB]

• Intel 855PM system chipset

• Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG (802.11b/g)

Battery

• Lithium Ion 6-Cell (4400mAh)

• Weight11: starting at 0.71 lbs

• Dimensions (WxDxH): 5.07” x 2.83” x 0.80”

• Recharge Time

o Main Batter Off/On – approximately 3.0 hours

hrs/approximately 3.0 hours to 4.0 hours

• Up to 1 hour, 40 minutes (when using in Windows® mode)

(measured by Mobilemark™ 2002)

powderoo · Answer

Also note your comparing your 12cell bat to a 6cell    dah......

Locked Topics – Laptops General

Which Processor?

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