Mobile CPUs

[n0tdan]

I have not heard ANYTHING about mobile CPUs and a friend is asking for advice on the latest laptops available at the moment. after some googling.. i've not been able to find anything regarding the latest amd mobile processors..

Am i just overlooking the info? the closest thing i ran across was 2005/6 comparisons ><; Though i did skim over what appeared to be specific laptop reviews and amd's website. I was hoping for a comparison chart and/or specific comparisons of current mobile CPUs (T7, 8, 9k series vs turion 70 & 80 series). Maybe my search skills just suck!

Thanks!

 

[Phynaz]

Any of the Turion reviews will be fine...AMD hasn't come out with anything newer.

 

[Erock]

I would stick with the intel side, turions run really hot. 85*C playing CS:S is quite rediculus. It seems quite solid though and handles multi-tasking no prob.

 

[Fox5]

The turions are pretty competitive, power wise, with the Intel processors. Especially while idling.
That, and the AMD laptops are often cheaper and have better integrated graphics means a decent gaming setup for less. (you often have to look at the business line ups though)
Of course, the Turions won't compare to the performance of a core 2 duo, so they're losing the performance/watt battle even if they are low wattage, but graphics power is going to matter way more in a laptop. (if you game)

The new Turion X2s based on the Puma core (typically called Turion X2 Ultra, though the Ultra indicates the cache size) are more power efficient than the older turion x2s, especially while idling. Performance is only really comparable to the Pentuim Dual Cores though and not the Core 2 Duos. (though the pentium dual cores are based on core 2 duo and should still outperform clock for clock)
And using integrated graphics may even make the AMD solution use less power than an Intel solution with add in graphics of comparable performance. The integrated graphics is also capable of working in Crossfire with an add in graphics, and turning off the add in graphics to conserve power, so it could even be a pretty good gaming laptop while not using much power. Well, that's if you could find one, AMD laptops are somewhat hard to come by that use state of the moment AMD tech.
It's also a moot point when you consider that nvidia's integrated graphics solutions exist for both platforms, and the new 9 series is better than the HD3200 anyway, but at least AMD has a higher bottom end solution than Intel. (except looking around, most AMD laptops I can see now are using the X1250 which is pretty ancient...and HP's cheapest AMD laptop uses an nvidia 8200)

 

[Roland00]

What is his price range and what is he trying to do?

Performance wise the Turion RM series is pretty comparable to the Dual Core series of similar clocks, Turion ZM will be faster than Dual Core, and Core 2 Duo (which is the same process as the Dual Core but with more cache) will whip any Turion.

Intels also almost always have better battery life, though so many factors influence battery life this isn't always the case.

If he is doing light gaming and his budget is 600 to 750 US then get him an AMD Turion with the ati 3200 integrated graphic card. The 3200 is the same card as the ati 2400 dedicated graphic card but they built it into the motherboard (the nvidia 8200 is also not that bad compared to intel's integrated but get the 3200 for it is much faster). Intel doesn't have anything in that price range that is comparable to gaming. Now if he is gaming and wants to spend more than 800 then definately get an intel. If he wants to spend more than 800 dollars regardless of what he does he should get an intel.

Finally after certain price points, 800 and 1200-1300 you are facing massive diminishing returns in performance/dollar.