Core Duo T2050 vs. Turion ML-37

krappyappy

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i am picking out a lower-end laptop for under $1k, and have narrowed things down to two choices.

toshiba satellite with Core Duo T2050

or

hp pavilion dv5000z with turion64 ML-37

essentially, the choice is between a lower-end core duo and a higher-end turion64. the other system components are similar, 1gb ram, 5400 rpm HDD, and so on.

the toshiba has 128 mb of shared video memory, and what i assume to be an onboard GPU [Intel Graphics Accelerator 950]. the hp pavilion has a 128MB ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS, which i guess is a dedicated video solution?

so, which of these two would be a better multimedia/gaming system? while this is mainly to be a business/working computer, i like to get the most bang for my buck, if you know what i mean.
 

killernotebooks

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Make sure that both hard drives are 5,400. I know you said they were, but just WATCH these guys.

If I were you I would look at possibly gettting a used computer on Ebay, or check out these DELL Home Inspiron coupons:
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Expires: 7/6/2006


Here is a Turion MT-40 vs. Core Duo 2500 in PCMark05

(The Eliminator is the MT-40 and the Wakazachi is the T2500 core duo 2.0)
vs_eliminator_wakazachi_pcmark05.jpg


 

krappyappy

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i appreciate the suggestions, but i would really like more information on the two systems i outlined, rather than alternatives.

i know that core duos generally outperform amd mobile chips, but this is a comparison between two cpus which aren't necessarily in the same class. add to that the fact that one computer has dedicated video while the other doesn't, and the comparison becomes less than straightforward.
 

killernotebooks

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I actually thought you mis-typed a T2500 cpu. I didn't even know the T2050 existed as I am pretty much just high end.

I think the Turion CPU is going to be better. It's a 2.0 Ghz 64 bit vs. a 1.6 core duo. I would say the Turion if I had to choose. Plus you have a 64 bit capable machine for right around a grand. If you think about it, the ML-37 is what they were putting in the ACER Ferrari up until this last revision, and it worked pretty good.

I recommended a different system because quite frankly, the capabilities of either system is very limited due to the integrated graphics engines, unless you just want to use it for everyday graphics un-intensive tasks.
 

killernotebooks

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This is what I mean right here:
40 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
60 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
80 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
80 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
100 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
120 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive

HP puts 4,200 rpm hard drives for all but 1 (84%) of the system options on a system with a 2.0 GHz CPU!

What's the point of the 2.0 Ghz CPU? I don't get it.

I would get the Radeon Xpress 200M with 128 MB memory, that's going to be your best choice IMHO.

Anyone lese reading this post who wants to spend about the same and use it in about the same way take a look at this notebook:
Acer Aspire AS3004WLCi NoteBook AMD Mobile Sempron 3100+ 15.4" Wide XGA 512MB DDR333 60GB 4200rpm DVD/CD-RW Combo SiS Mirage 2 $546 - upgrade the RAM and the hard drive to 7,200 rpm for less than you are spending for the HP and make the HD into a external pocket drive or sell it on Ebay.

Here's one with a 9700 GPU ABS Mayhem G3 R34 NoteBook AMD Athlon 64 3400+ 15.4" Wide XGA 512MB DDR400 80GB 5400rpm DVD±R/RW ATI Mobility Radeon 9700
 

krappyappy

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why, a way to eke more money out of the hapless customers who don't know better, of course.

it's also pretty annoying to not know the precise specs for the components, such as memory timings. it would have been nice if it was ddr2, also.

i think i just have to resign myself to the fact that no matter which one i pick, it's going to leave a lot to be desired. but i am on a budget, and this wasn't meant to be a gaming system in the first place.
 

krappyappy

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May 24, 2006
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[error]
Does not compute

haha...

incidentally, the acer as3004 with the sempron 3100+ was my first choice. but i decided to visit the local electronic chains to do some general comparison, and found this hp dv5000z for $800, which i thought was a pretty good price. the exact same machine ordered directly from hp approaches $1000.