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Miscellaneous laptop discussions : AMD vs. Intel laptops - intelligent and informed
AMD vs. Intel laptops - intelligent and informed
by confused_philosopher - 8/26/09 8:42 PMHey all,
So I ask you learned forum members for advice regarding the age-old question: AMD or Intel? The time has come to replace my old, crappy Toshiba A-75 that I bought new in 2004. I have done tons of research and shopping (both online and in-store) for a new laptop, and have narrowed it down to two:
HP Pavilion dv6-1268nr with AMD Turion X2 Ultra ZM-82
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11319358
Toshiba Satellite A505-S6965 with Intel (Centrino) Core 2 P7350
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=937155&type=product&id=1218093379440
Both appear to be great systems, and are practically the same (screen size, numeric keypad, expandable RAM, price, etc). There are pros and cons to each machine, though, and so I just wanted to share some thoughts with y'all. I will use the laptop for internet, movies, WP, and gaming. That said, here are some considerations:
Advantages of the HP:
--Better ATI video card, with more ded. memory (1GB vs. 512MB)
--Bigger FSB (3600 vs. 800-1066)
--Faster clocked processor (2.2 vs. 2.0)
--Supports "b" wireless
Advantages of the Toshiba:
--Bigger HDD (500GB vs. 320GB)
--Bigger L2 cache (3MB vs. 2 MB)
--Newer processor architecture, Intel generally clocks better
I have read much into the heat issues with AMD processors, including with this specific laptop. While I don't worry about the heat per se, I do worry about it affecting components in the future. The better video card on the HP sounds great, but I think the Toshiba will have better battery life with the Centrino chipset and maybe last longer down the road with a cooler-running processor.
The Intel seems to kick butt in the benchmarks I have seen, but will the AMD pull ahead here with the extra .2 Ghz, bigger FSB, and better GPU? I also have to say that I am hesitant and spiteful towards Toshiba since I have had SO many problems with my P.O.S. Satellite A-75. Hence, I am torn. For $800, which comp is the better deal, and which will still be running in a few years?
Anyone out there know about / have either system? Any thoughts / opinions?
Thanks!!
The links you gave are dead.
by R. Proffitt
- 8/27/09 2:55 AM
In reply to: AMD vs. Intel laptops - intelligent and informed by confused_philosopher
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/toshiba-satellite-a505-s6960/4505-3121_7-33695843.html?tag=mncol;txt is as close as I could find on the Toshiba with benchmarks. While give the nod to the Tosh here I read your post and didn't find what the machine was going to be used for.
We have a lesser Tosh L305 here that the kid runs games that tax the CPU at 100% for days. It's fine. It also has the Intel 4500 video yet all the games work. Intel is not to be dismissed except for gamers.
Bob
"b" wireless.
by R. Proffitt - 8/27/09 2:56 AM
In reply to: AMD vs. Intel laptops - intelligent and informed by confused_philosopher
To date, if you find wifi in a laptop, it supports that. I wouldn't write it was a feature yet I can see where folk might think its missing if you didn't put it on the spec page.
Fixed links
by confused_philosopher - 8/27/09 7:20 AM In reply to: AMD vs. Intel laptops - intelligent and informed by confused_philosopherThanks for the input. Here are the fixed links to the laptop webpages:
Toshiba:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9371556&type=product&id=1218093379440
HP:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11319358
From my first post:
" I will use the laptop for internet, movies, WP, and gaming." Games such as CoD4, Fallout 3, Dawn of War, etc.
I'll still pick the Core 2 Duo.
by R. Proffitt - 8/27/09 7:29 AM
In reply to: Fixed links by confused_philosopher
You can find CPU benchmarks on tomshardware.com so no reason to guess which is faster in the CPU department. The video solutions are almost too close to call but both will run games fine.
Best plan? Go to a store that has some game like you listed installed and see it working. As to heat, I like stores to find a machine that has been on for hours to see if there are any hot spots.
I will not reply with long reviews in the forums. I will keep it short. I'd pick the C2D here.
Bob
FSB?
by confused_philosopher - 8/27/09 7:33 AM In reply to: AMD vs. Intel laptops - intelligent and informed by confused_philosopherOne question I have is how the AMD could have a much larger FSB (3600 Mhz), and be out-performed by the Intel that has only 800 Mhz FSB? Is this due to the newer architecture of the Intel chip? Is system bus speed no longer such the issue that it once was?
This and CACHE sizes.
by R. Proffitt - 8/27/09 7:52 AM
In reply to: FSB? by confused_philosopher
I've seen a lot of questions about CPU specifics. These can be answered by hitting the benchmarks. In this case it was no contest.
HP coupons?
by confused_philosopher - 8/31/09 6:50 AM In reply to: AMD vs. Intel laptops - intelligent and informed by confused_philosopherI recently tried to buy the HP HDX16t directly from HP with a coupon that someone gave me, but the coupon has expired. The coupon, NBS32924, was from HP and it was for $200 off. Does anyone else know any other coupons out there right now that would get this laptop down to $800 total? Any others out there right now?
HP Coupons
by habeason - 9/3/09 8:04 PM In reply to: HP coupons? by confused_philosopherI found some HP coupons on techbargains.com. I was trying to use the $200 coupon as well, and the website timed out on me in mid process. I ended up getting a $250 discount with the new coupon I found at the same website.
Good Luck
tough call
by sillyhermitcrab - 9/9/09 6:47 AM In reply to: AMD vs. Intel laptops - intelligent and informed by confused_philosopherwhile i am a through and through AMD/ATI fanboy,i despise HP-too much proprietary crap that seems to crap out quite often with me.and i love Toshiba,they are the only mainstream brand of laptop id go with,but i hate Intel-core i7 processor for $1000 or a Phenom 2 for $250...hm.in this case,i'd say compromise.here's an MSI laptop for $900 (minus $100 mailin rebate so $800) with an AMD based setup.not as strong a video card as the HP,but it's still a very nice machine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152087
i've never had an issue with AMD overheating,but if it is a concern,you can get a chilling mat.hds are easy to upgrade,and cheap these days,of course xhds are cheaper and have greater storage capacity.but,if you are set upon those two models,i'd go with the Toshiba,because the sum of its parts makes up for intel based power.i'd hate for you to get good driving power but equipment that wont do it right and in my experience just fail you.
Reference to Tosheba satalite 505 laptop thu Best buy
by dsearnest - 9/10/09 9:34 AM In reply to: AMD vs. Intel laptops - intelligent and informed by confused_philosopherI purchased one of these thru Best Buy. the laptop was setup by the "Geek Squad" new, with recovery disks and Trend Micro Internet Secuity 2009, The "first machine would not stay connected to the internet long enough to update the software (operating system or Trend Micro). Result was a defective modem. Best buy replaced the laptop with a second identical laptop, and again could not get the Trend Micro software to run. I gave up after 4 weeks, gota full refund and have not returned or have I bought a laptop of any kind.
I may consider a Mac,
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